Book excerpt: This book updates and expands Jackson and Burtons "Mapping the Past, Charting the Future" (1989) and "Leisure Studies: Prospects for the Twenty-First Century" (1999). The need to do so was driven by the significant new developments in the leisure studies field as well as the arrival of new and upcoming experts in specific areas of study. The book features new sections on: Disciplinary Perspectives (including chapters on anthropology, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, biology, and economics of leisure); Cognate Area Perspectives (including chapters on leisure, health, and physical activity; leisure and religion/spirituality; sport as leisure; and tourism); International Perspectives (including chapters on leisure in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, East Asia, Europe, Latin America); Diverse Perspectives (including chapters on leisure in terms of youth, family, older adults, immigrants, racial and ethnic groups, the LGBQ community; and people with disabilities). Other book chapters focus on leisure theory; leisure, time, and technology; leisure needs, motivations, and constraints; leisure, place, and social capital; leisure planning, marketing, and management; leisure research methods; and the future of the leisure studies field. Approximately 80% of each chapter summarises the current state of that specific leisure concept, topic, or area, while the remaining 20% dares to speculate imaginatively about where it could (and should) proceed in the future. Both summary and speculation are limited to approximately 6,000 words, as chapter authors were instructed to heed French philosopher Blaise Pascals (1656) oft-cited apology that I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter. While the book maintains the spirit and rigour of Jackson and Burtons earlier books, it also reflects the growth and maturity that has subsequently occurred in the leisure studies field.