The Steal: A Cultural History Of Shoplifting (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Rachel Shteir once again looks at society through the slightly skewed prism of those on the border. Well researched and written, hits the high points of the crime of shoplifting (which didn't begin, of course, until there were shops--before that it was just theft), the punishments for it and the views of the chattering classes toward it. Is shoplifting a compulsion, perhaps a rebellion toward the patriarchal social superstructure (most shoplifters are women) or a political act against an exploitative economic system? It is also and mainly a way to get stuff that people can't or don't want to pay for. Lots of less scrupulously researched but intriguing information on loss prevention attempts by store management and the constant war between lifters and store cops with each new security device being solved by those who make a living by beating them. Like her other books, highly recommended. Not as interesting as I thought it would be. After about halfway through, it started to feel repetitive- perhaps in need of better organization. I also feel like the author did not understand the philosophical/political viewpoints of some of the people she interviewed in the section where she attempted to talk about differing views on shoplifting. (Yes, we've all heard 'property is theft', but considering several of those people clearly tried to go more in depth, you could either outright state that you disagreed with their view and present the case to refute them or do the research required to understand it.)
What do You think about The Steal: A Cultural History Of Shoplifting (2011)?
The fact that this book has chapters devoted to CrimethInc & freeganism makes me feel old.
—Ruth
Not as interesting as I thought it would be. More like reading a school text book.
—Maybell
I liked the idea of this better than the book itself.
—Ogy
