Description

We can’t stop shopping but we must stop shopping – the consumer dilemma that defines our lives and our future. What would happen if we did?

We are using up the planet at almost double the rate it can regenerate. To support our economies, we’re told we must shop now like we’ve never shopped before, yet the scale of our consumption remains the biggest factor in the ruination of the world.

But what would life look like if we stopped? Visiting places where economies have experienced temporary shut-downs, artisan producers, zero-consumption societies and bringing together a host of expert views, this is both a history of our relationship with consumption and a story about the future.

‘Lays out a wealth of knowledge and wisdom’ Ronald Wright, author of A Short History of Progress

Publisher Review

Lays out a wealth of knowledge and wisdom -- Ronald Wright, author of A Short History of Progress A delight. MacKinnon has given us a powerful exploration of a riddle central to our days and lives * Andrew Blum, author of Tubes * Stands out for its curiosity, humanity and genuinely global appreciation of why we consume too much and what to do about it -- Frank Trentmann, author of Empire of Things An exciting and truly inspiring read. I couldn't put it down -- Joel Bakan, author of The Corporation A delight. MacKinnon shows us afresh the world we thought we knew through a kaleidoscopic lens of startling facts, illuminating insight and flatout-wonderful writing. (Praise for The Once and Future World) -- John Vaillant, author of The Tiger