Description
Book SynopsisHow did a "black sport," plagued by drug scandal and decimated by white flight, come to achieve such prominence? What are the subtle and not-so-subtle racial codes that define how the game is played and perceived, and the reception of its high-profile stars? This title deals with these questions.
Trade Review"A brilliant work of cultural criticism. Boyd and Shropshire bring together an impressive array of fresh voices who shed new light on the central metaphor of black popular culture: basketball. Basketball Jones is a thrilling and edifying read." -- Michael Eric Dyson,author of I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Contrary to what one might suspect, Basketball Jones is about much more than just the game of basketball. Using basketball as the central metaphor, the book is about Americaits success stories, its failures, and its lingering possibilities. When you finish reading this landmark book, you will, like me, have a Basketball Jonesif you don't already!" -- Arianna Huffington,author of How to Overthrow the Government
"No scrubs here. Basketball Jones is an All-Star extravaganza on the page, featuring the nation's best hoopologists. From dunking to Larry Bird to the WNBA, these writers cover Bball America coast to coast, in black and white and shades of gray. If you talk the game, this book will give you plenty to talk about." -- Royce Webb,SportsJones.com
"Scholarly but never stuffy, a compendium of wisdom on a game which helped define the late 20th century and will no doubt define the 21st. Basketball is the top aspirationa veritable lifestylefor generations of black boys, the source of massive wealth and empty hoop dreams, and now the inspiration for a very fine book. Be sure and satisfy this Jones." -- Farai Chideya,author of The Color of Our Future
