A riotously entertaining chronicle of larger-than-life sporting characters and dramatic contests, this is an alternative political history of the United States as seen through the games its people played. Replete with surprises for seasoned sports, it will also amaze anyone interested in history with the connections Zirin draws between politics and sports. A groundbreaking book, it looks at the history of sports in the US through the lens of politics and culture, and shows how athlete-rebels have used sports for social and political change.
The author delivers a humorous yet incisive critique of the sports industry, highlighting how corporate greed and corrupt practices are financially draining cities and undermining the integrity of beloved sports. Drawing from his previous work, he combines engaging storytelling with a pointed analysis of the complex relationship between big business and sports, making a compelling case for change in the industry.
Tells the story of Muhammad Ali, an extraordinary human being who has always
evoked some of the most extreme reactions - ranging from love and adulation to
vitriolic hate. This book features essays on Ali's childhood in Louisville,
his emergence as the most gifted boxer ever known, his conversion to Islam,
and his anti-Vietnam War stand.
Exploring the intersection of sports and politics, this book reveals how contemporary issues of class, race, religion, and power dynamics play out in the sports arena. Zirin examines significant controversies, from the NFL lockout to the Penn State scandal, and highlights the struggles of marginalized athletes for acceptance and rights. He emphasizes the resurgence of athlete activism against corporate dominance in sports. With a mix of insightful analysis and compelling narratives, it serves as a critical examination of the evolving role of sports in society.
Riveting and inspiring first-person stories of how "taking a knee" triggered an awakening in sports, from the celebrated sportswriter In 2016, amid an epidemic of police shootings of African Americans, the celebrated NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a series of quiet protests on the field, refusing to stand during the U.S. national anthem. By "taking a knee," Kaepernick bravely joined a long tradition of American athletes making powerful political statements. This time, however, Kaepernick's simple act spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming the preeminent symbol of resistance to America's persistent racial inequality.Critically acclaimed sports journalist and author of A People's History of Sports in the United States, Dave Zirin chronicles "the Kaepernick effect" for the first time, through interviews with a broad cross-section of professional athletes across many different sports, college stars and high-powered athletic directors, and high school athletes and coaches. In each case, he uncovers the fascinating explanations and motivations behind a mass political movement in sports, through deeply personal and inspiring accounts of risk-taking, activism, and courage both on and off the field.A book about the politics of sport, and the impact of sports on politics, The Kaepernick Effect is for anyone seeking to understand an essential dimension of the new movement for racial justice in America.
The World Cup, the Olympics, and the Struggle for Democracy
200pages
7 heures de lecture
One of the Boston Globe 's "Best Sports Books of 2014" As the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games approach, ordinary Brazilians are holding the country's biggest protest marches in decades. Sports journalist Dave Zirin traveled to Brazil to find out why. In a rollicking read that travels from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to the fabled Maracanã Stadium, Zirin examines how athletic mega-events turn into neoliberal Trojan horses.
