Author: Barbara McMahon
Publisher: Barbara McMahon
ISBN: 1944392343
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This ULTIMATE BILLIONAIRES BOXED SET includes: THE CYNICAL SHEIKH, Book One Love at first sight Laura has never believed in the adage of love at first sight, though her friend is an absolute believer. Yet when she meets a dashing, tall, dark and handsome man at a charity event, she falls head over heels. She’s swept away with fabulous dates from a hot air balloon ride to a fantastic weekend away. Could this be forever love? Family first at all costs When Sheikh Taliq discovers his younger cousin is involved again with another gold digger, he makes plans to lure the woman away from his cousin, lavish her with attention–and trinkets–until she chooses him as a wealthy prospect. Then he will repudiate her–showing his cousin her true colors. Tangled web To Taliq’s utter astonishment, his cousin announces his engagement to another woman. What of Laura? Has he been totally mistaken about her? Has he lost any chance with a woman he was growing to love? FALLING FOR THE SHEIKH, Book Two Unexpected Always impetuous, this time Sara’s really landed herself in hot water. Caught photographing forbidden locations in a foreign country, she’s in jail and no one knows where she is. Diplomacy needed Sheikh Kharun bak Rijad learns the daughter of the chief negotiator from the United States is in a remote jail accused of spying. To allow the courts to proceed would have international consequences. Yet, not to act, would cause internal conflicts at the highest levels of his government. Outlandish proposal A hastily conceived plan might buy them enough time to close the deal worth millions and avoid any international repercussions. Can they fool the world into thinking they’re in love? A SHEIKH OF HER OWN, Book Three Three Weeks with a Sheikh! Bridget Rossi jumps at the invitation to visit the Mediterranean estate of Sheikh Rashid al Halzid and the chance to immerse herself in a fairy-tale setting to help deal with the loss of her father. Life is no fairy-tale. Rashid works hard and plays hard, and this house party is only temporary. In sharp contrast to his other guests only interested in a good time, Bridget weaves her special kindness into the very fabric of his family. Is she for real? The jaded sheikh has to ask himself is he a fool to believe what he sees in Bridget? THE UNFORGETTABLE SHEIKH, Book Four Lost Love Ten years ago Chloe and Ben were in love, talking marriage, and making plans for the future. Then he vanished. All plans were shattered and heartbreak became a constant companion. Putting the past behind her at last, Chloe focuses on her new life’s path–but never forgot. Duty Calls Sheikh Karif bin Shakirah’s happiest years were when he was a graduate student at Berkeley. He found a woman who loved him for himself not his family’s wealth. He’d even hoped things would work out for him and Chloe-- after all doesn’t love conquer all? But duties and responsibilities swept him back to his homeland and he lost the woman he loved. Second Chance? When Chloe sees Ben for the first time in ten years, she’s shocked to learn he’s a wealthy sheikh from an oil-rich company signing a treaty with the US. He spots her and before long confronts her to find she hold only contempt. Could they have a second chance to live the plans they’d made or would the heartbreak and feelings of betrayal from the past prove too strong to overcome?
