Money, Morals, and Manners: The Culture of the French and the American Upper-Middle Class

by Michèle Lamont

Book Overview

Drawing on remarkably frank, in-depth interviews with 160 successful men in the United States and France, Mich le Lamont provides a rare and revealing collective portrait of the upper-middle class--the managers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and experts at the center of power in society. Her book is a subtle, textured description of how these men define the values and attitudes they consider essential in separating themselves--and their class--from everyone else.

Money, Morals, and Manners is an ambitious and sophisticated attempt to illuminate the nature of social class in modern society. For all those who downplay the importance of unequal social groups, it will be a revelation.

"A powerful, cogent study that will provide an elevated basis for debates in the sociology of culture for years to come."--David Gartman, American Journal of Sociology

"A major accomplishment Combining cultural analysis and comparative approach with a splendid literary style, this book significantly broadens the understanding of stratification and inequality. . . . This book will provoke debate, inspire research, and serve as a model for many years to come."--R. Granfield, Choice

"This is an exceptionally fine piece of work, a splendid example of the sociologist's craft."--Lewis Coser, Boston College

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226468178
• ISBN13: 9780226468174
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Great Item

I learned one of the chapters in my political science class. I love the culture difference between these two nation.

NOT WRITTEN VERY WELL, BUT THE INSIGHTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT

This book was very helpful in preparing me to live in France, but I had to struggle to read it as it is very badly written. Yet I would still recommend you read it if you have the time to organize the author's ideas yourself. FRANCE is very different because they have economic security with lifetime contracts of employment, health care, free education, pensions, and help with the children, lots of vacation while Americans have little to none of any of those things. The difference in economic structure and the resources available in each country shape the lives of the people living inside each system.