| Description |
xii, 304 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm |
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text txt rdacontent |
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unmediated n rdamedia |
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volume nc rdacarrier |
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Gender group: gdr Men lcdgt |
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Nationality/regional group: nat English lcdgt |
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Occupational/field of activity group: occ Victorianists |
| Summary |
The Victorians invented mass entertainment. As the nineteenth century's growing industrialized class acquired the funds and the free time to pursue leisure activities, their desires were satiated by determined entrepreneurs building new venues for popular amusement. Contrary to their reputation as dour, buttoned-up prudes, the Victorians reveled in these newly created "palaces of pleasure." In this vivid, captivating book, Lee Jackson charts the rise of well-known institutions such as gin palaces, music halls, seaside resorts and football clubs, as well as the more peculiar thrills of the pleasure-garden and international expo, from parachuting monkeys to human zoos. He explores how vibrant mass entertainment came to dominate leisure time and how the attempts of religious groups and secular improvers to curb "immorality" in the pub, music hall, and dance hall faltered in the face of commercial success. The Victorians' unbounded love of leisure created a nationally significant and influential economic force: the entertainment industry. |
| Contents |
Introduction or, Expensive and dangerous amusements -- The gin palace or, The abodes of suicide -- The free-and-easy or, The glorious Apollo -- The music hall or, He slept on the piano -- The dancing-room or, The way of the whirled -- The pleasure garden or, The midnight roysterers -- The exhibition ground or, The city of side-shows -- The seaside or, A triumphal car for Neptune -- The football field or, To brutalise the game -- Conclusion or, The murderer of thought. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Subject |
Amusements -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century.
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Leisure industry -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century.
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Performing arts -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century.
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Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901.
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Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century.
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Manners and customs. (OCoLC)fst01007815
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Amusements. (OCoLC)fst00808105
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Leisure industry. (OCoLC)fst00996063
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Performing arts. (OCoLC)fst01057887
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Great Britain. (OCoLC)fst01204623
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| Chronological Term |
1800-1901
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| Genre/Form |
History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
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| ISBN |
030022463X |
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9780300224634 |
| Standard No. |
40029388260 |
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