This text explains why so many Americans have visited France and tells what they did when they got there. It is an examination of the transformation of American attitudes toward French food, sex and culture; as well as an exploration of changing notions of class, gender, race and nationality.It begins in 1786 when Thomas Jefferson instructed young upper-class American men to travel overseas for self-improvement rather than debauchery. Many men crossed the Atlantic to develop "taste" and refinement, however, the introduction ...
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This text explains why so many Americans have visited France and tells what they did when they got there. It is an examination of the transformation of American attitudes toward French food, sex and culture; as well as an exploration of changing notions of class, gender, race and nationality.It begins in 1786 when Thomas Jefferson instructed young upper-class American men to travel overseas for self-improvement rather than debauchery. Many men crossed the Atlantic to develop "taste" and refinement, however, the introduction of the transatlantic steamship in the mid-19th century opened France to people further down the class ladder. The text discusses how as the upper class distanced themselves from the lower class travellers, tourism in search of culture gave way to the tourism of "conspicuous leisure", sex and sensuality. In the 1920s, Prohibition in America and a new middle class helped make drunken sprees in Paris more enticing than trudging throught the Louvre, this text examines also the French anti-Americanism that failed to jolt the American ideal, France remaining Americans' favourite destination.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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1998 Levenstein, Harvey SEDUCTIVE JOURNEY; AMERICAN TOURISTS IN FRANCE FROM JEFFERSON TO THE JAZZ AGE Chicago: University of Chicago Press, c1998 first printing 378pp, index, illus 8vo As new hardcover in d/j.