- Email: [email protected]
Riches and regrets
260
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
whose literature tends to neglect the importance of the hospitality sector in a communityls economic and social development. The book offers much needed, concise historical insights into development of modern motel/hotel chains in the United States. Undergraduate tourism, and hospitality business and economics instructors could easily assign sections of the book as supplemental readings. Rosalie Leposky: Ampersand Cpmmunications, 2311 South Bayshore Drive, Miami FL 33133, USA > Email [email protected].
Assigned 6 March 1997 Submitted 5 May 1997 Accepted 17July
PH: S0160-7383 (97) 00071-6
Riches and Regrets Edited by Patricia A. Stokowski. University Press of Colorado (P.O. Box 849, Niwot, CO 80544, USA) 1996 xiv+338 pages. (photos, tables, figures, references, name and subject index) $39.95 Hbk. ISBN 0-87081-428-1.
Mark Havitz University of Waterloo, Canada Riches and Regrets: Betting on Gambling in Two Colorado Mountain Towns is a noteworthy effort produced by a meticulous researcher who is also a gifted writer. It doubtless achieves its stated purposes: tracing the influence of history and culture on gambling development; examining gaming development in the context of other boomtown experiences; and providing a guide for other, especially rural, communities interested in gaming development. Recent North American proliferation of economically-based tourism development strategies in general and of gaming venues in particular underscore the timeliness of Stokowski's effort. The book will be a valuable reference for university students and faculty, tourism planners and researchers, and business professionals and elected officials. Though her stated goal of providing a balanced look at these issues is largely met (see for example, the gaming and crime discussion on pages 204-216), the preponderance of evidence suggests that negative outcomes are more prevalent than are neutral or positive outcomes. Even a local resident's wry observation that "It's not a better place to live now; it's a better place to do business now" (p. 185) is counterbalanced with the well-documented observation (pp. 157-160) that few non-casino related businesses survived the advent of gaming in the commercial zones of the two communities. The book, as suggested in its title, reveals numerous paradoxes. But many paradoxes were also produced by the creative process itself, independent of the topic at hand. For example, that the author actively researched the topic prior to, during, and after the implementation of the gambling in the community represents a major strength; as does the long-term historical perspective that is provided. Unfortunately, many questions are left unresolved and unanswered as the real impacts of the communities' decisions are just beginning to unfold. Ideally, updated versions of the book should be written in 5- to 10-year intervals; though it seems unlikely that Stokowski, or any subsequent researcher, would enjoy the same level of access to either public or private citizens now that the book has been published. Second, the level of detail is generally solid, if not staggering. For example, often going well beyond obvious indicators in chapter 8 on Institutional impacts of gaming development, Stokowski examines changes in the amount of solid waste
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
261
disposal in adjacent counties (p. 165), longitudinal patterns of court cases (p. 215), the number of times the county health clinic was relocated due to gaming-related pressures (3 times in 4 years, p. 218), and even the direction (to or from the communities) at-fauh drivers were traveling prior to traffic accidents (pp. 220-221). Nevertheless, desirable detail is also sometimes lacking. For example, the academic audience may be frustrated by the superficiality with which methodological issues are sometimes covered (e.g., source of opinions of casino owners on page 127; a local newspaper's "survey" of casino workers' knowledge of local history on page 168; admittedly unconfirmed reports of rising attendance at Denver area Gamblers Anonymous meetings page 223; and a little-described telephone survey of natural resource managers on page 223). Though question format and other methodological issues are sometimes well footnoted (e.g., p. 238), issues related to sample size and response rate are seldom included. Another of the book's strengths is its multidisciplinary approach. Popular and academic sources related to history, economics, sociology, psychology, and even English are addressed in turn and convincingly intertwined. With respect to the latter, the introductory pages of chapter 4 Constructing an industry (pp. 89-91) provide solid evidence of the power of language as the word "gaming" suddenly replaced "gambling" in the public vernacular following passage of the enabling referendum and the advent of speculation and development. The project's multidisciplinary approach notwithstanding, Stokowski is clearly at her best when dealing with historic and sociological topics. Building on ample historic data in chapter 1 Golden dreams on the Western frontier and chapter 2 Opera, tourism, and the revival period, Stokowski lambasts "The intentional creation of a movie-set history [which] implies that, at least in the eyes of some casino owners, the real history is not 'real' enough to attract patrons into the new gambling parlors" (p. 190). Her long-standing research interests in social networks and community serves her well, especially in the final two chapters of the book which focus on future outcomes. Conversely, the copious economic data are treated descriptively, not without effect, though with less sophistication than normally found in contemporary economics literature. Economic modeling and forecasting, for example, is not discussed in the future-gazing final chapters. Equally interesting as the book's content and format, perhaps, is the substantial leap of faith taken by Stokowski, an assistant professor who literally devoted years to this single project. The relatively young disciplines of recreation, leisure, and tourism research are rife with examples of researchers who randomly jump from topic to topic. Rare, but generally more effective, are academics who focus their work on one or two specific areas of inquiry. Rarer still are those who produce, as she has, such comprehensive examinations of specific circumstance. Is such effort worthy of tenure and promotion? Without speaking directly to the author and institution in question, the unequivocal answer is "Yes, indeed!" Work of this type must be nurtured and encouraged if the discipline is to mature. Stokowski has penned a major contribution. Most readers of Annals would find Riches andRegrets to be a welcome addition to their personal libraries. [] [] Mark Havit6" Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON, Canada N2L 3G1 Emaik [email protected].
