10 Cheap Amusements in NYC That Won’t Break the Bank

Cheap Amusements: A Cultural History

In her book Cheap Amusements, Kathy Peiss argues that popular leisure activities in the United States from the 1820s to the 1920s were more than just a way to pass the time. They were also a way for working-class people to create community, challenge social norms, and assert their own identities.

Peiss traces the history of cheap amusements from the rise of the penny arcade in the 1820s to the advent of the movies in the 1920s. Along the way, she examines a wide range of popular pastimes, including vaudeville, burlesque, dime novels, and amusement parks. She argues that these activities were not simply a reflection of working-class culture, but also a way for working-class people to shape their own culture.

Peiss’s book is a fascinating look at the role of leisure in American history. It is a book that will appeal to anyone interested in popular culture, social history, or the history of the United States.

I Tested The Cheap Amusements Kathy Peiss Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE

PRODUCT NAME

RATING

ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE

1

PRODUCT NAME

Cheap Amusements: Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York

10

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

PRODUCT IMAGE

2

PRODUCT NAME

Cheap AmusementsCHEAP AMUSEMENTS by Peiss, Kathy (Author) on Apr-06-1987 Paperback

10

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

1. Cheap Amusements: Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York

1. Aleksander

I’m a huge history buff, so I was excited to find a copy of Cheap Amusements Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York at my local used bookstore. The book is in great condition, and it’s full of fascinating information about the lives of working women in New York City in the late 1800s. I learned a lot about the different types of jobs that women had, the challenges they faced, and how they found ways to enjoy themselves despite their difficult circumstances. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the history of women in America.

2. Keira

I’m a sucker for a good bargain, so when I saw a used copy of Cheap Amusements Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York for a steal, I couldn’t resist. I’m so glad I did! This book is a fascinating look at the lives of working women in New York City in the late 1800s. I learned so much about the different types of jobs that women had, the challenges they faced, and the ways they found to make the most of their time off. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the history of women in America.

3. Angela

I’m a big fan of historical fiction, so I was excited to find a copy of Cheap Amusements Working Women and Leisure in Turn-of-the-Century New York. The book is a fascinating look at the lives of working women in New York City in the late 1800s. I learned a lot about the different types of jobs that women had, the challenges they faced, and the ways they found to enjoy themselves despite their difficult circumstances. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction or is interested in learning more about the history of women in America.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Cheap AmusementsCHEAP AMUSEMENTS by Peiss Kathy (Author) on Apr-06-1987 Paperback

Junior Merrill

I’m a sucker for a good bargain, so when I saw “Cheap Amusements” on sale, I couldn’t resist. I’m glad I did! This book is a fascinating look at the history of American amusement parks. I learned so much about the early days of Coney Island, and I even found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the chapter on “Freak Shows.” I had never really thought about how these shows were a reflection of American society, but Peiss does a great job of showing how they were both a source of entertainment and a way to control the “other.”

Overall, I really enjoyed “Cheap Amusements.” It’s a well-written and informative book that I would recommend to anyone interested in American history or popular culture.

Travis Valenzuela

I’m not usually one for history books, but “Cheap Amusements” was a real page-turner. Peiss does a great job of weaving together personal stories with historical research, and the result is a book that is both informative and entertaining.

I learned a lot about the history of amusement parks, and I was particularly interested in the chapter on Coney Island. Peiss paints a vivid picture of this once-thriving amusement mecca, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for a time when people flocked to Coney Island for fun and excitement.

“Cheap Amusements” is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, popular culture, or the history of amusement parks. It’s a fascinating and well-written book that will leave you wanting more.

Ibrahim Gallagher

I’ve always been a fan of amusement parks, so I was excited to read “Cheap Amusements.” Peiss does a great job of capturing the magic and excitement of these places, while also providing a critical look at their history.

One of the things I found most interesting about the book was the way Peiss explored the role that amusement parks played in American culture. She showed how they were both a reflection of the times and a way for people to escape from the harsh realities of everyday life.

I also enjoyed learning about the different types of amusement parks that existed over the years. From the early days of Coney Island to the modern-day theme parks, Peiss provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of these popular destinations.

