Susan Strasser

Susan Strasser is a historian specializing in American consumer culture and social history, particularly focusing on housework, consumption patterns, and waste. She is Professor Emerita of History at the University of Delaware and has published several influential books examining the evolution of American domestic life and consumer practices. Her most notable works include "Never Done: A History of American Housework" (1982) and "Waste and Want: A Social History of Trash" (1999). These books established her as a leading voice in understanding how ordinary household activities and disposal practices reflect broader social and economic changes in American society. Through her research, Strasser has documented the transition from home production to mass consumption in American households, exploring how industrialization and marketing transformed domestic life. Her work frequently examines the intersection of gender roles, technology, and daily household management. Strasser has received multiple awards for her scholarship, including the Herbert G. Gutman Prize and the Eugene M. Kayden Book Award. Her research continues to influence discussions about consumption, sustainability, and the historical development of American material culture.

Readers appreciate Strasser's thorough research and detail in documenting everyday American consumer and domestic life, particularly in "Never Done" and "Waste and Want." Multiple reviews note her ability to connect social history to modern consumption patterns. On Goodreads, readers highlight her archival work but some find the writing style academic and dense. As one reviewer noted: "Fascinating information but reads like a dissertation." Common praise points: - Deep primary source research - Links past practices to present-day issues - Documents overlooked aspects of daily life Common critiques: - Writing can be dry and repetitive - Some sections feel overlong - Academic tone limits accessibility Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Never Done" - 3.9/5 (219 ratings) "Waste and Want" - 3.9/5 (489 ratings) "Satisfaction Guaranteed" - 3.8/5 (92 ratings) Amazon: "Never Done" - 4.3/5 (23 reviews) "Waste and Want" - 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Never Done: A History of American Housework (1982) Chronicles the transformation of household labor from colonial times through the industrial revolution to the early 20th century, examining technological changes and social implications.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: The Making of the American Mass Market (1989) Examines how mass production, distribution, and marketing developed in the United States between 1870 and 1940.

Waste and Want: A Social History of Trash (1999) Documents the evolution of American attitudes and practices regarding waste disposal, recycling, and consumption from colonial times to the present.

Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History (2000) Co-authored textbook covering American labor history from 1877 to the present, focusing on workers' experiences and social movements.

Commodifying Everything: Relationships of the Market (2003) Edited collection exploring how market forces have influenced various aspects of American social life and personal relationships.

Getting and Spending: European and American Consumer Societies in the Twentieth Century (1998) Co-edited volume analyzing the development of consumer culture in Europe and America through comparative historical perspectives.