Big Hair: A Journey into the Transformation of Self (Paperback)

~ Grant McCracken (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most people in modern Western society are obsessed with hair: hair they have, hair they don't, hair they don't want (there), the latest to-do about the do of the latest star or starlet--and yet there have been virtually no in-depth studies of hair in this culture. McCracken, a curator of ethnology, has written an insightful study of how Westerners redefine themselves by defining and redefining their 'dos, dont's, and dyes, and the fetishistic fascination with hair styles of the rich and famous.

Although written primarily about women's hair, and in particular, blond hair, my entire household--men and women alike--learned a great deal from the in-depth analyses of these dead strands of protein extruding from tiny pores on our heads which nonetheless have extraordinary power in determining status and even wealth. Recommended.

Review

An in-depth investigation into the cultural mores of our time.... I found this book brilliantly illuminating. (Ed. Note: Don't snicker: as you will find after reading this book, Vidal Sassoon's role in Western culture is far more important than you might think). -- Vidal Sassoon

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Overlook TP (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516577
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516574
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,015,090 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hair as a window to the emerging self--the transformation, November 9, 1999

By A Customer

I read this book in a single day. It deals with the way we (mostly women) use hair as a first step towards identifying ourselves and even identifying (or trying on) the self we are becomming. It was straightforward but lighthearted and kind. You could tell the author enjoyed the research. Hair as a window to the soul.