Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century (American Century) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Coney Island: the name still resonates with a sense of excitement, the echo of an earlier age..." (more)
Key Phrases: Coney Island, Luna Park, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kasson's inquiry into the nature and significance of Coney Island as part of the American experience is a brilliant device for understanding major transformations in American culture at the turn of the century. A delight to read, look at, and ponder-and itself a great amusement for the mind." -- Warren Susman, Rutgers University

"This is what a history of popular culture should be: a delightful account of a fascinating subject and a serious contribution to our understanding of major transition in American culture."--John G. Cawelti, University of Chicago

"Because he treats our frivolities seriously, John Kasson has produced an important book which helps us all understand ourselves. His inquiry into the nature and significance of Coney Island as part of the American experience provides a brilliant device for understanding major transformations in American culture at the turn of the century...A delight to read, look at, and ponder...itself a great amusement for the mind."--Warren Susman, Rutgers University

"Not only delightful reading but a perceptive look at a familiar American institution..Social-cultural history ought to be done this way more often."--Russel B. Nye, Michigan State University
-- Review

Review

"This is what a history of popular culture should be: a delightful account of a fascinating subject and a serious contribution to our understanding of major transition in American culture."--John G. Cawelti, University of Chicago

"Because he treats our frivolities seriously, John Kasson has produced an important book which helps us all understand ourselves. His inquiry into the nature and significance of Coney Island as part of the American experience provides a brilliant device for understanding major transformations in American culture at the turn of the century...A delight to read, look at, and ponder...itself a great amusement for the mind."--Warren Susman, Rutgers University

"Not only delightful reading but a perceptive look at a familiar American institution..Social-cultural history ought to be done this way more often."--Russel B. Nye, Michigan State University

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Hill and Wang (August 1, 1978) Language: English ISBN-10: 0809001330 ISBN-13: 978-0809001330 Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,511 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Coney Island: the name still resonates with a sense of excitement, the echo of an earlier age. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Coney Island, Luna Park, New York, Central Park, White City, Columbian Exposition, Steeplechase Park, West Brighton, Frederic Thompson, Manhattan Beach, Court of Honor, Ferris Wheel, George Tilyou, Sea Lion Park, Battle of Lights, Chicago Midway, Little Egypt, Mardi Gras, First World War, George Bellows, Iron Pier, Streets of Cairo

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 35 books:

• Ritual Process, The: Structure and Anti-Structure by Victor Turner in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• The New Basis of Civilization (The John Harvard Library) by Simon N. Patten in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Letters of an Altrurian Traveller by William Dean Howells in Back Matter
• Decline of Amer Gentility by Stow Persons in Back Matter
• Captains of Consciousness: Advertising and the Social Roots of the Consumer Culture by Stuart Ewen in Back Matter

See all 35 books this book cites

 

133 books cite this book:

• The Kid of Coney Island: Fred Thompson and the Rise of American Amusements by Woody Register on 9 pages
• Pragmatism and the Political Economy of Cultural Revolution, 1850-1940 (Cultural Studies of the United States) by James Livingston on 4 pages
• City Lights: Illuminating the American Night (Landscapes of the Night) by Professor John A. Jakle on 4 pages
• Eight Hours for What We Will: Workers and Leisure in an Industrial City, 1870-1920 (Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Modern History) by Roy Rosenzweig on 4 pages
• Jose Marti: An Introduction (New Directions in Latino American Culture) by Oscar Montero on page 25, page 32, and Back Matter

See all 133 books citing this book

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	92% buy the item featured on this page: Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century (American Century) 3.9 out of 5 stars (9) $14.40
	3% buy Coney Island: Lost and Found 5.0 out of 5 stars (18) $19.77
	2% buy Coney Island: The People's Playground 4.0 out of 5 stars (14) $16.46
	1% buy Humbug: The Art of P. T. Barnum 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) $27.30

