From the perspective of the commercial, voluntary and state "sectors" of sport and leisure provision, this book examines a number of aspects of the social history of recreation. Among the topics explored are the development of spectator sports, the attractions of the cinema, the role of the press, radio and television, and the significance of sport and leisure clubs. The relationships of social class, gender and ethnicity that have affected the development of leisure are given prominence in an analysis which spans the whole of the 20th century.