Theme Park

by Scott Lukas

Overview

An architectural, cultural and social history of the theme park, which traces its evolution from primitive pleasure garden, through Coney Island in the us and Blackpool in the uk, to Disney World, Six Flags and Madrid's Movieworld today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781861896926
Publisher:	Reaktion Books, Limited
Publication date:	01/01/2012
Series:	Objekt
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Scott Lukas is department chair in anthropology and sociology at Lake Tahoe College. He is also the author of The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self.
 

Table of Contents

Preface
 
1   Theme Park as Oasis
2   Theme Park as Land
3   Theme Park as Machine
4   Theme Park as Show
5   Theme Park as Brand
6   Theme Park as Text
 
References
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

Editorial Reviews

"The examples presented of modern theme-park practice make for compelling reading. Theme parks enable international travel wihtout the worry of jet lag; pilgrims can journey to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, where the visitor is greeted with a welcoming 'Shalom' instead of checkpoints for potential suicide bombers. . . . To Lukas, the world is rapidly becoming a reflection of the theme park, with its emphasis on sanitation and order."

Times Higher Education

This book is both a sophisticated social scientific review of the history, development and transformation of theme parks and an entertaining and extremely well-written journey through the world’s vacation venues . . . Lukas provides a variety of perspectives and insights into this interesting aspect of an alternative social experience . . . fun and informative . . . a memorable ride.

Studies in Popular Culture

 “Written from an anthropological and sociological perspective, Lukas puts forward an intriguing and fresh view on the definition and relevance of theme parks to our everyday lives. Indeed, he believes that they have achieved a wider significance by becoming complex representations of the human mind itself . . . this beautifully illustrated and enthralling book convinces the reader to sympathize with Lukas’s view that the world is rapidly becoming a reflection of the theme park.”

Journal of Design History