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Summary: A pity that this was published in the early 80's...
Review: A very fine look at the social hierarchy of the United States. It's impossible not to change the way you look at furniture, food, colleges... almost every aspect of life, and how it affects your social class. The "Living Room Scale" in the Appendix is particularly amusing. It's too bad that some parts are no longer current, but the vast majority of this book rings true. Definitely worth a look or three.
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Summary: Will stay in your mind...
Review: I first read this book about ten years ago and it stayed in my mind. It really opens your eyes to class differences that do exist in the U.S. When I see my husband entertain with tortilla chips and salsa when I get the brie and crackers, I understand! Warning: once you read this book, you won't ever look at life in the US the same way again!
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Summary: There cannot be too much of THIS good thing!
Review: I've never read anything even remotely as entertaining as "Class". Being a foreigner, I especially appreciated this unanticipated look at Americans. Somebody, please, get the author to write a sequel!
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Summary: Scorched earth
Review: One of the books I re-read occasionally, Class is a take-no-prisoners look at all our foibles and pretensions. Even years after its publication, Fussell's commentary on everything from bumper stickers to unnatural fibers will make you wince when you recognize yourself, and make you strive to embody his "X" ideals in the last chapter -- a surprisingly prescient description and prediction of trends in popular culture.
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Summary: Of course there is some quibbling. . . .
Review: I have heard some otherwise enthusiastic readers of CLASS mention that Mr. Fussell's book doesn't nail Southern (USA) culture quite as accurately as it hits the USA in general. One possible reason is that, as fellow curmudgeon Florence King points out, the south is a place where people are treated as if they have money when they have none, and as if they have none when in fact they have plenty. But here! This is nothing but quibbling. Class is among the most enjoyable and entertaining books ever, and it only gets better when taken along with Mr. Fussell's other books -- WARTIME, THANK GOD FOR THE ATOMIC BOMB, etc. One more quibble -- it would be nice if it had an index, so that one might look up such things as "Adjusto-strap, 71, prole cap worn backwards to exhibit," etc.
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Summary: An American Classic
Review: Anyone who wants to take up American citizenship should be made to read this book before they can take the oath, they should know what they are signing up for. Witty, true, well written "Class" has earned a perpetual place on my bookshelf.
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Summary: A great book. Fun to re-read
Review: I agree with reviewer David Culp. It's one of my favorite books too.
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Summary: Fussell has a piercing eye. Highly entertaining.
Review: This is a wonderfully entertaining book. Fussell is highly witty, quite humorous in his depiction of class tastes. For all its thoroughness "Class" is only superficial on one count. It never attempts to address the reason why one class chooses this, another that. Maybe one class is just too exploited, tired, or undereducated to opt for the more cultivated choice. But since that's not funny........
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Summary: My favorite book ever!
Review: I've read this book at least thirty times, taking my dog-eared and yellowed copy along on every business trip and vacation. It's not only fun to read, it's highly literate - improve your english SAT score in only one reading! Warning! After reading this book you'll never again be able to walk through your living room without feeling pangs of embarassment at all the class indicators present.
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Summary: Biting, witty, hilarious. Expect to be offended!
Review: This book is not some lighthearded comedy about rich vs. poor. Yes, it's a hilarious guide through the labyrinth of America's class system. But Fussell isn't writing just for fun -- he launches an all-out attack on America's hypocritical pride in its own egalitarianism. If you ever wondered where you really fit in (or where your neighbors fit in), read this book. You will ask yourself how he could manage to know so much about you. The only problem is that Fussell's suggested "way out" of the system is a little outdated and somewhat inadequate
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