Allen J. Frantzen is a professor of English at Loyola University Chicago. He is the author of Before the Closet: Same-Sex Love from "Beowulf" to "Angels in America."
"Frantzen reached down to feel the vibrations of one of the bass
strings of European civilization, where Christianity, manhood,
violence, and vengeance meet. His exploration of that tone is both
deep and revealing."--Joshua Sanborn "Journal of Modern
History"
"In his ambitious and far-ranging study, Bloody Good, Allen
Frantzen seeks to explore the 'enduring power of chivalry to
symbolize both prowess and principle in warfare' by examining the
links between its origins in the Middle Ages and its continued
expressions during the First World War. . . . Frantzen concludes
that the myth of self-sacrifice was expropriated to serve the
interests of the state to be sure, but that chivalric
behavior--based on Christian concepts of love and self-sacrifice
for others--also constituted an essential aspect of the mentality
of most combatants. . . . This study is unique in its scope and
offers many valuable insights. As such, it makes an important
contribution to our understanding of the enduring myths and symbols
of Western Culture and how they are reified and continually
resurrected to fit new concepts. In this regard, Bloody Good
represents a significant achievement."--Joe Lunn "Journal of
Military History"
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
