Drawing upon the body of theoretical work on collecting, the contributors investigate how, what and why Americans have collected and why they are attracted to certain objects, exploring the inherent meanings behind systems of organization and display.

The authors also consider some darker aspects of collecting-hoarding, fetishism, and compulsive behavior-scrutinizing collections of racist memorabilia and fascist propaganda. The final essay posits the serial killer as a collector, an investigation into the dangerous objectification of humans themselves. Focusing on individual as opposed to museum collections, the contributors employ the methodology of several disciplines, including American studies, history, art history, and museum studies.