Character Is Capital: Success Manuals and Manhood in Gilded Age America

Book Description

In late nineteenth-century America, a new type of book became commonplace in millions of homes across the country. Volumes sporting such titles as The Way to Win and Onward to Fame and Fortune promised to show young men how to succeed in life. But despite their upbeat titles, success manuals offered neither practical business advice nor a simple celebration of the American Dream. Instead, as Judy Hilkey reveals, they presented a dire picture of an uncertain new age, portraying life in the newly industrialized nation as a brutal struggle for survival, but arguing that adherence to old-fashioned virtues enabled any determined man to succeed.

Hilkey offers a cultural history of success manuals and the industry that produced and marketed them. She examines the books' appearance, iconography, and intended audience—primarily native-born, rural and small-town men of modest means and education—and explores the genre's use of gendered language to equate manhood with success, femininity with failure. Ultimately, argues Hilkey, by articulating a worldview that helped legitimate the new social order to those most threatened by it, success manuals urged readers to accommodate themselves to the demands of life in the industrial age.

Customer Reviews:

excellent work on character & manliness in the Gilded Age.......2007-06-18

Hilkey has written a thorough and very readable (for an academic book) analysis of the highly popular success manuals published between 1870 and 1910. While her first few chapters are given over to an unavoidably dry discussion of the publishing industry and major writers, the majority of the book is spent on a fascinating and far more lively analysis of the content of the guides themselves. Hilkey makes several important arguments, one of which is that, by positing character and manhood as the qualities that separated 'successes' from 'failures,' the writers of manuals attempted to obscure or ignore class divisions in industrializing America and instead insist that the division was between being a manly man, whatever your wealth or occupation, or being shiftless-- which could apply equally to the poor or the dissipated rich. In doing so, the writers promoted a vision of manliness, character and virtue that made it possible for men of varied classes to imagine themselves part of a broad middle class defined by shared values rather than identical socioeconomic background. She also discusses the roles of women, as well as the importance of imagery of sexuality, of machinery and of the battlefield. An incisive analysis useful to any historian of the period, of manliness, class, or popular literature.

Flaws within the thesis.......2002-02-08

This book presents a very interesting background for a very interesting period of American history (the late-19th century). The author explores a crisis in manhood through the use of period success manuals.

The books, themselves, represent a sort of metaphorical voyage for success. The books were very expense (often a whole family's weekly salary) and they were often "gilded" (although, their construction was very cheaply and poorly done). These manuals were written by prominent figures and were geared for subscription selling to rural middle-class families, primarily living in the Midwest.

The "crisis" in the author's thesis, however, is the overlooked fact that these books were merely bought for social status. Not only were these books sold in high volume, but they were often advertised as "no home should be without them". Additionally, the door-to-door salesmen often advised a family that all their neighbors had all made the wise investment, and that they certainly didn't want to be the only disadvantaged family in the area, hence the prestige of ownership.

Certainly, these manuals were read, and, perhaps, utilized to a certain level; however, the author's assumptions regarding their overall extraordinary level of use is flawed. Hilkey asserts that the large number of purchases of these manuals constituted a cultural crisis in the rural areas of the United States, especially among middle-class boys who were growing up in an era of changing social roles and mores.

Simply, Hilkey should re-exam her thesis from the prospect that these success manuals were simply bought as nothing more than very expensive coffee table books with very little readable and implementation value.

Book Description

Tooze provides an interpretation of the period of dramatic statistical innovation between 1900 and 1945. The Weimar Republic and the Third Reich were in the forefront of statistical innovation in the interwar decades. New ways of measuring the economy were inspired both by contemporary developments in macroeconomic theory and the needs of government. Under the Nazi regime, these statistical tools provided the basis for a radical experiment in economic planning. Based on the German example, Tooze argues for a more wide-ranging reconsideration of the history of modern economic knowledge.

Book Description

Over one hundred of the world's most important species of nuts are systematically accounted in this informative handbook. The text defines nuts and discusses their economic and nutritional value. For easy reference; there is an illustrated account of each nut by species, arranged alphabetically by scientific name. Each account includes the family name, several colloquial names, and paragraphs on uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecol-ogy, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors.Chapters Describe:· Uses· Folk medicine· Chemistry· Germplasm· Distribution· Ecology· Cultivation· Harvesting· Yields and economics· Energy· Biotic factors

Book Description

This collection reviews the debates and brings together specialist contributions to provide a clear guide to the major complexities of African development. The lay the foundation for designing a range of individual country-specific policy-sets, in which the strategic components are prioritized according to each country's constrains and opportunities.

