Rivals!: The Ten Greatest American Sports Rivalries of the 20th Century

Widespread enthusiasm for competitive sports has emerged as an undoubtedly dominant force in American popular culture. While the annals of sports are filled with hundreds of celebrated rivalries, Rivals! The Ten Greatest American Sports Rivalries of the 20th Century focuses on ten of the most memorable match–ups in American sports history, treating them to in–depth historical analysis.

Richard Davies reveals not just a deeper understanding of the history of organized American sports, but the nature of competition itself and the complex reasons behind why sports have emerged as such an important part of our everyday lives. He examines enduring college and professional team rivalries, such as the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees and Duke and North Carolina, as well as legendary individual rivalries, including boxers Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, golfers Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

Richly researched and compellingly readable, Rivals! The Ten Greatest American Sports Rivalries of the 20th Century offers a thought–provoking and serious examination of the history of the legendary and contentious sports rivalries that have shaped American culture.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

1 Fight Fiercely: Harvard and Yale Create the First Great Football Rivalry.

2 "We Hate Each Other′s Guts": The Dodgers and the Giants.

3 Battle Along Tobacco Road: Duke and North Carolina Basketball.

4 Mayhem on the Midway: The Bears and the Packers.

5 Shootin′ Irons: The Jack Nicklaus–Arnold Palmer Golf Rivalry.

6 Cross–Country Conflict: The Celtics and the Lakers.

7 The Bull and the Butterfly: The Never–Ending Rivalry Between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

8 Friendly Foes: Chrissie and Martina.

9 "Dearest Enemies": Michigan–Ohio State Football.

10 East Coast Baseball Rivalry: The Red Sox and the Yankees.

Further Reading.

Index.

Richard O. Davies is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he teaches courses in 20th–century American History, American Ideas and Values, and the History of American Sports. His books include Main Street Blues: The Decline of Small–Town America (1998), America s Obsession: Sports and Society Since 1945 (1994), Betting the Line: Sports Wagering in American Life (2001), and Sports in American Life: A History (Wiley–Blackwell, 2007).

"Rivals! is a thorough and immensely entertaining read. Davies writes in clear language without sacrificing the subtleties and complexities of the topics he engages. Indeed, Davies′ study showed me how much I still have to learn about rivalries that, before encountering his work, I thought I understood quite well. Furthermore, and perhaps most important, Rivals! provides a foundation on which other studies of the sports rivalry can build." (Journal of Sports History, 1 April 2011)

"This is the perfect book for any sports fan. If you re not a huge sports fan, it would make a great Father s Day gift, or a great gift for your teenager who wants to learn more about the history of teams." (KatieTalksAbout.com, May 2010)