This and other themes about capitalism are covered in the forthcoming book, (Nov. 3), How Capitalism Will Save Us: Why Free People and Free Markets Are The Best Answer In Today's Economy, by Steve Forbes and Elizabeth Ames (Crown Business).

FORBES: Capitalism: A True Love Story

"We think residential construction will continue to support economic growth, but it will be difficult to offset weakness in other parts of the economy, like manufacturing, " said Elizabeth Ptacek, senior vice president and real-estate analyst at KeyBank in Cleveland.

WSJ: Stocks Approach Multiyear Highs

Bata Shoe Museum curator Elizabeth Semmelhack noted that over the course of history, heel heights rose when the economy fell.

WSJ: The New Heels: Sweet and Low-Down