The Spirit of the Game: American Christianity and Big-Time Sports Hardcover – October 8, 2024

The story of America cannot be told without including faith and sports. Dr. Paul Putz weaves in both in a well-researched account that helps the reader understand how faith shaped sports, and how both helped define our nation over the past century. The Spirit of the Game is an impactful read, worth keeping nearby on the shelf to help reflect upon where we are now, and how we might continue to fight the good fight and complete our own race, wherever our arena may be.Bill SterrettEducational Leadership Professor and Chair, author of Insights into Action

An amazing book about the history of sports and faith! This book will teach you so much

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or a student of American religion, Dr. Putz’s work offers rich insights into how faith has shaped the world of American athletics. It's a beautiful blend of being well researched but also extremely accessible. In other words, you don't need a PhD to wrap your head around the role that faith has played in shaping the culture of sports in the US.

One of my favorite books of 2024 altogether and easily my favorite of this genre. Meticulous and thorough without being dense. So many great stories throughout that Putz weaves together to tell the important and thought provoking history of the ways that Christianity has shaped sport and sport has shaped Christianity.

An enjoyable read of the intersection of faith and sports.