{"product_id":"the-ball-discovering-the-object-of-the-game-9780061881794","title":"The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnthropologist 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: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Why do we play ball?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Mexican jungles to the small-town gridirons of Ohio, frommedieval villages and royal courts to modern soccer pitches andbaseball parks, \u003cem\u003eThe Ball\u003c\/em\u003e 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, \u003cem\u003eThe Ball\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFox, John:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eJohn Fox has excavated ancient ball courtsin Central America, traced Marco Polo's route acrossChina, and bicycled Africa's Rift Valley in search ofhuman origins. He has contributed commentary to VermontPublic Radio as well as \u003cem\u003eSmithsonian\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOutside\u003c\/em\u003e, and\u003cem\u003eSalon\u003c\/em\u003e, among other publications. He lives in Boston.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper Perennial","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50409466265874,"sku":"9780061881794","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4ab5c163-57e0-4e52-8b99-d3ab2a9aeff1.jpg?v=1729288198","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-ball-discovering-the-object-of-the-game-9780061881794","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}