Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America

About this book

Crap. We all have it. Filling drawers. Overflowing bins and baskets. Proudly displayed or stuffed in boxes in basements and garages. Big and small. Metal fabric and a whole lot of plastic. So much crap. Abundant cheap stuff is about as American as it gets. And it turns out these seemingly unimportant consumer goods offer unique insights into ourselvesour values and our desires. In Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America Wendy A. Woloson takes seriously the history of objects that are often cynically-made and easy to dismiss: things not made to last; things we dont really need; things we often dont even really want. Woloson does not mock these ordinary everyday possessions but seeks to understand them as a way to understand aspects of ourselves socially culturally and economically: Why do weas individuals and as a culturepossess these things? Where do they come from? Why do we want them? And what is the true cost of owning them? Woloson tells the history of crap from the late eighteenth century up through today exploring its many categories: gadgets knickknacks novelty goods mass-produced collectibles giftware variety store merchandise. As Woloson shows not all crap is crappy in the same waybric-a-brac is crappy in a different way from say advertising giveaways which are differently crappy from commemorative plates. Taking on the full brilliant and depressing array of crappy material goods the book explores the overlooked corners of the American market and mindset revealing the complexity of our relationship with commodity culture over time. By studying crap rather than finely made material objects Woloson shows us a new way to truly understand ourselves our national character and our collective psyche. For all its problems and despite its disposability our crap is us.