Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries

Book excerpt: Many of the sports and games played around the world today have their roots in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their history, detailed in Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries, provides us with an insight into the life and times of cultures across the globe. The dominance of Britain as a world power during this time had a particularly powerful effect in sports, as it organized many Western sports with specific rules, and repressed the traditional sports and games of regions it colonized such as Africa. Rules and equipment for all of the sports and games of this time period, along with diagrams, are included. The book is divided into seven geopolitical regions: Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), British Isles, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. Each region opens with an essay placing sports and games from that area in their political and cultural context. Following the essay are entries on each individual sport. After a description of the history of the sport, detailed instructions for playing the 18th or 19th century version of the sport follow. A list of equipment is provided, and any alternate rules or variations of the game are also given. As part of the Sports and Games Through History series, this volume will appeal to students as well as sports, history, and cultural enthusiasts of all ages.