Enchanting a Disenchanted World

<b>The only <b>book to connect the everyday world of the 20-something undergraduate consumer with sound sociological analysis</b><b> of the world of consumption</b></b> <p style=LINE-HEIGHT: normal></p><p><b>Enchanting a Disenchanted World Third Edition </b>examines Disney malls cruise lines Las Vegas the world wide web Planet Hollywood credit cards and all the other ways we now consume. Thoroughly updated to reflect the recent economic recession and the impact of the internet bestselling author George Ritzer continues to explore this book's central thesis: that our society has undergone fundamental change because of the way and the level at which we consume. </p><p>This <b>Third Edition</b> demonstrates how we have created new cathedrals of consumption (places that enchant us so as to entice us to stay longer and consume more) while continuing to take capitalism to a new level. These places of consumption whether in our homes the mall or cyberspace are in a constant state of enchanting the disenchanted luring us through new spectacles because their rational qualities are both necessary and deadening at the same time. </p><p style=LINE-HEIGHT: normal; BACKGROUND: white><b></b></p><p style=LINE-HEIGHT: normal; BACKGROUND: white><b>New and Hallmark Features</b></p><ul><li><div style=LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; BACKGROUND: white>Offers a unique analysis of the world of consumption especially the settings in which consumption takes place</div></li><li><div style=LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; BACKGROUND: white>Discusses the recent global economic recession throughout </div></li><li><div style=LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; BACKGROUND: white>Offers rich details on consuming in such places as Las Vegas Disney World on cruise ships in Wal-Mart at McDonald's and new to this edition on the Web</div></li><li><div style=LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; BACKGROUND: white>Includes a wide range of theoretical perspectives-Marxian Weberian critical theory postmodern theory-as well as a number of concepts such as hyperconsumption implosion simulation and time and space to show students how sociological theory can be applied to everyday phenomena</div></li></ul>