The Power of Glamour

Longing and the Art of Visual Persuasion

Virginia Postrel

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

"The Power of Glamour" by Virginia Postrel is an engaging exploration of the pervasive influence and allure of glamour in contemporary society. Drawing from a range of real-life examples and historical anecdotes, this thought-provoking book delves into the many ways in which glamour captivates our imaginations and shapes our desires.

Postrel examines how glamour differs from beauty, drawing attention to its transformative nature and its ability to cultivate aspirations. She unravels the elements that contribute to this elusive concept, including mystery, grace, and elegance, and argues that glamour is not solely confined to the world of celebrities and fashion, but also extends to realms such as architecture, technology, and politics.

Furthermore, the author delves into the psychology behind our fascination with glamour, highlighting its ability to inspire hope, create fantasies, and transport us to a world of possibility. She reveals how glamour often plays a role in our pursuit of success, acting as a motivator and providing a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

At the same time, Postrel acknowledges the potential dangers of glamour, as it can distort reality, create unrealistic expectations, and fuel materialistic desires. She encourages readers to critically analyze the sources and effects of glamour in their own lives, emphasizing the importance of embracing personal authenticity and finding meaning beyond surface-level allure.

"The Power of Glamour" is a thought-provoking examination of a pervasive force in our modern world. With her eloquent storytelling and insightful analysis, Virginia Postrel provides readers with a deeper understanding of glamour's power and its impacts on our individual and collective consciousness.

Explore More Books

See All
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Four
The Elements of Style
The Celestine Prophecy
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gift of Good Land
Chasing the Light
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Sperm Wars
Probability Theory
Becoming Steve Jobs
Red Notice
Antifragile
The Truth about Carbs
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Should We Eat Meat?
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Certain To Win
Think on These Things
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Robber Barons
Kill Decision
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Stillness
Idea Makers
In The Plex
Thank You For Smoking
Strength In Stillness
The Oxford History of Britain
Citizen Coke
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The MAGA Doctrine
The Untethered Soul
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Pumped
Filters Against Folly
All Quiet on the Western Front
Founders at Work
The Doors of Perception
1984
Queen of Fashion
Simple & Direct
Ignition!
Being Nixon
The Craft
Bend The Curve
Evicted
24/6
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Broke
The Hobbit
My Years with General Motors
Intellectuals
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How To Decide
Paper Lion
High Output Management
In Cold Blood
Co-Intelligence
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Tender Is The Night
Happiness
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
The Story of Philosophy
Devil's Bargain
A Good Man
The Lord of the Rings
Clocks and Culture
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Lagom
The Curse of the Mogul
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Dark Towers
Glass
The Prize
Starlink
Happy Accidents
Digital Gold
The Aeneid
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
The Song Machine