Tennis: A Cultural History (Paperback)

by Heiner Gillmeister (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Gillmeister (medieval English, Univ. of Bonn) essentially divides this well-researched history of tennis into three time periods: tennis from the Middle Ages in England and France, the same countries from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, and the latter period in Germany. Employing extensive footnotes and a bibliography, he keeps a light tone even when verifying minute details like the physical layout of Henry V's tennis court. Despite some fascinating tidbits?e.g., the first record of the game was passed down by a monk; it was recommended to German wives of the 1890s as a way to keep their husbands?this is truly a scholarly work replete with many medieval illustrations. Primarily for academic libraries.?J. Sara Paulk, Coastal Plain Regional Lib., Tifton, Ga.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A definitive account of tennis a splayed from the Middle Ages to the present... will sate the curiosity of the most avid tennis enthusiast.”

- Publishers Weekly

"Well Researched... [Gillmeister] keeps a light tone even when vilifying minute details like the physical layout of Henry V's tennis court."

- Library Journal

"Extraordinary"

- The Economist

" . . . the book is exemplary, and the scholarship particularly of the first five chapters sets a high standard for the history of any sport."

- American Studies International

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press; 1st Paperback Ed edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081473121X
• ISBN-13: 978-0814731215
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #443,516 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)