American Nerd

Explore and study the origin of the geek in American Nerd: The Story of My People by Benjamin Nugent ($14). This unique tome takes a look at the history of the nerd throughout society and pop culture, examining their tastes (like online gaming and sci-fi clubs), unfortunate stereotypes, and everything in between, up to and including their social isolation and the possible causes for it. Uncrate favorite Chuck Klosterman calls Nugent "just weird enough to be absolutely right," and what could be nerdier than that? [via]