The way we organise our free time can reveal a great deal about our identities and ideology. This book explores what our sports and leisure choices can tell us about the society in which we live. Comprehensive, cutting edge and packed with global examples it covers all the essentials for students of sports and leisure sociology.

Introduction: What is Sociology of Leisure? PART I: UNDERSTANDING LEISURE 1. A History and Philosophy of Leisure 2. Leisure and Modernity 3. Leisure and Work 4. Leisure as Function PART II: LEISURE SOCIOLOGIES 5. Leisure and Structure 6. Leisure and Inequality 7. Leisure and Identity 8. Leisure and Community 9. Leisure Subcultures PART III: LEISURE TRENDS 10. Leisure and Globalization 11. Leisure and Commodification 12. Leisure and Postmodernity 13. Postmodern Leisure 14. Liquid Leisure and Intentionality 15. Leisure and Resistance 16. Dark Leisure 17. The Future of Leisure PART IV: THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF LEISURE 18. The Meaning and Purpose of Leisure.

"For an undergraduate seeking to come to terms with this academic area, reaching to the shelf for this text will prove very comforting and especially useful... Spracklen offers a cogent, contemporary and clearly laid-out piece of writing" - Russell Holden, Leisure Studies

"For an undergraduate seeking to come to terms with this academic area, reaching to the shelf for this text will prove very comforting and especially useful... Spracklen offers a cogent, contemporary and clearly laid-out piece of writing" - Russell Holden, Leisure Studies