Floodlights and Touchlines: A History of Spectator Sport

Rob Steen (Author)

Hardback ~~$42.00~~ $37.80 Ebook (PDF) $29.40 Ebook (Epub & Mobi) $29.40

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Description

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2014

Spectator sport is living, breathing, non-stop theatre for all.
Focusing on spectator sports and their accompanying issues, tracing their origins, evolution and impact, inside the lines and beyond the boundary, this book offers a thematic history of professional sport and the ingredients that magnetise millions around the globe.

It tells the stories that matter: from the gladiators of Rome to the runners of Rift Valley via the innovator-missionaries of Rugby School; from multi-faceted British exports to the Americanisation of professionalism and the Indianisation of cricket. Rob Steen traces the development of these sports which captivate the turnstile millions and the mouse-clicking masses, addressing their key themes and commonalities, from creation myths to match fixing via race, politics, sexuality and internationalism.

Insightful and revelatory, this is an entertaining exploration of spectator sports' intrinsic place in culture and how sport imitates life – and life imitates sport.

Introduction: It's Only Bats And Balls (But We Like It) - Why Spectator Sport Matters More Than It Did (And More Than It Should)
1.The Sound (And Fury) Of The Crowd: Sport and Spectators
2.Class Wars: How Spectator Sport Began
3.Odds and Sods: Sport and Gambling
4.Ringmasters Inc: Sport and Governance
5.Sport and Professionalism
I From “Gentlemen” to Shamateurs
II Pride and Prejudice
6.Well-Paid Slaves: Sport and Players' Rights
7.The Us Syndrome: Sport and Internationalism
8.Reluctant Partners: Sport and Politics
9.No Normal Sport In An Abnormal Society: Sport and Race
I – Disunited States
II - For the Common Wealth
10.The Grass Ceiling: Sport and Sexuality

Product details

Published	Jul 31 2014
Format	Hardback
Edition	1st
Extent	544
ISBN	9781408152157
Imprint	Bloomsbury Sport
Illustrations	8 page black and white plate section.photographs, illustrations and documents
Dimensions	234 x 156 mm
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Rob Steen

Rob Steen is an award-winning author, sportswriter…

In his deftly-written and engrossing new book, Rob Steen reminds us again why, beneath the floodlights and along the touchlines, sport has consumed so many of us for so long. It's as compelling as your favourite sporting memory – and more informative and amusing.

Don McRae, The Guardian
I believe that you will never fully understand the game behind the game without reading Floodlights and Touchlines. Rob Steen is the perfect guide to take you through this remarkable history.

Dr John Carlos, 1968 Olympian, medal stand protester
Rob Steen's intoxication with sport's dramatic qualities, his familiarity with the sporting scene on both sides of the Atlantic and his writing verve all shine through in this penetrating study.

Nick Pitt, The Sunday Times
Rob's obstinate belief that sport and thought are not incompatible is an inspiration to us all.

Simon Barnes, Chief Sportswriter for The Times
Floodlights and Touchlines is a triumph. People who dismiss sports as mindless entertainment need to read this. People who love sports but find their ardor doesn't extend beyond the numbers, need to read this as well. The sports world is better for its publication.

Dave Zirin, Sports Editor of The Nation and author of Brazil's Dance with the Devil
Rob Steen is the wittiest and most astringent English-language sportswriter. And this book provides a brilliant narrative of spectator sport. Internationalist, progressive, cosmopolitan, yet earthy, it is an instant classic.

Toby Miller, author of SportSex