Passion Plays

“This entertaining history examines the religious and cultural roots of baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. . . . The illuminating insights into how sports reflect the historical periods and communities in which they developed will change how fans see the games. This one is a winner.”—Publishers Weekly

“An engaging look at the historical conditions surrounding America’s secular, on-field religions.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Compelling and absorbing...a lively introduction to the historical origins of the sports that we watch and play, while also inviting deeper reflection into the relationship between our religious practices, our sporting devotions, and the social worlds that we share with others...Balmer’s posture is one of wonder and curiosity as he revels in the potential implications of his findings. It’s that journeying spirit and the strength of Balmer’s clear and accessible writing that make this book shine.”—Christianity Today

“[Passion Plays] does what no other sports book has ever done—that is, connect the rituals of modern sport and trace them back to American society’s religious roots. Whether you prefer a home run, touchdown, goal or basket, Balmer definitely scores with this book and you will too if you take the time to read it.”—Religion Unplugged

“Recommended . . . . Well written and includes fascinating examples of the close connections between team sport and religion in shaping American values, beliefs, and manly behavior.”—CHOICE

“Randall Balmer offers a rich, wide-ranging take on the relationship between religion and sports in a relatively slim volume. . . . effective and compelling. . . .engages with the various social, political, and economic factors that contribute to our understanding of sports culture and American culture at large.”—Mihee Kim-Kort, Reading Religion

“Balmer’s authoritative voice and accessible prose make this an informative and engaging book, inviting even the most hardened sports skeptic to think carefully about the topic. Put simply, Passion Plays is essential reading for those seeking a deeper understanding of the profound influence of the intermixing forces of sports and religion on North American life.”—Journal of American History

“Passion Plays succeeds in synthesizing and repackaging material that will be familiar to sport historians, offering a compelling narrative with intriguing insights drawn from Balmer’s perspective as a scholar of religion. It is an excellent contribution to the growing body of work on religion and sports.”—Journal of Sport History

“Balmer does not shy away from the dark side of sport history, focusing extensively on race, violence, and to a lesser extent, class, gender, and empire in the development of the four sports under discussion. Passion Plays can help religiously different athletes put a face to the sometimes subtle alienations of participating in the thoroughly Christian world of American sport.”—Journal of Southern History

“Every sports commissioner, owner, coach, player, administrator, official, journalist, and fan should read Randall Balmer’s insightful, enlightening, and entertaining book in order to understand the historical origins of the games we love and the values so deeply embedded in them—and how those virtues shape the character of our companies, communities, and country.”—David Baker, Retired President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame