This book explores how American sports, especially basketball, baseball and American football, have projected the US into the world, and brought the world into America. Taking a chronological approach it traces the development of American sports from the turn of the 20th century, highlighting how international forces such as immigration, geopolitics and war have influenced the trajectory of sport in the US, and thus the American experience. DuBois also considers the globalization of American sport and how this soft power shaped international relations throughout the American century. Addressing key questions about the role of sport in the rise of the United States, it frames themes that have come to define sports history; gender, race, economics and politics. It argues that while sport has not necessarily been a catalyst for change, it has often mirrored social issues, and sometimes served as an important tool of progress. Synthesizing major works alongside primary sources, the chapters study boxing, hockey, track and field and soccer alongside the 'big three' (basketball, baseball and American football) through a number of case studies to offer a novel interpretation of American sport history. Spanning early Native American sport, the export of baseball in the American empire, the role of basketball in the Cold War, the influence of immigrants and women in sports, and modern day sport culture, American Sport in International History asks what the role of sport has been and will be in a shifting international environment.

This volume analyses the constructions and realities of childhood in Poland, c. 1050-1300 CE, by examining a range of texts and considering the ways in which children fit within textual frameworks and genres. These texts include two major chronicles, monastic sources, and hagiography related to five major saints. The textual sources are put into conversation with findings from archaeology. The author argues that certain common themes, such as assumed care for children, the need for education, and the puer senex trope do feature through most texts of any genre, and the book also explores how Poland was similar to and different from the situation in western Europe. See inside the book.

Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 2 features a unique global focus on political and economic affairs, demonstrating the close interaction between these two subjects throughout the course of world history. The text explores the ever-changing allocation of wealth and power both within individual societies and among different political entities, such as city-states, nations, and empires to the present day. This volume picks up where Vol. 1 left off, discussing the ways in which ruling elites have wielded wealth and power to increase their own privileges, suppress frequent internal revolts, and wage war against foreign entities. This volume begins with chapters that examine the empires of East and Central Asia from 645-1795, Muslim empires of Asia from 1300 to the 1760s, and political upheaval in the Atlantic world. Additional chapters address the early Industrial Revolution in England, industry and inequality, the rising American empire, the causes of World War II, the emergence of the Cold War, globalization and its discontents from 2000-2020, and more. Images, maps, and discussion questions throughout inspire student engagement and support the overall learning experience. Wealth, Power, and Inequality in World History Vol. 2 is the second installment in a two-book series. The books are well suited for introductory courses in world history.