A People's History of Sports in the US Press Release
A people’s history of sports
in the united states
BY DAVE ZIRIN
THE NEW PRESS / SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
FROM THE AUTHOR ROBERT LIPSYTE CALLS “THE BEST YOUNG SPORTSWRITER IN AMERICA,” A ROLLICKING, REBELLIOUS, MYTH-BUSTING HISTORY OF SPORTS IN AMERICA THAT PUTS POLITICS IN THE RING WITH POP CULTURE
Sports and politics may appear in different sections of the morning newspaper but that doesn’t mean they necessarily belong in different universes. With A PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF SPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES: 250 Years of Politics, Protest, People, and Play sportswriter Dave Zirin aims to expose and explain the way politics and sports have always walked arm in arm: sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Having already tackled such subjects like Muhammad Ali and Pat Tillman in his previous books, in A PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF SPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES Zirin examines sports as a reflection of the political conflicts that shape American society. It’s a book that unabashedly stands with the tradition of rebel athletes, sports writers, and fans, critiquing the way sports have been used by people in power to stoke the fires of war, corporate control, racism, sexism, and homophobia.
In
this long-awaited book from a rising superstar of sports writing,
whose blog “The Edge of Sports,” is read each week by thousands
of people across the country, Zirin offers a riotously entertaining
chronicle of larger-than-life sporting characters and dramatic
contests and what amounts to an alternative history of the United
States as seen through the games its people played. Through Zirin’s
eyes, sports are never mere games, but a reflection of the political
conflicts that shape American society. Informed
by bloggers, columnists, and historians alike, Zirin’s style is
like no other—truly accessible and incisive—and his message and
words stimulate the mind and enhance our pleasure and knowledge of
the games. Zirin has garnered accolades from Nikki Giovanni to Jeff
Chang to Robert Lippsyte to Jim Bouton, who says of the book, “Put
this first in the line of sports books on your shelf. It will help
make sense of all the others.” As
Jeff Chang, author of Can’t
Stop Won’t Stop,
puts it, “After you read him, you’ll never see sports the same
way again.”
A
PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF SPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES
is a must-read for fans and athletes—by political people who hate
sports and sports fans who hate politics.
Praise for Dave Zirin:
“If there was an award for ‘Most Valuable Sportswriter,’ I would vote for Dave Zirin. His writing combines vivid narrative, good humor, impressive knowledge of the game, and a keen awareness of the connection between sports and the world outside.” –Howard Zinn
“Finally, the long awaited prequel to all the sports books you’ve ever read…. Dave Zirin’s writing is the opening shot in the battle to reclaim sports.” –Jim Bouton, Author of Ball Four
“This is the one sports book we all need—an insight into the joy and anguish, the pressures, and the pleasures.” –Nikki G, Distinguished Professor of English, Virginia Tech
“…a masterpiece of activist journalism and scholarship.” –Jeremy Schaap, Author of Cinderella Man and Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics
“…this is an independent-minded, rowdy, rampant, insightful, and above all, truthful book.”
–Sally Jenkins, Author of The Real All Americans
“Perhaps the best young sportswriter in the United States today. Zirin is the only person my fifteen-year-old, basketball-loving daughter reads on The Nation.com.” –Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Editor & Publisher of The Nation
“You have to read Dave Zirin to believe him, and if you read him, you will believe him.”–Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated
“Zirin has an amazing talent for covering the sports and politics beat. Ranging like a great shortstop, he scoops up everything!” –Matt Rothschild, Editor of The Progressive
Dave Zirin is
the author of three books, including What’s
My Name Fool!
and Welcome
to the Terrordome.
He writes the popular weekly online sports column “The Edge of
Sports” and is a regular contributor to SI.com, The Nation, SLAM,
and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Takoma Park, Maryland. For
more information, visit www.edgeofsports.com.
A People’s History of Sports in the United States
by Dave Zirin
The New Press / September 9, 2008
Hardcover / $26.95 / 320 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59558-100-6
13 Reader Comments | Add a comment
I just received it and I'm putting down the other three books I was reading (one of which is 'what's my name fool!') currently! Z on 3, 1-2-3-Z, Break! =P
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-J.
as i am very inquisitive type of person please inform me about the early updates.
I listened to you on Seattle public radio and will for sure see you tonight at the Town Hall lecture. You should teach a methods course so we can all work to uncover the historical (and current day) mechanisms of oppression in American society. Your work is soooo cool.
Thanks.
Bonnie
I'm in the middle of reading Welcome to the Terrordome, and I'm so grateful for a writer like you.
I'm currently writing about my favorite choreographer's ill-received American debut at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Arts Festival -- and upon finding your book on the shelves at the store, thought it could be great tangential material.
The body, movement and politics has always been up my alley. My father was an acrobat, and as a little girl he always supported my athletic achievement.
Partly from having Argentinean roots, and being first-generation in the US, I am also deeply political. Your voice is an inspiration to me....need any interns?
Hello. And Bye.
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13 Reader Comments | Add a comment
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Dave Zirin is the author of the book: "Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics and Promise of Sports" (Haymarket). You can receive his column Edge of Sports, every week by going to dave@edgeofsports.com.
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Please donate whatever amount you can, however small..
For $50 you get an autographed copy of What's My Name Fool? Sports and Resistance in the United States.
For $100 you get an autographed copy of A People's History of Sports in the United States.
For $200 or more, you get both books, and will be automatically entered into a drawing to be a guest on Sirius/XM's Edge of Sports Radio show!
For others that want to be a part of the drawing, email dave@edgeofsports.com
