Home › Social Science › The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Booksto
  • The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Booksto by Ray Oldenburg book cover
  • The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Booksto by Ray Oldenburg book cover
1 2

The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Booksto

by Ray Oldenburg

Be the first to review this book

Where community takes shape

$40.39 USD
$53.86 USD $40.39 USD
Save 25%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.
Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

Where community takes shape

Ray Oldenburg’s account centers on “third places”: informal gathering spots outside home and work, including cafés, bookstores, bars, and hair salons. The book examines their history and role in everyday public life, connecting shared conversation and company with community belonging, individual well-being, and grassroots democracy. It also draws on examples from around the world and considers how such places can be created or revitalized, making the subject relevant both as a social idea and as a question of local civic life.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in sociology and social theory.
  • People curious about the role of cafés, bookstores, and other public gathering places in community life.
  • Community organizers or local residents exploring how shared spaces can be developed or revitalized.

Themes

Third places and informal public lifeCommunity belonging and well-beingGrassroots democracyThe history and evolution of gathering places

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Embark on a journey that will change your perspective on community and individual well-being. In The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg gave the term "third places," where people gather for the pleasure of good company and conversation, and explained just how important they are.

  • Discover the benefits of informal public and civic life and how it contributes to community health and individual well-being.
  • Explore how third places have been, and still are, vital to grassroots democracy.
  • Experience the power of third places and how they bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
  • Allow this book to inspire you to create and revitalize your own third places, from coffee houses to community centers, and make a positive impact on your community.
  • Learn from real-life examples around the world, and see how third places have transformed and revitalized communities.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of third places, from coffee houses to bookstores, and how they continue to play a vital role in our society.

Discover the power and potential of third places and how they can change your community and your life. Don't miss out on this new edition of the original, groundbreaking The Great Good Place.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

You may also like

View all