CLOSE
How Football Explains America
How Football Explains America

How Football Explains America

By Sal Paolantonio

How...Explain

SPORTS & RECREATION

240 Pages, 5 x 8

Formats: Trade Paper, EPUB, Mobipocket, PDF

Trade Paper, $18.95 (US $18.95) (CA $25.95)

ISBN 9781629371412

Rights: WOR

Triumph Books (Sep 2015)

eBook

eBook Editions Available

Will it work on my eReader?
Price: $18.95
 
Google Preview
9781629371412
Media Copy

Overview

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio explores just how crucial football is to understanding the American psyche
 
Using some of the most prominent voices in pro sports and cultural and media criticism, How Football Explains America is a fascinating, first-of-its-kind journey through the making of America's most complex, intriguing, and popular game. It tackles varying American themes—from Manifest Destiny to “fourth and one”—as it answers the age-old question Why does America love football so much? An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America’s love affair with the game and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on how the pioneers and cowboys helped create a game that resembled their march across the continent. It explores why rugby and soccer don’t excite the American male like football does and how the game’s rules are continually changing to enhance the dramatic action and create a better narrative. It also investigates the eternal appeal of the heroic quarterback position, the sport’s rich military lineage, and how the burgeoning medium of television identified and exploited the NFL’s great characters. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives. Updated throughout and with a new introduction, this edition brings How Football Explains America to paperback for the first time.

Author Biography

Sal Paolantonio
See Author
Sal Paolantonio is a national correspondent for ESPN, covering the NFL for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, and ESPN.com. He hosts ESPN’s State Farm NFL Matchup on Sunday mornings. He is a former sportswriter and political correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He lives in Moorestown, New Jersey.

May we also suggest...

How the Yankees Explain New York
How the Yankees Explain New York ›
By Chris Donnelly, Foreword by Paul O'Neill

Trade Paper

ISBN 9781600789205

Published Apr 2014

An examination of the unique parallels between New York City’s evolution and that of the New York Yankees, How the Yankees Explain New York illustrates how the storied history of the Bronx Bombers mirrors that of the Big Apple itself. The oldest professional sports franchise in the city, the Yankees have played in front of sold out crowds in the Bronx for nearly a century, and this work explores the relationship between Wall Street high-rollers and the Yankees’ record-setting payroll, describes the “city that never sleeps” through the nighttime antics of Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, revisits the healing effect of the Yankees’ World Series run in the aftermath of 9/11, and much more. Entertaining and insightful, this book is sure to be popular amongst one of sports’ most passionate fan bases.
How Baseball Explains America
How Baseball Explains America ›
By Hal Bodley, Foreword by George Will

Cloth

ISBN 9781600789380

Published May 2014

Examining the connection between baseball and our society as a whole, How Baseball Explains America is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind journey through America's pastime. Longtime USA TODAY baseball editor and columnist Hal Bodley explores just how essential baseball is to understanding the American experience. He takes readers into the Oval Office with George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as the former presidents share their thoughts on the game, he looks at the changes that America's Greatest Generation ushered in, as well as examining baseball's struggle with performance enhancing drugs alongside America's war on drugs. An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America's love affair with baseball and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on topics such as the role Jackie Robinson's signing with the Dodgers played in the civil rights movement, how baseball's westward expansion mirrored the growth of our national economy, labor strife, baseball families, the international explosion of the game, and even the myriad ways in which movies, music, and baseball are intrinsically tied. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives.
How the Yankees Explain New York
How the Yankees Explain New York ›
By Chris Donnelly, Foreword by Paul O'Neill

Mobipocket

ISBN 9781623688356

Published Apr 2014

An examination of the unique parallels between New York City’s evolution and that of the New York Yankees, How the Yankees Explain New York illustrates how the storied history of the Bronx Bombers mirrors that of the Big Apple itself. The oldest professional sports franchise in the city, the Yankees have played in front of sold out crowds in the Bronx for nearly a century, and this work explores the relationship between Wall Street high-rollers and the Yankees’ record-setting payroll, describes the “city that never sleeps” through the nighttime antics of Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, revisits the healing effect of the Yankees’ World Series run in the aftermath of 9/11, and much more. Entertaining and insightful, this book is sure to be popular amongst one of sports’ most passionate fan bases.
How the Yankees Explain New York
How the Yankees Explain New York ›
By Chris Donnelly, Foreword by Paul O'Neill

