Sports in America

by James A. Michener

Originally published in 1976, James A. Michener’s explosive, spectacular Sports in America is a prescient examination of the crisis in American sports that is still unfolding to this day. Pro basketball players are banned for narcotics use, while a Major League pitcher is arrested for smuggling drugs across the Mexican border. The NFL’s “injury report” grows longer every Sunday. Corruption and recruiting violations plague collegiate sports as the “winning is everything” mentality trickles down to the Little League level. With his lifelong enthusiasm for sports in evidence, the incomparable Michener tackles this subject thoroughly and leaves us amazed and appalled by what we’ve learned, yet still loving the games we grew up on.
 
Praise for Sports in America
 
“A comprehensive, controversial examination of sports as a major force in American life.” — Los Angeles Times
 
“Michener’s life was saved by sports twice. In return, he has issued a long, lovingly critical, prodigiously researched account of the passions and politics of America at organized play. Rich in anecdote, source material and his own shrewd commentary.” — The New York Times Book Review
 
“Like just about everything James Michener has produced, Sports in America is a thoughtful, well-written document that’s thoroughly researched. . . . For anyone interested in how the ball bounces in the U.S. of A., the answers are all here.” — The Wall Street Journal
 
“Encyclopedic . . . amusing and sometimes alarming.” — The Washington Post

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, History, Cultural

560 pages, 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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Mark Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Kirsten Schweppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but a lot of relevant themes still today

[Lon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I am not into sports

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Hal Brodsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[David Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

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