{"title":"Wendy A Woloson","description":"\u003cp\u003eWendy A. Woloson is a renowned author and historian, celebrated for her insightful exploration of American culture and history. Her works delve into the intricate nuances of consumer culture and everyday life in the United States, offering readers a unique perspective on historical developments and societal norms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Woloson's notable works is \u003cem\u003eCrap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America\u003c\/em\u003e, where she unravels the fascinating story of low-cost consumables and how they have shaped American life. This book provides an engaging look at the world of bargain hunting, revealing the historical significance of items often dismissed as trivial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWoloson's expertise in history extends beyond consumer culture, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of America’s past. Her research and writing style make history accessible and engaging, ensuring her books are a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of personal and societal values throughout American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're enthusiastic about history and learning more about the evolution of consumer habits, Wendy A. Woloson’s collection will offer both educational insights and entertaining narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"crap-by-wendy-a-woloson-9780226664354","title":"Crap","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCrap\u003c\/i\u003e. We all have it. Filling drawers. Overflowing bins and baskets. Proudly displayed or stuffed in boxes in basements and garages. Big and small. Metal, fabric, and a whole lot of plastic. So much crap. Abundant cheap stuff is about as American as it gets. And it turns out these seemingly unimportant consumer goods offer unique insights into ourselves—our values and our desires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eCrap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America\u003c\/i\u003e, Wendy A. Woloson takes seriously the history of objects that are often cynically-made and easy to dismiss: things not made to last; things we don't really need; things we often don't even really want. Woloson does not mock these ordinary, everyday possessions but seeks to understand them as a way to understand aspects of ourselves, socially, culturally, and economically: Why do we—as individuals and as a culture—possess these things? Where do they come from? Why do we want them? And what is the true cost of owning them?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWoloson tells the history of crap from the late eighteenth century up through today, exploring its many categories: gadgets, knickknacks, novelty goods, mass-produced collectibles, giftware, variety store merchandise. As Woloson shows, not all crap is crappy in the same way—bric-a-brac is crappy in a different way from, say, advertising giveaways, which are differently crappy from commemorative plates. Taking on the full brilliant and depressing array of crappy material goods, the book explores the overlooked corners of the American market and mindset, revealing the complexity of our relationship with commodity culture over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy studying crap rather than finely made material objects, Woloson shows us a new way to truly understand ourselves, our national character, and our collective psyche. For all its problems, and despite its disposability, our crap is us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46854415876332,"sku":"9780226664354","price":62.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/d8f44dbf76fc097f38e00f743f644a76.jpg?v=1759270518"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/wendy-a-woloson.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}