The Mullet:  Hairstyle Of The Gods

by Mark Larson & Barney Hoskyns,
Illustrated by Maria Burgaleta Larson.

Reviewed January 21, 2001
Review Updated: October 20, 2002

Introduction

Just when you think that the Mullet craze is fading away, it returns for yet another round of media buzz.  As a consumer hair watcher,  I observe the Mullet topic pretty closely on the Net.  Trust me, it is not always easy to keep track of all the comings and goings of the various "two cuts in one" web related articles and pages. 

Recently I updated the HairBoutique.com's Mullet Links page and discovered that a whole new batch of Mullet URLs had sprung up like mushrooms in short order.  While I am sure that I did not find them all, I discovered close to 100 links of Mullet related Web happenings in my most recent revision.

Therefore, I was intrigued when I read a January 4, 2001 article in the LA Times titled "Hair Net" by associate business editor Robert Burns. This fascinating article covered some of the more unusual hair related sites on the Web. Not only did Burns do a great job of unearthing some of the wild, weird and stranger hair related web sites, he also make a point of including four different Mullet hair related sites in his article.

I have to say that in comparison to the "Boy With The Removable Hair"  and the "InstaPunk" sites that Burns unearthed, the Mullet sites seemed almost staid by comparison.  The first Mullet site mentioned by Burns was the Mullet Gods site, home of mullet authors Larson and Hoskyns.

The nod to the Mullet Gods site from Burns mention triggered me to dig around and unearth the actual Hairstyle Of The Gods Book that was reclining comfortably in my hair library.  

Review Of Hairstyle Of The Gods Book

I have to say that I enjoyed this book the first time I looked at it.  I guess my first thought when I opened the book, almost 1 year ago, was how Larson and Hoskyns could find enough Mullet "stuff" to fill up an entire book.  

Not only is the entire book devoted to one of the most bizarre haircuts in history, it is a nicely done general reference guide.  This Bible of  bi-level cultlike hair contains 128 pages of  fascinating information on this long lasting hair phenomenon.  

What is amazing to me is the intense passion that frames the Mullet.  Some people hate it intensely, others love it with the same fervor.  Even more surprising is the fact that the Mullet never dies. Take the time to stop and look and you will still see people of all ages, sex and race sporting a wide range of styles that are directly kin to the Mullet line.

As recently as 1999 edgier versions of the male mullet appeared on the fashion runways to the amazement, fascination and horror of hair watchers around the Globe. While some embraced the revival of a new type of mullet, many continued to mock it.

While Larson and Hoskins provide a light hearted look at the Mullet by providing many of the funnier aspects of the hair trend, in some ways they only scratch the depth and intensity that the Mullet cult holds for so many.  

Yes, there is no question that Larson and Hoskyns do a great job of  highlighting various mullet types like the sports and musician mullets.   The book is definitely informative for Mullet newbies and it is very entertaining.  

However, a few words of warning.  As passionately as people disagree about the mullet, people seem to disagree about what this book offers.  This is not a deep sociological study of the whys and wherefores of  people's feelings about the Mullet style.  Although I don't know for sure (since I haven't talked to the authors) I believe that the book was never intended  to be anything more than an informative, happy, entertaining book.  From that view, the book is a success.

The book does not provide deep philosophical insights into the minds of people who stubbornly persist in sporting this style.  Nor does the book address the inner world of the ever growing Mullet web with their empassioned messages of Mullet love, hate or indifference.

For what I believe the book was designed to do, it does it well.  Kudos to Larson and Hoskins.

Summary

Whether you are a Mullet fan or foe, Larson and Hoskins give you a good clear view of the Mullet cult.  This book guides both the uninformed and the fanatics through the world of Mulletopia. 

Would I recommend this book?  With a few caveots.  When this book was released, like everything else Mullet related, it was controversial.  Many loved the book while others did not.  Some felt the book was very funny and others thought it was missing in mirth.

Just like religion and politics, everyone has their own opinions.  Mullets, in my opinion, are a lot like religion and politics.  The subject of Mullets can cause people to rage with their emotions of love or hate.  

Should you buy this book?  If you understand that its purpose is to inform and entertain, than you won't be disappointed.  If you have doubts whether you will enjoy the book, make sure you can flip through the pages first, before you commit your bucks.

I personally liked the book, but then I have an odd sense of humor and I love all the twists and turns of Mullet world.  I think the book is a keeper.   I suspect that as the world of Mulletry evolves, this book will be known as a classic, since it was one of the first.

Buy The Book

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (January 1, 2000)
ISBN: 1582340641