One Nation Under Goods

Malls and the Seductions of American Shopping

Business & Finance, Marketing & Sales, Retailing, Consumer Behaviour
Cover of the book One Nation Under Goods by James J. Farrell, Smithsonian
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James J. Farrell ISBN: 9781588344335
Publisher: Smithsonian Publication: July 15, 2014
Imprint: Smithsonian Books Language: English
Author: James J. Farrell
ISBN: 9781588344335
Publisher: Smithsonian
Publication: July 15, 2014
Imprint: Smithsonian Books
Language: English

Loved and hated, visited and avoided, seemingly everywhere yet endlessly the same, malls occupy a special place in American life. What, then, is this invention that evokes such strong and contradictory emotions in Americans? In many ways malls represent the apotheosis of American consumerism, and this synthetic and wide-ranging investigation is an eye-popping tour of American culture's values and beliefs. Like your favorite mall, One Nation under Goods is a browser's paradise, and in order to understand America's culture of consumption you need to make a trip to the mall with Farrell. This lively, fast-paced history of the hidden secrets of the shopping mall explains how retail designers make shopping and goods “irresistible.” Architects, chain stores, and mall owners relax and beguile us into shopping through water fountains, ficus trees, mirrors, and covert security cameras. From food courts and fountains to Santa and security, Farrell explains how malls control their patrons and convince us that shopping is always an enjoyable activity. And most importantly, One Nation Under Goods shows why the mall's ultimate promise of happiness through consumption is largely an illusion. It's all here—for one low price, of course.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Loved and hated, visited and avoided, seemingly everywhere yet endlessly the same, malls occupy a special place in American life. What, then, is this invention that evokes such strong and contradictory emotions in Americans? In many ways malls represent the apotheosis of American consumerism, and this synthetic and wide-ranging investigation is an eye-popping tour of American culture's values and beliefs. Like your favorite mall, One Nation under Goods is a browser's paradise, and in order to understand America's culture of consumption you need to make a trip to the mall with Farrell. This lively, fast-paced history of the hidden secrets of the shopping mall explains how retail designers make shopping and goods “irresistible.” Architects, chain stores, and mall owners relax and beguile us into shopping through water fountains, ficus trees, mirrors, and covert security cameras. From food courts and fountains to Santa and security, Farrell explains how malls control their patrons and convince us that shopping is always an enjoyable activity. And most importantly, One Nation Under Goods shows why the mall's ultimate promise of happiness through consumption is largely an illusion. It's all here—for one low price, of course.

More books from Smithsonian

Cover of the book Second Nature by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Eye in the Sky by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book History of the Space Shuttle, Volume Two by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book How the States Got Their Shapes Too by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Do All Indians Live in Tipis? Second Edition by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Washington on Foot, Fifth Edition by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book A Chance for Lasting Survival by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book The Lawn by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Best of Both Worlds by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Early Inuit Studies by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Slacks and Calluses by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book American Democracy by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Into the Teeth of the Tiger by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Living in the Anthropocene by James J. Farrell
Cover of the book Museums and Communities by James J. Farrell
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy