This book offers scholarly state-of-the-art presentations concerning material culture research at this critical stage in its development. These essays describe the emerging field of Material Culture Studies and the new ways it offers for seeking an understanding of our society's basic values and beliefs. They provide fresh insights into the world of goods and the meaning we derive from ordinary things. Drawing on both historical and contemporary perspectives, Living in a Material World includes contributions from scholars in history, anthropology, folklore, art history, and American studies.