Scott A. Lukas is Department Chair in Anthropology and Sociology at Lake Tahoe College, California, USA. He is also the Editor of The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self (2007).

[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 EducationThis 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 CultureWritten 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 Historyprovides 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 Geographyprovide[s] insightful and worthwhile views into recent and contemporary travel experiences. - Tourism Geographies

Scott A. Lukas is Department Chair in Anthropology and Sociology at Lake Tahoe College, California, USA. He is also the Editor of The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self (2007).

[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 EducationThis 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 CultureWritten 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 Historyprovides 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 Geographyprovide[s] insightful and worthwhile views into recent and contemporary travel experiences. - Tourism Geographies

Scott A. Lukas is Department Chair in Anthropology and Sociology at Lake Tahoe College, California, USA. He is also the Editor of The Themed Space: Locating Culture, Nation, and Self (2007).

[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 EducationThis 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 CultureWritten 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 Historyprovides 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 Geographyprovide[s] insightful and worthwhile views into recent and contemporary travel experiences. - Tourism Geographies