American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas

This momentous four-volume work examines and details the cultural aspects of sport and how sport pervasively reflects--and affects--myriad aspects of American society from the early 1900s to the present day. Written in a straightforward, readable manner, the entries cover both historical and contemporary aspects of sport and American culture. Unlike purely historical encyclopedias on sports, the contributions within these volumes cover related subject matter such as poetry, novels, music, films, plays, television shows, art and artists, mythologies, artifacts, and people.

While this encyclopedia set is ideal for general readers who need information on the diverse aspects of sport in American culture for research purposes or are merely reading for enjoyment, the detailed nature of the entries will also prove useful as an initial source for scholars of sport and American culture. Each entry provides a number of both print and online resources for further investigation of the topic.

Murry R. Nelson, PhD, is professor emeritus of education and American Studies at Penn State University, University Park. He holds a doctorate from Stanford University.