| Description |
1 online resource (xii, 304 pages) : illustrations (some color) |
| 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 |
| 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.-- Provided by publisher |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Lee Jackson is a well-known Victorianist and creator of the preeminent website on Victorian London (victorianlondon.org). He is the author of Dirty Old London: The Victorian Fight Against Filth and Walking Dickens' London |
|
Print version record |
| Subject |
Amusements -- Great Britain -- 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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GAMES -- Reference.
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GAMES -- Travel Games.
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HISTORY -- Europe -- Great Britain.
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Amusements
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Leisure
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Manners and customs
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Performing arts
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Recreation
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| SUBJECT |
Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056823
|
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Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056952
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| Subject |
Great Britain
|
| Genre/Form |
History
|
| Form |
Electronic book
|
| ISBN |
9780300245097 |
|
0300245092 |
|
