Carolyn Marvin

[1] Marvin is the author of two major publications, When Old Technologies Were New[2] and Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Totem Rituals and the American Flag.

Richard Rudolph from the University of Massachusetts Boston praises Marvin's work overall but notes her use of stories rather than analysis at times as well as his thoughts on what other information could have been included about societal changes.

[5] He also critiques the first chapter of the book saying that it does not make claims as important as the rest of the work and points out that he feels more evidence might be seen as being needed.

[5] A review by Kenneth Lipartito in the Journal of Social History discusses Marvin's book and poses strengths such as her textual analysis but also her weaknesses in sources and how many of them are potentially biased as trade journals and unclear as to their notability or reach.

[8] Marvin's other book, Blood Sacrifice and the Nation: Totem Rituals and the American Flag, also received reviews and criticism.