Luxurious Citizens

Discover the intricate relationship between consumerism and national identity in Luxurious Citizens by Joanna Cohen. Published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2017, this engaging hardback spans 277 pages and delves into the period between 1789 and 1865. Cohen expertly illustrates how Americans intertwined their consumer desires with the broader national interest, transforming individual aspirations for goods into a measure of civic value. This thought-provoking work places the phenomenon of unrestrained consumption at the core of the evolving political economy of modern America. Perfect for readers interested in politics, government, and the historical context of consumer culture, Luxurious Citizens offers a compelling exploration of how material desires shaped the nation’s identity and values.