This year, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of his first appearance on the screen, the original, uncut version of Godzilla was released in American theaters to the delight of Sci-Fi and B-Movie fans everywhere. Ever since Godzilla (or, Gojira, as he is known in Japan) crawled out of his radioactive birthplace to cut a swath of destruction through Tokyo, he has claimed a place alongside King Kong and others in the movie monster pantheon. He is the third most recognizable Japanese celebrity in the United States, and his fan base continues to grow as children today prove his enduring appeal. Now, Bill Tsutsui, a life-long fan and historian, takes a light-hearted look at the big, green, radioactive lizard, revealing how he was born and how he became a megastar. With humorous anecdotes, Godzilla on My Mind explores his lasting cultural impact on the world. This book is sure to be welcomed by pop culture enthusiasts, fans, and historians alike.

1 Nothing of its kind has been written before2 Taps into a large cult fandom as well as capitalizes on timing - 50th Anniversary in 20043 First rate list of contributors4 Winner of the 2005 William Rockhill Nelson Award for Non-Fiction (for the best book by a Kansas or Missouri author published in 2004) by The Writers Place and The Kansas City Star

Introduction: Godzilla, Mon Amour * The Birth of Gojira * The Godzilla Franchise * Understanding the Monster * The Making of An American Icon * A Personal Godzilla * Godzilla's Spawn * Godzilla Forever