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Average customer rating:

Pick this up if you're shopping for fun chick lit

I don't get it.

Loved this book!

I didn't love Becky...

Fun and Funny

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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Similar Items:

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Shopaholic Ties the Knot

Shopaholic & Sister

The Undomestic Goddess

Can You Keep a Secret?

Accessories:

Conair Pro Color Accents Temporary Hair Color Kit

Conair MDF2R Facial Sauna With Timer

ASIN: 0440241413
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Amazon.com

If you've ever paid off one credit card with another, thrown out a bill before opening it, or convinced yourself that buying at a two-for-one sale is like making money, then this silly, appealing novel is for you. In the opening pages of Confessions of a Shopaholic, recent college graduate Rebecca Bloomwood is offered a hefty line of credit by a London bank. Within a few months, Sophie Kinsella's heroine has exceeded the limits of this generous offer, and begins furtively to scan her credit-card bills at work, certain that she couldn't have spent the reported sums.

In theory anyway, the world of finance shouldn't be a mystery to Rebecca, since she writes for a magazine called Successful Saving. Struggling with her spendthrift impulses, she tries to heed the advice of an expert and appreciate life's cheaper pleasures: parks, museums, and so forth. Yet her first Saturday at the Victoria and Albert Museum strikes her as a waste. Why? There's not a price tag in sight.

It kind of takes the fun out of it, doesn't it? You wander round, just looking at things, and it all gets a bit boring after a while. Whereas if they put price tags on, you'd be far more interested. In fact, I think all museums should put prices on their exhibits. You'd look at a silver chalice or a marble statue or the Mona Lisa or whatever, and admire it for its beauty and historical importance and everything--and then you'd reach for the price tag and gasp, "Hey, look how much this one is!" It would really liven things up.

Eventually, Rebecca's uncontrollable shopping and her "imaginative" solutions to her debt attract the attention not only of her bank manager but of handsome Luke Brandon--a multimillionaire PR representative for a finance group frequently covered in Successful Saving. Unlike her opposite number in Bridget Jones's Diary, however, Rebecca actually seems too scattered and spacey to reel in such a successful man. Maybe it's her Denny and George scarf. In any case, Kinsella's debut makes excellent fantasy reading for the long stretches between white sales and appliance specials. --Regina Marler

Book Description

Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better....

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it—not any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank—letters with large red sums she can't bear to read—and they're getting ever harder to ignore.

She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever.

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times—and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Download Description

Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better...

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it -- not any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank -- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read -- and they're getting ever harder to ignore.

She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life -- and the lives of those around her -- forever.

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times -- and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.

Customer Reviews:

Pick this up if you're shopping for fun chick lit.......2007-10-03

"Confessions of a Shopaholic" is a funny, mindless book about Rebecca Bloomwood, a rather silly girl who works for a finance magazine in London and spends about five times as much as she makes. Becky just can't say no to piles of magazines, heaps of designer clothes, and dozens of frothy cappuccinos. It doesn't take long for Becky to run up some pretty huge debts, but instead of dealing with her financial problems head-on, she opts to use the avoidance tactic by telling creditors that her dog died, tossing her monthly statements into the trash bin, etc. Eventually Becky decides to cut back on her spending, but somehow her "responsible financial plan" ends up costing her even more money. Unfortunately for Becky, she can't hide from her problems forever, and eventually the unhappy creditors literally drive her into hiding. But of course, books like these almost always have happy endings, and things miraculously come together for Becky in the end.

I enjoyed reading this book: it's light, humorous, and fun. Becky's crazy rationalizations are pretty hilarious, but after a while I got a bit tired of how completely dense she could be about everything. It was also very obvious how the book would end pretty much from the start. Still, Becky made me laugh, and her outlandish situations and slightly over-the-top love interests were very entertaining. Overall, if you're looking for fluffy chick lit, this book is definitely up your alley, but it really doesn't amount to much more than that.

