Karal Ann Marling (born November 5, 1943) is an American cultural historian and writer. A professor emerita of the University of Minnesota, she is an American studies scholar with a special focus on the visual arts. The New York Times described her as a "keen-eyed critic of American popular culture." One book reviewer described her as a stylistic and intellectual heir to both Erma Bombeck and Tom Wolfe.
Originally from the East Coast, she earned a Ph.D. at Bryn Mawr College before she came to Minnesota in 1977 to teach. She has since become an acknowledged expert on her adopted home state, including on the cultural significance of state fairs (including the Minnesota State Fair) and shopping malls (including the Mall of America).
Marking has written 19 full-length non-fiction books.
Selected works
Wall-to-wall America: a cultural history of post-office murals in the Great Depression Designing Disney's theme parks: the architecture of reassurance Designs on the heart: the homemade art of Grandma Moses Graceland: going home with Elvis As Seen on TV: The Visual Culture of Everyday Life in the 1950s Merry Christmas: Celebrating America's greatest holiday Debutante: rites and regalia of American debdom Norman Rockwell (1894-1978): America's most beloved painter Ice: great moments in the history of hard, cold water Minnesota, hail to thee!: a sesquicentennial history