{"product_id":"9781496244963","title":"PRE-ORDER NOW Playing to the End : Elder Black Men, Placemaking, and Dominoes in Denver by Steve Bialostok","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e PRE-ORDER NOW - Published: 01\/01\/2026 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn Playing to the End, Steve Bialostok immerses readers in the vibrant world of the card room at Denver's Hiawatha Davis Jr. Recreation Center, where a group of older Black men gather to play dominoes, exchange playful banter known as \"talking shit,\" and cultivate a space of belonging. More than just a game, their gatherings are acts of Black placemaking-resisting cultural erasure, gentrification, and societal marginalization while fostering joy, resilience, and community.    Through five years of ethnographic study, Bialostok reveals how these men transform the card room into a sanctuary of identity and defiance, where humor and camaraderie become tools of self-determination. As they navigate the pressures of a changing neighborhood, their interactions affirm the power of play, talk, and collective memory in sustaining Black spaces. Playing to the End is a compelling testament to the significance of these gatherings and the ongoing struggle for autonomy, cultural affirmation, and social connection in an inequitable world.    ? \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback \/ softback","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368924262773,"sku":"9781496244963","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781496244963.jpg?v=1763551371","url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/products\/9781496244963","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}