The Mysterious Case of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys

"The Mysterious Case of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys" takes the reader back to the origin of the Hardy Boys Mystery Series and the Nancy Drew books. While the two series have Franklin W Dixon and Carolyn Keene listed as the authors, neither author actually exists are a person. They are both creations of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The Stratemeyer Syndicate was the "writing factory" started by Edward Stratemeyer as a means to churn out book after book in a series that he conceived of. He would contract an author to write a book with the requirement the author sign away all rights to the book and to remain anonymous. This led to the birth of Franklin W Dixon and Carolyn Keene (as well as the Tom Swift series, among others). This book is the history and evolution of these two iconic series for children. The reader is shown how society has influenced the content of the novels, both in the language used as well as the plots. When the Hardy Boys first began in the late 1920's and into the 30's, there early volumes contained numerous racial stereotypes, both among the bad guys as well as the Hardys' friends. Later editions would edit these stereotypes out. This book follows the series through their various authors as well as the change in the focus of the Syndicate after the death of Edward Stratemeyer. One thing that the authors of this book try to do is tie both series into the society of the time (whether it is the 1930's of the early series, the 1950's or the 1980's). This attempt is what I found less successful or interesting about the book. There are numerous sidebars and pictures and captions about the America's youth during each era and how the books impacted the youth and I felt that this information was extraneous and unnecessary. What is most interesting about this book is the evolution of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. The characters changed over the 75 years and the books continue to sell. This coverage was the best part of the book and is what I would recommend for the reader. Nothing would be lost by just skipping the sidebars. I do feel that the authors have overstated the influence of these characters, but I cannot question the popularity of the Hardys or Nancy Drew.(...)

This descriptive book shows great book photos from the '30s and later and describes what life was like back then! It describes TV shows of the time, and how Nancy Drew sparked interest in female sleuths like Jessica Fletcher of Murder She Wrote! Teens of the time are described, and how Nancy Drew became an important positive role model for all young women. Hat off to the authors!

This book was such a treat for me I finished it in just two days. A wonderful "behind-the-scenes" look at each series and how they started and evolved. Sure, I suppose it serves as a commentary on changing teenage social values etc. etc., but, like the series books themselves (which I secretly still enjoy reading), I just found it to be a lot of fun to read. Thanks, Carole and Marvin!!!

A fascinating mix of facts about the great teen detectives--Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys-- and how they came into being as well as fun nostalgia that takes boomers back to their childhood when having adventures with the sleuths was a joy we all looked forward to. Learn about everything from the detective genre in America to the origins of the concept of "teenager" to how teens got real power and propeled America into becoming a youth culture. Great illustrations from the books and photographs bring to life what it's meant to be a teenager from the late 1920s through the 1970s. A must read and a great gift!!!

This book, both a smart cultural history of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and a fine picture book, is truly amazing. The text and sidebars read as truly serious history writing; but they are also well-written, fun, clever, and thought-provoking. This is the fifth book I've read by the team of Kismaric and Heiferman (e.g., GROWING UP WITH DICK AND JANE) and I must say I'm impressed with their utterly new and perceptive approach to popular culture in America.What impressed me most about the book is its discussion of how gender (and gender biases) played a crucial role in the creation of these time-honored characters. I am also impressed with the authors' discussion of how the social realities of adolescence--from the horror of war and protest to the evolution of new technologies--shaped the spirit and sensibility of these characters. It will be difficult for me to EVER think of them in the same way. As a real fan of Nancy Drew (I worshipped her as a teenager growing up in rural Ohio), I was transported back to my adolescence. The pictures are perfect--moving, informative, nostalgic without being sentimental. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, teenage life, or American culture and politics of the past 75 years. It's a great and beautiful book.