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Like nothing else, sport today is international. So this book of stories and poems contains a wide range of games played in all English-speaking countries: ice hockey as well as swimming and wrestling, baseball as well as soccer and boxing, cricket as well as fishing and ice dancing,gymnastics as well and running and basketball.All the poems and three of the stories are written by women. Some pit women against men, in swimming and pool. Some pose problems that women face in playing the game according to rules written by men. Some suggest the power and solidarity that sport can give women.The authors come from Britain and Canada, the USA, and the West Indies. They include such well-known writers as Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, Alan Stilltoe, Margaret Atwood, Barry Hines, and Damon Runyan.
This collection of short stories and poems examines the intersection of human ambition and physical competition across a diverse array of athletic disciplines. Each narrative focuses on the internal and external pressures athletes face while navigating the rules and social expectations inherent in their respective sports. The collection utilizes a variety of perspectives to explore how individuals confront physical limitations and societal barriers. The narrative framework shifts between prose and verse, providing a multifaceted look at the competitive spirit across different cultural contexts.
Readers and critics often note the breadth of this anthology, highlighting its success in capturing the global reach of athletic competition. Discussion frequently centers on the inclusion of female perspectives, which provides a necessary counterpoint to traditional sports literature. The balance between established literary classics and thematic focus on gender dynamics creates an engaging experience for the reader. Many appreciate how the collection moves beyond simple game descriptions to address the social and personal implications of sports participation. The variety in pacing and tone ensures that the anthology remains accessible to a wide audience interested in the intersection of literature and physical activity.
Page Count:
160
Publication Date:
2001-03-29
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192781723
ISBN-13:
9780192781727
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