Includes index.

1. Ancient civilizations -- 2. From the spiritual world to the secular world : changing concepts of the body -- 3. The historical and philosophical development of sport and physical education in America -- 4. The American approach to sport and physical education in the twentieth century -- 5. A social and political history of the modern Olympic games

Mechikoff’s "A history and philosophy of sport and physical education" offers an engaging and informative overview of the philosophy of sport from Egypt to Ancient Greece and on to the present time. From Mesoamerica and Ancient Greece to the Olympic Games, the book touches on religion, politics, social movements, and individuals as they contributed to the development of sport and physical education.