Palaces of Pleasure by Lee Jackson

Palaces of Pleasure by Lee Jackson ISBN-13: 9780300224634 Hardback: 320 pages Publisher: Yale University Press Released: June 25, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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 every whim was satisfied by 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 attractions of the pleasure garden and international exposition, ranging from parachuting monkeys and human zoos to theme park thrill rides. 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, variety theater and dance hall faltered in the face of commercial success.


My Review:
Palaces of Pleasure looked at some popular public entertainment choices that arose in England during the 1800s. The author looked in depth at gin palaces, music halls, public halls, dancing halls, pleasure gardens, exhibitions, seaside resorts and sea bathing, and football (soccer) matches. He described how each developed from a small scale origins to mass, public entertainment. He quoted from newspapers and court cases. He described the controversies that arose due to concerns that these entertainment spots led people into immoral or self-damaging behavior. He often explained the usual layout of that type of building. He described the types of entertainments that they provided, as stated in newspapers, ads, and personal records of what a person saw when they visited the place. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in a high level of detail about these public entertainments.


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