Nicely organized, Melvin Matthews' systematic critique of the American horror movie genre as it is inextricably linked to American history is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Matthews explains how the phenomenon of cinematic horror continually reflects the social issues of the 20th century. For instance, the author asserts that films such as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "Freaks" were expressions of society's growing distrust of politics and science, and these movies challenged the status quo and suppression of the common man.

They hearkened to the anguish of the Depression, felt most acutely by the lower class.

The author brings the reader through the Cold War years, carefully explaining with the inclusion of many academic sidebars how horror remains a direct expression and reaction to social fears and atrocities. "The Wolf Man," "Cat People," "King Kong," "The Incredible Shrinking Man" (and Woman); all glorious and sometimes cheesy reflections of the bumpy ride through America's past century.

The photographs are fascinating and bring back exciting times in front of the black-and-white television, as I waited for the tubes to heat up to watch the latest Creature Feature.