Spree : A Cultural History of Shopping

Rating:
Summary: Spree
Review: I picked up Spree; A Cultural History of Shopping thinking it would be a quick and enjoyable read. Enjoyable, yes. Quick, no. For such a small book (trade paperback, 230 pages including an excellent bibliography and index), Spree is packed with more information about shopping than you would have imagined.

Canadian author Pamela Klaffke examines shopping from a multitude of angles, taking only a few pages at most for each topic. She really knows how to distill information down to the basics, while remaining informative and entertaining. Learn about Muzak, malls, Tupperware, infomercials, pawn shops, mystery shoppers, dysfunctional shopping, mall walking, and more. My favorite chapter is Shopping and the Media, which examines how shopping is portrayed in movies, television (sitcoms and game shows), and music.

The text is interesting enough, but in the wide side margins of many pages are additional tidbits, such as a list of celebrity shoplifters, a list of celebrity cheapskates (Katie Couric!), and the evolution of Buy Nothing Day.

Great to browse through or to read from cover to cover. Five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: Spree is a fabulous and fun book. Whether you're a trivia buff, curious shopper, or just want a little defense of your favourite pasttime, this is a great book for understanding and appreciating all that is shopping. Klaffke's style is witty and sharp, and the book is consumable in short bits - perfect for waiting in long line ups.