Ultimate Billionaires Boxed Set Books 1-4
Author: Barbara McMahon
Publisher: Barbara McMahon
ISBN: 1944392343
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This ULTIMATE BILLIONAIRES BOXED SET includes: THE CYNICAL SHEIKH, Book One Love at first sight Laura has never believed in the adage of love at first sight, though her friend is an absolute believer. Yet when she meets a dashing, tall, dark and handsome man at a charity event, she falls head over heels. She’s swept away with fabulous dates from a hot air balloon ride to a fantastic weekend away. Could this be forever love? Family first at all costs When Sheikh Taliq discovers his younger cousin is involved again with another gold digger, he makes plans to lure the woman away from his cousin, lavish her with attention–and trinkets–until she chooses him as a wealthy prospect. Then he will repudiate her–showing his cousin her true colors. Tangled web To Taliq’s utter astonishment, his cousin announces his engagement to another woman. What of Laura? Has he been totally mistaken about her? Has he lost any chance with a woman he was growing to love? FALLING FOR THE SHEIKH, Book Two Unexpected Always impetuous, this time Sara’s really landed herself in hot water. Caught photographing forbidden locations in a foreign country, she’s in jail and no one knows where she is. Diplomacy needed Sheikh Kharun bak Rijad learns the daughter of the chief negotiator from the United States is in a remote jail accused of spying. To allow the courts to proceed would have international consequences. Yet, not to act, would cause internal conflicts at the highest levels of his government. Outlandish proposal A hastily conceived plan might buy them enough time to close the deal worth millions and avoid any international repercussions. Can they fool the world into thinking they’re in love? A SHEIKH OF HER OWN, Book Three Three Weeks with a Sheikh! Bridget Rossi jumps at the invitation to visit the Mediterranean estate of Sheikh Rashid al Halzid and the chance to immerse herself in a fairy-tale setting to help deal with the loss of her father. Life is no fairy-tale. Rashid works hard and plays hard, and this house party is only temporary. In sharp contrast to his other guests only interested in a good time, Bridget weaves her special kindness into the very fabric of his family. Is she for real? The jaded sheikh has to ask himself is he a fool to believe what he sees in Bridget? THE UNFORGETTABLE SHEIKH, Book Four Lost Love Ten years ago Chloe and Ben were in love, talking marriage, and making plans for the future. Then he vanished. All plans were shattered and heartbreak became a constant companion. Putting the past behind her at last, Chloe focuses on her new life’s path–but never forgot. Duty Calls Sheikh Karif bin Shakirah’s happiest years were when he was a graduate student at Berkeley. He found a woman who loved him for himself not his family’s wealth. He’d even hoped things would work out for him and Chloe-- after all doesn’t love conquer all? But duties and responsibilities swept him back to his homeland and he lost the woman he loved. Second Chance? When Chloe sees Ben for the first time in ten years, she’s shocked to learn he’s a wealthy sheikh from an oil-rich company signing a treaty with the US. He spots her and before long confronts her to find she hold only contempt. Could they have a second chance to live the plans they’d made or would the heartbreak and feelings of betrayal from the past prove too strong to overcome?
Publisher: Barbara McMahon
ISBN: 1944392343
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This ULTIMATE BILLIONAIRES BOXED SET includes: THE CYNICAL SHEIKH, Book One Love at first sight Laura has never believed in the adage of love at first sight, though her friend is an absolute believer. Yet when she meets a dashing, tall, dark and handsome man at a charity event, she falls head over heels. She’s swept away with fabulous dates from a hot air balloon ride to a fantastic weekend away. Could this be forever love? Family first at all costs When Sheikh Taliq discovers his younger cousin is involved again with another gold digger, he makes plans to lure the woman away from his cousin, lavish her with attention–and trinkets–until she chooses him as a wealthy prospect. Then he will repudiate her–showing his cousin her true colors. Tangled web To Taliq’s utter astonishment, his cousin announces his engagement to another woman. What of Laura? Has he been totally mistaken about her? Has he lost any chance with a woman he was growing to love? FALLING FOR THE SHEIKH, Book Two Unexpected Always impetuous, this time Sara’s really landed herself in hot water. Caught photographing forbidden locations in a foreign country, she’s in jail and no one knows where she is. Diplomacy needed Sheikh Kharun bak Rijad learns the daughter of the chief negotiator from the United States is in a remote jail accused of spying. To allow the courts to proceed would have international consequences. Yet, not to act, would cause internal conflicts at the highest levels of his government. Outlandish proposal A hastily conceived plan might buy them enough time to close the deal worth millions and avoid any international repercussions. Can they fool the world into thinking they’re in love? A SHEIKH OF HER OWN, Book Three Three Weeks with a Sheikh! Bridget Rossi jumps at the invitation to visit the Mediterranean estate of Sheikh Rashid al Halzid and the chance to immerse herself in a fairy-tale setting to help deal with the loss of her father. Life is no fairy-tale. Rashid works hard and plays hard, and this house party is only temporary. In sharp contrast to his other guests only interested in a good time, Bridget weaves her special kindness into the very fabric of his family. Is she for real? The jaded sheikh has to ask himself is he a fool to believe what he sees in Bridget? THE UNFORGETTABLE SHEIKH, Book Four Lost Love Ten years ago Chloe and Ben were in love, talking marriage, and making plans for the future. Then he vanished. All plans were shattered and heartbreak became a constant companion. Putting the past behind her at last, Chloe focuses on her new life’s path–but never forgot. Duty Calls Sheikh Karif bin Shakirah’s happiest years were when he was a graduate student at Berkeley. He found a woman who loved him for himself not his family’s wealth. He’d even hoped things would work out for him and Chloe-- after all doesn’t love conquer all? But duties and responsibilities swept him back to his homeland and he lost the woman he loved. Second Chance? When Chloe sees Ben for the first time in ten years, she’s shocked to learn he’s a wealthy sheikh from an oil-rich company signing a treaty with the US. He spots her and before long confronts her to find she hold only contempt. Could they have a second chance to live the plans they’d made or would the heartbreak and feelings of betrayal from the past prove too strong to overcome?
