California and the Making of Modern Sport

California Games: How the Golden State Shaped the World of Modern Sport

This book delves into the pivotal role of California – a socio-cultural, economic, and political titan – in shaping the landscape of modern sport. It argues that California has exerted a profound influence, both positive and negative, on how America and the world engage with sports, both as participants and spectators.

Tracing the history of sport in California from the mid-nineteenth century to the pres…