This is an innovative contribution to the study of popular culture, focusing on the youth cultures that revolve around dance clubs and raves.

Outrageous parties. Brazen drug use. Fantastical costumes. Celebrities. Wannabes. Gender-bending club kids. Pulse-pounding beats. Sinful orgies. Botched police raids. Depraved criminals. Murder. Welcome to the decadent nineties club scene. In 1995, journalist Frank Owen began researching a story on Special K, a designer drug that fueled the after-midnight club scene. He went to buy and sample the drug at the internationally notorious Limelight, a crumbling church converted into a Manhattan disco, where mesmerizing music, ecstatic dancers, and uninhibited sideshows attracted long lines of hopeful onlookers. Owen discovered a world where reckless hedonism was elevated to an art form, and where the ever-accelerating party finally spun out of control in the hands of notorious club owner Peter Gatien and his minions. In Clubland, Owen reveals how a lethal drug ring operated in a lawless, black-lit realm of fantasy, and how, when the lights came up, their excesses left countless victims in their wake. Praised for his risk-taking and exhilarating writing style, Frank Owen has spawned a hybrid of literary nonfiction and true crime, capturing the zeitgeist of a world that emerged in the spirit of “peace, love, unity and respect,” and ended in tragedy.

Foreword / Cornelius Minor Gratitude -- Creating a culture of reading through book clubs -- Organizing and setting up book clubs -- Launching and managing book clubs -- Lighting the fire of discussion -- Resources at a glance -- Living with books all year long.

This book re-reads the tangled relations of book culture and literary culture in the early nineteenth century by restoring to view the figure of the bookman and the effaced history of his book clubs. As outliers inserting themselves into the matrix of literary production rather than remaining within that of reception, both provoked debate by producing, writing, and circulating books in ways that expanded fundamental points of literary orientation in lateral directions not coincident with those of the literary sphere. Deploying a wide range of historical, archival and literary materials, the study combines the history and geography of books, cultural theory, and literary history to make visible a bookish array of alterative networks, genres, and locations that were obscured by the literary sphere in establishing its authority as arbiter of the modern book.

​This book presents an up-to-date portrait of the characteristics of sport clubs in various European countries and their role in society and the national sport system. Furthermore, it offers a cross-national comparative perspective of sport clubs in twenty European countries. Containing both empirical data and information on the political and historical backgrounds of sport clubs, the book is organized in three parts. First, the authors provide an overview of the theoretical approach of the book and a description of the framework used for the country chapters. Second, the country chapters, written by experts within the field, provide a systematic overview of the available information on sport clubs in each country. These chapters are structured to answer the following questions: (1) What is the position of sport clubs within the national sport structure? (2) Which role do they fulfil in policy and society? (3) What are their basic characteristics and what factors influence the development of sport clubs? The book is concluded with a systematic comparison of the participating countries with the purpose of forging a clear link between the functioning of policy systems, observed problems, and possible solutions, and with a future research agenda on sport clubs. In an era of increased collaboration between European states, sport provides a natural vehicle through which to compare changes in culture, economics, and policy across nations. Sport Clubs in Europe will appeal to scholars of nonprofit management, sports management and sports sociology as well as administrators and policy makers in the international sports community.

Placing the clubs in the context of twentieth-century middle-class culture, Charles maintains that they represented the response of locally oriented, traditional middle-class men to societal changes. The groups emerged at a time when service was becoming both a middle-class and a business ideal. As voluntary associations, they represented a shift in organizing rationale, from fraternalism to service. The clubs and their ideology of service were welcome as a unifying force at a time when small cities and towns were beset by economic and population pressures.

The History of the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs, Inc., Edited by LaVonne Jackson Leslie With a new introduction by the editor In highlighting the history of the oldest black womens organization in the United States, The History of the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs, Inc., written by scholar Dr. Charles Wesley, provides a comprehensive insight into the historical achievements and activities of the organization from its creation to 1984. The book offers an interesting history of how the organization evolved and functioned nationwide into one of the most respectable black organization. It is highly recommended for readers interested in understanding the role of black women in uplifting the black community through community service involvement with programs focusing on childcare, education, and social services. The clubwomen established local, state, and regional chapters nationwide. The History of the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs, Inc., utilizes the organizations conference reports, minutes, and National Notespublication, as primary sources to depict how the clubs carried out their goals and operated in society to make a difference. The voices of the pioneer women in the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs, Inc., can be envisioned by reading this pivotal work. Their achievements are noteworthy in our history. They have inspired women in the organization to continue to be involved in carrying out its mission by upholding its motto, lifting as we climb. This book prepares the foundation for the next edition focusing on the history of the organization to the present.

"Pard has created an indispensable guide for all anime clubs." Library Journal, Starred Review Anime (or “Japanese Animation”) has seen a continuing rise in popularity over the past decade of North American pop culture. Droves of die-hard, dedicated fans can be found all over comic shops, conventions, and social media at large, discussing or debating the merits of their favorite Anime fandoms. Public libraries have been quick to catch on, and have long been an excellent gathering place for this community of passionate consumers – be it for movie screenings or anime and manga collection offerings. With the recent widespread adoption of English dubbed content and the explosion of Anime merchandise sales outside of Japan, Anime and Manga are more accessible to North Americans than ever before. In addition to providing a long list of programming examples and ideas, this practical guide will teach librarians how to capture the interest of this fandom community, why the library is the perfect place to do so, and how to expand this thematic programming into further learning and socialization opportunities. Special Features include: Real examples of current and successful Anime Club programs created by librarians. Anime: It’s Not Just “Cartoons”! Discovering opportunities for youth engagement, STEM learning, and vital youth socialization within Japanese Animation. Clear, concise instructions for incorporating one off or series Anime events for all budget ranges and age groups. How to avoid cultural appropriation by engaging your community to make the most out of possible partnerships and resources. Anime Club party plans for a wide range of different holidays. How to obtain public performance rights for anime screenings, Where to find inclusive anime representations of diverse communities