Of Gold & Blood, Series 2, Books 1 & 4
Author: Jenny Wheeler
Publisher: Jenny Wheeler
ISBN: 0995130825
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 496
Book Description
Two Books in One! Of Gold & Blood Gold Rush Mystery Romance Series - Books #1 & #4 California, 1868. New York, 1847. Two generations, one poisonous legacy. Can they break free from the sins of the past? Love, betrayal, and redemption collide in the heart of the California frontier is this captivating two-book bundle that intertwines romance, betrayal, and dark secrets. In Poisoned Legacy, #1 in a ten-book series, showgirl Graysie inherits a cursed gold mine from her enigmatic ‘Uncle’ Eustace. As she and Aussie adventurer Nathan navigate the dangers surrounding the mine, they uncover a tragic past that threatens to destroy their future. Tangled Destiny, the prequel novella, transports readers to New York, 1847, where Graysie's mother, Elanora, faces a devastating choice that will shape the lives of her children and echo down the generations. As the stories unfold, the connections between Eustace, Elanora, and the tragic events haunting Graysie's life become clear. The secrets buried in the past hold the power to reshape the present and future, as Graysie fights to break free from the sins that bind them. Uncover the mysteries that bind Poisoned Legacy and Tangled Destiny together, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in this gripping historical saga. Get the Of Gold & Blood Book Bundle 2 today!
Publisher: Jenny Wheeler
ISBN: 0995130825
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 496
Book Description
Two Books in One! Of Gold & Blood Gold Rush Mystery Romance Series - Books #1 & #4 California, 1868. New York, 1847. Two generations, one poisonous legacy. Can they break free from the sins of the past? Love, betrayal, and redemption collide in the heart of the California frontier is this captivating two-book bundle that intertwines romance, betrayal, and dark secrets. In Poisoned Legacy, #1 in a ten-book series, showgirl Graysie inherits a cursed gold mine from her enigmatic ‘Uncle’ Eustace. As she and Aussie adventurer Nathan navigate the dangers surrounding the mine, they uncover a tragic past that threatens to destroy their future. Tangled Destiny, the prequel novella, transports readers to New York, 1847, where Graysie's mother, Elanora, faces a devastating choice that will shape the lives of her children and echo down the generations. As the stories unfold, the connections between Eustace, Elanora, and the tragic events haunting Graysie's life become clear. The secrets buried in the past hold the power to reshape the present and future, as Graysie fights to break free from the sins that bind them. Uncover the mysteries that bind Poisoned Legacy and Tangled Destiny together, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in this gripping historical saga. Get the Of Gold & Blood Book Bundle 2 today!
