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Playing tough : the world of sports and politics / Roger I. Abrams
Edited by Northeastern University Press - 2013
"Playing tough" is an entertaining and thoroughly enlightening look at the unique and surprisingly outsized role that sports have played in politics and history. Ever since the bread and circuses of Rome, sports have been used as a tool to entertain the masses and to instill civic pride. Abrams shows both the positive and the negative ways in which sports and politics have coalesced.
Sports and politics -- Early baseball and the urban political machine -- The Nazi Olympic triumph -- The war of the world: Joe Louis v. Max Schmeling -- The "futbol war" of Central America -- Muhammad Ali and the symbols of politics -- Olympic boycotts and international relations -- Sports and South African liberation -- Hardball in city hall: public financing of sports stadiums -- Conclusion.