Looks : why they matter more than you ever imagined /

In a book written primarily for the popular audience, Patzer (Roosevelt Univ.; director, Appearance Research Institute) coins the acronym "PA" for physical attractiveness, identifying a phenomenon that accounts for "lookism" and the preferential advantages for those whose appearance converges with dominant cultural schema of physical beauty. Despite concluding his book with appeals to common sense critiques of physical attractiveness and critiques of the cosmetics and surgery industries, and appeals for people to not base their self-worth on their apparent PA, the author's message is at most mixed. Historically and genetically, and without theorization or criticism, Patzer first argues that people are programmed to value a very specific set of characteristics as beautiful. And yet, they need a "cultural makeover" to get beyond the superficiality of judgment and advancement on the basis of physical appearance. Because the role of visuality and the media in contemporary culture is undertheorized, the plea that challenging lookism begins with a change in individual attitudes seems disingenuous. An interesting read, but not for scholarly collections. Summing Up: Optional. Public libraries, general collections. J. L. Croissant University of Arizona

Here is a book whose title says it all. Written by an academic expert on "lookism" who is also director and founder of the Appearance Phenomenon Institute, this volume is an exhaustive examination of how the handily summarized "PA" (for personal attractiveness) gets you everywhere, from the better job and the better spouse to the better verdict at your criminal trial. Beginning with early evidence of lookism in history, Patzer analyzes preferential treatment given to pretty people from beautiful babyhood onward. While consumers of women's magazines might not find as much new information as other readers, Patzer refers to dozens of studies, articles and investigation to prove his thesis. Yet Patzer's volume doesn't offer much in the way of solutions, apparently because you've either got it or you don't. While Patzer does criticize the overzealousness of the media, reality television and unethical plastic surgeons, he only devotes one chapter to personal affirmations to help deal with and fight back on image obsession. Although he concludes by proclaiming the reader's newfound awareness of lookism's pervasiveness is a step forward, one can't help seeing the weakness in a conclusion that leaves the reader with little more than a well-argued reminder of our culture's shallow side. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved