Something Like the Gods: A Cultural History of the Athlete from Achilles to LeBron

A lively, literary exploration of one of the West's most iconic cultural figures—the athlete

Why is the athlete so important to us? Few public figures can dominate the public imagination with such power and authority. Even in our cynical times, when celebrities can be debunked at the speed of light, many still look to athletes as models for our moral and emotional lives. An aging fastballer goes for a few last wins in his final season, and he becomes an exemplar for our daily struggles agai...