American History and Baseball

<p>Fresh and innovative <em>American History and Baseball: Liberty Freedom and the National Pastime</em> is a unique approach that uses a thematic view of American history as a lens through which to understand baseball.<br /><br />The text of each chapter is initially devoted to historical background composed of various themes surveying key trends and events. Additionally there is a corresponding focus on major developments in the evolution of baseball.<br /><br />The book sets out to differentiate myth from history and to see American society as a nation of contradictions. Specific topics include liberty and freedom myths and origins excess and celebrity in the 1920s imperialism and World War I and the challenges and prosperity of post-war America.<br /><br />The second edition features a new opening chapter that explores the concepts of liberty and freedom. Additional references that highlight definitions of key terms a heightened focus on critical thinking and new chapter summaries and study questions are included.<br /><br /><em>American History and Baseball</em> can be used in courses on history sports media and issues in American sport.</p><p><strong>Charles DeMotte</strong> holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Kansas. He is an adjunct professor in the Sociology/Anthropology Department at the State University of New York at Cortland where he teaches a course in American society along with basic sociology. He has published several books on baseball and other subjects in addition to presenting at many conferences over the span of a number of years. His approach to baseball is to integrate it into the wider context of culture and society.</p>