Leisure and Cultural Conflict in Twentieth-Century Britain ed. by Brett Bebber (review)

The subject of leisure studies history has undergone a seismic shift in perception and depth of study in the last two to three decades. Leisure studies itself has developed in this time; from narrow strands such as sociology, physical education, and the policy arena, it now often encompasses a multidisciplinary approach within associated fields such as sports management, public policy, and tourism studies, employing a range of interpretative tools. This relatively new outlook of the subject is encapsulated in Brett Bebber's collected work, Leisure and Cultural Conflict in Twentieth-Century Britain. While a historical work primarily, it also encompasses aspects of sociological, public policy, and political subject matter within its strong collection of essays from leading scholars in this field.

Bebber, in the introduction, argues that the issue of Britishness and British identity is sometimes overlooked by historians, even though, within the realms of something as intrinsic and synonymous as leisure pursuits, it is also difficult to avoid (3). Concepts of British identity often overlap leisure practices, thus demonstrating how people "evoke meaning from leisure," as well as government preoccupations with "controlling the working classes" and promoting notions of national identity through leisure (10).

However, this collection of essays avoids any descent into parochialism. It provides a comprehensive overview of leisure in twentieth-century Britain in important and well-written sections. The influence of America on sport in Britain, the impact of multiculturalism and how it contributed to important cultural conflicts in the United Kingdom, the use of (and indeed debates over) drugs in British society and their entry into leisure activities, and changes in gender-specific types of leisure in Britain are given good context and analysis. Rising new forms of entertainment and leisure, such as dancing, the cinema, and television, are given suitably rigorous investigation, while other forms of fading types of entertainment, like the circus, are also covered very well.

Chad Martin's chapter is one of the strongest works in this collection (although the overall quality is of an extremely high standard). His analysis of 1960s Britain and the limits of liberalization within an ultimately permissive society is well analyzed and contextualized, particularly in regard to placing the debate on drugs in Britain at a time when the 1960s were liberalizing such laws as abortion and homosexuality.

Gender studies are also well represented in this work, with Cécile Doustaly arguing that the twentieth century would see women find greater levels of freedom (and consequent opposition) within new types of leisure activities (199).

Ultimately, this collected work of essays is a commendable contribution to the subject of leisure history and will be a valuable addition to reading lists and such for leisure and sports history courses, as well as associated courses that would benefit from a wide survey of social, political, and cultural topics.