Full Description
"This superbly written volume will appeal to sports and physical education students; researchers in foreign policy, gender studies, history, politics, sociology, and technology; and general high school and college readers who enjoy the odd sports history factoid."
- Library Journal
Sports have become an international spectacle that influences nations' foreign policy, world economies, and regional morale. Hundreds of billions of dollars are at stake as governments and multinational corporations rush to make sure they have a place at the table. And yet, sports come from humble beginnings. We are fascinated by who can run the fastest, lift the most weight, jump the highest, swim the farthest, and act with the most precision. The history of sports is the history of the world.
Each chapter features one sport and details that sport's origins, global migration, economic forces, media influences, political environment, pop-culture inspirations, scandalous moments, and key individuals. Sports history is a tapestry of sociological variables; this text weaves them together to create a unique history book that explains not only where humanity has been, but where it might be going.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Entries
Action Sports
Archery
Australian Rules Football
Auto Racing
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bodybuilding
Bowling
Boxing
Bullfighting
Cricket
Cross-Country Skiing
Curling
Cycling
Diving
E-Sports
Field Hockey
Figure Skating
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Handball
Horse Racing
Ice Hockey
Jai Alai
Kabaddi
Kickboxing
Lacrosse
Marathon
Mixed Martial Arts
Olympics
Ping-Pong
Rodeo
Rowing/Crew
Rugby
Sailing and Yachting
Soccer
Softball
Speed Skating
Squash
Sumo
Surfing
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Water Polo
Weightlifting and Powerlifting
Wrestling
Bibliography
Bibliography by Sport
Index
