THE STORY OF LEISURE (book)
Understand the role of leisure in human development DESCRIPTION The Story of Leisure takes a detailed, and sometimes controversial, look at the meaning of leisureA<>A~what it is, how it developed, what it has become, and where it is going. Written by a professor who has been studying leisure and culture for more than forty years and a manager of a dynamic municipal recreational agency, this thought-provoking book helps readers understand the importance of leisure as a basis for cultural development. Part I examines the history of leisure from the prehistoric age to the present. It recounts the development of leisure and explores the events that have shaped how people define and use leisure. Each chapter in Part I includes these special elements: A<>A* Chapter-opening objectives that highlight key topics A<>A* A timeline that shows how events relate to each other in time and location A<>A* An opening story about a character who might have lived during that time period and the leisure opportunities available to him or her Part II discusses concepts and philosophiesA<>A~such as culture, recreation, and social programsA<>A~as they pertain to leisure. Student-friendly features in Part II include chapter-opening objectives, case studies that illustrate chapter concepts, and controversy questions that help students apply the material and examine different points of view. The following examples of controversy questions illustrate their potential for stimulating class discussion: A<>A* What are the pros and cons of a public agency providing subsidized programs already offered by private agencies? A<>A* What would be the economic impact if spectator sports like football, basketball, and baseball received no media coverage? A<>A* Should all people be afforded the same opportunity for recreational experience? A<>A* How important is perceived value to a recreational experience? A<>A* What should a community's responsibility be to provide leisure services for aging citizens? The book refrains from offering pat answers and instead challenges readers to make decisions concerning their own ideas about human behavior, problem solving, and value judgments. AUDIENCE Text for introduction to leisure, sociology of leisure, history of leisure, and history and philosophy of leisure courses. Reference for recreation and leisure studies faculty, recreational specialists, sport historians, and sport sociologists. CONTENTS Part I: Leisure and Human Development