A Handbook of Leisure Studies

A unique, international resource for Leisure Studies: in one volume the history, organization and central debates in the field of Leisure Studies are defined, providing a one-stop-shop for students and an agenda for future debate and research academics.

With this Handbook leisure studies comes of age. It provides the most complete, authoritative guide to the roots, current issues and future of the field. Drawing on a formidable list of leading international contributors, the Handbook is organized into five parts. Part 1: Origins, examines western and non-western traditions in leisure studies. It demonstrates the inter-disciplinary roots of the subject and provides a compelling framework for locating leisure studies. Part 2: Key Disciplines, surveys and evaluates the distinctive approaches of sociology, psychology and social psychology; geography; economics; politics and public policy. Part 3: Axial Principles, examines the institutions of power in which leisure form and practice is situated: time; work; gender; ageing; race; class; subculture; consumption and mass communication. Part 4: Forms and Settings, explores on-location behaviour in leisure; outdoor recreation; tourism; eating out; family leisure; education; serious leisure. Part 5: Indexical Themes, situates leisure forms and practice in the context of power, knowledge, economy and society. It examines questions of identity; representation; praxis; articulation; community and resistance.

The result is a landmark work in the field. It defines what has been accomplished and it suggests exciting and relevant new directions for study.