Travel guides: theme parks and funfairs Books

Book SynopsisBehind the scenes at a creationist theme park with a mission to convert visitors through entertainment Opened to the public in July 2016, Ark Encounter is a creationist theme park in Kentucky. The park features an all-timber re-creation of Noah's ark, built full scale to creationist specifications drawn from the text of Genesis, as well as exhibits that imagine the Bible's account of life before the flood. More than merely religious spectacle, Ark Encounter offers important insights about the relationship between religion and entertainment, religious publicity and creativity, and fundamentalist Christian claims to the public sphere. James S. Bielo examines these themes, drawing on his unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Ark Encounter creative team during the initial design of the park. This unique anthropological perspective shows creationists outside church contexts, and reveals their extraordinary effort to materialize a controversial worldview for the general public. TakinTrade Review"A much needed contribution to studies of American fundamentalist Christianity, and to the anthropology of fundamentalism. At the same time, [the book] gives a good insight into the place of Christianity in our contemporary Western society, its relation to popular culture and commerce, and the power of 'religious entertainment.'" * Reading Religion *"Ark Encounter is a useful contribution to the literature in anthropology, religious studies, and material religion, and situates itself within a deep literature in Fundamentalist studies. Bielo’s clear and concise writing style and structure, combined with his thoughtful analysis and discussion, produced a strong text that would be useful for scholars studying the anthropology of religion and is particularly useful for students because of his radical transparency in his research processes." * Material Religions *"Essentially this book is about the three-way relationship of the Ark, the designers, and the visitors. Within this triangle, acceptance of creationism is formed. This is such a valuable book partly because it focuses first on the corner of the triangle too often neglected in discussions of museums and visitor attractions: the designers … he describes four other promised creationist theme parks that will “teach creationists to be proud of creationism, and . . . demand that noncreationist audiences take notice." * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *"Ark Encounter is a wonderful book. Written in a straightforward and lively manner accessible to undergraduates, it is also theoretically rich enough to make it compelling reading for scholars of religion, public culture, museums, and American studies. Because each chapter deals with a discrete aspect of Ark Encounter’s project and engages different bodies of literature, it is ideal for classroom use." * American Ethnologist *"This book will interest researchers of contemporary religious culture, politics of science, and cultural production and circulation. In addition, it provides thought-provoking reading for anyone interested in the social and cultural context of Ark Encounter and biblical attractions like it." * Sociology of Religion *"The book may have appeal in many fields, including anthropology, religion, and tourism." * Choice *"Ark Encounter represents a further development of Bielo’s work of exploring the social life of scriptures, that is—how scriptures are made to perform actively in the world. Bielo has been on the forefront of this exciting development within the larger field of the anthropology of Christianity. In this latest addition to the field, Ark Encounter expands the social life of scripture to include materialization." * American Studies *"Here, as in his study of Bible study culture in Words Upon the Word, Bielo demonstrates a remarkable ability to invite his readers into a communitys processes of religious negotiation and navigation. In his hands, we discover the Ark Encounter as a story of many fascinating encounters between fundamentalism, creationism, biblical consumerism, and religious entertainment." -- Timothy Beal, Case Western Reserve University and author of The Book of Revelation: A Biography"Through his ethnographic work, Bielo makes a convincing case that the aesthetics, technologies, and professional standards of the modern entertainment industry play a big part in producing material that creationists hope to be seen as legitimate in the public sphere... a pleasure to read." -- Jonathan P. Hill * Review of Religious Research *"This thorough study of a creationist theme park explores the ramifications of intertwining religion and entertainment and provides an analysis that has fascinating implications for understanding not only conservative Christianity but also the entertainment-saturated society around it. This compelling and readable ethnography shows that creationism must stake its bid for cultural authority in terms of the largely unquestioned values and techniques of our culture of entertainment." -- Peter Stromberg, University of Tulsa"Bielo has made a valuable contribution to several subfields of anthropology. As a well‐organized, insightful book that addresses a topic that interests many students, draws on innovative fieldwork with a design team, and engages and builds on the work of a wide range of anthropologists, Ark Encounter would be an excellent addition to reading lists for courses on the anthropology of public culture, the anthropology of religion, and visual anthropology, and it will inspire further research on the ongoing evolution of fundamentalist public culture." * Visual Anthropology Review *"Complicates the religion versus science view of creationism by introducing entertainment, production of history, and taste and aesthetic judgment as analytic tools. This allows for a rich, nuanced understanding of creationist cultural products." * American Journal of Sociology *

