About the Author

Mark Dyreson is a professor of kinesiology at Penn State University.

Reviews

"Dyreson's well-written, well-researched book is the first scholarly work to establish the historical origins of American cultural sentiment linking Olympic performance to national importance. . . . Should be commended for its breadth of research and for its critical insights on American sports leaders."--Kevin B. Wamsley, Labour/Le Travail

"An excellent addition to the wealth of Olympic literature, most notably the historically based works of Guttmann, and also draws on the multitude of American themes within the Games. Importantly it demonstrates the political use of sport in America."-- Mike Cronin, Sports Historian

"An example of the history of ideas applied to the history of sport. . . . A welcome addition to the literature."--Tony Mason, Labour History Review