The New York Times Index
Superbosses
Author: Sydney Finkelstein
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525537325
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
"Superbosses is the rare business book that is chock full of new, useful, and often unexpected ideas. After you read Finkelstein's well-crafted gem, you will never go about leading, evaluating, and developing talent in quite the same way.”—Robert Sutton, author of Scaling Up Excellence and The No Asshole Rule “Maybe you’re a decent boss. But are you a superboss? That’s the question you’ll be asking yourself after reading Sydney Finkelstein’s fascinating book. By revealing the secrets of superbosses from finance to fashion and from cooking to comic books, Finkelstein offers a smart, actionable playbook for anyone trying to become a better leader.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human and Drive A fascinating exploration of the world’s most effective bosses—and how they motivate, inspire, and enable others to advance their companies and shape entire industries, by the author of How Smart Executives Fail. A must-read for anyone interested in leadership and building an enduring pipeline of talent. What do football coach Bill Walsh, restauranteur Alice Waters, television executive Lorne Michaels, technology CEO Larry Ellison, and fashion pioneer Ralph Lauren have in common? On the surface, not much, other than consistent success in their fields. But below the surface, they share a common approach to finding, nurturing, leading, and even letting go of great people. The way they deal with talent makes them not merely success stories, not merely organization builders, but what Sydney Finkelstein calls superbosses. After ten years of research and more than two hundred interviews, Finkelstein—an acclaimed professor at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, speaker, and executive coach and consultant—discovered that superbosses exist in nearly every industry. If you study the top fifty leaders in any field, as many as one-third will have once worked for a superboss. While superbosses differ in their personal styles, they all focus on identifying promising newcomers, inspiring their best work, and launching them into highly successful careers—while also expanding their own networks and building stronger companies. Among the practices that distinguish superbosses: They Create Master-Apprentice Relationships. Superbosses customize their coaching to what each protégé really needs, and also are constant founts of practical wisdom. Advertising legend Jay Chiat not only worked closely with each of his employees but would sometimes extend their discussions into the night. They Rely on the Cohort Effect. Superbosses strongly encourage collegiality even as they simultaneously drive internal competition. At Lorne Michaels’s Saturday Night Live, writers and performers are judged by how much of their material actually gets on the air, but they can’t get anything on the air without the support of their coworkers. They Say Good-Bye on Good Terms. Nobody likes it when great employees quit, but superbosses don’t respond with anger or resentment. They know that former direct reports can become highly valuable members of their network, especially as they rise to major new roles elsewhere. Julian Robertson, the billionaire hedge fund manager, continued to work with and invest in his former employees who started their own funds. By sharing the fascinating stories of superbosses and their protégés, Finkelstein explores a phenomenon that never had a name before. And he shows how each of us can emulate the best tactics of superbosses to create our own powerful networks of extraordinary talent.
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525537325
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 274
Book Description
"Superbosses is the rare business book that is chock full of new, useful, and often unexpected ideas. After you read Finkelstein's well-crafted gem, you will never go about leading, evaluating, and developing talent in quite the same way.”—Robert Sutton, author of Scaling Up Excellence and The No Asshole Rule “Maybe you’re a decent boss. But are you a superboss? That’s the question you’ll be asking yourself after reading Sydney Finkelstein’s fascinating book. By revealing the secrets of superbosses from finance to fashion and from cooking to comic books, Finkelstein offers a smart, actionable playbook for anyone trying to become a better leader.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of To Sell Is Human and Drive A fascinating exploration of the world’s most effective bosses—and how they motivate, inspire, and enable others to advance their companies and shape entire industries, by the author of How Smart Executives Fail. A must-read for anyone interested in leadership and building an enduring pipeline of talent. What do football coach Bill Walsh, restauranteur Alice Waters, television executive Lorne Michaels, technology CEO Larry Ellison, and fashion pioneer Ralph Lauren have in common? On the surface, not much, other than consistent success in their fields. But below the surface, they share a common approach to finding, nurturing, leading, and even letting go of great people. The way they deal with talent makes them not merely success stories, not merely organization builders, but what Sydney Finkelstein calls superbosses. After ten years of research and more than two hundred interviews, Finkelstein—an acclaimed professor at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, speaker, and executive coach and consultant—discovered that superbosses exist in nearly every industry. If you study the top fifty leaders in any field, as many as one-third will have once worked for a superboss. While superbosses differ in their personal styles, they all focus on identifying promising newcomers, inspiring their best work, and launching them into highly successful careers—while also expanding their own networks and building stronger companies. Among the practices that distinguish superbosses: They Create Master-Apprentice Relationships. Superbosses customize their coaching to what each protégé really needs, and also are constant founts of practical wisdom. Advertising legend Jay Chiat not only worked closely with each of his employees but would sometimes extend their discussions into the night. They Rely on the Cohort Effect. Superbosses strongly encourage collegiality even as they simultaneously drive internal competition. At Lorne Michaels’s Saturday Night Live, writers and performers are judged by how much of their material actually gets on the air, but they can’t get anything on the air without the support of their coworkers. They Say Good-Bye on Good Terms. Nobody likes it when great employees quit, but superbosses don’t respond with anger or resentment. They know that former direct reports can become highly valuable members of their network, especially as they rise to major new roles elsewhere. Julian Robertson, the billionaire hedge fund manager, continued to work with and invest in his former employees who started their own funds. By sharing the fascinating stories of superbosses and their protégés, Finkelstein explores a phenomenon that never had a name before. And he shows how each of us can emulate the best tactics of superbosses to create our own powerful networks of extraordinary talent.
