Capital Sporting Grounds: A History of Stadium and Ballpark Construction in Washington, D.C.

by Brett L. Abrams

Politics is nothing new to Washington, D.C., even in the arena marked with base paths and outfield grass. The stadium for the expansion Washington Nationals baseball team cost over $600 million and while opponents decried the waste of taxpayer money, supporters promised the stadium would stimulate economic development. Land swaps, closed-door deals, and valuable parking-lot strategies were as complex as any game plan employed on the diamond. The district's past stadiums, tracks and Olympics facilities are archived and described in this history, along with their political backdrops. The book features numerous drawings and photographs.

296 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2008

About the author

As a kid I read biographies and histories because I wanted to know what people did. Then I peppered my parents with the question, "Why?" I pursued that passion earning a doctorate in U.S. History. decades ago. Now I write books about what people did, and how the culture they lived in helped or hindered their achievements.

American culture's fascination with celebrity and uproar with Southern culture sparked me to write my latest book called Terry Bradshaw: From Super Bowl Champion to Television Personality.

Since I was always interested in transgressive sexuality, my first book looked at these images that came out of the movie industry during the 1920s and 1930s. It's called, Hollywood Bohemians.

I enjoy Washington, D.C. immensely with so much great development and more excitement added to this city. The baseball stadium made me wonder about the city's history of built and proposed stadiums. This work led to a second book, Capital Sporting Grounds.

The unlucky status of Washington's basketball history led to my third book, The Bullets, The Wizards and Washington, DC Basketball.