Filled with insightful analysis and compelling arguments, American History through American Sports: From Colonial Lacrosse to Extreme Sports considers the influence of sports on popular culture and spotlights the fascinating ways in which sports culture and American culture intersect.
This three-volume collection blends historical and popular culture perspectives in its analysis of the development of sports and sports figures throughout American history. American History through American Sports is unique in that it focuses on how each sport has transformed and influenced society at large, demonstrating how sports and popular culture are intrinsically entwined and the ways they both reflect larger societal transformations.
The essays in the book are wide-ranging, covering topics of interest for sports fans who enjoy the NFL and NASCAR, as well as those who like tennis and watching the Olympics. Many topics feature information about specific sports icons and favorite heroes. Many of the topics prompt engagement by purposely challenging the reader to either agree or disagree with the author's analysis.
Basketball in America: From the Playgrounds to Jordan’s Game and Beyond is a pioneering analysis of the history of basketball and its effect on popular culture from the 1970s to today.
The popularity of basketball is undeniable, and the subject allows for such a broad range of interpretations in popular culture. It cuts across economic, racial, and social boundaries, and its major stars cross over into other forms of popular entertainment more than any other professional sport. This book examines the entire scope of modern basketball history, from the playgrounds, where people first learn the fundamentals, to the college and professional levels.
Basketball in America is a collection of essays that explores the intersection of basketball and popular culture in America. The contributors are an eclectic mix of writers, scholars, journalists, former players, coaches, and sports enthusiasts who all share an undying love for the game of basketball. The authors analyze the sport from a cross-cultural and historical perspective—digging deep into the profound popular cultural influences of basketball and exploring the scope and depth of its influence. This is the first book that examines the social and cultural impact of basketball on American society to reveal how tightly it is woven into America’s cultural fabric. Also included are photographs and tables to enhance your understanding of the material.
Topics covered include:
• Elgin Baylor—the first “modern” basketball player
• Chocolate Thunder and Short Shorts: The NBA in the 1970s
• Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Jordan, and the Bad Boys: The NBA in the 1980s
• The Jordan Era: The NBA in the 1990s
• LeBron James and the future of the NBA
• the Nike brand and popular culture
• lessons learned from legendary UNC coach Dean Smith
• professional women’s basketball
Basketball in America is a comprehensive analysis that will appeal to anyone interested in understanding how the sport has become an integral part of our national culture. It is an insightful read for sports fans as well as for sports historians. In addition, this book can be used as a textbook in sports history or sociology of sports classes. It will entertain and inform those who treasure basketball and the role it plays in the American consciousness.
“Fascinating...Must Reading for anyone interested in the interconnection between basketball and popular culture.”