{"product_id":"hotel-an-american-history-9780300106169","title":"Hotel: An American History","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen George Washington embarked on his presidential tours of 178991  the rudimentary inns and taverns of the day suddenly seemed dismally inadequate. But within a decade  Americans had built the first hotelslarge and elegant structures that boasted private bedchambers and grand public ballrooms. This book recounts the enthralling history of the hotel in Americaa saga in which politicians and prostitutes  tourists and tramps  conventioneers and confidence men  celebrities and salesmen all rub elbows. Hotel explores why the hotel was invented  how its architecture developed  and the many ways it influenced the course of United States history. The volume also presents a beautiful collection of more than 120 illustrations  many in full color  of hotel life in every era.  Hotel explores these topics and more:  What it was like to sleep  eat  and socialize at a hotel in the mid-1800s  How hotelkeepers dealt with the illicit activities of adulterers  thieves  and violent guests  The stories behind Americas greatest hotels  including the Waldorf-Astoria  the Plaza  the Willard  the Blackstone  and the Fairmont  Why Confederate spies plotted to burn down thirteen hotels in New York City during the Civil War  How the development of steamboats and locomotives helped create a nationwide network of hotels  How hotels became architectural models for apartment buildings  The pivotal role of hotels in the civil rights movement\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647906701365,"sku":"ByrdShop_0300106165","price":34.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780300106169.jpg?v=1781699715","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/hotel-an-american-history-9780300106169","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}