Sports and the American Jew - (Sports and Entertainment) by Steven Riess (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book debunks the conventional stereotype that Jews and sports are somehow anathema and clearly demonstrates that sports have long been a significant institution in Jewish American life.

Jews were among the very first professional baseball players and the most outstanding early American track stars. In the 1920s and 1930s they dominated inner-city sports such as basketball and boxing and produced star athletes in virtually all sports. Many Jews were also prominent in the business, communication, and literary aspects of sport.

These essays, written by leading contemporary sports historians, examine the contributions of Jewish men and women to American sports. Steven A. Riess's article on this topic is the most comprehensive overview ever written and will doubtless become a standard reference for years to come.

Review Quotes

"Sports and the American Jew dispels a central myth of our culture: there are no Jewish athletes. Readers discover the long-forgotten exploits of Lucius N. Littauer playing Ivy League football, Carla Greenspan's achievements on the tennis team at Hunter College, and (of course) the attainments of celebrated heroes like Hank Greenberg, Barney Ross, Sandy Koufax, and Fred Lebow. This is a book that will make readers kvell (overflow with pride)."-- "Michael H. Ebner, author of Creating Chicago's North Shore: A Suburban History"

About the Author

Steven A. Riess is professor of history at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. The former editor of the Journal of Sport History, his books include Touching Base: Professional Baseball and American Culture in the Progressive Era and City Games: The Evolution of American Urban Society and the Rise of Sports.