Sports in America

by James A. Michener

Vintage paperback

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, History, Cultural

Mass Market Paperback

First published May 12, 1976

About the author

James Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel, Tales of the South Pacific , which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.

Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.

Reviews

[John Baker]

Read this book 20+ years ago. It should be required reading for all sports junkies as well as athletes planning a career in sports. The chapter on collegian sports in America was well-researched, spot on and worth the purchase price.
I gave this book to a friend's son as he was going off to college to play Division 1 football several years ago. Recently, he called to thank me for the gift, which broadened his perspective on sports and life. He currently is a brand manager at ESPN.

[Doug]

This was written in the mid 70s so it was kind of dated. In many ways not. A lot of Michener's suggestions for fixes in American sports would be relevant today, meaning not enough changes for the better have been made in the last 50 years. Michener can never be accused of not researching enough. In fact the reading became cumbersome at times with too many statistics, but overall this book is very informative.

[Sam]

While this is a thorough review of sports in America, much of its material is dated with the inferred results being of less value than when the book was written. However, since I have read nearly everything else that Mr. Michener had written, I wanted to read this work as well, and as always, his style of writing was enjoyed as his use of prose is rarely in evidence by today’s authors.

[Kathy]

Interesting theories, especially regarding black atheles (best specimens from Africa, survival of the fittest on slave ships, desire to get out of the ghetto, etc.)

[Sharron]

This was actually used as a textbook for a class I took way back in undergrad days. Best textbook ever.

[Mark Carroll]

Good nonfiction from Michener. I enjoyed this one during my college years!

[Kirsten Schweppe]

Dated but a lot of relevant themes still today

[Lon]

While it may seem a bit dated, this is one of the finest sports books on the market. Well worth the effort.

[Nancy (Apple) Schnore]

Well I am not into sports

[Len Knighton]

I read this many years ago and I seem to remember that I was a little disappointed in it.

[Hal Brodsky]

Reading this book caused me to help lead a peaceful protest movement in college, trying to get my college to drop to a lower NCAA division.

[OutsideOfTheTrack]

Read this for school, if you're interested in sports and law I would recommend it.

[Brady]

Interesting, but a bit soap-boxes-ish for me. Calm down James!

[David Barney]

outstanding

[Andrew]

This book puts a whole new definition the the world of sports!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!