by Paul Fussell
First published 2000
Paul Fussell tears apart America's cherished belief in social equality. He examines how class reveals itself through our homes, belongings, speech patterns, clothing choices, and intellectual interests. Fussell maps the American class system from top to bottom, showing readers how status displays in daily life. His research exposes the signs and symbols that mark different social levels. The book catalogs artifacts and customs across all American classes. Fussell demonstrates that everything we say, do, and own broadcasts our social position. He warns about "prole drift" while acknowledging that some reach heights so elevated they become invisible. Readers will spot themselves somewhere in his taxonomy. The book promises to both entertain and provoke, regardless of where you land in the social hierarchy.
Genres: 20th-century, american, class, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: social-commentary
Setting: America
Period: 20th-Century, 21st-Century
Paperback · Blackstone Pub