Taking an innovative and alternative approach to the fascinating topic of the body, this book offers a lively and comprehensive introduction to the main themes and issues that have emerged in the study of the body over recent years. It includes sections on: ethnographies of the body bodies of performance technological bodies raving bodies/shifting socialites the ageing performing body. Thomas illustrates the complex relationships that exist between the body, society and everyday life, by linking current theory to the body through a series of case studies. These case studies range across a variety of cultural settings such as film, theatre, dance and sport, offering a colourful basis to the discussion of the theory and methodology which underlies the body.