Shopping Mall (Object Lessons)

The Shopping Mall is a captivating exploration of an iconic 20th-century American institution.

Part memoir, part case study, this book delves into the hidden lives of ordinary people who worked and played within the gleaming walls of these climate-controlled pleasure domes.

From the employee side of the counter to the idealistic architects' designs, Matthew Newton reveals the intricate details of suburban isolation and aspirational fantasy that defined the late 1980s. With a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for the people who populated these spaces, Newton takes readers on a personal journey through the mall, evoking striking tales of white flight, shop-till-you-drop consumerism, and the lost town square of post-WWII America.

The best passages are those that reveal the actual idea of the mall, designed by figures such as Victor Gruen as a new sort of civic space. Through Newton's evocative reflections on the mall's past and present, readers will discover the enduring appeal of this waning icon of American consumer culture.

Whether you're a nostalgic baby boomer or a curious millennial, The Shopping Mall is sure to captivate and inspire.

So why wait? Dive into the fascinating world of malls and discover the hidden lives of ordinary things.