Books in the Routledge Research in Sports History series

This collection offers fresh perspectives from leading international football historians and sociologists on the early development of football (soccer), illuminating our understanding of the early history of the sport and the importance of sport in our broader social and cultural history.

How does the historian¿s approach to the history of sport differ from those trained in the social sciences or in physical education? All three have contributed significantly to the remarkable amount of research in sports history in the last generation. But what is the relationship between them? Why, in particular, have historians become interested in sport? Which topics have historians chosen to study in sports history? How has their work influenced the wider world of history and been influenced by it? This important new collection of work by some of the world¿s leading sport historians seeks to answer these questions and more, offering a fascinating overview of the evolution, current condition and future prospects of the discipline of sport history.

This book explores the historical development of coaching traditions across Europe, placing national approaches to coaching within their cultural and political context.

At the intersection of sport, entertainment and performance, wrestling occupies a unique position in British popular culture. This book is the first of its kind to offer a detailed historical and cultural analysis of British professional wrestling, exploring the shifting popularity of the sport as well as its wider social significance.

How does the historian¿s approach to the history of sport differ from those trained in the social sciences or in physical education? All three have contributed significantly to the remarkable amount of research in sports history in the last generation. But what is the relationship between them? Why, in particular, have historians become interested in sport? Which topics have historians chosen to study in sports history? How has their work influenced the wider world of history and been influenced by it? This important new collection of work by some of the world¿s leading sport historians seeks to answer these questions and more, offering a fascinating overview of the evolution, current condition and future prospects of the discipline of sport history.

This research collection explores the ongoing interaction between sport, media, and society throughout important periods in history, from the 19th Century to the present day. It examines both historical moments and broader trends in sport, with an emphasis on the mediäs role.

We live in a "museum age," and sport museums are part of this phenomenon. In this book, leading international sport history scholars examine sport museums including renowned institutions like the Olympic Museum in the Swiss city of Lausanne, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum in London, the Croke Park Museum in Dublin, and the Whyte Museum in Banff. These institutions are examined in a broad context of understanding sport museums as an identifiable genre in the "museum age," and more specifically in terms of how the sporting past is represented in these museums. Historians explain, debate and critique sport museums with the intention of understanding how this important form of public history represents sport for audiences who see museums as institutions that are inherently reliable and trustworthy.

Featuring contributions from leading Chinese scholars and practitioners, this is the most authoritative study ever written on this topic. Including numerous illustrations of artefacts, weaponry and historical drawings and documents, it offers unparalleled insight into the origins, development and contemporary significance of martial arts in China.

Featuring contributions from leading Chinese scholars and practitioners, this is the most authoritative study ever written on this topic. Including numerous illustrations of artefacts, weaponry and historical drawings and documents, it offers unparalleled insight into the origins, development and contemporary significance of martial arts in China.