EPUB

ISBN 9781623688349

Published Apr 2014

An examination of the unique parallels between New York City’s evolution and that of the New York Yankees, How the Yankees Explain New York illustrates how the storied history of the Bronx Bombers mirrors that of the Big Apple itself. The oldest professional sports franchise in the city, the Yankees have played in front of sold out crowds in the Bronx for nearly a century, and this work explores the relationship between Wall Street high-rollers and the Yankees’ record-setting payroll, describes the “city that never sleeps” through the nighttime antics of Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, revisits the healing effect of the Yankees’ World Series run in the aftermath of 9/11, and much more. Entertaining and insightful, this book is sure to be popular amongst one of sports’ most passionate fan bases.
How the Yankees Explain New York
How the Yankees Explain New York ›
By Chris Donnelly, Foreword by Paul O'Neill

PDF

ISBN 9781623688363

Published Apr 2014

An examination of the unique parallels between New York City’s evolution and that of the New York Yankees, How the Yankees Explain New York illustrates how the storied history of the Bronx Bombers mirrors that of the Big Apple itself. The oldest professional sports franchise in the city, the Yankees have played in front of sold out crowds in the Bronx for nearly a century, and this work explores the relationship between Wall Street high-rollers and the Yankees’ record-setting payroll, describes the “city that never sleeps” through the nighttime antics of Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, revisits the healing effect of the Yankees’ World Series run in the aftermath of 9/11, and much more. Entertaining and insightful, this book is sure to be popular amongst one of sports’ most passionate fan bases.
How Baseball Explains America
How Baseball Explains America ›
By Hal Bodley, Foreword by George Will

EPUB

ISBN 9781623688073

Published May 2014

Examining the connection between baseball and our society as a whole, How Baseball Explains America is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind journey through America's pastime. Longtime USA TODAY baseball editor and columnist Hal Bodley explores just how essential baseball is to understanding the American experience. He takes readers into the Oval Office with George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as the former presidents share their thoughts on the game, he looks at the changes that America's Greatest Generation ushered in, as well as examining baseball's struggle with performance enhancing drugs alongside America's war on drugs. An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America's love affair with baseball and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on topics such as the role Jackie Robinson's signing with the Dodgers played in the civil rights movement, how baseball's westward expansion mirrored the growth of our national economy, labor strife, baseball families, the international explosion of the game, and even the myriad ways in which movies, music, and baseball are intrinsically tied. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives.
How Baseball Explains America
How Baseball Explains America ›
By Hal Bodley, Foreword by George Will

Mobipocket

ISBN 9781623688080

Published May 2014

Examining the connection between baseball and our society as a whole, How Baseball Explains America is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind journey through America's pastime. Longtime USA TODAY baseball editor and columnist Hal Bodley explores just how essential baseball is to understanding the American experience. He takes readers into the Oval Office with George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as the former presidents share their thoughts on the game, he looks at the changes that America's Greatest Generation ushered in, as well as examining baseball's struggle with performance enhancing drugs alongside America's war on drugs. An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America's love affair with baseball and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on topics such as the role Jackie Robinson's signing with the Dodgers played in the civil rights movement, how baseball's westward expansion mirrored the growth of our national economy, labor strife, baseball families, the international explosion of the game, and even the myriad ways in which movies, music, and baseball are intrinsically tied. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives.
How Baseball Explains America
How Baseball Explains America ›
By Hal Bodley, Foreword by George Will

PDF

ISBN 9781623688097

Published May 2014

Examining the connection between baseball and our society as a whole, How Baseball Explains America is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind journey through America's pastime. Longtime USA TODAY baseball editor and columnist Hal Bodley explores just how essential baseball is to understanding the American experience. He takes readers into the Oval Office with George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton as the former presidents share their thoughts on the game, he looks at the changes that America's Greatest Generation ushered in, as well as examining baseball's struggle with performance enhancing drugs alongside America's war on drugs. An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America's love affair with baseball and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on topics such as the role Jackie Robinson's signing with the Dodgers played in the civil rights movement, how baseball's westward expansion mirrored the growth of our national economy, labor strife, baseball families, the international explosion of the game, and even the myriad ways in which movies, music, and baseball are intrinsically tied. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives.
How Football Explains America
How Football Explains America ›
By Sal Paolantonio

EPUB

ISBN 9781633192911

Published Sep 2015

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio explores just how crucial football is to understanding the American psyche
 
