Steven A. Riess

About the Author

Steven A. Riess is a distinguished historian specializing in the cultural and social dimensions of American sports, with a particular focus on how athletic pursuits intersect with broader societal transformations. A professor emeritus at Northeastern Illinois University, Riess has dedicated his career to uncovering the ways in which sports reflect and shape national identity, class dynamics, and urban life. His seminal work, Touching Base: Professional Baseball and American Culture in the Progressive Era (Sport and Society), meticulously explores the rise of baseball as a cultural phenomenon during a pivotal time of reform and industrialization in the United States. Through rigorous research and engaging narrative, Riess illuminates the profound influence of sports on American history, making complex historical narratives accessible to both scholars and general readers alike.