Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Revolutionizing the Means of Consumption [Paperback]

George Ritzer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761985115 | ISBN-13: 978-0761985112 | Publication Date: January 25, 1999 | Edition: 1

In this essential guide to how we now consume, George Ritzer provides original and probing insights into the new forms and settings of consumer culture. Ranging from hyper-real Disney worlds to the local shopping mall, these studies of the new cathedrals of consumption will be compelling to anyone interested in the cultural and economic importance of consumption in our society.

George Ritzer has established himself as the foremost observer of consumer culture. This is the most important book he has written since his classic work The McDonaldization of Society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I like the fact that the book is relatively even-handed - appreciating spectacle even while forcing students to question critically the effects of consumption in their lives and those of their fellow citizens."

(Gary Alan Fine )

"Enchanting a Disenchanted World is a tour de force. Drawing upon a rich array of examples, George Ritzer provides an original and insightful analysis of the new means of consumption and how they are transforming our lives. . . . Analytically crisp, jargon free, and packed with fresh illustrations, Enchanting a Disenchanted World is equally effective as an engaging read for specialists and a lucid text for classroom use. Highly recommended to scholars and students."

(Kevin Fox Gotham )

"I think this is a great book! I have enjoyed working with it, and so have my students. . . . I especially like the chapters that deal with social theory. These chapters are very effective in presenting social theory to students, as they contain very clear and straightforward explanations of the ideas of otherwise very complex and difficult social theorists."

(Ann Branaman )

"I think this is a good undergraduate text which can engage students in lively discussions of many recent trends in consumer culture."

(Katya Makarova ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

George Ritzer is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, where he has also been a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher and won a Teaching Excellence Award. He was awarded the 2000 distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award by the American Sociological Association and an honorary doctorate from LaTrobe University in australia. He is best-known for The McDonaldization of Society (translated into over a dozen languages) and McDonaldization: The Reader 3 as well as several related books, including expressing America: A Critique of the Global Credit Card Society, Enchanting a Disenchanted World 3, The Globalization of Nothing 2, Globalization: A Basic Text, and The Outsourcing of Everything (forthcoming, with Craig Lair). He is the Editor of the Encyclopedia of Social Theory (2 vols.), the Encyclopedia of Sociology (11 vols.), is currently editing the Encyclopedia of Globalization (5 vols.), and is Founding Editor of the Journal of Consumer Culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Pine Forge Press; 1 edition (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761985115
• ISBN-13: 978-0761985112
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,047,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and perceptive, September 4, 2003

By 

H Slaven (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Revolutionizing the Means of Consumption (Hardcover)

This book changed the way I view my own habits of consumption. I found his analysis of contemporary trends in consumption interesting and provocative. Also interesting was his conclusion that as people grow accustomed to the new means of consumption that they have to be continually impressed by something new. I thought his remarks on the architecture of the "cathedrals of consumption" were also very important. The most unsettling aspect of the book was Ritzer's comparison of modern styles of consumption with religious institutions, and even the conformity of religious institutions to this new means of consumption (i.e., the mega-churches of today). It was a good read, too, not too dense or pretentious. Very engaging.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Made my inner fear of rampant consumerism in our society something I could understand, February 17, 2008

By 

M. Irwin (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Revolutionizing the Means of Consumption (Paperback)

This is an incredible read for anyone who is terrified of consumerism, but doesn't find the critique presented by zombie subcultures a satisfying alternative. Where zombie movies and posters are hypocritical (in that you're just consuming someone else's noise), inarticulate/vague, and present violence as the only alternative, this book is enlightening. It helps you to embrace your role as an active/informed consumer and better understand what it is that makes you consume.

Though this edition was released a few years ago, it still captures 'now' incredibly well. Here's an excerpt about Amazon, and even what I'm doing as I write these words:

"As an internet provider of books (and now many other things), Amazon.com (and other consumption sites on the Internet) presents an interest case of efficiency through putting the consumer to work. The most obvious point is that the customer does all the work involved in placing an order. Less obvious is the fact that customers are invited to submit thoughts on, and reviews of, books; these reviews are then posted on the Web site. Customers, therefore, not only do the work of ordering but also serve as unpaid book reviewers. Many other sites on the Internet invite comments from people (e.g., cruise lines), and those who write positive statements are serving as unpaid public relations people."
- Quote from page 73

Hilarious. It further notes that the success of sites like Amazon has in many way further spurred the emphasis of "blockbuster" books at book stores like Borders that have to compete with the success of e-commerce. Thus, quantity (of sales) over quality (of the material) is being further and further emphasized in our culture.

Read it, embrace its truth, and remember to breathe.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prepare to feel exploited, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Revolutionizing the Means of Consumption (Paperback)

Ritzer does a good job of awakening the average consumer to the explotation they are undergoing daily.