An analysis of how changes in the market culture's identity were reflected in the theater world as British and American marketing practices began to break free of traditional boundaries.
"It is impossible to illustrate here the width and depth of Agnew's insights. They cover carnival and festive celebrations generally, the peasants' revolt of 1381, courtesy books, rogue literature, character books, Francis Bacon, John Bulwer's theory of gesture as the universal communicative medium…Hobbes (a key figure in Agnew's thesis), Addison, Shaftesbury, and Adam Smith's common-sense philosophy. This appears to be Professor Agnew's first book. It is a remarkable achievement."