Capital Sporting Grounds: Preface and Introduction
This is the first book I've read by someone I know who wasn't my professor. That is a factor, in that those assigned books by professors pushing their products, were something to quickly get through. Heck knows I probably never read the preface or acknowledgements. If I did read the introductory chapter, it was more than likely skimmed.B.'s or Dr. Brett L. Abrams', PhD (American U) book, is so far, so good, but with some bumps. If I weren't making notes in the book, I probably would read faster as this is not a difficult read, he's telling a story. However, at points, I'm finding myself in disagreement with his writing style, and my notes are reflecting that. These are just minor stylistic things like where a sentence is in a paragraph. My other notes are just markers, either summing up a thought or highlighting major points. Habitually with non-fiction I tend to make notes in books (I own), as a way to talk with the author. Of course, in this case I could just walk over and talk with the author.
The Preface tells why this book is different from what's out there. Books covering the topic of stadiums are coffee-table picture books or technical tomes on economics or construction. There are books that are about single stadiums, in other cities, not D.C. So what B. is doing is filling a vacuum, looking at the District of Columbia/ DC Metro area and stadium development taking in account the politics and history of that development.
The Introduction provides the historical background of the growth and development of Washington, DC as a city. He quickly reviews DC's character as four cities, an international city, a federal city, a local city, and a regional city.
posted by Mari @ 11.3.09
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