ABSTRACT

Drawing upon in-depth case studies of vacation habits and the observations of philosophers, writers, and sociologists such as Aristotle, Mark Twain and Thorstein Veblen, Al Gini argues why vacations are so venerated and why 'doing nothing' is a fundamental human necessity.

From shopping sprees and extreme sports to the ultimate vacation - retirement - The Importance of Being lazy demonstrates that without true leisure, we are diminished as individuals and as a society.

 

chapter |12 pages

prologue: The Project and the Problem

chapter one|14 pages

The Other Side of Leisure:WORK, DAMN IT!

chapter three|21 pages

Vacations and Traveling

chapter four|15 pages

Minivacations:THE WEEKEND:

chapter five|20 pages

Shopping as Leisure and Play

chapter six|16 pages

Sports and Play

chapter seven|25 pages

The Ultimate Vacation: RETIREMENT