Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation, also abbreviated to Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Defined a Generation, is a non-fiction book about The Simpsons, written by Chris Turner and originally published on October 12, 2004 by Random House. The book is partly a memoir and an exploration of the impact The Simpsons has had on popular culture. Background Planet Simpson was written by Canadian author Chris Turner, who is a big fan of The Simpsons, although "not even the biggest fan I know personally ... I think I am actually a pretty average hardcore fan. What I brought to it was a sense that because the show is as well put together as it is, it really offers a wide lens for looking at culture generally." Turner notes: "I can count on The Simpsons to provide me with a solid thirty minutes of truth, of righteous anger, of hypocrisies deflated and injustices revealed, of belly laughter and joy. It is food for my soul. Seriously. I think many Simpsons fans would agree. And that, as far as I'm concerned, makes it a kind of religion," he explains in the book. He had previously written an essay during his time at Shift entitled "The Simpsons Generation", which was syndicated across North America. Turner wrote Planet Simpson because there had not been a book that had looked at the "genesis, past, characters and influence" of the show, only official episode guides or academic pieces. Planet Simpson examines the show's satirical humor and its impact on pop culture. It also looks at numerous episodes of the show. It features a foreword by Douglas Coupland. Chapters Foreword by Douglas Coupland Introduction: The Birth of the Simpsonian Institution Chapter 1: The Life & Times of The Simpsons A brief history of the show, its creation, its writers and a study of its various styles of humour. Also details the shows descendants and its "ancestors". Chapter 2: Homer's Odyssey Focuses on Homer Simpson, extended mention of Frank Grimes. Chapter 3: Bart Simpson, Punk icon Focuses on Bart Simpson, extended mention of Sideshow Bob, Krusty, and Principal Skinner. Chapter 4: Citizen Burns Focuses on Mr. Burns, extended mention of Jack Larson, Reverend Lovejoy, Lindsey Naegle, Mayor Quimby, Waylon Smithers, Squeaky Voiced Teen, Chief Wiggum, and Wiseguy. Chapter 5: Lisa Lionheart Focuses on Lisa Simpson. Chapter 6: Marge Knows Best