From its very inception Australia has been a derivative society: First as part of the British Empire and then, soon after World War II, what Mosler considers the American Empire and the new end-of-century Americanized global culture. This has meant that Australia has struggled to attain its own identity. Mosler explores that struggle for national independence, a struggle that seems to be doomed to failure. According to Mosler, the reasons for this failure lie in Australia's propensity to remain a recreational culture; a culture more attuned to pleasure and dependence than regimented hard work and the concomitant collective pattern of national assertiveness. The Australian economy, defense arrangements, culture, and psychology have been dominated by other nations and transnational forces. The prospects for the nation in the future appear to be somewhat grim unless this historical pattern of dependence and lack of respect, indeed almost contempt, for national institutions is reversed. A provocative analysis that will be of interest to scholars, students, researchers, and anyone interested in Australian history and contemporary life and culture.

For first year students in tertiary leisure studies programs, both Leisure Studies and Social Science. Australian Leisure 4e provides an introduction to and analysis of a broadly defined concept of leisure. It integrates Australian and international knowledge so that the book is an Australian interpretation, based largely on local sources, but which engages with relevant international research and theory. This edition has been extensively reviewed and updated and includes new chapters on social networks, global cultures and events. Leisure is not just sport, or the arts, or outdoor recreation, it is all these things and more, including tourism, gambling, hobbies, television watching, entertainment, play and doing nothing in particular. The purpose of the text is to illuminate leisure and its place in past, present and future Australian society. The text is designed to lead students into the subject and provide pointers to more detailed study, through discussion questions and guides to further reading.

Mastering the Job Search Process in Recreation and Leisure Services, Second Edition, is a practical guide full of tools and advice for recreation and leisure service professionals. This book simplifies the process of securing a job in recreation and leisure service by explaining every step from both an employer’s and applicant’s point of view. Based on years of experience in the hiring process, this book reflects research conducted with over one thousand recreation and leisure services practitioners involved in the job search process. The book includes their advice as well as secrets to success.

Written by a team of international contributors, from Australia, Europe and the USA, the text uses international case studies and examples to illustrate and highlight discussion. Contributors include: Paul Beedie, De Montfort University, UK; Kay Dimmock, Southern Cross University, Australia; Gary Easthope, University of Tasmania, Australia; Simon Hudson, University of Calgary, Canada; Gayle Jennings, Griffith University, Australia; Lilian Jonas, Jonas Consulting, USA; Les Killion, Central Queensland University, Australia; Gianna Moscardo, James Cook University, Australia; Harold Richins, Sierra Nevada College, USA; Chris Ryan, The University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Revision of: Foundations of therapeutic recreation / Terry Robertson, Terry Long (eds.). 2008.

Revised edition of an introductory sociology text which includes two new chapters on rural Australia and higher education, and an expanded introduction. Considers the major structural division of society, and describes subsequent behaviour patterns. Deals with current issues and concerns, such as social disadvantage. Includes references and an index. The editors teach sociology at the University of Queensland. The 24 contributors have qualifications in fields such as sociology, politics and anthropology. Published simultaneously in hardback.