Reading Football: How the Popular Press Created an American Spectacle

Cultural Studies of the United States

by Michael Oriard

The first contemporary book about football's formative years. Oriard, a former professional football player, examines how American football changed from a game to be played to a game to be watched.

Genres: History, Sports, Nonfiction, Football, Journalism, Cultural Studies

Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

when i interviewed oriard a few years ago, the discussion was focused on his memoir the end of autumn, which i had just read and which was very good (https://www.splicetoday.com/sports/th...). i'd also read his then-recent book on ncaa football as an economic/cultural institution...but that book was fairly matter of fact and didn't showcase how good a scholar this guy was. here, oriard ranges across nearly the whole of 19th century popular literature on football (because it was possible to assemble these texts - which won't be the case for the follow-up on the 1920s and beyond, "king football"), using the sport as a way of understanding various conflicting meanings about american culture more broadly (masculinity in flux or crisis, play vs. sport, scientific management vs. individual skill, etc.). exceptional work, including a lit review at the beginning that should serve as the model for how to write sections that are usually just tacked-on makework BS (I refused to include one in my dissertation; too boring for the reader). highly recommended.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider this to be the best book about football ever written. Oriard explains how football emerges due to the efforts of some very dedicated people with surprisingly articulate about what they hoped the larger social implications of their efforts would be. I've assigned this book to students, who are usually shocked by the casual and frequent assertions of white supremacy.

[Raving Redcoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at how the early press influenced the game we know today. Very readable!