Extensively expanded and revised, with a new foreword by Thomas Frank. In the United States, happiness and wealth are often regarded as synonymous. Consumerism, greed, and the insatiable desire for more are American obsessions. In the native tradition of Twain, Veblen, and Mencken, the editor of Lapham's Quarterly here examines our fascination with the ubiquitous green goddess. Focusing on the wealthy sybarites of New York City, whom Lewis H. Lapham has been able to observe firsthand in their natural habitat, Money and Class in America is a caustic, and often hilarious, portrait of a segment of the American population who, in the thirty years since the book was originally written, have become only further removed-both in terms of wealth and social awareness-from everyone else.
"Without doubt our greatest satirist-elegant, honorable, learned and fair. I love reading him."
Kurt Vonnegut
"Lewis Lapham-born of Mark Twain and H. L. Mencken-is the most provocative and engaging essayist in the country."
George Plimpton
"In this aptly titled collection of twenty-five exquisite essays, Lewis Lapham depicts an ugly America. These dour yet witty ruminations spare no one and nothing."
