Reason Memphis

Death and Illness in America: How do American cultural values (like independence, productivity, and optimism) shape our views on illness, aging, and death, and how might these values help or hinder our ability to face them honestly?

https://peterattiamd.com/bjmillerandbridgetsumser/

https://undark.org/2017/10/19/death-dying-america-anthropologist/

https://www.kff.org/health-costs/poll-finding/public-opinion-on-chronic-illness-in-america/#:

https://www.chsglobe.com/44265/features/cover-stories/death-in-american-society/

Join us for a captivating book club experience reading Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey, a masterful exploration of the history, folklore, and cultural meaning behind America’s haunted locations. This thought-provoking work goes beyond ghost stories, diving deep into how these haunted sites reflect the country’s social and historical struggles—from racial violence to forgotten tragedies and the unresolved ghosts of the past.
As members of this book club, we will:

• Discuss the unique blend of history and supernatural tales that frame places like the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia, and many other hauntingly vivid locations.
• Reflect on how ghost stories serve as cultural memory, revealing uncomfortable truths about American history.
• Examine themes such as trauma, memory, and justice through the lens of hauntings, connecting past and present.
• Share personal reactions and insights on Dickey’s engaging narrative style and investigative approach.

Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of paranormal tales, or intrigued by how storytelling shapes national identity, this book club offers a rich and immersive experience.

Topic Coming Soon!!

Topic Coming Soon!!