Eleven essays by leading scholars discuss all aspects of the Mesoamerican ballgame, from the natural history of rubber, to the architecture and equipment of the ballcourts, and the religious symbolism of the games. These are followed by the catalogue: 138 objects, often of striking beauty and power - models of ballplayers, both male and female, and the array of strange equipment which provided physical protection from the rigours of the sport.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The world's first team sports were invented in Mexico by the Olmec, circa 1800 B.C. Played with balls made from the indigenous rubber plants, the games shared some aspects of basketball, football and soccer and were a vital part of Mesoamerican society, through the Mayan civilization until the Spanish forbade them in the 16th century. In The Sport of Life and Death: The Mesoamerican Ballgame, editor E. Michael Whittington, curator of pre-Columbian and African art at North Carolina's Mint Museum, displays 323 photographs (171 in color) of numerous artistic and textual representations of such games, including the Mayan creation myth, the Popol Vuh. Various scholars discuss mythic games between humans and gods, the human sacrifices that followed certain games, the ball court of Aztec capital Tenochtitlan now buried under Mexico City and other fascinating details about the Mesoamerican jock set.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
E. Michael Whittington is Curator of Pre-Columbian and African Art at the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An obscure subject comes to life,
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This review is from: The Sport of Life and Death: The Mesoamerican Ballgame (Hardcover)
This is not a subject I would normally think of as intriguing enough for me to read a whole book about it. But I was wrong! Not only is this a fascinating story about Mesoamerican sport, but the writing makes the subject, the people, and the culture come alive. This is about real people playing a real game and living a real life. The book itself is beautifuly produced, full of photos and extremely well written and researched text. As odd as the subject might seem, I think anyone interested in ancient culture, Mesoamerican history, and a richer understanding of aspects of our neighbors to the south will find this book interesting. It would make a great, offbeat gift, too.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!,
This review is from: The Sport of Life and Death: The Mesoamerican Ballgame (Hardcover)
This book is amazing! It has cool pictures and information that you would normally find in various books all in one title. Definitely a must have for anyone interested in the Mesoamerican ball game.
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