Assigned 23January 1997 Submitted 9July 1997 Accepted 17July 1997
PH: S0160-7383 (97) 00078-9
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
whose literature tends to neglect the importance of the hospitality sector in a communityls economic and social development. The book offers much needed, concise historical insights into development of modern motel/hotel chains in the United States. Undergraduate tourism, and hospitality business and economics instructors could easily assign sections of the book as supplemental readings. Rosalie Leposky: Ampersand Cpmmunications, 2311 South Bayshore Drive, Miami FL 33133, USA > Email [email protected].
Assigned 6 March 1997 Submitted 5 May 1997 Accepted 17July
PH: S0160-7383 (97) 00071-6
Riches and Regrets Edited by Patricia A. Stokowski. University Press of Colorado (P.O. Box 849, Niwot, CO 80544, USA) 1996 xiv+338 pages. (photos, tables, figures, references, name and subject index) $39.95 Hbk. ISBN 0-87081-428-1.
Mark Havitz University of Waterloo, Canada Riches and Regrets: Betting on Gambling in Two Colorado Mountain Towns is a noteworthy effort produced by a meticulous researcher who is also a gifted writer. It doubtless achieves its stated purposes: tracing the influence of history and culture on gambling development; examining gaming development in the context of other boomtown experiences; and providing a guide for other, especially rural, communities interested in gaming development. Recent North American proliferation of economically-based tourism development strategies in general and of gaming venues in particular underscore the timeliness of Stokowski's effort. The book will be a valuable reference for university students and faculty, tourism planners and researchers, and business professionals and elected officials. Though her stated goal of providing a balanced look at these issues is largely met (see for example, the gaming and crime discussion on pages 204-216), the preponderance of evidence suggests that negative outcomes are more prevalent than are neutral or positive outcomes. Even a local resident's wry observation that "It's not a better place to live now; it's a better place to do business now" (p. 185) is counterbalanced with the well-documented observation (pp. 157-160) that few non-casino related businesses survived the advent of gaming in the commercial zones of the two communities. The book, as suggested in its title, reveals numerous paradoxes. But many paradoxes were also produced by the creative process itself, independent of the topic at hand. For example, that the author actively researched the topic prior to, during, and after the implementation of the gambling in the community represents a major strength; as does the long-term historical perspective that is provided. Unfortunately, many questions are left unresolved and unanswered as the real impacts of the communities' decisions are just beginning to unfold. Ideally, updated versions of the book should be written in 5- to 10-year intervals; though it seems unlikely that Stokowski, or any subsequent researcher, would enjoy the same level of access to either public or private citizens now that the book has been published. Second, the level of detail is generally solid, if not staggering. For example, often going well beyond obvious indicators in chapter 8 on Institutional impacts of gaming development, Stokowski examines changes in the amount of solid waste
PUBLICATIONS IN REVIEW
261
disposal in adjacent counties (p. 165), longitudinal patterns of court cases (p. 215), the number of times the county health clinic was relocated due to gaming-related pressures (3 times in 4 years, p. 218), and even the direction (to or from the communities) at-fauh drivers were traveling prior to traffic accidents (pp. 220-221). Nevertheless, desirable detail is also sometimes lacking. For example, the academic audience may be frustrated by the superficiality with which methodological issues are sometimes covered (e.g., source of opinions of casino owners on page 127; a local newspaper's "survey" of casino workers' knowledge of local history on page 168; admittedly unconfirmed reports of rising attendance at Denver area Gamblers Anonymous meetings page 223; and a little-described telephone survey of natural resource managers on page 223). Though question format and other methodological issues are sometimes well footnoted (e.g., p. 238), issues related to sample size and response rate are seldom included. Another of the book's strengths is its multidisciplinary approach. Popular and academic sources related to history, economics, sociology, psychology, and even English are addressed in turn and convincingly intertwined. With respect to the latter, the introductory pages of chapter 4 Constructing an industry (pp. 89-91) provide solid evidence of the power of language as the word "gaming" suddenly replaced "gambling" in the public vernacular following passage of the enabling referendum and the advent of speculation and development. The project's multidisciplinary approach notwithstanding, Stokowski is clearly at her best when dealing with historic and sociological topics. Building on ample historic data in chapter 1 Golden dreams on the Western frontier and chapter 2 Opera, tourism, and the revival period, Stokowski lambasts "The intentional creation of a movie-set history [which] implies that, at least in the eyes of some casino owners, the real history is not 'real' enough to attract patrons into the new gambling parlors" (p. 190). Her long-standing research interests in social networks and community serves her well, especially in the final two chapters of the book which focus on future outcomes. Conversely, the copious economic data are treated descriptively, not without effect, though with less sophistication than normally found in contemporary economics literature. Economic modeling and forecasting, for example, is not discussed in the future-gazing final chapters. Equally interesting as the book's content and format, perhaps, is the substantial leap of faith taken by Stokowski, an assistant professor who literally devoted years to this single project. The relatively young disciplines of recreation, leisure, and tourism research are rife with examples of researchers who randomly jump from topic to topic. Rare, but generally more effective, are academics who focus their work on one or two specific areas of inquiry. Rarer still are those who produce, as she has, such comprehensive examinations of specific circumstance. Is such effort worthy of tenure and promotion? Without speaking directly to the author and institution in question, the unequivocal answer is "Yes, indeed!" Work of this type must be nurtured and encouraged if the discipline is to mature. Stokowski has penned a major contribution. Most readers of Annals would find Riches andRegrets to be a welcome addition to their personal libraries. [] [] Mark Havit6" Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo ON, Canada N2L 3G1 Emaik [email protected].
Assigned 23January 1997 Submitted 9July 1997 Accepted 17July 1997
PH: S0160-7383 (97) 00078-9