LaFeber and Global Capitalism

After reading LaFeber's book, I thought it would be interesting to see how this book has been recieved by the greater population. I found an article by Franklin Crawford, discussing the release of his book as a "trade book." LaFeber admitted to being a "'sportswriter wannabe,'" which may explain the extensive discussion of Michael Jordan's rise to sports superstar. Additionally, he answers my questions concerning the inclusion of these sections in the following passage from the article:
"In two years or more my students won't know Michael Jordan as a basketball player but as a commercial celebrity, a product," LaFeber said. "So I felt I had to put information in there to show why he was an exceptional athlete."
Logically, LaFeber is assuming that as capitalism takes over culture, Michael Jordan will be come simply a label, and we will lose site of the athletic prowess that drove him to this role as a cultural icon. Additionally, I thought it was interesting that Crawford points out the popularity of this book in the "public mill." While LaFeber did not orginially intend for Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism to be of mainstream interest, its popularity could indicate an increased public interest in the growth of capitalist influences. Hopefully, LaFeber has helped some normally apathetic readers realize the influence of global capitalism and the effects of this force on culture.

The article is very interesting.... check it out.