Misbegotten Muses is an analysis of "the" historical method, an illumination of history's failure to provide insight into crucial human events. The book offers alternate methods of interpretation, and deals with a broad range of subjects, from Cotton Mather, to The Donner Party, to James Agee. From symbol, to myth, to science-and-religion.
"... the creative reception of the mountain vernacular has not been traced in greater detail. Poulsen's can therefore be rated a pioneering exploration. 'No historical dialect has been given so exhaustive and complete treatment', as the back cover puts it." (Ludwig Deringer, Katholische Universität Eichstätt, American Speech)