Published in 1998 and based on an ethnographic study nested within a PhD, this is indeed a solid work of cultural studies.

During that period, the field was dominated by good research and well-considered theory.

Significantly, this research stands out as superior to the extraordinarily poor research on fandom that has emerged since the mid-2000s. The latter lacks any theorization of the political economy or digitization.

However, where this book is solid but not excellent lies in the questions of why fandom exists and precisely what fans gain from their commitment. Additionally, the researcher does not fully address the "problem" of his own fandom and fan knowledge, and how that impacts his research. At times, his experience is overly generalized.

What this book does capture, though, is what we have lost in popular cultural studies. A book like this, a PhD like this, could not come into being now. That is a great pity. But this book serves as a testament to a more interesting and intelligent era in the international humanities.

This book was referenced in several fan studies texts, and that's what led me to decide to go back to the original.

It turns out to be an excellent ethnography. As a fan, I was drawn to it because I'm interested in the stories and experiences of other fans before the era of Web 2.0. And as a researcher, I was intrigued by how Cavicci interpreted and intertwined theory with fan stories.

I found reading this book to be a truly pleasurable experience. So much so that I wanted to recommend it to my colleagues and friends who are themselves fans of Springsteen and might also enjoy it as pleasure reading.

This review is based on the Kindle/e-version, which had the advantage of making annotation and note-taking very easy. However, it was perhaps a bit less enjoyable to read outdoors compared to a physical book.

I'm now considering ordering a hard copy to add to my bookshelf of research books, as I believe it would be a great addition and something I could refer back to easily.

Okay, I didn't really even read this.

I just thought I'd support the boss a little.

Maybe it's not a big deal, but sometimes showing support can mean a lot.

I know that the boss has been working hard and facing many challenges.

So, even if it's just a small gesture like this, I hope it can bring a little bit of encouragement.

After all, we're all in this together, and a little support can go a long way in helping us get through tough times.

Who knows, maybe this small act of mine will make a difference in the end.

It's always worth a try, right?

Ok, here is the full disclosure. Dan is indeed one of my very best friends. He is not just an ordinary person; rather, he is an excellent writer, a diligent researcher, and an innovative theorist.

I initially thought that I might be biased in my assessment of him. However, even at an Ethnomusicology conference that I attended, he was cited by others who don't even know him personally.

The book that he has written is something to be noted. Be warned, this book is not about Bruce. Instead, it delves into the world of Bruce's fans, exploring the concepts of fans, ideology, and culture. It is truly a seminal work in the field. I have read other studies on various topics such as Trekkers, Sci-fi fans, and slash fiction, but this book really stands out and takes the cake.

One interesting tidbit that I found in the book is that Dan follows the origin of the word "fan." While it is typically thought to be derived from "fanatic," he makes a strong case for a derivation from the French for "the fancy."

I could go on and on about how great this book and Dan are.