Shattering Conventions: Commerce, Cosplay and Conflict on the Expo Floor

by Bob Calhoun

Conventions. Tradeshows. Expos. Every profession and obsession has them. We select hot tubs, handguns, the best Wonder Woman costume and even our presidential contenders at these neo-tribal gatherings where commerce and communalism collide. With a tanking economy and looming layoffs, lapsed-fanboy Bob Calhoun sets out on a quest through the temporary worlds created in concrete convention centers and hotel conference rooms for the nerdy enthusiasm he has lost. However, in "Shattering Conventions," his new pop-culture memoir, Calhoun quickly discovers that escapism provides little escape from a growing American craziness.

During his self-imposed one year mission, Calhoun confronts the Westboro Baptists in front of Comic-Con, gets called out by Andrew Breitbart at a Tea Party rally, sneaks into a hemp expo and is chased out of a plastic surgeons' conference by security guards. "Shattering Conventions" is filled with first-person observations of such luminaries as George Takei, Gene Simmons, Stan Lee, Mitt Romney, Kevin Smith, Bootsy Collins, Ted Nugent, HP CEO Meg Whitman, Gavin Newsom, Mr. T, Congressman Darrell Issa, William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, a pro-wrestler called The Miz and even the ghost of Elvis. And in between the celebrity run-ins are the stories of "Star Wars" and "Twilight" fans seeking camaraderie through cosplay, and entrepreneurs striving to make it in the worst economy since the Great Depression.

Starting out as a goofy pop-culture experiment, "Shattering Conventions" becomes a twisted political odyssey where Calhoun witnesses the growing conflict between sci-fi nerds and right-wing extremists for the very soul of a nation. And the more conventions that Calhoun attends, the more he realizes that all of this coming together might be tearing us apart.

Genres: Nonfiction

292 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2013

About the author

Bob Calhoun is a San Francisco Bay Area author, journalist, and former wrestler and peepshow emcee. Since 2015, he has recounted his city’s most gruesome and lurid events in his regular SF Weekly column, "Yesterday’s Crimes." His punk wrestling memoir, Beer, Blood & Cornmeal (ECW Press), is a national bestseller.

Reviews

[Dan Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, funny, and occasionally cutting retelling of the political atmosphere of the past 10 years by way of California conventions. Someone needs to sponsor Bob during the next presidential election so he can access more cons across the country. I felt a pang of disappointment whenever he was unable to get a press pass or sneak into an event. His visits to the stranger cons were the best parts, and you have to appreciate a man who can tie together cosplay, Republicans, Bigfoot hunters, the Westboro Baptist Church, and cattlemen.

[Jackie Kashian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, funny, interesting...weird. A really fascinating book. For reals.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this through the Goodreads giveaways! Thank you so much!

Giving this 4.5 stars.

This was just what I needed to read! It was awesome! A great look at different conventions that will have you laughing from start to finish!

(Sorry for the short review so far. Will write a longer, more in-depth one as soon as I recover from my strep throat)

[patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fine and funny book on conventions! I'm ready for the second installment now!

[Ann Hurlbut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bit of gonzo journalism had me on occasion chuckling, giggling, and sometimes laughing out loud. I found myself reading many sections aloud to my husband. I am only sorry he had to miss the furry convention.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Calhoun is always a fun read. The only complaint is that Count Dante doesn't do a special appearance. I had my beer and tacos all ready ... guess I'll have to keep them for the next J H who stops by unless it's Prince!