In this fascinating analysis of the development, structure, and strategies of sports, Bell argues that games are an institution that not only reflect society but also mold society. He develops a typology of seven game levels from the primitive to the decadent and examines the history of game development in Western civilization, through the relation of the various game levels to national ambitions and strategies. To Play the Game is both enlightening and entertaining, an original contribution to the growing scholarship on sports.

Irish history sounds a long litany of grievance and vengeance-lost battles, escaped earls, and institutionalized injustice. The gun, certainly in this century, has played a prominent part. In The Gun in Politics, J. Bowyer Bell presents the story of one Ireland-the Ireland of the Troubles-and about an approach to understanding political violence. In particular, he examines the Irish Republic Army, the longest-enduring unsuccessful revolutionary organization. He de-scribes the covert world of gunmen and the great game they play in the street.

His is a lively, telling account...

Irish history sounds a long litany of grievance and vengeance--lost battles, escaped earls, and institutionalized injustice. The gun, certainly in this century, has played a prominent part. In The Gun in Politics, J. Bowyer Bell presents the story of one Ireland--the Ireland of the Troubles--and about an approach to understanding political violence. In particular, he examines the Irish Republic Army, the longest-enduring unsuccessful revolutionary organization. He de-scribes the covert world of gunmen and the great game they play in the street.

His is a lively, telling...