Idle Hours: Americans at Leisure 1865-1914.

Pisano, Ronald G.

Price: 55.00 USD

Boston, MA: Little, Brown/NYGS, 1988. Green cloth. vii, 155 pp. 40 bw photo, 85 color plates. This book explores the time between the Civil War and World War I when America's burgeoning upper class enjoyed unparalleled prosperity, optimism, and leisure time. The intriguing historical text is strikingly illustrated with paintings by some of America's best-loved artists, which are accompanied by period photographs. Topics include entertaining, lounging outdoors, reading, a musical interlude, aestheticism, flora and fauna, in the park, children's games, pets, holidays by the water, the sporting life, and Americans abroad. Also includes notes, bibliography, and index of artists and titles. VG+/VG+.