{"product_id":"9781250163752","title":"Why To Kill a Mockingbird Matters : What Harper Lee's Book and the Iconic American Film Mean to Us Today","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eWhy To Kill a Mockingbird Matters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Tom Santopietro\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTom Santopietro, an author well-known for his writing about American popular culture, delves into the heart of the beloved classic and shows readers why \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird \u003c\/i\u003ematters more today than ever before.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith 40 million copies sold, \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird’s\u003c\/i\u003e poignant but clear eyed examination of human nature has cemented its status as a global classic. Tom Santopietro's new book, \u003ci\u003eWhy To Kill a Mockingbird Matters\u003c\/i\u003e, takes a 360 degree look at the \u003ci\u003eMockingbird \u003c\/i\u003ephenomenon both on page and screen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSantopietro traces the writing of \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e, the impact of the Pulitzer Prize, and investigates the claims that Lee’s book is actually racist.  Here for the first time is the full behind the scenes story regarding the creation of the 1962 film, one which entered the American consciousness in a way that few other films ever have.  From the earliest casting sessions to the Oscars and the 50th Anniversary screening at the White House, Santopietro examines exactly what makes the movie and Gregory Peck’s unforgettable performance as Atticus Finch so captivating.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs Americans yearn for an end to divisiveness, there is no better time to look at the significance of Harper Lee's book, the film, and all that came after.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Fans of \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e, the film and the novel, will enjoy this work. “\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Meticulous attention to detail… Readers not familiar with the stories behind the novel and film will find much to relish.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Absorbing and full of beguiling detail.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A detailed account of a classic novel's context, transformation, and acclaim.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Santopietro has certainly done his homework, and he applies the rigor of his knowledge admirably... \u003ci\u003eWhy To Kill a Mockingbird Matters\u003c\/i\u003e is astute.\"—\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A fascinating new book. Santopietro does \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e proud. Even Harper Lee—so reticent, so resistant to attention—would have been mighty pleased at this affectionate, meticulous and masterful explanation as to why \u003ci\u003eMockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e still matters. \"\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNew York Social Diary\u003c\/i\u003e, Denis Ferrara\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Tom Santopietro gets to the heart of the matter in every subject he has tackled in his illustrious career. His latest, the story behind the great American novel \u003ci\u003eTo Kill A Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e and its superb film adaptation is fascinating. This gifted author takes you inside the world that inspired the novel and the process that  led to its telling as only he can. Inspiring, hopeful and surprising at every turn, this is a glorious read in the moment we need it most.\" \u003cbr\u003e          —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eKiss Carlo\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e     \"I barreled through \u003ci\u003eWhy To Kill a Mockingbird Matters\u003c\/i\u003e, Tom Santopietro’s comprehensive and multi-faceted investigation of \u003ci\u003eMockingbird's\u003c\/i\u003e backstory, the movie’s making, and the enduring influence of a story which, as Santopietro observes, is simultaneously straightforward and complex, traditional and subversive. Santopietro masterfully examines the novel’s impact during the era in which it was published and also within the context of these present, more cynical times of race-baiting politics, the Black Lives Matter movement, and what readers might make of that flawed “other” Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s \u003ci\u003eGo Set a Watchman\u003c\/i\u003e. If, like me, you’re a fan and a student of \u003ci\u003eTo Kill a Mockingbird\u003c\/i\u003e, you will love this fascinating and timely book.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e          —Wally Lamb, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eI Know This Much Is True\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781250163752\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"St. Martin's Press","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40675781902542,"sku":"9781250163752","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_fca3499e-8281-4f89-9e5e-e38f842b1df5.jpg?v=1639972193","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781250163752","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}