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Book SynopsisBehind the scenes at a creationist theme park with a mission to convert visitors through entertainment Opened to the public in July 2016, Ark Encounter is a creationist theme park in Kentucky. The park features an all-timber re-creation of Noah's ark, built full scale to creationist specifications drawn from the text of Genesis, as well as exhibits that imagine the Bible's account of life before the flood. More than merely religious spectacle, Ark Encounter offers important insights about the relationship between religion and entertainment, religious publicity and creativity, and fundamentalist Christian claims to the public sphere. James S. Bielo examines these themes, drawing on his unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Ark Encounter creative team during the initial design of the park. This unique anthropological perspective shows creationists outside church contexts, and reveals their extraordinary effort to materialize a controversial worldview for the general public. TakinTrade ReviewA much needed contribution to studies of American fundamentalist Christianity, and to the anthropology of fundamentalism. At the same time, [the book] gives a good insight into the place of Christianity in our contemporary Western society, its relation to popular culture and commerce, and the power of 'religious entertainment.' * Reading Religion *Ark Encounter is a useful contribution to the literature in anthropology, religious studies, and material religion, and situates itself within a deep literature in Fundamentalist studies. Bielo’s clear and concise writing style and structure, combined with his thoughtful analysis and discussion, produced a strong text that would be useful for scholars studying the anthropology of religion and is particularly useful for students because of his radical transparency in his research processes. * Material Religions *Essentially this book is about the three-way relationship of the Ark, the designers, and the visitors. Within this triangle, acceptance of creationism is formed. This is such a valuable book partly because it focuses first on the corner of the triangle too often neglected in discussions of museums and visitor attractions: the designers … he describes four other promised creationist theme parks that will “teach creationists to be proud of creationism, and . . . demand that noncreationist audiences take notice. * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *Ark Encounter is a wonderful book. Written in a straightforward and lively manner accessible to undergraduates, it is also theoretically rich enough to make it compelling reading for scholars of religion, public culture, museums, and American studies. Because each chapter deals with a discrete aspect of Ark Encounter’s project and engages different bodies of literature, it is ideal for classroom use. * American Ethnologist *This book will interest researchers of contemporary religious culture, politics of science, and cultural production and circulation. In addition, it provides thought-provoking reading for anyone interested in the social and cultural context of Ark Encounter and biblical attractions like it. * Sociology of Religion *The book may have appeal in many fields, including anthropology, religion, and tourism. * Choice *Ark Encounter represents a further development of Bielo’s work of exploring the social life of scriptures, that is—how scriptures are made to perform actively in the world. Bielo has been on the forefront of this exciting development within the larger field of the anthropology of Christianity. In this latest addition to the field, Ark Encounter expands the social life of scripture to include materialization. * American Studies *Here, as in his study of Bible study culture in Words Upon the Word, Bielo demonstrates a remarkable ability to invite his readers into a communitys processes of religious negotiation and navigation. In his hands, we discover the Ark Encounter as a story of many fascinating encounters between fundamentalism, creationism, biblical consumerism, and religious entertainment. -- Timothy Beal, Case Western Reserve University and author of The Book of Revelation: A BiographyThrough his ethnographic work, Bielo makes a convincing case that the aesthetics, technologies, and professional standards of the modern entertainment industry play a big part in producing material that creationists hope to be seen as legitimate in the public sphere... a pleasure to read. -- Jonathan P. Hill * Review of Religious Research *This thorough study of a creationist theme park explores the ramifications of intertwining religion and entertainment and provides an analysis that has fascinating implications for understanding not only conservative Christianity but also the entertainment-saturated society around it. This compelling and readable ethnography shows that creationism must stake its bid for cultural authority in terms of the largely unquestioned values and techniques of our culture of entertainment. -- Peter Stromberg, University of TulsaBielo has made a valuable contribution to several subfields of anthropology. As a well‐organized, insightful book that addresses a topic that interests many students, draws on innovative fieldwork with a design team, and engages and builds on the work of a wide range of anthropologists, Ark Encounter would be an excellent addition to reading lists for courses on the anthropology of public culture, the anthropology of religion, and visual anthropology, and it will inspire further research on the ongoing evolution of fundamentalist public culture. * Visual Anthropology Review *Complicates the religion versus science view of creationism by introducing entertainment, production of history, and taste and aesthetic judgment as analytic tools. This allows for a rich, nuanced understanding of creationist cultural products. * American Journal of Sociology *

