I think it's more to do with the US developing a powerful film industry which has allowed it to turn relatively minor bits of its history into globally-distributed fictional artefacts.
That would be a major source of the fictions I was thinking of!
the 19C mindset seems quite remote in some ways
Fair point. It's still within a couple of long lifetimes though, and there are people who can relate things from family memory, which brings it closer for many people.
Personally I agree with the exoticism being part of the appeal, but I'm not sure to what extent that appeals to Joe or Jane Public. Hollywood seems to think that's not it. :-(
no subject
That would be a major source of the fictions I was thinking of!
the 19C mindset seems quite remote in some ways
Fair point. It's still within a couple of long lifetimes though, and there are people who can relate things from family memory, which brings it closer for many people.
Personally I agree with the exoticism being part of the appeal, but I'm not sure to what extent that appeals to Joe or Jane Public. Hollywood seems to think that's not it. :-(