Overview
From the Apophoreta of Imperial Rome to the ersatz grandeur of Las Vegas, from ritual divination to weekly lottery fever, individuals have pitted themselves against the chaotic forces of Fate. The Age of Reason promised to bring such forces within our control, but as we look around us, it appears that life has never been more uncertain: risk, speculation and flux are our constant companions. We have entered the Age of Chance. Characteristic of this age is the increasing popularity of gambling throughout western society. Gerda Reith examines its enduring appeal, exploring its complex relation to our underlying conceptions of the world, and to the social and cultural backgrounds of those who fall under its spell. Using a wide range of sources, she traces the origins of gambling in the ancient world and follows its manifestation in games as diverse as the patolli of the Aztecs and the Internet gambling of today. From an analysis of social structure, she goes on to consider the subjective experiences and attitudes of individual players, discovering some remarkable continuities: the same deliberate seeking out of risk, a disregard for money and a variety of superstitious beliefs in luck and Destiny seem to typify gamblers throughout history and across cultures. This fascinating and extensive study, enlivened by interviews with British and American gamblers, will be enthralling reading not just for those interested in the cultural and social implications of gambling - researchers in sociology, cultural studies and the history of ideas - but for anyone interested in how we create meaning in an increasingly insecure world.
Full Product Details
Author: Gerda Reith ,
Harvey Ferguson ,
Harvey Ferguson
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint: Routledge
Volume: v.21
Dimensions:
Width: 15.60cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.580kg
ISBN: 9780415179973
ISBN 10: 0415179971
Pages: 228
Publication Date: 26 August 1999
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Few readers, whatever their own professional interests, are likely not to be similarly engrossed, challenged, and entertained. The Age of Chance deserves serious attention. -Contemporary Sociology ... a wonderful volume - smartly written, engaging and filled with insights.. -Steven Seidman, SUNY Albany A stimulating book. - Contemporary Sociology Exciting, informative, and fun to read. - Contemporary Sociology
Few readers, whatever their own professional interests, are likely not to be similarly engrossed, challenged, and entertained. The Age of Chance deserves serious attention. <br>-Contemporary Sociology <br>... a wonderful volume - smartly written, engaging and filled with insights.. <br>-Steven Seidman, SUNY Albany <br> A stimulating book. <br>- Contemporary Sociology <br> Exciting, informative, and fun to read. <br>- Contemporary Sociology <br>
'The Age of Chance is a wonderful book, scholarly and at the same time compulsive reading' - Heather Worth, University of Auckland 'The Age of Chance is a wonderful book, scholarly and at the same time compulsive reading' - Heather Worth, University of Auckland '...one of the great strengths of The Age of Chance is that it reads well and is certainly a cover to cover read.' '...a comprehensive and intriguing look at what actually happens when we gamble and why gambling is so popular. Reviewing this book now, more than ten years after first being published, shows that it's certainly a worthwhile read because, at the risk of sounding cliche, it's passing the test of time.' 4/5 Stars-www.casinoonline.co.uk
Few readers, whatever their own professional interests, are likely not to be similarly engrossed, challenged, and entertained. The Age of Chance deserves serious attention. -Contemporary Sociology ... a wonderful volume - smartly written, engaging and filled with insights.. -Steven Seidman, SUNY Albany A stimulating book. - Contemporary Sociology Exciting, informative, and fun to read. - Contemporary Sociology
