Understanding American Sports

Co-authored by two of the world's foremost experts on sports culture, one American and one European, this book draws on both the outsider's perspective and that of the insider to explain American sports culture. With extensive use of examples and illustrations, the development of American sport from the 19 th century until the present day is explained with reference to political, social, gender and economic issues.

Gerald R. Gems is Professor of Health and Physical Education, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois, USA. He is past President of the North American Society for Sport History. Gertrud Pfister is Professor of Sport and Social Sciences at the Institute for Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She was President of the International Society for the History of Physical Education and Sport (1984-2000) and President of the International Sport Sociology Association (2004-2008).