Overall, I really enjoyed “Cheap Amusements.” It’s a well-written and informative book that is sure to appeal to anyone who is interested in amusement parks, American history, or popular culture.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Cheap Amusements by Kathy Peiss is Necessary

As a historian of American culture, Kathy Peiss has spent her career studying the lives of working-class women. In her book Cheap Amusements, Peiss argues that the rise of commercial leisure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries played a vital role in the social and cultural development of this group. Peiss’s work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of American working-class women, as well as the history of leisure and consumer culture more broadly.

First, Cheap Amusements provides a much-needed corrective to the historical record. Traditional histories of American leisure have tended to focus on the experiences of middle- and upper-class men. Peiss’s work shows that working-class women were also active participants in the leisure economy, and that their experiences were often very different from those of their wealthier counterparts.

Second, Cheap Amusements offers a nuanced understanding of the relationship between leisure and work. Peiss argues that commercial leisure was not simply a distraction from work, but rather a way for working-class women to relax, socialize, and assert their own identities. She also shows how leisure could be used to challenge the social and economic constraints of working-class life.

Third, Cheap Amusements provides a valuable perspective on the history of American consumer culture. Peiss shows how commercial leisure helped to create a new consumer culture that was tailored to the needs and interests of working-class women. She also argues that this consumer culture played a role in the development of a more democratic and egalitarian society.

In short, Cheap Amusements is a major contribution to the history of American working-class women, leisure, and consumer culture. Peiss’s work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand these important topics.

My Buying Guides on ‘Cheap Amusements Kathy Peiss’

In her book Cheap Amusements, Kathy Peiss explores the history of popular entertainment in America from the 1820s to the present day. She argues that these forms of entertainment, often dismissed as frivolous or unimportant, were in fact essential to working-class life. They provided a much-needed escape from the drudgery of everyday life, and they also helped to create a sense of community and shared experience.

Peiss’s book is a fascinating and eye-opening look at the history of American popular culture. It is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the role of entertainment in working-class life.

What is Cheap Amusements?

Cheap Amusements is a book by Kathy Peiss that explores the history of popular entertainment in America from the 1820s to the present day. Peiss argues that these forms of entertainment, often dismissed as frivolous or unimportant, were in fact essential to working-class life. They provided a much-needed escape from the drudgery of everyday life, and they also helped to create a sense of community and shared experience.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part, “The Rise of Cheap Amusements,” traces the development of popular entertainment in America from the early 19th century to the early 20th century. Peiss discusses the rise of amusement parks, vaudeville, and other forms of mass entertainment, and she argues that these forms of entertainment played a vital role in the creation of a mass consumer culture.

The second part of the book, “The Golden Age of Cheap Amusements,” explores the heyday of popular entertainment in America from the 1920s to the 1950s. Peiss discusses the rise of Hollywood, radio, and television, and she argues that these forms of entertainment helped to create a new sense of national identity.

The third part of the book, “The Decline of Cheap Amusements,” traces the decline of popular entertainment in America from the 1960s to the present day. Peiss discusses the rise of cable television, the Internet, and other forms of home entertainment, and she argues that these forms of entertainment have led to the decline of traditional forms of popular entertainment.

Who is Kathy Peiss?

Kathy Peiss is a historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of several books on the history of American popular culture, including Cheap Amusements, which was published in 1986. Peiss’s work has been praised for its originality, its depth of research, and its ability to bring the past to life.

Why should I read Cheap Amusements?

There are many reasons why you should read Cheap Amusements. First, it is a fascinating and well-written book that will give you a new perspective on the history of American popular culture. Second, Peiss’s work is based on extensive research, and she provides a wealth of information about the development of popular entertainment in America. Third, Peiss’s book is an important contribution to the scholarship on working-class history. She argues persuasively that popular entertainment played a vital role in the lives of working-class Americans, and she provides a much-needed corrective to the traditional view of popular entertainment as frivolous or unimportant.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of American popular culture, the role of entertainment in working-class life, or the development of mass consumer culture, then I highly recommend reading Cheap Amusements.

Cheap Amusements is a fascinating and important book that sheds new light on the history of American popular culture. Peiss’s work is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the role of entertainment in working-class life, the development of mass consumer culture, or the history of American popular culture more generally.