Inventing the Public Enemy: The Gangster in American ... (ISBN 0226732185)

Fine beginner's text:
Ruth's book is an interesting introduction to gangster movies and their function in American Culture. Although Ruth's writing is somewhat dull, the way he reveals deep connections between gangster movies (e.g. The Public Enemy) and contemporaraneous cultural anxieties is remarkable. A fine introduction to ways of discussing the political implications of popular culture; recommended for high schoolers and early college readers interested in the subject.