Download or read book Sport and the Shaping of Civic Identity in Chicago written by Gerald R. Gems and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2020-03-15 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study uses sociological and historical methodologies to analyze the role of sport in the formation of urban identity in Chicago. The author traces the transformation of Chicago from a frontier town to a commercial behemoth, examining its role as an immigration, transportation, and entertainment hub. The author argues that, as a pioneering leader in American sport history, Chicago allowed teams and athletes to forge a unique national and global identity. This thorough and well-researched study makes a major contribution to debates on the social and psychological functions of sport culture.