The New Cathedrals: Politics and Media in the History of Stadium Construction (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780815631323)

Stadium construction has altered the physical landscape of many major metropolitan areas throughout North America and has had a profound psychological and economic impact on these urban centers. The ways athletic facilities have been constructed, from the ritual-centered beginnings of stadium construction in ancient Greece to the large-scale construction of professional sports facilities in present day global centers, reveal a culture's values and priorities and how it defines its recreational needs.

Drawing on thorough and wide-ranging research, Robert C. Trumpbour examines the political institutions, commercial entities, civic leadership, and media organizations that influenced stadium construction. The author analyzes three significant recent historical periods: the Progressive Era, when modern fireproof stadiums were first built; the late 1960s and early 1970s, when multipurpose stadiums were built in downtown areas to promote urban redevelopment; and the late 1990s, when retro ballparks were designed to accommodate commercial and entertainment space. Charting this evolution,
Trumpbour convincingly argues that there has been a dramatic shift in the role of the media, with media access emerging as a vital element in setting the ground rules for the debate on stadium construction. Written in lucid, jargon-free prose, this book combines a detailed history of stadium construction with an analysis of current stadium issues.

Author: Robert C. Trumpbour
ISBN-10: 0815631324
ISBN-13: 9780815631323
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Language: English
Published: 12/15/2006
Pages: 388
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.49lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.36w x 1.18d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2007 pg. 82