Many of the sports that have spread across the world from athletics and boxingto golf and tennis had their origins in nineteenthcentury Britain. They wereexport... » 

Many of the sports that have spread across the world from athletics and boxingto golf and tennis had their origins in nineteenthcentury Britain. They wereexported around the world by the British Empire and Britains influence in theworld led to many of its sports being adopted in other countries. Americanshowever liked to show their independence by rejecting cricket for baseball.The Victorians and Sport is a highly readable account of the role sportplayed in both Victorian Britain and its empire. Major sports attracted massfollowings and were widely reported in the press. Great sporting celebritiessuch as the cricketer Dr W.G. Grace were the bestknown people in the countryand sporting rivalries provoked strong loyalties and passionate emotions. MikeHuggins provides fascinating details of individual sports and sportsmen. Healso shows how sport was an important part of society and of many peopleslives. «