Description
The Lure of the Beach: A Global History by Robert C. Ritchie chronicles humanity’s long relationship with the coast, tracing beach culture from Roman seaside retreats and medieval pilgrimages to modern resort towns around the world. This 344-page hardcover examines how beaches evolved into destinations shaped by shifting social norms, transportation technology, fashion, and economic development.
Ritchie explores the sensory pull of the shoreline — crashing surf, salted air, sand underfoot — while documenting how beachgoing spread from England and France across the Mediterranean and from 19th-century America to global tourism hubs. The book also examines tensions between private ownership and public access, as well as beaches as ecological environments and commercial destinations.
The Lure of the Beach demonstrates that the history of the beach is inseparable from human history. As a site of leisure, commerce, ecology, and reinvention, the coast reflects cultural values across centuries. This global history offers a thoughtful examination of why the beach continues to captivate humanity worldwide.
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