Review of The Gilded Revival

[Justin Christensen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Gilded Revival" by Mark Satterfield.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The Gilded Revival by Mark Satterfield is an exploration of modern America’s focus on (and success in the creation of) wealth and prestige and how the current socioeconomic climate in the United States mirrors the “Gilded Age” of the late 19th century.

The Gilded Revival takes the reader on a journey through history, beginning with the circumstances that created the aptly named “Gilded Age,” progressing through the dot-com and real estate booms, the digital revolution and the impact of social media, and the advent of influencers, and finally reflecting on the current state and culture of the country and the modern concepts of wealth and materialism. Throughout the book, concrete examples are used to illustrate the points and ideas being presented.

I was both surprised and impressed at how comprehensive and educational this book was. Satterfield draws from the lives of famous historical figures, like J.P. Morgan and the Rockefellers, as well as more modern celebrities and influencers like Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, and Mr. Beast. It is not uncommon to hear opinions about how technology and social media have changed the world, but it is not often that you see that opinion so well-articulated and researched. For example, rather than simply pointing out that consumers have come to expect instant gratification, Satterfield discusses how successful social media influencers put in an enormous amount of hard work (often including full teams of people working together) to carefully cultivate and maintain that desire for instant gratification by making their brand, lifestyle, and image appear relatively easy to obtain.

This book was exceptionally well-edited, and the writing was very engaging and well-structured. I found myself picking up this book intending to read for a few minutes and then accidentally spending an hour buried in its pages. And, honestly, I don’t feel bad about that.

The Gilded Revival is a fantastic book. I have no critiques, and I would not change a thing about it. It is definitely my favorite book of the year so far. I would rate it a solid five out of five stars. If you’re interested at all in social media, sociology, economics, or technology, you would probably enjoy this book.

******
The Gilded Revival
View: on Bookshelves

[Pearl Flourish]

“The Gilded Revival” by Mark Satterfield offers a compelling analysis of America’s current socioeconomic climate, drawing insightful parallels to the late 19th-century Gilded Age. Satterfield’s engaging narrative delves into the evolution of wealth and prestige, examining historical figures like J.P. Morgan and the Rockefellers, as well as modern influencers such as Elon Musk and Taylor Swift. The book thoughtfully explores how technology and social media have reshaped societal values, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersections of history, economics, and culture.