This book traces the development and popularity of the sportscast highlight--the dominant news frame in the crowded medium of electronic sports journalism--as the primary means of communicating about sports and athletes. It explores the intricate relationships among media producers, sports leagues and organizations, and audiences, and explains that sportscast highlights are not a recent development, given their prominent use within a news context in every medium from early news film actualities and newsreels to network and cable television to today's new media platforms.

This expanded second edition traces the development and popularity of the sportscast highlight--the dominant news frame in the crowded medium of electronic sports journalism--as the primary means of communicating about sports and athletes. The book explores the intricate relationships among media producers, sports leagues and organizations, and audiences, and explains that sportscast highlights are not a recent development. They were often used within a news context in every medium--from early news film actualities and newsreels to network and cable television to today's new media platforms. New to this edition are three chapters that explore developments in sports media from cultural, economic and technological perspectives. An obsession with highlights has seen video replay increasingly used to adjudicate sporting events, marking a new level of reliance on technology. The media's quest for greater certitude and integrity corresponds with the rise of sponsorship of pro teams by gambling operators--with sports betting ads and on-screen odds now routinely appearing in sportscasts. Long-form sports documentaries have become popular, often highlighting a fascination with "firsts"--rooted in notions of human conquest over nature--that has remained an important source of sports mythmaking.

Filled with insightful analysis and compelling arguments, this book considers the influence of sports on popular culture and spotlights the fascinating ways in which sports culture and American culture intersect. This collection blends historical and popular culture perspectives in its analysis of the development of sports and sports figures throughout American history. American History through American Sports: From Colonial Lacrosse to Extreme Sports is unique in that it focuses on how each sport has transformed and influenced society at large, demonstrating how sports and popular culture are intrinsically entwined and the ways they both reflect larger societal transformations. The essays in the book are wide-ranging, covering topics of interest for sports fans who enjoy the NFL and NASCAR as well as those who like tennis and watching the Olympics. Many topics feature information about specific sports icons and favorite heroes. Additionally, many of the topics' treatments prompt engagement by purposely challenging the reader to either agree or disagree with the author's analysis.

Bibliothekstechnik.

Humorist Raabe has created a new kind of sports book for the millions of athletically impaired people. From alpine skiing to power walking, Sports for the Athletically Impaired makes the impossible seem, well, at best probable on a good day when fate has taken a holiday. 24 illustrations.

The SKATER'S EDGE SOURCEBOOK is a comprehensive resource book & rink directory for the sport of ice skating. The second edition (1998) is 70% bigger than the first & includes: (1) Consumer Article: GUIDE TO FITTING SKATES, SKATE BOOTS, GUIDE TO BLADES, LACING SKATES, CHOOSING A PRO, CHOOSING A SUMMER SCHOOL & more. (2) COMPANIES - 620 companies listed by name, then cross-referenced by services provided {e.g., agents, blades, book sales, clothing, equipment, rink construction & supplies, etc; (3) RINKS - profiles of more than 1100 skating rinks in the U.S. {address, phone number of ice surfaces, whether enclosed, months open, etc.; (4) BOOKS - more than 1200 skating books dating back to 1792; (5) VIDEOS - over 190 skating videos & where to find them. Other sections include associations, boots & blades, champions, fan clubs, federations, training centers, summer skating schools & more. New chapters on adult skaters, hockey, precision & speedskating. The SKATER'S EDGE SOURCEBOOK (1998, 456pp, $39.95, ISBN 0-9643027-1-3) is published by SKATER'S EDGE, an instructional skating magazine with articles & tips by the world's top coaches & pros. The SKATER'S EDGE SOURCEBOOK is available from Koen Book Distributors, Baker & Taylor, or direct from the publisher. Contact SKATER'S EDGE, Box 500, Kensington, MD 20895. Phone/FAX: 301-946-1971, E-MAIL: Skateredge@aol.com. WEBSITE: www.skatersedgemag.com.

Sports videos from tapes of history-making games to how-to guides, are the fastest growing part of the home video market. This sourcebook provides review and recommendations on every area of interest, including such top-rated videos as TV's Greatest Legends and Not-So-Great Moments in Sports. 32 photographs.