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
Prime Movers of Globalization
Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
The Idealist
#AskGaryVee
Zucked
White Working Class
The Devil’s Financial Dictionary
The Diamond Age
The Design of Everyday Things
Superhuman
The Three Marriages
Maps of Meaning
The Artist's Way
Walk in Their Shoes
Francis Crick
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Devil's Harbor
A Walk in the Woods
Not The End of the World
Hyperion
An Inconvenient Truth
The Blank Swan
How To Win at the Sport of Business
The Adventures of Henry Thoreau
A History of Knowledge
A Higher Loyalty
Free Women, Free Men
The Art of People
Plentiful Energy
The Halo Effect...
The Black Dahlia
Bad News
The Plot Against the President
Lolita
Striking Thoughts
Titan
For The Love Of Physics
The Death of the Artist
Leadership
Genome
The 48 Laws of Power
Trailblazer
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
The Hustler
The Emotion Code
Hacks
Between The World And Me
Small Is the New Big
Be the Person You Want to Find
The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo
Digital Gold
The Fabric of Civilization
Devil Take the Hindmost
Prelude to Foundation
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Flying Start
Double your Profits
The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life
An Elegant Defense
Switch
Why We Sleep
Play It Away
The Starfish and the Spider
Exit Interview
Radical Son
Powers of Two
The American Challenge
When Breath Becomes Air
Money Changes Everything
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
What Do People Do All Day?
Thinking Physics
Flow
Superintelligence
The Wizard of Menlo Park
Against The World
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
True Believer
Born Red
The Piano Tuner
Men, Machines, and Modern Times
A Whole New Mind
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Evolving Ourselves
The True Believer
Starlink
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
With the Old Breed
The Tycoons
Electrify
Platform Revolution
From Galileo to Newton
Modernity Without Restraint
Dominion
Sex at Dawn
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
I Seem To Be A Verb
Ham on Rye
Elvis Cole Series