Stomping Grounds: A Pilgrim's Progress Through Eight American Subcultures

by W. Hampton Sides, Hampton Sides

A social analysis of eight uniquely American groups, from the Bohemian Club to the Church of God in Christ, shows to what extent American identities are shaped by involvement in groups and pastimes. 50,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo. Tour.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1992 by W. Hampton Sides, this journey through Americana in the 20th century has been wonderful. Some portions of it I recall clearly as an observer but never a participant - Bass fishing, Tupperware parties, the 'hippies communing with nature', Sturgis. The Bohemian festival of wealthy, powerful American men which opens the book was a new one. Whether the Iditarod race, camping ventures with in an Airstream camper or evangelism with the Church of God in Christ, author Sides' makes you a virtual participant and therefore a fellow on that slice of the American experience. I'm thankful for the experiences...all eight of them.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vibe was completely off in Stomping Grounds: A Pilgrim's Progress Through Eight American Subcultures until the narrator cracked one honest joke and the whole thing exhaled. W. Hampton Sides clearly knows how to tighten a screw and then loosen it at the right moment. The first act is stiff, no fluff in the praise there. Great for patient readers, skip if you want instant charm.

[Yousseif Abdellatif · Rating 3 out of 5]

W. Hampton Sides uses Stomping Grounds to illustrate how authority weaponizes social isolation to break down individual resistance before it even forms.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically stories that are all included in his book Americana, which has 40 stories in all.