Mortal Engines: The Science of Performance and the Dehumanization of SportThis richly documented history of how science triumphed over sport shows how the Greek ideal of a sound mind in a healthy body has been defeated by the impossible quest to exceed merely human limits. The modern obsession with "enhancing" athletic performance goes back to the 19th century, and the use of steroids is only the latest development in the dehumanization of sport. 8-page photo insert. |
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MORTAL ENGINES: The Science of Performance and the Dehumanization of Sport
User Review - KirkusAn ambitious and jolting, if occasionally turgid, investigation into the origins and wider implications of the contemporary union of science and sport. Blending cultural history with ethical alarm ... Read full review
Mortal engines: the science of performance and the dehumanization of sport
User Review - Not Available - Book Verdict"Gentlemen, start your engines!'' is the cry that resounds annually at the opening of the Indianapolis 500. Hoberman's Mortal Engines symbolically parallels this cry, substituting human beings for ... Read full review
Contents
The Savage and Civilized | 33 |
The Birth of Sports | 62 |
A History of Doping | 100 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Mortal Engines: The Science of Performance and the Dehumanization of Sport John M. Hoberman No preview available - 2001 |
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actually American anabolic steroids animal appeared applied associated athletic performance become biological body boosting Brown-Séquard called capacity century Chapter claimed competition constitutional cultural described doping drugs early East German effects elite energy European evidence example exercise experimental experiments extracts fact fatigue followed French Galton Games genetic German sports high-performance sport hormonal horses human human organism idea important improve interest issue Journal kind laboratory later less limits male measure medicine mental methods movement muscle muscular natural nervous nineteenth century noted observer officials Olympic organism period physical physician physiological political possible potential practice Press problem produced psychology race racial record reported result says scientific scientists society Soviet sports physicians steroids stimulants strength substances Süddeutsche Zeitung suggests techniques temperament testing theory thinking Tissié types University West wrote York