San Antonio College Library

"Psychology and Consumer Culture provides an in-depth psychological analysis of consumerism that draws from a wide range of theoretical, clinical, and methodological approaches. The contributors to this edited volume demonstrate that consumerism and the culture that surrounds it exert profound and often undesirable effects both on people's individual lives and on society as a whole. Far from being distant influences, advertising, consumption, materialism,...

"Consider this paradox: Ecologists estimate that it would take three planets Earth to provide an American standard of living to the entire world. Yet it is that standard of living to which the whole world aspires." "In Consuming Desires, Roger Rosenblatt brings together a collection of writers to shed light on that disturbing paradox. The book presents a rich and varied dialogue on the underlying roots of consumer culture and its pervasive impact...

"Contemporary holiday rites showcase a particularly American obsession with celebration - and the shopping, decorating, card sending, feasting, drinking, and advertising that goes along with it. This witty and satirical look at thirty-three of our most loved (and hated) holidays explores the history and the traditions, the kitsch and the color, of the business of holidays."--Jacket.

"Dogs eat burritos, camels smoke cigarettes, and frogs drink beer. Welcome to the Century of the Consumer. In the 20th century, Americans were romanced by consumer culture, which in turn reflected the changing attitudes, priorities, and values of the country. This book compiles entries on 100 consumer products - ten per decade - that figured prominently in the rise of consumer culture in the United States, telling the story behind the century's most...

"In Creating the Modern Man, Tom Pendergast studies the multifaceted ways that masculinity is represented in magazines published during this transitional period." "Pendergast focuses on the rise of mass consumer culture, demonstrating that consumerism was a key factor in reshaping American notions of masculinity as presented in popular magazines. Whereas much scholarship has decried the effects of consumerism, Pendergast treats consumer culture as...

Zoning and the road to federal legislation -- Losers and winners -- Conclusion: the road ahead.

In this book, Peter Ubel argues that the combination of human nature and free markets can be downright dangerous for our health and well-being. That government must step in and further regulate the markets that reward those who exploit our weaknesses. He shows that by understanding and controlling the factors that go into our decisions, we can all begin to stop the damage we do to our bodies, our finances, and our economy as a whole.--[book jacket]....