Playing to Win: Sports and the American Military, 1898-1945This book explains how and why the American armed forces embraced sports as a critical part of training and as entertainment for the men--and, eventually, women--in uniform. The author traces the development of military sports from the Spanish-American War through the end of World War II and shows how they became an integral part of military culture. Wakefield uses the military's sports program to explore issues of power, masculinity, and race as they were expressed and reinforced through athletic competitions and demonstrates how they strengthened hierarchical relationships. She also shows how the armed forces attempted to use sports to further national interests on the diplomatic front and to reduce racial and sexual tension. In addition, Wakefield argues for the interpenetration of the worlds of sports and war, showing how sports metaphors were used to masculinize the military enterprise and maintain morale. Wartime propelled interest in sports, and sports helped to maintain patriotism and gender identity among the troops. The book makes the case that the size and scope of the military's efforts to draw all soldiers and sailors into sports reflect the extent to which competitive athletics in the twentieth century have come to represent a means for advancing not only war but peace. |
Other editions - View all
Playing to Win: Sports and the American Military, 1898-1945 Wanda Ellen Wakefield Limited preview - 1997 |
Playing to Win: Sports and the American Military, 1898-1945 Wanda Ellen Wakefield Limited preview - 1997 |
Common terms and phrases
African-American allied Amaroc American soldiers April Armodier army's athletic athletic competitions athletic officers athletic program base baseball team basketball battlefield Bomb Bay Messenger Bowman Bomber boxers boxing British Camp Carlisle Barracks civilian coach Cochran Communique combat command created demonstrated despite developed discussion Division doughboys Drew Field Echoes enlisted ensure Europe fighting football team Fort Sam Houston Fosdick George Field golf Gosport Inter-Allied Games Joe Louis July June League March masculinity metaphor Military History Institute military's needed newspaper October organized participate in sports physical fitness physical training play sports players professional recreation reflected Scott Field Broadcaster September served sexual skills softball soldiers and sailors Special Services officers sports and athletics sports program Stars and Stripes stationed success tennis tournament track and field troops U.S. Army United States Army victory wartime Weigley World World War II Yank YMCA York young Zeke Bonura