Review by Choice Review
Berger's work is, at best, a superficial, shallow study of video games and the culture that embraces them. The subtitle is particularly misleading, since the author never establishes with any convincing clarity that he understands video games, video gamers, or their place within popular culture. He attempts a brief study of the video game industry, but his interpretations are like those of a near-sighted tourist seeing a high-speed train--he gets some of the details, but the overall picture is a blur. Finally, some of Berger's arguments are racist and sexist. Regarding the popularity of Tomb Raider he writes, "For people of color, the fact that she [Lara Croft] is a Caucasian aristocrat may make subjecting her to their scrutiny more significant." In reference to the video game character of Croft he adds, "Women with guns have, it could be said, appropriated or stolen the male phallus and thus are objects of dread and anxiety--they are castrating bitches who want, it seems, both their femininity and guns/phalluses, the twin sources of masculine power." These unsupported conclusions destroy any credibility this book may otherwise have. Not recommended. R. C. Adams Kansas State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