Wines & Vines
The Wall Street Journal
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Barron's national business and financial weekly
Languages : en
Pages : 1338
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Barron's national business and financial weekly
Languages : en
Pages : 1338
Book Description
Growing Up Getty
Author: James Reginato
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1982121009
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
An enthralling and comprehensive look into the contemporary state of one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties in the world, perfect for fans of Succession and House of Gucci. The Gettys are one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties. Oil magnate J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, is the patriarch of an extraordinary cast of sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While some have been brought low by mental illness, drug addiction, and one of the most sensational kidnapping cases of the 20th century, many of Getty’s heirs have achieved great success. In addition to Mark Getty, a cofounder of Getty Images, and Anne G. Earhart, an award-winning environmentalist, others have made significant marks in a variety of fields, from music and viniculture to politics and LGBTQ rights. Now, across four continents, a new generation of lively, unique, and even outrageous Gettys is emerging—and not coasting on the dynasty’s still-immense wealth. August Getty designs extravagant gowns worn by Katy Perry, Cher, and other stars; his sibling, Nats—a fellow LGBTQ rights activist who announced his gender transition following his wedding to transgender icon Gigi Gorgeous—produces a line of exclusive streetwear. Their fascinating cousins include Balthazar, a multi-hyphenate actor-director-DJ-designer; and Isabel, a singer-songwriter and MBA candidate. A far-flung yet surprisingly close-knit group, the ascendant Gettys are bringing this iconic family onto the global stage in the 21st century. Through extensive research, including access to J. Paul Getty’s diaries and love letters, and fresh interviews with family members and friends, Growing Up Getty offers an enthralling and revealing look into the benefits and burdens of being part of today’s world of the ultra-wealthy.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1982121009
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
An enthralling and comprehensive look into the contemporary state of one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties in the world, perfect for fans of Succession and House of Gucci. The Gettys are one of the wealthiest—and most misunderstood—family dynasties. Oil magnate J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, is the patriarch of an extraordinary cast of sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While some have been brought low by mental illness, drug addiction, and one of the most sensational kidnapping cases of the 20th century, many of Getty’s heirs have achieved great success. In addition to Mark Getty, a cofounder of Getty Images, and Anne G. Earhart, an award-winning environmentalist, others have made significant marks in a variety of fields, from music and viniculture to politics and LGBTQ rights. Now, across four continents, a new generation of lively, unique, and even outrageous Gettys is emerging—and not coasting on the dynasty’s still-immense wealth. August Getty designs extravagant gowns worn by Katy Perry, Cher, and other stars; his sibling, Nats—a fellow LGBTQ rights activist who announced his gender transition following his wedding to transgender icon Gigi Gorgeous—produces a line of exclusive streetwear. Their fascinating cousins include Balthazar, a multi-hyphenate actor-director-DJ-designer; and Isabel, a singer-songwriter and MBA candidate. A far-flung yet surprisingly close-knit group, the ascendant Gettys are bringing this iconic family onto the global stage in the 21st century. Through extensive research, including access to J. Paul Getty’s diaries and love letters, and fresh interviews with family members and friends, Growing Up Getty offers an enthralling and revealing look into the benefits and burdens of being part of today’s world of the ultra-wealthy.