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:  (5) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 3.9 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent social history of Coney Island, May 19, 1999 By A Customer Despite all the books about Coney Island, there really aren't that many of substance. John Kasson here gives a serious yet extremely entertaining look at the social forces in play at Coney Island 100 years ago. This is as much about the birth of mass culture as it is about the rides and the personalities who built Coney Island. 9 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Gives a great overview of the famed amusement park, June 25, 1999 By  [e-mail] (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews An enjoyable reading if you desire a history lesson on the famed amusement park. Through great pictures and words the author suceeds in telling the story of the now ancient parks at Coney Island. We learn the stories of the men behind Dreamland, Luna Park, and Steeplechase. A weel put together story making it a must for anyone interested in Coney Island! 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Coney Island as an indicator of social change, February 19, 2004 By  Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)       In these times, when entertainers bare body parts normally kept strictly covered, it is hard to believe the cover photo of this book was considered rather racy a century ago. It shows a line of girls on the beach at Coney Island where the skirts on their swimsuits have been raised to reveal the shorts underneath. Considering that they also appear to have full-length tights on underneath the shorts, to modern eyes, they look overdressed. There were many social commentators at the end of the nineteenth century that argued that the egalitarian social structure of Coney Island was debasing the social fabric of the nation. Which was nonsense, as Coney Island was the most conspicuous example of the dramatic social changes taking place in the United States. By the turn of the century, the people were generally no longer rural tillers of the soil, having been transformed into urban tillers of the machines. Furthermore, by this time, the social distinctions between the upper and other classes were being blurred. As the author points out, at Coney Island, many of the stiff social restrictions came down. People who otherwise would not speak to each other became friendly and shared rides, beach water and other amusements. The members of the compressed urban society craved simple and inexpensive recreation and Coney Island provided it. Therefore, as Kasson points out so well, it was a phenomenon that grew out of a social need and in many ways served as a social release. People could, for a very small fee, leave their crowded dwellings and engage in a day of escape. Everyone was equal on the rides and the beaches, so at least at that location, social distinctions disappeared. Until I read this book, I had never considered the amusement park as a barometer for social change. However, it is now clear that Coney Island was a metaphor for a dramatic change in the social fabric of the nation and from this book, you can learn many of the details.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Factual but revolutionary I had to purchase this book for a history class focused on pop culture of 1890's - present. In my opinion Kasson does an amazing job really reviewing the social changes that Coney... Read more Published 17 months ago by Christyn A. Ross 4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the House of Fun Amusement parks that began to exist during the turn of the century served as venues for fun and excitement as well as helped to release the repressed from the gentility of the... Read more Published on July 17, 2007 by R. DelParto 5.0 out of 5 stars Did you ever wonder why people wanted "to go to the Fair ? This book was not really what I expected it to be.Rather than giving interesting insight into what went on at Coney Island;it is more a book about why it came into being,why at... Read more Published on May 17, 2006 by J. Guild 2.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading...so sorry! If you are reading this book, you probably fit into one of two categories. 1. You are a local from the region surrounding Coney Island or 2. Read more Published on January 31, 2006 by Tony the Student 5.0 out of 5 stars The Photographs Tell the Story I purchased this book for a college course on American social history. It was nice to open a book with tons of pictures and interesting, but not too intellectually stimulating,... Read more Published on March 8, 2003 by mwreview 3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I expected I was a little disappointed with this book. NOT that it wasn't well-enough written, but it wasn't what I expected or was hoping for. Read more Published on September 4, 2001 by Old McDonald Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hill and Wang (August 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809001330
• ISBN-13: 978-0809001330
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,511 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent social history of Coney Island, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

Despite all the books about Coney Island, there really aren't that many of substance. John Kasson here gives a serious yet extremely entertaining look at the social forces in play at Coney Island 100 years ago. This is as much about the birth of mass culture as it is about the rides and the personalities who built Coney Island.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gives a great overview of the famed amusement park, June 25, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

An enjoyable reading if you desire a history lesson on the famed amusement park. Through great pictures and words the author suceeds in telling the story of the now ancient parks at Coney Island. We learn the stories of the men behind Dreamland, Luna Park, and Steeplechase. A weel put together story making it a must for anyone interested in Coney Island!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coney Island as an indicator of social change, February 19, 2004

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

In these times, when entertainers bare body parts normally kept strictly covered, it is hard to believe the cover photo of this book was considered rather racy a century ago. It shows a line of girls on the beach at Coney Island where the skirts on their swimsuits have been raised to reveal the shorts underneath. Considering that they also appear to have full-length tights on underneath the shorts, to modern eyes, they look overdressed. There were many social commentators at the end of the nineteenth century that argued that the egalitarian social structure of Coney Island was debasing the social fabric of the nation.
Which was nonsense, as Coney Island was the most conspicuous example of the dramatic social changes taking place in the United States. By the turn of the century, the people were generally no longer rural tillers of the soil, having been transformed into urban tillers of the machines. Furthermore, by this time, the social distinctions between the upper and other classes were being blurred. As the author points out, at Coney Island, many of the stiff social restrictions came down. People who otherwise would not speak to each other became friendly and shared rides, beach water and other amusements.
The members of the compressed urban society craved simple and inexpensive recreation and Coney Island provided it. Therefore, as Kasson points out so well, it was a phenomenon that grew out of a social need and in many ways served as a social release. People could, for a very small fee, leave their crowded dwellings and engage in a day of escape. Everyone was equal on the rides and the beaches, so at least at that location, social distinctions disappeared.
Until I read this book, I had never considered the amusement park as a barometer for social change. However, it is now clear that Coney Island was a metaphor for a dramatic change in the social fabric of the nation and from this book, you can learn many of the details.