In 'The Power of Glamour,' Virginia Postrel explores the magnetic allure of glamour and its ability to shape our desires and perceptions. She delves into how glamour influences culture, fashion, and even politics, illustrating its power to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Postrel reveals the mechanisms behind glamorous imagery and its emotional impact on our lives. This thought-provoking book challenges readers to reconsider the role of glamour in their own experiences and aspirations. Can we harness this powerful force to enhance our lives, or are we merely its willing subjects?
By Virginia Postrel
Published: 2017
"Glamour is the promise of the good life, a feeling that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary."
What is it that creates that pleasurable pang of desire—the feeling of “if only”? If only I could wear those clothes, belong to that group, drive that car, live in that house, be (or be with) that person? Postrel identifies the three essential elements in all forms of glamour and explains how they work to create a distinctive sensation of projection and yearning. The Power of Glamour is the very first book to explain what glamour really is—not just style or a personal quality but a phenomenon that reveals our inner lives and shapes our decisions, large and small. By embodying the promise of a different and better self in different and better circumstances, glamour stokes ambition and nurtures hope, even as it fosters sometimes-dangerous illusions. From vacation brochures to military recruiting ads, from the Chrysler Building to the iPad, from political utopias to action heroines, Postrel argues that glamour is a seductive cultural force. Its magic stretches beyond the stereotypical spheres of fashion or film, influencing our decisions about what to buy, where to live, which careers to pursue, where to invest, and how to vote. The result is myth shattering: a revelatory theory that explains how glamour became a powerful form of nonverbal persuasion, one that taps into our most secret dreams and deepest yearnings to influence our everyday choices.
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“Glamour is the promise of the good life, a feeling that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.”
The Power of Glamour
By Virginia Postrel
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Virginia Postrel is an esteemed author and cultural critic known for her insightful explorations of economics, aesthetics, and culture. She is the author of several notable works, including "The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness," which examines the importance of aesthetics in everyday life, and "Digitally Disconnected: How to Disconnect and Get Your Life Back in this Digital Age." Postrel's writing is characterized by its analytical depth and engaging prose, often blending personal narrative with broader cultural commentary. In addition to her books, she has contributed to various publications, including The Atlantic and the Wall Street Journal, where her observations on social trends and market dynamics continue to influence public discourse.
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