How to Drink Like a Billionaire
Author: Mark Oldman
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 194287216X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
2017 GOURMAND BEST IN THE WORLD AWARD FOR DRINKS EDUCATION 2017 IACP COOKBOOK AWARD FOR WINE, BEER & SPIRITS Want to know the mysteries of how the 1% drink? Mark Oldman, one of America’s most popular wine experts, demystifies the secrets of the wine world, so you can drink, enjoy, and savor wine better—and cheaper. Mark Oldman distills his vast knowledge of wines into this easy-to-read, humorous guide, complete with in-depth how-tos on everything from tasting, swirling, and buying wine the same way billionaires do—without the price tag. With his characteristic wit and charm, Oldman spills on how to imbibe like an insider while cutting through the pretension and geekiness that still surrounds wine. From detailing little-known ways to hone in on the best value bottles to the secret maneuvers you can do to master wine in restaurants, shops, and at home, How to Drink Like a Billionaire will have you approaching wine with the shrewdness, style, and unapologetic joy of the 1 percent.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 194287216X
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
2017 GOURMAND BEST IN THE WORLD AWARD FOR DRINKS EDUCATION 2017 IACP COOKBOOK AWARD FOR WINE, BEER & SPIRITS Want to know the mysteries of how the 1% drink? Mark Oldman, one of America’s most popular wine experts, demystifies the secrets of the wine world, so you can drink, enjoy, and savor wine better—and cheaper. Mark Oldman distills his vast knowledge of wines into this easy-to-read, humorous guide, complete with in-depth how-tos on everything from tasting, swirling, and buying wine the same way billionaires do—without the price tag. With his characteristic wit and charm, Oldman spills on how to imbibe like an insider while cutting through the pretension and geekiness that still surrounds wine. From detailing little-known ways to hone in on the best value bottles to the secret maneuvers you can do to master wine in restaurants, shops, and at home, How to Drink Like a Billionaire will have you approaching wine with the shrewdness, style, and unapologetic joy of the 1 percent.
New York Times Saturday Book Review Supplement
The Evolution of Luxury
Author: Ian Malcolm Taplin
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000681262
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
This book offers a unique analysis of how our definitions of luxury have changed over the ages, and with that the role and actions of both suppliers and buyers of luxury products. It traces the way luxury was seen as avarice and emblematic of morally corrosive behavior in past societies, to being viewed in more virtuous terms as the inevitable outcome of structural changes that legitimize the acquisition and display of wealth. It examines the origins of the shift from criticism to acceptance, and traces these changes to fundamentally different notions of what constitutes the basis for social order. Whereas pre-industrial hierarchies cloaked inequality in various secular and sacred guises to mitigate its presence, capitalism justified and reified inequality as a measure of individual success and initiative through interdependent market behavior. The result of this transformation is that status markers have become aspirational tools as hierarchies became porous and self-identity less ascriptive. Correspondingly, as demand for luxury became legitimized, the supply side underwent dramatic changes. Such changes are explored fully in the sectors of fashion, art and wine. As demand for high priced and scarce goods in each of these sectors has increased, in each case key actors have manipulated markets to purposefully either consolidate their pre-eminence or manufacture the requisite scarcity that affords them canonical status. The demand for and supply of luxury goods is now global; consumers seeking validation and affirmation of their status whilst producers engineer scarcity. Luxury is seen not only as good; it is virtuous, its demand possibly insatiable and extremely profitable.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000681262
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 195
Book Description
This book offers a unique analysis of how our definitions of luxury have changed over the ages, and with that the role and actions of both suppliers and buyers of luxury products. It traces the way luxury was seen as avarice and emblematic of morally corrosive behavior in past societies, to being viewed in more virtuous terms as the inevitable outcome of structural changes that legitimize the acquisition and display of wealth. It examines the origins of the shift from criticism to acceptance, and traces these changes to fundamentally different notions of what constitutes the basis for social order. Whereas pre-industrial hierarchies cloaked inequality in various secular and sacred guises to mitigate its presence, capitalism justified and reified inequality as a measure of individual success and initiative through interdependent market behavior. The result of this transformation is that status markers have become aspirational tools as hierarchies became porous and self-identity less ascriptive. Correspondingly, as demand for luxury became legitimized, the supply side underwent dramatic changes. Such changes are explored fully in the sectors of fashion, art and wine. As demand for high priced and scarce goods in each of these sectors has increased, in each case key actors have manipulated markets to purposefully either consolidate their pre-eminence or manufacture the requisite scarcity that affords them canonical status. The demand for and supply of luxury goods is now global; consumers seeking validation and affirmation of their status whilst producers engineer scarcity. Luxury is seen not only as good; it is virtuous, its demand possibly insatiable and extremely profitable.