Synopses & Reviews
This fully illustrated atlas charts and profiles the worldand#8217;s major competitive sports and the profits that flow from their commercial development. From the U.S.Aand#151;baseball, football, basketball, boxing, car racing, and moreand#151;to Peland#233;and#8217;s and#147;beautiful gameand#8221; of international soccer, Alan Tomlinson paints sportand#8217;s big picture. He traces its emergence in modern forms, including those events recognized by the International Olympic Committee, and less well-known sports that have their own cultural bases and commercial momentum. In four colorful sections, the book maps major sporting events, follows financial ebbs and flows, notes political uses and abuses, highlights media attention, and provides case studies of global superstars. A handy and#147;A-Z of Sportsand#8221; maps key indicators and historical influences for each of 30 majors, and includes controversies such as cheating, drug use, and betting scandals. Finally, the atlas captures the full flavor of sportand#8217;s contribution to national and international cultures with country profiles noting the main strengths, notable achievements, and key events.
Review
and#8220;This beautifully designed and fully illustrated atlas profiles the worldand#8217;s major competitive sports, their political uses and abuses, and the profits that flow from their commercial development.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;[A] book for sports fans of all ages. . . . Highly recommended.and#8221;
Review
“[A] book for sports fans of all ages. . . . Highly recommended.” R. J. Krajewski
About the Author
Alan Tomlinson is Professor of Leisure Studies and Director of Research in the Research and Graduate College of Sport, Chelsea School, University of Brighton, UK. He is the author of Sport and Leisure Cultures and A Dictionary of Sports Studies.