The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game - John Fox

Inspired by the curiosity of his sports-obsessed eight-year-old son, anthropologist Fox sets off to explore the untold history of our favorite ball games, investigate their origins, and discern how the humble, ubiquitous ball has an unrivaled claim on history and passion. n nAnthropologist John Fox sets off on a worldwide adventure to thefarthest reaches of the globe and the deepest recesses of our ancientpast to answer a question inspired by his sports-loving son: n nWhy do we play ball?n nFrom Mexican jungles to the small-town gridirons of Ohio, frommedieval villages and royal courts to modern soccer pitches andbaseball parks, The Ball explores the little-known origins ofour favorite sports across the centuries, and traces how a simpleinvention like the ball has come to stake an unrivaled claim on ourpassions, our money, and our lives. Equal parts history and travelogue, The Ball removes us from the scandals and commercialism of today'ssports world to uncover the true reasons we play ball, helping us reclaimour universal connection to the games we love.n