I don't get it........2007-09-22

As I have lately been enjoying the chick lit genre, I decided to give this book a try. It sounded silly, but I figured if Kinsella was able to follow it up with several more Shopaholic books, she must be on to something. I finished this book 2 weeks ago, and I'm still trying to figure out why, exactly, this book is such a hit. I found Becky very hard to relate to. Yes, like many 20something women, I've had credit card issues. But Becky's pathological lying to her family, friends, and herself, wasn't amusing. There were so many times in this book where I realized that a situation was supposed to be funny, but it instead just made me a little bit sick to my stomach. I would have greatly enjoyed the fairy tale ending had it happened to any other character, but I couldn't root for Becky. She didn't deserve it.

Loved this book!.......2007-09-09

I read this book a while back and I had never heard of the author, or even the book as a matter of fact..i was just walking around a bookstore and it caught my eye, and bought it because I though it could be really fun..

Well I was not disappointed, I absolutely loved it!! It was so much fun, I fell in love with the character, Becky is so much fun and I can certainly identify with her (in some aspects), mostly the way a lot of women will justify a purchase..it's hilarious!

So entertaining, romantic, fun, lighthearted, I couldn't stop reading it, it was my first Kinsella book and I am reading my 5th book from her (Shopaholic Ties the Knot).

I have already read Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, The Undomestic Goddess, Can You Keep a Secret? and of course Confessions of a Shopaholic..they were all sooo much fun, but it all started with Becky's 'Confessions..'

You HAVE to read it..I heard there will be a movie soon..enjoy!

I didn't love Becky..........2007-09-05

I love, love, love Bridget Jones. I'll pick up either of those books and reread favorite parts when I need a laugh, I've bought them as gifts, etc. So I thought that I'd love this, too. I know I'm in late in the game on this author/series, but I just had never picked it up.

In some ways I should love this, because it is SO like Bridget - too much so, in my opinion. I know Bridget's based on Pride & Prejudice, and any story can be, but it seems like there are an awful lot of similarities in these two books. The rich, aloof man who might be nice, the publishing heroine who's a little daft, the money issues... Part of me felt like saying, "Hey, get your own ideas." And no, they are not exactly the same, but...

At any rate, I can't quite figure out why I DIDN'T love this book. I think the problem is that I felt Becky to be a little more mean-spirited with her daftness, or a little more just plain dumb than dizzy, or something. At any rate, I just didn't love Becky, the heroine, making it fairly difficult, then, to love the book.

Maybe I'm just too fond of Bridget and my view of this as a knock-off has colored my opinion - if I'd not read Helen Fielding's novels I might have liked this more. I really don't know. I know there are more installments, and I can't decide if I'm going to try another one or not.

Fun and Funny.......2007-09-03

I really enjoyed this book, actually it's the first of the group of the Becky Bloomwood books, but I read it last. Get it and read it.

Shopaholic Gift Set (Shopaholic Ties the Knot / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Confessions of a Shopaholic)

Average customer rating:

Great brain candy!
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Funny Stuff
Thanks for the reviews!
FUN, LIGHT, ENJOYABLE!!!

Shopaholic Gift Set (Shopaholic Ties the Knot / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Confessions of a Shopaholic)
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dial Press Trade Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Shopaholic & Baby (Shopaholic)
Can You Keep a Secret?
The Undomestic Goddess
The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic

ASIN: 0385395507
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Customer Reviews:

Great brain candy!.......2007-05-14

I've enjoyed every book written by Sophie Kinsella - these were the books that introduced me to her. The adventures of Becky Bloomwood are a quick and entertaining read - I found myself staying up far too late because I couldn't put them down! I was especially entertained by the letters spattered between chapters. We only see the responses to Becky's correspondence, and these additional glimpses into her mind just add to the books. Anyone can enjoy these books - I love them, my mom loves them, my husband even read a little bit of them! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a light, entertaining read.

Confessions of a Shopaholic.......2007-05-14

Gawd..It's only Chapter 7 and I felt I have known Becky all my life! It's hilarious, funny and oh so Me!

Funny Stuff.......2007-03-23

Sophie Kinsella does a good job of not repeating the same story line book after book with her Shopaholic series. This was the first set that I purchased by this author and after that I was hooked.

Thanks for the reviews!.......2006-11-17

I ordered these books and based my 4 stars on the other reviews...for now. I just received them and I hope these funny stories encourage my 17 year old step daughter to read! So far she is not interested in anything enough to read it all the way through!

