Last night I finished Living It Up : America’s Love Affair with Luxury, by James Twitchell. This is, if I remember correctly, the fifth book of his that I’ve read, and it did not disappoint.
This book (and AdCult) should be required reading in high school. Dr. Twitchell travels to Rodeo Drive, 5th Avenue, Miami, and Vegas — bravely bringing his wife and daughter on investigative “shopping” trips, too — to decipher what exactly is it that draws us to consume, consume, consume … It’s fascinating and scary, revolutionary and eye-opening. Before you buy another $180 pair of jeans or $5000 purse, pick up a $10 copy of this book and learn why you want those things in the first place.
