The cultural contradictions of modern capitalism have never been deeper or more dramatic. These contradictions are also confusing. While governments tell citizens to spend in order to save capitalism, economists tell us that western consumers spend too much and Chinese workers, too little. Barry Smart's engaging contribution offers clear insights into the economic mysteries of modern consumption and production, providing in tandem an historical sociology of the rise of America as a consumer society - this is a timely sociological guide to the perplexedBryan S. Turner
Very good resource for beginners and advanced students alike. Definitely an essential resource for my future courses in this field of studies.
This is an excellent book and useful supplementary resource, and may be ordered in Fall 2016 as such, but a geography text on consumption is preferable. So I am waiting on the Mansvelt and Jayne text. The 2005 Mansvelt text was not quite suitable for Fall 2014.
Great text to compliment diverse reading list. Unique perspective with good theoretical underpinning. Accessible for students and pitched at the right level. Good text.
Excellent resource for understanding consumer society. However has little in terms of focus to the health and social care discipline. I have recommended this for dissertation students that wish to discuss elements of consumer society.
Stimulating and informative.
A well ordered, clearly written and accessible text that will give my undergraduate students a good introduction to the relationship between consumption norms and environmental stress, and the socio-economic impact of a global market place.
I really liked this book. It covers some interesting aspects related to consumption, advertising, and markets, but it was more about environmental issues and less about issues of inequality, which made it a poor fit for my course on social stratification.
Broad ranging and insightful. Clearly presented with a wide range of comparative material.
An excellent and interesting book but not directly relevant to the programme that we run. However, I would recommend it to those students who choose to focus on the environmental/sustainability issues within outdoor education.
It is a bit too enumerative in its approach, which makes it good for use in excerpts but less so as a whole book. The branding approaches are lacking in insight perspectives or acknowledgement of newer (critical and theoretical) discussions.
Insightful and well argued text, suitable for level.
An excellent and timely addition to the literature on contemporary culture from an author who always hits the mark.
An excellent introductory text, comprehensive and clearly written, in my estimation certainly the best on the market at the moment.
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