The Ethics of Sightseeing - by Dean MacCannell (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This is quintessential MacCannell. It is quirky, brilliant, profound, and thought provoking. There are new insights on almost every page. A great read."
--Edward Bruner, author of "Culture on Tour: Ethnographies of Travel"

"This is an extraordinary, engaging, and provocative work by one of the distinctive leaders in what has become a lively intellectual field. It also speaks to much broader questions about culture, economy, social life, and experience than the touristic - this is powerful social theory in transit."
--Don Brenneis, co-editor of "Law and Empire in the Pacific"

""The Ethics of Sightseeing" is vintage MacCannell. It draws together topics--some of which have already appeared as separate papers--in an analytical whole in the same way he did in his original 1976 book "The Tourist." And like "The Tourist," this book is full of brilliant insights drawn from personal experiences, anecdotes, and a wide knowledge of the humanistic and social science literature. It is eye-opening and pushes the boundaries of knowledge and disciplines. It will go well beyond academic and classroom audiences in providing a new twist to cultural studies interpretations of modern society."
--Nelson Graburn, co-editor of "Multiculturalism in the New Japan"

Book Synopsis

Is travel inherently beneficial to human character? Does it automatically educate and enlighten while also promoting tolerance, peace, and understanding? In this challenging book, Dean MacCannell identifies and overcomes common obstacles to ethical sightseeing. Through his unique combination of personal observation and in-depth scholarship, MacCannell ventures into specific tourist destinations and attractions: "picturesque" rural and natural landscapes, "hip" urban scenes, historic locations of tragic events, Disney theme parks, beaches, and travel poster ideals. He shows how strategies intended to attract tourists carry unintended consequences when they migrate to other domains of life and reappear as "staged authenticity." Demonstrating each act of sightseeing as an ethical test, the book shows how tourists can realize the productive potential of their travel desires, penetrate the collective unconscious, and gain character, insight, and connection to the world.

From the Back Cover

"This is quintessential MacCannell. It is quirky, brilliant, profound, and thought provoking. There are new insights on almost every page. A great read."

--Edward Bruner, author of Culture on Tour: Ethnographies of Travel



"This is an extraordinary, engaging, and provocative work by one of the distinctive leaders in what has become a lively intellectual field. It also speaks to much broader questions about culture, economy, social life, and experience than the touristic - this is powerful social theory in transit."

--Don Brenneis, co-editor of Law and Empire in the Pacific



"The Ethics of Sightseeing is vintage MacCannell. It draws together topics--some of which have already appeared as separate papers--in an analytical whole in the same way he did in his original 1976 book The Tourist. And like The Tourist, this book is full of brilliant insights drawn from personal experiences, anecdotes, and a wide knowledge of the humanistic and social science literature. It is eye-opening and pushes the boundaries of knowledge and disciplines. It will go well beyond academic and classroom audiences in providing a new twist to cultural studies interpretations of modern society."

--Nelson Graburn, co-editor of Multiculturalism in the New Japan

Review Quotes

"The Ethics of Sightseeing is challenging, insightful, and frustrating all at the same time. . . . All readers of this provocative study will be drawn into the fascinating conversation."--David M. Wrobel "American Studies Journal" (6/1/2013 12:00:00 AM)

"Intellectually stimulating, the product of a prodigious intellect, the book is provided with illuminating sidebars, brilliant notes to chapters, as well as a comprehensive index and bibliography."--Nilak Datta "Annals Of Tourism Research" (10/10/2012 12:00:00 AM)

"MacCannell acts as an erudite and entertaining companion throughout this discursive and profound text."--Chris Vaughan "Metapsychology Online Review" (10/14/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"Provocatively illustrated and supported by excellent references. . . . Highly recommended."--B. Osborne "Choice" (12/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Dean MacCannell is Professor Emeritus of Environmental Design at the University of California, Davis, and is the author of The Tourist (UC Press).