Using some of the most prominent voices in pro sports and cultural and media criticism, How Football Explains America is a fascinating, first-of-its-kind journey through the making of America's most complex, intriguing, and popular game. It tackles varying American themes—from Manifest Destiny to “fourth and one”—as it answers the age-old question Why does America love football so much? An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America’s love affair with the game and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on how the pioneers and cowboys helped create a game that resembled their march across the continent. It explores why rugby and soccer don’t excite the American male like football does and how the game’s rules are continually changing to enhance the dramatic action and create a better narrative. It also investigates the eternal appeal of the heroic quarterback position, the sport’s rich military lineage, and how the burgeoning medium of television identified and exploited the NFL’s great characters. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives. Updated throughout and with a new introduction, this edition brings How Football Explains America to paperback for the first time.
How Football Explains America
How Football Explains America ›
By Sal Paolantonio

Mobipocket

ISBN 9781633192928

Published Sep 2015

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio explores just how crucial football is to understanding the American psyche
 
Using some of the most prominent voices in pro sports and cultural and media criticism, How Football Explains America is a fascinating, first-of-its-kind journey through the making of America's most complex, intriguing, and popular game. It tackles varying American themes—from Manifest Destiny to “fourth and one”—as it answers the age-old question Why does America love football so much? An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America’s love affair with the game and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on how the pioneers and cowboys helped create a game that resembled their march across the continent. It explores why rugby and soccer don’t excite the American male like football does and how the game’s rules are continually changing to enhance the dramatic action and create a better narrative. It also investigates the eternal appeal of the heroic quarterback position, the sport’s rich military lineage, and how the burgeoning medium of television identified and exploited the NFL’s great characters. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives. Updated throughout and with a new introduction, this edition brings How Football Explains America to paperback for the first time.
How Football Explains America
How Football Explains America ›
By Sal Paolantonio

PDF

ISBN 9781633192935

Published Sep 2015

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio explores just how crucial football is to understanding the American psyche
 
Using some of the most prominent voices in pro sports and cultural and media criticism, How Football Explains America is a fascinating, first-of-its-kind journey through the making of America's most complex, intriguing, and popular game. It tackles varying American themes—from Manifest Destiny to “fourth and one”—as it answers the age-old question Why does America love football so much? An unabashedly celebratory explanation of America’s love affair with the game and the men who make it possible, this work sheds light on how the pioneers and cowboys helped create a game that resembled their march across the continent. It explores why rugby and soccer don’t excite the American male like football does and how the game’s rules are continually changing to enhance the dramatic action and create a better narrative. It also investigates the eternal appeal of the heroic quarterback position, the sport’s rich military lineage, and how the burgeoning medium of television identified and exploited the NFL’s great characters. It is a must read for anyone interested in more fully understanding not only the game but also the nation in which it thrives. Updated throughout and with a new introduction, this edition brings How Football Explains America to paperback for the first time.

Book Signings

Past Events

Dec
16
Sal Paolantonio - How Football Explains America ›
Marlton, NJ
6:00pm
Dec
11
Sal Paolantonio - How Football Explains America ›
Moorestown, NJ
7:00pm
Sep
10
Sal Paolantonio signing "How Football Explains America" ›
Foxboro, MA
12:30pm

Press Releases

How Football Explains America

By Sal Paolantonio

 

“Sal Paolantonio has captured the essence of why we love football.”

– Ron Jaworski, ESPN NFL analyst

 

Contact: Olivia Aguilar, Triumph Books, 312.676.4238, o.aguilar@triumphbooks.com

 

Football has always been a fundamental part of the American psyche. It embodies the classic American themes of manifest destiny, hard work and the idea that one can reach the highest peak with teamwork, perseverance and hope in the future. When pioneers and cowboys headed west, they hoped to begin the American way of life. Football became the perfect game to explain that journey across the continent.

 

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio has compiled the most fascinating cultural criticism in How Football Explains America (Triumph Books, September 2015). This book raises questions such as why does America love football so much? Why is the quarterback considered a hero figure? Sal Paolantonio answers all these questions and more, touching on how the values of football and the U.S. are one in the same. Now updated throughout with a new introduction by the author, this book is a must-have for football fans everywhere. Highlights include:

 

  • A new introduction by Sal Paolantonio on Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line with 20 seconds left  in the 2015 Super Bowl and why it was the greatest moment in pro football
  • Why football is linked to American icons such as Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and John Coltrane
  • A look at how football explains Alexis de Tocqueville, the man who studied the most American concept: the innate right to autonomously control the course of their lives
  • The rich military lineage behind football

 

How Football Explains America is an articulate, in-depth study on why football is a socio-cultural phenomenon in America and is a fascinating explanation of why the game is so intertwined with our culture.  

 

About the Author:

Sal Paolantonio is a national correspondent for ESPN, covering the NFL for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, and ESPN.com. He also hosts ESPN's “State Farm NFL Matchup” on Sunday mornings. He is a former sportswriter and political correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He lives with his family in Moorestown, New Jersey.

 

###