An Urge to Splurge: Tracing the Social History of Shopping

Newswise — One of humankind's oldest pursuits is put under scrutiny in The Urge to Splurge: A Social History of Shopping (November 2003), a new book that examines the issues associated with our desire to spend, the history of shopping, and why shopping has become so politicized in the wake of September 11, 2001.

According to author Laura Byrne Paquet, shopping is commonly perceived as a pastime of the idle rich; however, the US Congress' monthly publication of economic indicators shows that increased consumption and spending is at the top of the list as a sign of a country's economic well-being. Even President Bush, in his State of the Union address earlier this year, repeatedly implored citizens to continue spending.

The Urge to Splurge takes a close look at the issues associated with spending. With examples from literature, historical sources, research, and art, Paquet maps the evolution of shopping from ancient bazaars through to modern-day megamalls.

Paquet advances the argument that the drive to spend has been part of society's social makeup for centuries. Notions of shopaholics, kleptomaniacs, and fashion victims as being recent developments in shopping history are also debunked. One such example is First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, who, in 1861, spent over her $20,000 budget to redecorate the White House. Paquet writes, "It also came to light that she had bought 400 pairs of gloves over a four-month period. She considered her contemporary, Empress Eugénie of France—who could rack up apparel bills equivalent to $250,000 in today's dollars—a role model in that regard."

The Urge to Splurge provides an entertaining, in-depth analysis of the psychology and history of one of humankind's oldest pursuits. Paquet is a writer and travel journalist who has been covering shopping for more than 15 years.

For more information about the book, visit: http://www.ecwpress.com/books/splurge.htm