Style — Social Class and Life Taste

Author: Paul Fussell
Publisher:
Publish Date: April 1, 2002
Features: His purpose is to offend the masses—and he succeeded, with his relentless wit and kindly malice. —The Times
Clever and entertaining—In many guides to social life, Mr. Fussell’s book is clearly the most comprehensive and one of the most witty. His observations on the behavior, customs, and cultural tastes of Americans are sharp enough to be terrifying. —The New York Times
A rare gem of a book—Rich historical dimensions, keen insights, and biting humor are a brilliant light shed on the American class society. —United Press International
Witty, discerning, and enlightening, utterly astonishing and often caustic—Fussell hits the mark, highly provocative. —The Chicago Sun-Times
A precise and stinging guide to social hierarchy What is hierarchy? It’s not just your profession, not just where you live, not just how you behave at the dinner table, nor just how much money you have or how much you can earn. Hierarchy is a combination of subtle qualities, hard to articulate. It’s precisely these subtle traits that establish your place in the world.
Through sharp observation, a unique perspective, incisive analysis, and witty, humorous writing, the author provides a meticulous comparison of the phenomenon of social hierarchy and the lifestyles of different classes in American society.