This interdisciplinary book addresses the highly relevant debates about
authenticity in North America, providing a contemporary re-examination
of American culture, tourism and commodification of place.
Blending social sciences and humanities research skills, it formulates
an examination of the geography of authenticity in North America, and
brings together studies of both rurality and urbanity across the
country, exposing the many commonalities of these different landscapes.
Relph stated that nostalgic places are inauthentic, yet within this work
several chapters explore how festivals and visitor attractions, which
cultivate place heritage appeal, are authenticated by tourists and
communities, creating a shared sense of belonging. In a world of
hyperreal simulacra, post-truth and fake news, this book bucks the trend
by demonstrating that authenticity can be found everywhere: in a
mouthful of food, in a few bars of a Beach Boys song, in a statue of a
troll, in a diffuse magical atmosphere, in the weirdness of the
ungentrified streets.
Written by a range of leading experts, this book offers a contemporary
view of American authenticity, tourism, identity and culture. It will be
of great interest to upper-level students, researchers and academics in
Tourism, Geography, History, Cultural Studies, American Studies and Film
Studies.