As a visible marker of globalization, the increased role of travel and tourism in our lives makes it a remarkable force in contemporary culture. Deconstructing Travel provides an easily understood framework of the relationship between travel and culture in our rapidly changing postmodern, postcolonial world. Beginning with an examination of classical expeditions in mythology, history, and literatures, Arthur Asa Berger explores the role of travel in contemporary lives, from university travel-abroad programs to package tours and family vacations. This volume is a highly-engaging look into why people travel, examining travel and tourism as a cultural phenomenon through social, cultural, psychological, and economic forces.

"Berger approaches his subject not as a scientist, peering through the microscope to produce a precise dissection but as an artist, and then not a miniaturist but as a presenter of landscapes brought to our attention by a collection of bold brush strokes borrowed for present purposes from any number of schools and pressed into service to create a wonderfully evocative and interesting pastiche. . . Berger is at his best when discussing travel writing." - Tourist Studies