The term 'consumption' covers the desire for goods and services, their acquisition, use, and disposal. The study of consumption has grown enormously in recent years, and it has been the subject of major historiographical debates: did the eighteenth century bring a consumer revolution? Was there a great divergence between East and West? Did the twentieth century see the triumph of global consumerism? Questions of consumption have become defining topics in all branches of history, from gender and labour history to political history and cultural studies. The Oxford Handbook of the History of Consumption offers a timely overview of how our understanding of consumption in history has changed in the last generation, taking the reader from the ancient period to the twenty-first century. It includes chapters on Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America, brings together new perspectives, highlights cutting-edge areas of research, and offers a guide through the main historiographical developments. Contributions from leading historians examine the spaces of consumption, consumer politics, luxury and waste, nationalism and empire, the body, well-being, youth cultures, and fashion. The Handbook also showcases the different ways in which recent historians have approached the subject, from cultural and economic history to political history and technology studies, including areas where multidisciplinary approaches have been especially fruitful.

About the Author
Frank Trentmann is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London, and Professor of History and Social Sciences at the Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester.

Reviews
Constructing a handbook that can do any sort of justice to such a broad spectrum of ideas, practices and debates is a major achievement. Frank Trentmann is thus to be applauded for producing such a wide-ranging and useful book ... offers such an exciting and informative journey through the world of consumption. * Jon Stobart, English Historical Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199689460
Author Frank Trentmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 714
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1124g