Sport in Australia: A Social History

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Sport in Australia: A Social History
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Wray Vamplew
Edited by Brian Stoddart
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:364
Dimensions(mm): Height 244,Width 170
Category/GenreSports and outdoor recreation
ISBN/Barcode 9780521071352
ClassificationsDewey:306.4830994
Audience
General
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations 42 Halftones, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 28 August 2008
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Australia is often seen as a sport-obsessed nation, its people besotted with watching and playing sport. This book is an exciting survey of Australia's sporting life since white settlement. It deals comprehensively with the history of a range of individual sports in Australia, including cricket, horse-racing, netball, rowing, tennis, lawn bowls, swimming and surfing and the various football codes. Leading sports historians look at the impact of professionalization and commercialization on many sports, the link between sport and nationalism, the successes of Australian sport in the international arena and the effect of the communications revolution on sport. The book shows that class prejudice, sexual segregation and racial discrimination have permeated Australia's sporting history, arguing that sport in Australia has not taken place on a level playing field. Sport in Australia demonstrates the central role of sport in Australian popular culture and shows the ways in which sport reflects changing Australian society.

Reviews

From the hardback review: 'This is an interesting and well-researched book and will be enjoyed by those interested in social history and in evolution as well as lovers of sport.' The Northern Advocate