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James Wallman
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Stuffocation Paperback – January 20, 2014

by James Wallman (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 811 ratings
In this brilliant and original book, James Wallman explains and analyses why Stuffocation is the most pressing problem of our time – and then goes in search of its solution. On the way, he goes down the halls of the Elysée Palace with Nicolas Sarkozy, up in a helicopter above Barbra Streisand's house on the California coast, and into the world of the original Mad Men.

Through fascinating characters and brilliantly told stories, Wallman introduces the innovators whose lifestyles provide clues to how we will all be living tomorrow, and he makes some of the world's most counterintuitive, radical, and worldchanging ideas feel inspiring – and possible for us all.
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  1. Reading age
    1 - 17 years
  2. Print length
    384 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 and up
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.85 x 7.99 inches
  6. Publisher
    Crux Publishing Ltd
  7. Publication date
    January 20, 2014
  8. ISBN-10
    1909979007
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1909979000
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Stuffocation is like The Tipping Point meets Freakonomics – with a huge idea at its heart. Fascinating, inspiring, and great fun to read. --Laura Atkinson, The Sunday Times

In Stuffocation, James Wallman has engagingly woven a mix of true-life stories to demonstrate why our materialistic society no longer makes us happy and what we can do about it. This is a book written with warmth and wit. The surprise is that Wallman's glimpses of the future also illuminate, with rare insight, the difficult process of culture change. --Caroline van den Brul MBE, author of Crackle and Fizz

About the Author

James Wallman is a journalist, trend forecaster, speaker, and author. He has commented on trends happening now, and predicted what will happen next, for publications like GQ, the New York Times, and the Financial Times, and for clients such as Absolut, BMW, Burberry, and Nike. James wrote the futurology column in T3 magazine from 2008-2012, and was editor of a trend consultancy called The Future Laboratory's forecasting publication, LS:N Global, from 2009-2013. James has an MA in Classics from Oxford University and an MA in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. He has lived in France, Greece, and Palo Alto in California and currently lives in London, with his wife and daughter.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crux Publishing Ltd
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1909979007
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1909979000
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 17 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.85 x 7.99 inches
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 and up
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 811 ratings

About the author

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James Wallman

James Wallman

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I used to live in Palo Alto. I worked at the Palo Alto Research Center (where they discovered the mouse!)

I'd get up earlier at the weekend than weekdays, to go surf in Santa Cruz.

I love reading, writing and experiences... from the roller coasters at Six Flags in LA to horse riding in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah, to hearing unsigned bands in Nashville.

My writing heroes are Michael Lewis, Malcolm Gladwell, Tom Wolfe.

I've met one of them.

One commentator once called me the 'Malcolm Gladwell of the experience economy'.

That made my day.

I've now written 2 books on the experience economy: Stuffocation (2015), Time And How To Spend It (2019).

Stuffocation was reported in more than 200 media worldwide, from MSNBC to the BBC, from the New York Times to the Sunday Times and TIME magazine, from Finland to France, Korea, Colombia and Guatemala.

I give talks... from Amsterdam to Berlin, California, Cannes, Dubai, Istanbul, Nashville and Las Vegas; from TEDxLondon School of Economics to the Royal Society of Arts, Google HQ, and 10 Downing Street.

I'm a futurist and entrepreneur:

- 1 x successful consultancy, The Future Is Here (2014–present)

- 1 x failed startup, an experience gifting platform (2016-2018)

- 1 x new startup, on a mission is to connect and promote the experience economy

I'm a Sector Specialist, Experience Economy at the UK's Department for International Trade, advising the government on its experience economy strategy.

I live in London at present, with my wife who's just trained to be an actress, and 2 awesome kids: Woody is learning to write, Indy-May can ride her bike and is learning to roller blade :-)

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
811 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's insights interesting, with one noting how it intersperses rich descriptive stories throughout. Moreover, the readability receives mixed reactions - while some find it very readable, others describe it as a tough read.

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InsightReadabilityReadable
25 customers mention "Insight"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and interesting, with one customer noting how it intersperses rich descriptive stories throughout.

"...I enjoyed how he interspersed rich descriptive stories and character setting with facts and corroboration to fuel each chapter...." Read more

"...of the mill mimimalist book giving you inspiration and new ways to decluttering your stuff...." Read more

"...Still, it has some good ideas, and did make me think about the cupboards full of junk I need to sell or toss!..." Read more

"...I liked that he used real people's experiences, which shed a whole new light on various aspects of our current stuff situation...." Read more

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating and an inspired read, with one customer noting its well-researched analysis.

"I found Stuffocation to be an inspired read of fresh perspective wrapped in gentle persuasion...." Read more

"...In fact it's a well researched book of analysis & trends and giving you the background of how we became such a materialistic world in the first..." Read more

"...A readable, worthwhile book in the end." Read more

"...Fascinating reading. Life changes possible--but which changes fit into your lifestyle?..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readable"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book, with some finding it very readable while others describe it as a tough read.

"...felt so much more than a trend forecasting book, it's a modern blueprint for a happy life, worth reading for us all...." Read more

"...A readable, worthwhile book in the end." Read more

"...Tough read because of the verbosity but, some good insights that that make the wading worthwhile." Read more

"...I applaud James Wallman for a very readable and inspiring book." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • MOGS
    5.0 out of 5 stars A piece of stuff worth buying
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I found Stuffocation to be an inspired read of fresh perspective wrapped in gentle persuasion. James Wallman cleverly points out some of the flaws in society's abundant desires and materialistic ways, then leads us towards a happier more exciting answer.

