American Sport in International History: The United States and the World since 1865

This book explores how American sports, particularly basketball, baseball, and American football, have projected the US into the world and brought the world into America, tracing the development of sports from the turn of the 20th century. It argues that sport has often mirrored social issues and served as an important tool of progress, studying boxing, hockey, track and field, and soccer alongside the 'big three' through case studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This captivating book delves into the profound impact of American sports, particularly basketball, baseball, and American football, on projecting the United States into the global arena and bringing the world into America. Adopting a chronological approach, it traces the evolution of American sports from the turn of the 20th century, highlighting how international forces such as immigration, geopolitics, and war have shaped the trajectory of sport in the United States and, consequently, the American experience. DuBois also explores the globalization of American sport, examining how this soft power has shaped international relations throughout the American century. Addressing critical questions about the role of sport in the rise of the United States, the book frames themes that have come to define sports history, including gender, race, economics, and politics. It argues that while sport may not have always been a catalyst for change, it has often reflected societal issues and, at times, served as a powerful tool for progress. By synthesizing major works alongside primary sources, the chapters delve into various aspects of American sport history, including boxing, hockey, track and field, and soccer, alongside the iconic "big three" (basketball, baseball, and American football). Through a series of case studies, the book offers a fresh interpretation of American sport history, spanning from early Native American sports to the export of baseball in the American empire, the role of basketball in the Cold War, the influence of immigrants and women in sports, and the contemporary sport culture. American Sport in International History poses the essential question: What has been the role of sport and what will it be in a changing international environment? This insightful exploration provides valuable insights into the multifaceted relationship between sports, society, and global dynamics.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 137 x 234 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350134706