High School Prom: Marketing, Morals and the American Teen (edition 2012)

Anderson has written a broad overview of all things prom for the popular audience. Part I of the book gives an historical look at how prom has changed over the years. Part II demonstrates that marketing is central to prom. Part III gives a quick survey of prom in popular culture.

The book is a good starting point for those who wish to then jump off and explore any of the above areas more deeply. ( )

I was hoping this book would be more scholarly than it is. The cover should have made me realize that this was not quite what was on offer. American prom is a topic that is overflowing with possibilities for a popular but still scholarly study, and the author unfortunately misses the mark. ( )

A sociological overview of prom that hits on fashion, music, and class issues. ( )

I was excited to receive this book. As someone interested in sociology, women's studies, teen culture, and social history I expected it to be right up my alley. The book, for the most part, did not disappoint. It contained a lot of great information and observances on all aspects of prom and much of American youth culture. However, it was mostly just fine; it could have been a great book if it had a stronger focus and editorial direction. Overall, I got the impression that Anderson knew a lot of...stuff about prom, but didn't have much of anything to say about it. I don't think ever non-fiction book needs a strong thesis. A book can be an open exploration of a topic and still be good, but in this case I think stronger direction would have vastly improved the text. Still, if you are interested in teen culture, consumerism, or young women in America you will probably enjoy this book. ( )

This book was pretty boring. It seemed pretty random, all over the place and influenced more by her memories and her friends memories than by research. I also would have liked to see more pictures. I went to a girls-only school and did not have a prom, so I have no personal experience of the topic (and no, yeshivas were NOT mentioned when she mentioned American schools that don't do prom). ( )