Commodification refers most explicitly to the activities of turning things into commodities and of commercializing that which is not commercial in essence. The mass marketing of pets, the rise of the coffin industry, the conversion of preacher into salesmen, and the globalization of Taleggio cheese are some of the exciting but surprising topics in this volume that show how friendship, death, spirituality, and artisanship all have a price after being commodified. This unique collection of essays is a fascinating take on creating consumer products and consumer identities when what's for sale goes well beyond the thing itself. It will be a course-in-a-box for instructors who want to teach their students about commodification.

About the Author

Susan Strasser is a Professor of History at the University of Delaware. Her scholarly work focuses on the intersection of private and public: domestic experiences and American corporate activity. She is the author of several books including Waste and Want: A Social Historyof Trash and Never Done: A History of American Housework

Reviews

"Covering an unusual mix of goods and services, these original essays illuminate how the market has entered into all spheres of human life, from the personal dimensions of everyday life to public policy and statecraft. Together they demonstrate how commodification goes beyond economic relationships to encompass cultural, social, and political processes. Whether exploring the commercialization of health care, the ambiguous status of pets, or the place of cheese in national identity, Commodifying Everything offers keen historical analyses and surprising insights." -- Kathy Peiss, University of Pennsylvania

Book Information
ISBN 9780415935913
Author Susan Strasser
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 408g