"Through a collection of challenging but humorous essays, grounded in personal experience, observation and anecdote, Ziauddin Sardar analyzes the key characteristics of the embryonic 21st century. From advertising to zapping, sex to shopping, toys to hype, The A to Z of Postmodern Life explores the ideas, products, artifacts and -isms that shape the undefined, but ever encompassing, global culture. By learning to read the message of postmodernism, the author suggests that we might discover whether this new century is heading off in the right direction or leading us all up a very dark alley."