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Book SynopsisTheme parks are a uniquely interactive and enduring form of entertainment that have influenced architecture, technology and culture in surprising ways for more than a century, as Scott Lukas now reveals in his compelling book. "Theme Park" takes the primitive amusements of pleasure gardens as its starting point and launches from there into a rich, in-depth investigation of the evolution of the theme park over the twentieth century. Lukas examines theme parks in countries around the world including the United States, UK, Europe, Japan, China, South Africa and Australia and how themed fairs and parks developed through diverse means and in a variety of settings. The book examines world-famous and lesser-known parks, including the early parks of Coney Island, a series of World Fairs and their luxurious exhibition halls, Six Flags parks and virtual theme parks today, and, of course, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Lukas analyses the theme park as a living entity that unexpectedly shapes people, their relationships and the world around them. Ultimately, "Theme Park" reveals, the wider influence of theme parks can be found in the shopping malls, branded stores and casinos that employ the techniques of amusement parks to dominate our current entertainment world. Packed with captivating illustrations, "Theme Park" takes us on a historical roller-coaster ride that both reanimates the places that shaped our childhoods and anticipates the future of escapism and fantasy fun.Trade Review'An intriguing and beautifully styled book ... the examples presented of modern theme-park practice make for compelling reading. Theme parks enable international travel without 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.' - 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 ' view that the world is rapidly becoming a reflection of the theme park.' - Journal of Design History 'provides a comprehensive and sometimes compelling intellectual journey through the history of pleasure gardens, world fairs, amusement parks, theme parks, megamalls, and virtual spaces like Second Life. By charting the history of the present of the modern theme park form, and the ways that these sites might shape future possibilities, Lukas provides an insightful text for scholars in cultural geography, cultural studies, and tourism studies.' - Journal of Cultural Geography 'provide[s] insightful and worthwhile views into recent and contemporary travel experiences.' - Tourism Geographies

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Book SynopsisCelebrating 50 years of The Most Magical Place on Earth Since its opening in October 1971, Walt Disney World has continued to expand and evolve as the most visited vacation resort in the world. What hasn't changed over five decades is the incomparable sense of magic it bestows on all who pass through the arched entrance gates.Disney World at 50 is a celebration of the park's rich and fascinating history, from its early development as "The Florida Project" to the ever spectacular present. Explore Walt's original utopian vision, the most incredible feats by Disney's Imagineers, and each of the individual theme parks.Featuring historic coverage and over 100 photos from the Orlando Sentinel archives, the commemorative edition is a visually stunning chronicle of the place where dreams come true.

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Book SynopsisStep inside The House of the Future, the iconic Disneyland attraction that captured the imagination of countless visitors during its ten-year run from 1957 to 1967.In this meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated book, readers will take a journey through the conception, construction, and ultimate closure of this groundbreaking exhibit. The House of the Future was a pioneering experiment in living that showcased cutting-edge construction techniques and futuristic household appliances, including the now-ubiquitous microwave oven.It was a glimpse into a world of endless possibility and unbridled optimism, brought to life through the vision of Walt Disney, his Imagineering team, MIT, and Monsanto.With stunning, never-before-seen photographs and illustrations, this book offers a deep dive into the world of The House of the Future and the lasting impact it had on generations of visitors. The House of the Future is more than a historical artifact; it's a testament to the power of imagination, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of progress.

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