Temples of the Earthbound Gods

<p>In Rio de Janeiro the spiritual home of world football and Buenos Aires where a popular soccer club president was recently elected mayor the game is an integral part of national identity. Using the football stadium as an illuminating cultural lens <i>Temples of the Earthbound Gods</i> examines many aspects of urban culture that play out within these monumental architectural forms including spirituality violence rigid social norms anarchy and also expressions of sexuality and gender.</p> <p>Tracing the history of the game in Brazil and Argentina through colonial influences as well as indigenous ball courts in Mayan Aztec Zapotec Mixtec and Olmec societies Christopher Gaffney's study spans both ancient and contemporary worlds linking the development of stadiums to urbanization and the consolidation of nation building in two of Latin America's most intriguing megacities.</p>