New forms of consumption such as those facilitated by cyberspace, themed environments, the commodification of sex, and the increasing role of leisure in society all play new and interesting roles in daily life that combine consumerism with the most contemporary social forms. This book examines the recent ways in which consumerism has been studied with special emphasis given to these and other newly emerging topics. Part One provides a theoretical overview of consumption studies dealing with classical and more contemporary approaches in light of the debate between advocates and critics of postmodernism. Part Two emphasizes empirical studies of the commodification process. Part Three explores new forms of consumption on a more detailed and concentrated level. Mark Gottdiener currently teaches at the University of Buffalo.