Published books
Sports in American Life: A History
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3rd edition of “Sports in American Life: A history, written by Richard O. Davies. The 500 page book is broken into 14 chapters. The chapters discuss essential aspects of American sports history such as the early creation of organized sports and the development of professional leagues. Many different sports are covered, ranging from amateur to college to professional. As well as individual sports like boxing. This is a great resource for patrons looking to add to their reading list.
Soccer in a Football world : The Story of America’s Forgotten Game
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A book written by David Wangerin, available for three through Google Scholar. The book was published in 2006 so all information is as accurate as it was back then. The book highlights the rise and fall of US soccer on a global stage and the development of the pivotal MLS league.
Breaking Barriers: A History of Integration in Professional Sports
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Book is available online through uAlbany’s library and EBSCO. Written and published in 2019 by author Douglas Stark. It discusses the integration of black players into professional basketball, starting in 1902 up into modern times. It also gives further context by analyzing this process in larger societal view amid racial and social tensions in the United States.
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Making the Majors: The transformation of Team Sports in America
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A book written by Eric M. Leifer, published in 1995. Focused on baseball, football, hockey, basketball, and the development of the leagues. He also spends time discussing the future of each league and predicts how they will change. His is a good resource for users to help learn the origins and development of team sports.
American Sports: from the age of folk games to the age of televised sports - 6th edition
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The 6th edition of the series, published in 2009, analyzes a history of sports in America beginning in the colonial era to the present. Again, the latest edition was published in 2009, 15 years ago, so there may not have all the up to date and accurate information a patron is seeking. It may be of special interest to those seeking to understand sports in a societal context as the book delves into the relationship between sports and gender, class, and other social constructs.