Robert A. Stebbins is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of Calgary, Canada. Among his many publications are Serious Leisure: A Perspective for Our Time, The Idea of Leisure, and Planning Your Time in Retirement. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

"Stebbins' new book ... provides timely insight to further the scholarship of leisure, the serious leisure perspective (SLP) and the concept of augmentative play. ... Who should read this book? The book is good for scholars of the SLP. ... the reading will be most meaningful for those who have a grasp of the interrelated concepts of leisure, play, flow, perceived freedom and of course, SLP." (Steven Henle, Annals of Leisure Research, September, 2016)

• Introduction 1. The Scientific Studies of Play and Leisure 2. The Serious Leisure Perspective 3. Play as Casual Leisure 4. Playing in Art and Entertainment 5. Scientific Play 6. Play in Sport 7. Hobbyist Play 8. Whither the Interdisciplinary Study of Play and Leisure?