Living It Up: Our Love Affair with Luxury

That shouldn't be surprising given his job as a professor of English at the University of Florida specializing in romanticism.

That doesn't account for his sharp eye for detail and irony that keeps this book far from academic irrelevance, pedanticism, or dryness. The best review I can give of this book is that I am adding Twitchell's other books on advertising, materialism, and American culture to my "want-to-read" list. Jan 06, Leanne rated it it was amazing.

Best and worst from this book: Twitchell doesn't attempt to make you feel like an idiot for leading a consumer-driven lifestyle. He does so anyway. Throughout the book, there is the obvious pointing out that all brand names are, literally, a brand on an item. Assuming it's made with leather! Twitchell poin Best and worst from this book: Twitchell points out that you're buying the brand and not the product when you're going for luxury items and with that item comes an esoteric meaning.

Living it up : our love affair with luxury

Much like, if you don't recognize the Prada logo without reading the name, you obviously aren't in "the know". I'd read it when you want to say "Yes, that's so true. Mar 20, Kris rated it really liked it. Twitchell has some excellent insights into the social value of consumption and is a bit of a counterbalance to scholars like Juliet Schor who tend to ignore it.

Having said that, he is certainly not an advocate of our American consumer culture and his exploration of the evolution of advertising is fascinating.

The book was written in the s, so unfortunately, there is little discussion of the role of internet commerce, and what little there is is obviously very outdated in Still, his wr Twitchell has some excellent insights into the social value of consumption and is a bit of a counterbalance to scholars like Juliet Schor who tend to ignore it. Still, his writing is very engaging and his analysis of the appeal of mass luxury is very informative and interesting. Dec 23, Erin rated it liked it Recommended to Erin by: Finally finished this purse book.

It was good, a fine mixture of anecdote, investigation by the author and theory about why Americans adore, and, increasingly seem to require, luxury items. Twitchell gave the work depth without being too scholarly many of the books he cited looked like they would be dull textbooks and included many advertisements to demonstrate his points.

The only thing that I thought he might have discussed more is how some items become "must-haves", but only in certain geog Finally finished this purse book. The only thing that I thought he might have discussed more is how some items become "must-haves", but only in certain geographic areas or communities. But perhaps that is a topic for another book. Anyway, interesting and recommended.

Apr 01, Christy rated it really liked it. Here are the two quotes which spoke to me while I read this book: While being on the treadmill to the Land of Opuluxe may not provide happiness, not being on the treadmill almost certainly guarantees unhappiness. Instead of asking the haves how they are feeling, ask the have-nots. Mar 01, honksterr rated it really liked it. Very enjoyable, if somewhat dense, read. An interesting, erudite defense of the luxury market. Dec 16, Erica rated it liked it. It was interesting to see his perspective on luxury- it was written in the late 90s or so, so it is almost a snapshot in time from that era.

Mar 07, Jennyb rated it liked it. You own too much stuff.

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Mar 29, Lori Grant rated it really liked it Shelves: A should-read book on marketing for the knowledge worker, manager, executive, or entrepreneur. Michelle rated it really liked it Mar 27, Kes rated it it was amazing Jul 09, Alexandra rated it liked it Jan 22, Erin Thibault rated it really liked it Apr 19, Colin Johnson rated it it was ok Mar 14, Robert Ensign rated it it was amazing Jun 26, Brentsfoodandtravelblog rated it really liked it Jul 29, Sarah rated it it was ok Mar 17, Alice Zhang rated it it was ok Nov 18, Karmen rated it liked it Apr 04, Lobstergirl rated it liked it Jan 29, Monroe Street Books Published: Near Fine Near Fine Edition: Columbia University Press, February The Book Nook Published: An exceptional hardcover with a crisp dust jacket, a tight binding and an unmarked text.

First edition, with a full number line. From a private smoke free collection.

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Shipping within 24 hours, tracking number and delivery Confirmation. Ah, the evils of luxury. Spending for its own sake, accumulating unnecessar y "stuff," the need to own for status, the trophy car, the trophy home, des igner everything. But here's the conundrum: Who better to sort the whole thing out than Twitchell, one of Newsw eek 's " Cultural Elite.

But is the desire for high-end junk as wasteful and garish as it seemed when it w as available to only the few? Twitchell makes the case for a mild defense o f luxury in that its mass consumption ultimately lifts up the masses econom ically.

Infinity Books Japan Published: Our Love Affair with Luxury. Paperback book in good condition. Large "x" written inside the cover. Some underlining in the book. Your Online Bookstore Condition: Used - Like New. Used - Very Good.

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