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bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
This is between a 3.5 and a 4 but I am choosing 4 as I think I learned a fair amount from this book. It is definitely written from a "leftist" perspective. Not extreme, though, as the writer uses factual information and then takes his spin on it. Fascinating chapter on the role of Egyptian soccer fans - the "ultras" - on the Arab spring, and the fate of athletes in other Arab countries who dared to speak out. The politics of the Olympics and World Cup, and the destruction of poor neighborhoods, the financial burden on host countries etc. to fund these spectaculars. We saw Londoners complain that it was impossible for locals to get tickets. Last summer, Brazil erupted in protests in many cities about the World Cup preparations that were emptying local coffers. This story is not included as the book was published in Jan. 2013. The Brazilian protests got very little coverage in the US but were massive. I followed the news online as 2 cities where I have close friends were seriously impacted. Lots of info that is critical of the economics of big sports including one of my complaints that taxpayers pay for stadiums for there gazillionaire franchises. Also shows that though some athletes are millionaires, this really disguises the exploitation of so many athletes. Also great chapters on gender bias and homophobia in sports.
prcizmadia's review against another edition
4.0
If you don't think that sports and politics are intertwined, then you DEFINITELY need to read this book and get your head right. Sports ARE politics, and this book shows you why. This is a whirlwind world tour, literally, of how politics are informed by sports, and sports are informed by politics. Zirin is firing on all cylinders, tackling the biggest social currents of the day and how they interplay with the sports world, and he does it with equal parts humor and passion. But you never lose sight of the people and problems that we are facing today.
I had previously read 'A People's History of Sports' and while it is an impressive and complete piece of work, I found this to have more of the trademark Zirin style. Maybe this didn't have the weight of history, and he could write more freely and with more verve, as the topics are extremely relevant to today. I definitely learned a lot, and really like the linkages that Zirin paints from yesterday, to today, to tomorrow. I would recommend this to anyone with a passion for sports and what they mean to our life and society.
I had previously read 'A People's History of Sports' and while it is an impressive and complete piece of work, I found this to have more of the trademark Zirin style. Maybe this didn't have the weight of history, and he could write more freely and with more verve, as the topics are extremely relevant to today. I definitely learned a lot, and really like the linkages that Zirin paints from yesterday, to today, to tomorrow. I would recommend this to anyone with a passion for sports and what they mean to our life and society.
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
4.0
This book was published in 2013 and it's honestly sad how much has not changed. Overall a good read.
lmdo's review
5.0
There's a lot of opinion in this book. But that's okay, I like my sports how I like my politics, with a lot of opinion. The main focus of the book is on America (from the NFL to baseball and the NBA and NCAA) but it also touches on the Olympics/World Cup, the Arab Spring, gender and racism too.
At times, I thought the book could have been written better, and certainly it could have had a better closing, or maybe even an overall narrative structure. There aren't that many books out there about politics and sports though, and for that alone I would recommend this book. But really, despite my minor criticism, you should read this book because Zirin will connect some dots that you didn't even realise could be connected.
At times, I thought the book could have been written better, and certainly it could have had a better closing, or maybe even an overall narrative structure. There aren't that many books out there about politics and sports though, and for that alone I would recommend this book. But really, despite my minor criticism, you should read this book because Zirin will connect some dots that you didn't even realise could be connected.
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