    There were regular smiles and much warmth in Wallman's personal anecdotes from counting his socks to his own experientialist adventures. I enjoyed how he interspersed rich descriptive stories and character setting with facts and corroboration to fuel each chapter. Overall it felt so much more than a trend forecasting book, it's a modern blueprint for a happy life, worth reading for us all.

    Stuffocation is actually one more piece of stuff worth buying, but preferably on the kindle of course.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Francesca
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical decluttering minimalist book...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is not your typical run of the mill mimimalist book giving you inspiration and new ways to decluttering your stuff. In fact it's a well researched book of analysis & trends and giving you the background of how we became such a materialistic world in the first place and where our new world is heading....that being an experientialist one. I really enjoyed reading the case studies immensely and found it a very interesting read....
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Hrishikesh Diwan
    3.0 out of 5 stars A readable book that's confused about whether it wants to describe or prescribe!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2014
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    I read this book because I'd loved James Wallman's TED talk on the subject. I liked the central premise of this book: that materialism/ having too much stuff in our lives is a problem. I enjoyed the various anecdotes about people's ways of dealing with the 'Stuffocation'. I even enjoyed the scattering of research and data the author presents. I'll tell you where it lost me - I wasn't sure if the book wanted to be predictive or prescriptive!

    To wit - the author describes the problem, Stuffocation, its root causes and history, and ill effects. He tells us he's a predictions guy. He describes three different ways people are dealing with the problem i.e. minimalism, simple living, and the 'medium chill'. He then rejects all these as not good enough and instead recommends experientialism. Then he shows how it's already catching on. The he talks about the developing world and the Church. Then he recaps. Um, OK!

    It all felt a little loosely connected to me. Sometimes it felt like the author was being too glib about causation or in describing problems or solutions. Other times, he seemed more concerned with anecdotes and symptoms than causes and solutions. I guess the best way to say it is that the book lacked gravitas.

    Still, it has some good ideas, and did make me think about the cupboards full of junk I need to sell or toss! It also made me realize I'm better off than most people I know, and while in some ways I'm stuffocated, in others I'm quite experiential! A readable, worthwhile book in the end.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • sunfish
    5.0 out of 5 stars How We Got Where We Are and Where Do We Go From Here?
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is not just another book about the world as we experience it now and prescriptions for how to live. I couldn't put it down. Wallman traces historically how we all ended up with so much stuff. Fascinating reading. Life changes possible--but which changes fit into your lifestyle? I liked that he used real people's experiences, which shed a whole new light on various aspects of our current stuff situation.
    His treatment of each chapter at the end of the book is a wonderful approach to the usual list of footnotes and bibliography. It gives you a context in which to place the references--I always have trouble remembering why I want to read more on a subject that the
    bibliography lists. Great idea! Would definitely recommend it to those interested in what's happening and why.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Susie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book really explains how materialism began in the United States. And, it presents a good case for minimalism and living life through experiences not stuff. While many of us could not like with a few items only, we can certainly discard those things that free us from living our best life. Interesting reading!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Klaas
    5.0 out of 5 stars experience this book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A year ago I decided to change my job in order to have more time for myself and my family. Doing things together and travel more with my partner. Nine months ago I started in a new position, have had several short vacations and spent more time in the kitchen then the years before. Over the last days this book addressed my feelings from a year ago and gave it a name: experientialism. Whoever feels caught in the rat race and having more and more stuff, should read this book.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • wilbeksky
    4.0 out of 5 stars a question of Hope
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The book starts with a bang, using its catchy title. I rarely get through non-fiction but the idea of a world not fixated on material possessions was fascinating. While I can see the society turning more to experience for happiness I'm not so sure it will address the pressing environmental crises of the day. I applaud James Wallman for a very readable and inspiring book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Rohn
    3.0 out of 5 stars It has some really good conversations, observations and even some clear recommendations for ...
    Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    It has some really good conversations, observations and even some clear recommendations for getting a handle on your consumerism if you wish to.
    Perhaps my aversion to "How To" and "Self Help" treatises is partly to blame but, this book for the most part is rhetorical and the important concepts could have been communicated in 100 pages or less with much more cohesion and clarity.
    Tough read because of the verbosity but, some good insights that that make the wading worthwhile.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lilia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite Book
    Reviewed in France on November 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is just GREAT, super clever and very interesting!
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  • shashi Raj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing!
    Reviewed in India on March 20, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is above all else. I just can't review this book. It's beyond my capacity. Fortunate enough to hv read this book. This is life changing book indeed. I strongly recommend this book to everyone. Thanks Amazon for speedy delivery.
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  • Andi Solowka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2017
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    Awesome book with lots of great points.
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  • Stefano Oliva
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting perspective
    Reviewed in Italy on April 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Sometimes a bit repetitive, it anyway leaves a mark in your perception of every day life.
    I would have appreciated a bit more depth on the environmental side of the topic, but i understand it would have been going into a debate bigger than us.
    Highly recommended, to be read with the right mindset!
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  • Chris
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book, great ideas
    Reviewed in Australia on April 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant synopsis of what has happened in the past and where we should go from here. Must read for everyone.
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