Fifteen essays debate issues regarding materialism in America, discussing such topics as children's materialism, the environment, the economy, happiness, self-improvement, the family, and community.
how our obsession with stuff is trashing the planet, our communities, and our health--and a vision for change
Leonard, Annie
2010
Offers insight into consumption in America and the pitfalls of a system that promotes obsolescence and replacing versus repairing consumer goods, revealing contributing economic theories while calling for environmentally responsible changes.
Takes a phase-by-phase journey through life from infancy to old age to illustrate the enormous imprint every American makes during his or her time on Earth. Incorporates surprising facts with playful visuals to reveal our level of consumption and the simple changes we can all make to reduce the impact of our ecological footprint on the world.
Explores the historical origins and world-wide appeal of societies' desire to acquire luxury goods and leisure services, relating consumerism to other issues in world history and reassessing common beliefs about consumerism and global history.
how markets corrupt children, infantilize adults, and swallow citizens whole
Barber, Benjamin R.
2007
Explores the effects of capitalism on American culture and how consumer capitalism overproduces goods, targets children, and encourages adults to abandon self-restraint.
one family's decision to stop taking and start giving back
Salwen, Kevin
2010
"Wall Street Journal" reporter Kevin Salwen recounts his family's efforts to stop their overconsumption and instead start giving back to the world, describing how they sold their mansion, moved into a house half its size, and gave half of the proceeds from the sale to charity.
