A comprehensive reference work on the development of athletics in the United States; this encyclopedia examines the sporting experience of Native Americans, African Americans and the immigrant groups of the United States from Colonial times to the present. It includes entries on racial and ethnic groups, ethnic sports, mainstream sports, ethnic and racial institutions and famous sports figures.

The category of ethnic sports includes games and pastimes that Native American Indians and immigrants have played to help preserve their ancestral traditions and cultural identity in the United States. The articles on mainstream sports chronicle and analyze the participation and contribution of racial and immigrant groups in the most popular pastimes that evolved from early English folk games or contests (such as baseball, football, and boxing), to American inventions (basketball). The book also includes entries on racial and ethnic sporting clubs, leagues, and institutions, as well as prominent athletes, sportswriters, officials, and managers. References follow each entry and there is also a selected bibliography at the end of the book that lists the most useful secondary sources in the fields of race and ethnicity in American sports. This book will not only be a valuable resource for both academic and public libraries, but also for collections in sports associations and ethnic groups.

Review

?[h]ighly recommended?-MultiCultural Review

?Belongs in reference sections of all libraries.?-Society for German Studies Newsletter

?No other encyclopedia so systematically covers sports and ethnicity. Recommended for public and academic libraries.?-Choice

?Recommended for high schools.?-Blanche Woolls and David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

?This book will make a fine reference addition to nearly any public or academic library collection and is easy to recommend.?-Reference & User Services Quarterly

?[h]ighly recommended??MultiCultural Review

?Belongs in reference sections of all libraries.??Society for German Studies Newsletter

?Recommended for high schools.??Blanche Woolls and David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

"Ýh¨ighly recommended"-MultiCultural Review

"[h]ighly recommended"-MultiCultural Review

"Belongs in reference sections of all libraries."-Society for German Studies Newsletter

"No other encyclopedia so systematically covers sports and ethnicity. Recommended for public and academic libraries."-Choice

"Recommended for high schools."-Blanche Woolls and David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

"This book will make a fine reference addition to nearly any public or academic library collection and is easy to recommend."-Reference & User Services Quarterly

About the Author

GEORGE B. KIRSCH is Chairman, Professor of History at Manhattan College./e

OTHELLO HARRIS is Chair Associate Professor of Physical Education, Health, and Sports Studies at Miami University of Ohio./e

CLAIRE E. NOLTE is Associate Professor of History at Manhattan College./e