Sport and the Shaping of Civic Identity in Chicago

Download or read book Sport and the Shaping of Civic Identity in Chicago written by Gerald R. Gems and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2020-02-13 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study uses sociological and historical methodologies to analyze the role of sport in the formation of urban identity in Chicago. The author traces the transformation of Chicago from a frontier town to a commercial behemoth, examining its role as an immigration, transportation, and entertainment hub. The author argues that, as a pioneering leader in American sport history, Chicago allowed teams and athletes to forge a unique national and global identity. This thorough and well-researched study makes a major contribution to debates on the social and psychological functions of sport culture.