Selected recent books and articles

Books

Martin Scorsese's America

(Polity Press, 2009)

Cashmore's book discloses how, collectively, Scorsese's films present an image of America. It's an image assembled from the perspectives of obsessive people, whether burned–out paramedics, compulsive entrepreneurs, tortured lovers, or celebrity–fixated comedians. It's collected from pool halls, taxicabs, boxing rings and jazz clubs. It's an image that's specific, yet ubiquitous. It is Martin Scorsese's America

Buy it now: Amazon

 

Celebrity/Culture

(Routledge, 2006)

In this fascinating and topical beginners guide, Ellis Cashmore explores the intriguing issue of celebrity culture: its origins, its meaning and its global influence. Covering such varied perspectives as fame addiction, the ‘celebrification’ of politics and celebrity fatigue, Cashmore analyzes the relationship celebrity has with commodification and the consumer society, and investigates the new media and the quest for self-perfection.

 

Making Sense of Sports

Making Sense of Sports

(Routledge, 1990; 2nd edition, Routledge, 1996; 3rd edition, Routledge, 2000; 4th edition, Routledge, 2005)

The latest edition of the textbook that incorporates perspectives from anthropology, biology, cultural studies, political science, philosophy, psychology and sociology. Its 16 chapters explore the origins of sport, the reasons why we remain fascinated by sport, the growth of the sports business, globalization and the human body. There are also chapters on racism, violence and the several gender issues in sport.

 

Tyson: Nurture of the Beast

Tyson: Nurture of the Beast

(Polity Press, 2005)

Beast. Monster. Savage. Psycho. The glowering menace of Mike Tyson has spooked us for almost two decades. And still we remain fascinated. Why? Ellis Cashmore’s answer is disturbing: white society has created Tyson as vengeance for the loss of privilege produced by civil rights.

 

Beckham Beckham

(Polity Press in association with Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2002; 2nd edition, Polity Press, 2004)

There has never been an athlete quite like Beckham. Or, more accurately, there have been any number of athletes like him, but never a celebrity. His global status is challenged only by Tiger Woods: all over the world, people adore, venerate, even worship the boy with decorously pale good looks and his ex-Spice Girl wife.

 

Encyclopedia of Race and Ethnic Studies

(Routledge, 2003)

Encyclopedia of Race and Ethnic Studies has been assembled by a world-class team of international scholars led by Ellis Cashmore to provide an authoritative, single-volume reference work on all aspects of race and ethnic studies. From Aboriginal Australians to Xenophobia, Nelson Mandela to Richard Wagner, sexuality to racial profiling, the Encyclopedia is organized alphabetically and reflects cultural diversity in a global context.

 

Sport Psychology

 

Sport Psychology

(Routledge, 2002)

Sport Psychology: The Key Concepts provides the most authoritative, wide-ranging and up-to-date A to Z guide available to this fascinating field. Cross-referenced, with suggestions for further reading and a full index, it offers a highly accessible introduction to the vocabulary of sport psychology, its central theories and its contemporary relevance.

 

Dictionary of Race and Ethnic Relations

 

Dictionary of Race and Ethnic Relations

(Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984; Japanese edition, Akashi, 1987; 2nd edition, Routledge, 1988; 3rd edition, Routledge, 1994; 4th edition, Routledge, 1996; Japanese edition, Akashi, 1999; Portuguese edition, Summus 2001)

The standard reference book for the field of race and ethnic relations. A comprehensive A to Z with entries on such diverse subjects as affirmative action, hybridity, Puerto Ricans in the USA and Zionism. The book has been cited in law cases and accepted as a standard international sourcebook. Published by Routledge in 1996.

 

... and there was television

 

... and there was television

(Routledge, 1994; Portuguese edition, Summus, 1999)

A comprehensive examination of the most culturally important invention of the twentieth century: this book traces the history of television, its growth and the way it changed us - radically. It looks at the effects, good and bad, of television, citing the relevant research throughout. One of its conclusions is that the link between actual and televised violence has been wildly exaggerated. Published by Routledge in 1995.

 

The Black Culture Industry

 

The Black Culture Industry

(Routledge, 1997)

Developing a history of black culture from the post-emancipation period to the present - from negro spirituals to rap - this book argues that inflating the value of a commodified black culture may actually work against the interests of racial justice and that the most significant and pernicious effect of the celebration of black culture may be in signaling the end of racism while keeping the racial hierarchy essentially intact. Published by Routledge in 1997.

 

Dictionary of Cultural Theorists

 

Dictionary of Cultural Theorists
edited with Chris Rojek

(Arnold/OUP, 1999)

Edited with Chris Rojek, this is an introductory guide to philosophers, psychologists, linguists, sociologists, and theorists from several other domains, all of whom have, in some way, contributed to our understanding of culture. Each entry is cross-referenced, with guides to further reading and accessible shorthand maps to guide the reader. Published by Arnold and Oxford University Press of America in 1999.

 

Sports Culture: An A - Z guide

 

Sports Culture: An A - Z guide

(Routledge, 2000)

Covers the whole gamut of sports culture, including the symbols, myths, language and art of sports, the historical conditions under which sports emerged and matured, the commercial and legal changes and the significant figures who have embodied the spirit of the times or pointed to new directions in sport. Published by Routledge in 2001.

 

Racism: Essential readings

Racism: Essential readings
edited with James Jennings

(Sage, 2001)

Edited with James Jennings, this book tells the story of racism through the work of writers who have sought to enlighten us with their understanding of one of the most persistent and bedeviling problems of today. The volume collects essays and extracts from the most illuminating writers of the twentieth century, documenting them chronologically so that the reader is able to read the narrative as it unfolded through the decades. Published by Sage in 2001.

 

 

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Articles  
   
On BEYONCÉ
Celebrity Studies

"Buying Beyoncé" by Ellis Cashmore, from Celebrity Studies is used with permission of Taylor & Francis.

Visit: Celebrity Studies
Download: Buying Beyoncé (PDF, 220KB)

 

On SPORT AND BRITISH CULTURE
The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture

"Sport in contemporary Britain" by Ellis Cashmore, from The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture, edited by Michael Higgins, Clarissa Smith and John Storey © Cambridge University Press. Used by permission of Cambridge University Press.

Visit: The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture
Download: Sport in contemporary Britain (PDF, 95KB)

 

On TIGER WOODS
Current Sociology

"Tiger Woods and the New Racial Order" by Ellis Cashmore, from Current Sociology is used with permission of Sage Publications.

Download: Current Sociology (PDF, 162KB)

 

On THE BRITISH ASIAN JIGSAW
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies

"British Asian Jigsaw" by Ellis Cashmore, from Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies is used with permission of Taylor & Francis.

Download: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (PDF, 151KB)

 

On SPORT IN BLACK BRITISH HISTORY
The Oxford Companion to Black British History

"Sport" by Ellis Cashmore, from The Oxford Companion to Black British History, edited by David Dabydeen, John Gilmore, and Cecily Jones, © Oxford University Press. Used
by permission of Oxford University Press. For more information about The Oxford Companion to Black British History, please follow the link

Visit: The Oxford Companion to Black British History
Download: Sport in Black British History (PDF, 145KB)

 

On DRUGS IN SPORT
The Observer

Visit: Stop Testing And Legalise The Lot
(The Observer, 26 October 2003)

 

On CHARIOTS OF FIRE
Sport in Society

Chariots of Fire” by Ellis Cashmore, from Sport in Society appears by permission of Taylor & Francis. For more information about Sport in Society, please follow the link

Visit: Sport in Society - Taylor & Francis
Download: Chariots of Fire (PDF, 202KB)

 

 
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