
Spare Time in Texas
Recreation and History in the Lone Star State
David G. McComb(Author)
University of Texas Press
Published on 1. September 2008
Book
Hardback
300 pages
978-0-292-71870-8 (ISBN)
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Description
What do Texans' pastimes and recreations say about their characters? Looking at Texas history from a new angle, David McComb starts from the premise that how people spend their leisure time may well reveal more about their true natures and interests than the work they do or their family connections. In this innovative book, McComb traces the history of various types of recreation in Texas, gathering significant insights into the characters of Texans from the pleasures they have pursued. Reflecting the frontier origins of Texas, McComb starts with the recreations that were most popular with men in a crude, still-developing society-drinking, gambling, and whoring. He goes on to show how, as Texas became more civilized, so did its diversions. He describes how Texans have connected with nature in parks and zoos; watched football and baseball in great stadiums such as the Astrodome and Cotton Bowl; discovered the pleasure of reading in public and university libraries; and enjoyed radio, TV, movies, and live theater in places such as Houston's Alley Theatre.
This recreational history reveals that Texans are open-minded and generous; that they respect the land; oppose prostitution but indulge in gambling and drinking; support racial and gender rights; love zoos; champion libraries; take pride in theatrical productions; and adore sports.
This recreational history reveals that Texans are open-minded and generous; that they respect the land; oppose prostitution but indulge in gambling and drinking; support racial and gender rights; love zoos; champion libraries; take pride in theatrical productions; and adore sports.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Austin, TX
United States
Illustrations
112 b&w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
822 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-292-71870-8 (9780292718708)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Book
09/2008
University of Texas Press
€59.62
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
David G. McComb taught United States history, world history, sports history, and the history of technology at Colorado State University, where he retired as a professor emeritus in 2002. He has published fourteen books, including the award-winning Galveston: A History; Texas, a Modern History; and Spare Time in Texas: Recreation and History in the Lone Star State.
Content
* Introduction *1. The Licit and the Illicit *2. Parks and Other Public Spaces *3. The Great Stadiums *4. The Pleasure of Libraries *5. Theater and the Electric Revolution *6. Conclusions and Afterthoughts * Notes * A Bibliographic Note * Index