Play Story Press is excited to release two Psychgeist of Pop Culture books.
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher, edited by Rachel Kowert, PhD
In a world where mean are monsters and monsters are men – who is the real monster? The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher delves into the psychology of the characters and stories of this popular franchise. From the original book collection to best-selling video game series, to the hugely popular Netflix show, The Witcher is a transmedia experience that has captivated hearts and minds across the globe. In this series of edited essays, we explore the psychology behind what makes this fandom so captivating and answers the question why, in The Continent filled with magic, we found ourselves and our lives reflected within it.
“The Psychgeist of Pope Culture: The Witcher proves how deeply and widely the stories of the Continent resonate in the real world. Fans of the books, the video games, or the Netflix series alike will find themselves immersed not in what happened to their beloved characters, but why—and how certain choices, conscious or otherwise, no only twist the paths of Geralt and Co’s stories, but our understanding of them. You’re never read, play or watch The Witcher quite the same again.”
— Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Executive Producer and Showrunner for The Witcher on Netflix
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Witcher
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Mandalorian, edited by Jessica E. Thompkins, PhD
The Mandalorian is a Star Wars spin-off series that follows the laconic Mandalorian bounty hunter, Din Djarin, who is hired by Imperial forces to retrieve ‘the child’ Grogu, an orphan and member of a rare alien species with strong capabilities in the Force. The series follows their journey amidst themes of good and evil, parenting and family, and nature versus nurture. This book explores the psychological underpinnings of The Mandalorian, including its narratives, primary protagonists, and secondary characters.
“The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: The Mandalorian is an enlightening and enjoyable exploration of beloved Star Wars characters. The scholarly anthology is educational and accessible, applying scientific theories to analyses like Din Djarin’s evolving emotional attachments, his parenting style compared to Anakin Skywalker, and the cultural heritage of Boba Fett’s armor.”—Chelsea Zukowski, contributor at Star Wars Insider” and, (if we had space), “founder of Space Wizards Book Club.
“When The Mandalorian debuted on the small screen, the personal, action-packed tale of a bounty hunter and his adopted green child captured the hearts and minds of millions of viewers. This collection of essays is a must-read for any fan of the show, the franchise, and pop psychology. Approachable and well-researched, this book explores the history, impact, and emotion of an unforgettable entry in the Star Wars canon.”—Mary Kenney, author of From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (Star Wars)