Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball [Paperback]

Pamela Grundy (Author), Susan Shackelford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0807858293 | ISBN-13: 978-0807858295 | Publication Date: March 5, 2007

Shattering the Glass presents a sweeping chronicle of women's basketball in the U.S. Offering vivid portraits of forgotten heroes and contemporary stars, Grundy and Shackelford provide a broad perspective on the history of the sport, exploring its close relationship to concepts of womanhood, race, and sexuality, as well as efforts to expand women's economic and political rights. Extensively illustrated and based on original interviews with players, coaches, administrators, and broadcasters, this book is both an insightful historical work and an empowering story of the generations of women who have shaped women's basketball.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Carefully researched and enhanced with photos, notes, a bibliography and index. . . . A must . . . . Every library should own this book."
— KLIATT

A must read for both scholars and laypersons interested in basketball, sport or women's history.

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal

A remarkable look at the diversity and richness of this beautiful game.

Dawn Staley, three-time Olympic gold medalist

Filled with vivid characters and heart-stopping moments.

Jacqueline Dowd Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

[A]n indispensable resource for the sport played more than any other by women all over the world.

Bust

A must read for both scholars and laypersons interested in basketball, sport or women's history. . . . Difficult to put down.

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal

From the Inside Flap

Shattering the Glass presents a sweeping chronicle of women's basketball in the U.S. Offering vivid portraits of forgotten heroes and contemporary stars, Grundy and Shackelford provide a broad perspective on the history of the sport, exploring its close relationship to concepts of womanhood, race, and sexuality, as well as efforts to expand women's economic and political rights. Extensively illustrated and based on original interviews with players, coaches, administrators, and broadcasters, this book is both an insightful historical work and an empowering story of the generations of women who have shaped women's basketball.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (March 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807858293
• ISBN-13: 978-0807858295
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great overview of the game from the beginning to 2004 (WNBA), April 17, 2007

By 

Ann Ueda (East Bay, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball (Paperback)

Wow--I can't believe I'm the first person to review this book, given how comprehensive it is and what a great overview it provides for the sport of women's basketball in the United States.

Grundy takes us from the first days of the game itself as developed by James Naismith (what a smart guy he was, to envision this great game) and then quickly adopted by Victorians to allow women to play sports but with all of the quirky Victorian values in place. Readers will learn a little about the first rules for women's basketball, including organization of the court into cells, each one containing a woman who stood within its boundaries to defend her team's basket and pass the ball for offensive plays. Yes, the game was really that slow and inactive back then! But the rules were designed to prevent women from over-exerting themselves and retaining that air of refinement.

Grundy also does a good job of including stories about the key players at the college and professional levels from the 1930s onward. You'll recognize the well known women players and learn about others who, while less well known, were still instrumental in growing the sport. You'll also learn something of the spirit, vision, and character of these physically and psychologically strong women pioneers.

And, because this is a history involving women, you will also learn about the difficulties women, as recently as Pat Summitt (Lady Vols basketball coach--GO VOLS!) and Tara VanDerveer (Stanford women's basketball coach--GO STANFORD!) who went to high school when there was NO basketball team for girls, had in finding places where they could learn to play the game and play with other teams. That's hard (thankfully) for women of the next generations (like me) to imagine, but this was the reality for much of the country until the 1970s. Readers will also learn about the passage of "Title IX" by Congress, legislation that was key to creating greater opportunity in sports, and how it was actually part of a larger piece of legislation that didn't initially actually have a sports/althetics focus. Women's basketball in this country is a fine mirror of the equality, civil rights, and social justice movements that were happening concurrently with the development of the sport.

Grundy also does a good job of including some information about other women's basketball leagues that have been a part of the game's history, including Asian-only leagues. While she only mentions Chinese-American leagues, there were also Japanese-American leagues for children and youth, where many of the players and families were Japanese American. These ethnic-specific leagues were and, for some, continue to be important aspects of ethnic communities and ethnic identities, often being the only time a child or youth from that background would think to play the sport. That Grundy knew about these leagues and included them in her book only adds to the diversity, love, and support this game has had from all groups, but whose stories would otherwise be lost over time.

Grundy's book ends in 2004 and with the story of the successful WNBA (and accompanying demise of the ABL, the other competing women's pro ball league that eventually folded).

The only reason why I gave this book only 4 stars and not all 5 is because the book is too short and I would've enjoyed more details. Still, this is a great book to read if you want to know the comprehensive history of this game for women, be inspired to play the game or support players who do, and understand the evolution of sports and athletics for women. It's an even greater book to read in between the college and pro women's basketball seasons!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I had no idea, August 14, 2007

By 

Dodo-Calvaria "comeback tour 07" (austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball (Paperback)

I checked this book out from the library after I first got WNBA fever two years ago. Before that, my only experience with women's bball was playing in 7th grade. Although it was the funnest sport I ever tried, I left it completely behind when i became a grungy teen and eschewed all sports. (Blame in on Texas' sports-centric culture y'all, I was just reacting, ha!)

Then WNBA games starting broadcasting regularly on ESPN2. The women's game mesmerized me. I couldn't get enough - which brought me to Shattering the Glass. It's a great overview of the history. If you're new to the scene, it's a fabulous introduction to the stories behind the big names. I didn't know Nancy Lieberman was nicknamed Fire in the 70s, thanks to her showy moves! Too awesome. The cover, showing Chamique Holdsclaw (who recently retired, sadly) and Lisa Leslie, is a great indication of the guts, brawn and glory that is the women's game.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slam-dunk celebration and tribute to women and sports, February 18, 2008

By 

Kevin Woodward (Soquel, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball (Paperback)

I just purchased two more copies for friends and fellow coaches ... and I'm only halfway through this mesmorizing read. I especially enjoyed the accompanying photographs beginning in the 1890s ... and the timeless, oh-so-familiar looks of intensity, confidence, and joy in the eyes of the players. My own life in sports was incomplete until I was introduced to the women's game through my own daughters. Attention Ken Burns: Here is the script for your next project. Long live Title IX!