American Social Classes in the 1950s: Selections from Vance Packard's The Status Seekers

by Vance Packard, Daniel Horowitz

This abridged edition of Vance Packard's 1959 The Status Seekers presents a picture of American society in the late 1950s that allows students to develop a more accurate and complex understanding of an often-caricatured era. Daniel Horowitz's introduction provides historical context, an assssment of the book's impact, and a discussion of its critical reception.

Genres: American History

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1995

About the author

Vance Oakley Packard was an American journalist and social critic. He was the author of several books, including The Hidden Persuaders and The Naked Society. He was a critic of consumerism.

Reviews

[Laura]

I recommend this book to anyone who is troubled by the grip of consumerism on our society. Packard's conclusions are still relevant because many of his observations are spot on today. The writing is refreshing as he is freer to be specific before American society was consumed with political correctness. There are practical ideas of how to improve equality in America and make the American Dream accessible to all.

[Laura]

Cold War,American history