Spare time in Texas : recreation and history in the Lone Star State / by David G. McComb.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McComb, David G.

Series:

Jack and Doris Smothers series in Texas history, life, and culture ; no. 21.

Jack and Doris Smothers series in Texas history, life, and culture ; no. 21

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Recreation--Texas--History.

Recreation.

Leisure--Texas--History.

Leisure.

History.

Texas.

Physical Description:

290 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2008.

Summary:

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 the 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.

Contents:

1 The Licit and the Illicit 7

2 Parks and Other Public Spaces 39

3 The Great Stadiums 71

4 The Pleasure of Libraries 99

5 Theater and the Electric Revolution 129

Images of Recreation 153

6 Conclusions and Afterthoughts 251

Image Credits 287.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [255]-279) and index.

ISBN:

9780292718708

0292718705

9780292718890

0292718896

OCLC:

226304689