“Anybody
who has ever thrown, caught, bounced, hit (or whiffed) a ball will
mightily enjoy John Fox’s stories of where all these balls came from,
and why, from our earliest days, they have been such an integral part of
the very fun that makes us human.”Frank DeFord, author of The Old Ball Game
From Mexican jungles to the small-town gridirons of Ohio, from medieval villages and royal courts to modern soccer pitches and baseball parks, "The Ball" explores the little-known origins of our favorite sports across the centuries, and traces how a simple invention like the ball has come to stake an unrivaled claim on our passions, our money, and our lives. Equal parts history and travelogue, "The Ball" removes us from the scandals and commercialism of today's sports world to uncover the true reasons we play ball, helping us reclaim our universal connection to the games we love.
John Fox has excavated ancient ball courts in Central America, traced Marco Polo's route across China, and bicycled Africa's Rift Valley in search of human origins. He has contributed commentary to Vermont Public Radio as well as Smithsonian, Outside, and Salon, among other publications. He lives in Boston.
Event date:
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 7:00pm
Event address:
Porter Square Shopping Center
25 White Street
02140 Cambridge
us
$16.99
ISBN: 9780061881794
Availability: Available to Order from Supplier: Arrives at Store in a Week(ish)
Published: Harper Perennial - May 15th, 2012