The Virtues of Captain America: Modern-Day Lessons on Character from a World War II Superhero Mark D. White (College of Staten Island, CUNY, USA) 9781118619261

The first look at the philosophy behind the Captain America comics and movies, publishing in advance of the movie release of Captain America: The Winter Solider in April 2014.

In The Virtues of Captain America, philosopher and long-time comics fan Mark D. White argues that the core principles, compassion, and judgment exhibited by the 1940's comic book character Captain America remain relevant to the modern world. Simply put, "Cap" embodies many of the classical virtues that have been important to us since the days of the ancient Greeks: honesty, courage, loyalty, perseverance, and, perhaps most importantly, honor. Full of entertaining examples from more than 50 years of comic books, White offers some serious philosophical discussions of everyone's favorite patriot in a light-hearted and accessible way.

• Presents serious arguments on the virtues of Captain America while being written in a light-hearted and often humorous tone
• Introduces basic concepts in moral and political philosophy to the general reader
• Utilizes examples from 50 years of comics featuring Captain America, the Avengers, and other Marvel superheroes
• Affirms the value of "old-fashioned" virtues for the modern world without indulging in nostalgia for times long passed
• Reveals the importance of the sound principles that America was founded upon
• Publishing in advance of Captain America: The Winter Soldier out in April 2014.

Mark D. White is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY and co-editor of Batman and Philosophy.

"And, as was the case with his previous works, this book is particularly interesting, stimulating, convincing, well-written, and well-documented-using an incredible number of examples, illustrations and quotations from Captain America's adventures." (The Journal of Popular Culture, 17 August 2015)

"If ever there was a need for a philosophical book on a super-hero then Captain America certainly deserves one and I think you'll find this will fill you in on his motivations and his popularity and how it has been embraced in the recent films." (SFCrowsnest, 1 May 2014)