Wild Things is particularly relevant to ongoing discussions of the politics of things. This is because of both Attfield's choice to focus on voices hitherto unheard from – working class, domestic, female voices – and her effort to situate identity construction – in particular gender and sexual identity – within the her subjects' choices to buy, use, and accrue things.

Design and Culture

It is wonderful to see a reprint of this seminal wide-ranging, thought-provoking book that, challenges us to consider, and then re-consider, how we think about things, and write about them too. I read the book in early draft form and often return to it; sometimes to think through things raised in it, at others for inspiration, or to remember her pioneering contributions to contemporary material culture studies and reflect upon her enormous impact upon generations of students and scholars across a range of disciplines. A designer before she turned to design history and discovered a passion for anthropology and critical theory, as well as for “history from below” her lively intellect knew no disciplinary boundaries. In Wild Things Judy's love of objects and people, ideas, herstories/histories, and grappling with theory, is everywhere apparent. Enjoy the journey you take with her.

Pat Kirkham, Professor of Design History at Kingston University, London, UK