Thank you all for the reviews of these books, you helped me make the choice to buy them!

FUN, LIGHT, ENJOYABLE!!!.......2006-03-03

This series of three books was a very good read. Perfect for reading on a plane or just relaxing in a bubble bath. Very well written. If you liked "Bridget Jones' Diary", you will love this author. It helps to be married to an Englishman, as there are many references and slang terms common to Great Britan. I enjoyed the books immensely and would like to see another in the series - I have also read "Can You Keep a Secret?" by Sophie Kinsella and would give that book a rating of 5 as well!!!

Confessions of a shopaholic ;: Shopaholic takes Manhattan ; Shopaholic ties the knot

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a shopaholic ;: Shopaholic takes Manhattan ; Shopaholic ties the knot
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Book-of-the-month club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Shopaholic & Sister
Can You Keep a Secret?
The Undomestic Goddess
Shopaholic Abroad
Girls Night In

ASIN: 0965075095

Product Description

An exclusive book-of-the-month-club edition of Sophie Kinsella's "Shopaholic" novels.

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY81MM

3 Book Set By Sophie Kinsella; Confessions of a Shopaholic; Shopaholic Takes Manhattan; Shopaholic Ties the Knot.

Average customer rating:

3 Book Set By Sophie Kinsella; Confessions of a Shopaholic; Shopaholic Takes Manhattan; Shopaholic Ties the Knot.
Sophie Kinsella
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WYMRN2

Product Description

3 Book Set By Sophie Kinsella; Confessions of a Shopaholic; Shopaholic Takes Manhattan; Shopaholic Ties the Knot.

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dell Distributing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NW9QPA

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY6F48

LOT 2 BOOKS CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC & SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTAN

Average customer rating:

LOT 2 BOOKS CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC & SHOPAHOLIC TAKES MANHATTAN
SOPHIE KINSELLA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WJBCAG

Set of 2 by Sophie Kinsella ~ Confessions of a Shopaholic ~ Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

Average customer rating:

Set of 2 by Sophie Kinsella ~ Confessions of a Shopaholic ~ Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Sophie Kinsella
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TKBJU6

Diary of a Discount Donna: A Novel (Fashion Fables)

Average customer rating:

GET YOUR TISSUES, GIRLS
I Loved This Cinderella Story with a Fashion Twist

Diary of a Discount Donna: A Novel (Fashion Fables)
Kailin Gow
Manufacturer: Sparklesoup LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Single Women | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1594577978
Release Date: 2004-09-09

Book Description

What Happens When Life Hands You Frogs?

Download Description

Cynthia Donna Sanders, named after Cinderella, at 30 years old, is not married, slaves away in Beverly Hills, and has kept 3 promises to her comatose father for 15 years. Now her "fairy" godmother has found her the perfect job to meet her prince: fashion stylist to the queen of romantic comedies, Francesca Fury. Only this queen is heartbroken, the men Cynthia meets are off-limits, and there is trouble brewing around the corner with her wicked stepfamily. .

Customer Reviews:

GET YOUR TISSUES, GIRLS.......2005-01-21

A debut novel which threads fairy tale with modern day charm. Told through Cynthia Sanders' journaling, the story of a Cinderella, who has missed her calling in youth, emerges. A sweet story that gives the Cinderella story a new twist. Since I don't write reviews for books I don't feel deserve a 4 or 5 star, I'm going to say I love this book.

I Loved This Cinderella Story with a Fashion Twist.......2004-10-19

Cynthia, named after Cinderella, keeps a diary that chronicles her life as a singleton about to turn 30 and the sudden change in fortune she faces when her "fairy" hairstylist godmother grants her a wish: to become fashion stylist to the screen queen of romantic comedies, Francesca Fury. Soon Cynthia finds herself turning into the Cinderella she was named after and becoming a "Discount Donna". In the line of Bridget Jones Diary, this singleton is funny and desperately single, but not for the same reasons. Cynthia Sanders is the most level-headed singleton in any chick lit novels, but she finds herself in funny circumstances. Francesca Fury, as a warm heart benefactor to Cynthia, is one of the best characters to come around. I picture Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta-Jones in the role. Just what I wanted - a Light-hearted romantic fare with a clever twist on a fairy tale I love.

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