Coincidentally, this book found me as Masterpiece Theatre is between two series set in department stores: Mr. Selfridge and The Paradise. Both are relatively mediocre series, but that's beside the point. This book is great background and detail on the development of department stores, back when they were way more than department stores as I know them. I can't say I'm nostalgic for them, as the author seems, but I do miss companies investing money in really attractive architecture. Tar-jay, eat your heart out.

MHC sighting: "The first college shop in a department store was opened in August 1930 at Stern's in New York City, at the inspiration of the store's advertising head, Estelle Hamburger, who got the idea from a Mount Holyoke student. The student informed her that department stores had no idea what college women liked. We dislike 'S.S. and G. stuff,' she said - 'sweet, simple, and girlish' things, which she dismissed as 'coy clothes that nobody wants.' Give us sweaters in subtle colors, Harris tweed coats, saddle oxfords, warm bathrobes, and chic red evening dresses, she proposed." Ah, where would American prep clothing be without Mohos!! (It goes without saying that I endorse this wardrobe.) ( )

I was disappointed in this book. It read very much like someone's senior thesis which had been expanded, unimaginatively, into book length. The entire scope of the book was covered in the introductory chapter, and each succeeding chapter merely restated the same information, complete with stilted summary paragraph at the end of each. A potentially interesting subject which could have been described with much more life and enthusiasm. The illustrations were very nearly its only saving grace. ( )