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A Load of Old Balls
By Anna Ptaszynski; James Harkin
Sale price
£9.53
Regular price
£10.99
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Description
The most improbable, fascinating and endlessly entertaining sporting facts and stories, from prehistory to the present day.
Did you know that Henry VIII owned the first pair of football boots? Or that David Attenborough is responsible for yellow tennis balls?
A Load of Old Balls is the curious story of us and sport. It's about our mind-blowingly determined attempts to be the fastest, the strongest, the most skillful. In this endlessly entertaining tale of play and belonging, astonishing violence and jaw-dropping cheating, we learn what led ancient Egyptian athletes to have their spleens removed and discover why Michael Palin was disqualified from a conker tournament. Crossing millennia, continents and cultures, Harkin and Ptaszynski - the brainy researchers for BBC's QI and co-hosts of No Such Thing As A Fish - show us sport as we've never seen it before. "The trivia book of the season . . . magnificent." SPECTATOR
Did you know that Henry VIII owned the first pair of football boots? Or that David Attenborough is responsible for yellow tennis balls?
A Load of Old Balls is the curious story of us and sport. It's about our mind-blowingly determined attempts to be the fastest, the strongest, the most skillful. In this endlessly entertaining tale of play and belonging, astonishing violence and jaw-dropping cheating, we learn what led ancient Egyptian athletes to have their spleens removed and discover why Michael Palin was disqualified from a conker tournament. Crossing millennia, continents and cultures, Harkin and Ptaszynski - the brainy researchers for BBC's QI and co-hosts of No Such Thing As A Fish - show us sport as we've never seen it before. "The trivia book of the season . . . magnificent." SPECTATOR
** Published in hardback as Everything to Play For.
Book details
- Authors
- Anna Ptaszynski, James Harkin
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Publication date
- Pages
- 400
- ISBN-13
- 9780571372546
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Light Humour & Observational Comedy, Other Sports
- Dimensions
- 196.1 × 128.0 × 27.9 mm
- Weight
- 317.5 g
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Free 30-day returns on UK orders. If a book arrives damaged, faulty or not as described, we'll refund or replace it free of charge — you usually won't need to send it back. Changed your mind? Contact us within 30 days of delivery. International orders also have 30 days: damaged or faulty books are refunded or replaced free; if you change your mind, the return postage is yours. Read our refund policy.
When will I get my order?
In-stock orders are dispatched within 1 working day (Monday–Friday), and UK delivery usually takes 2–4 working days after dispatch. For Express International delivery to 21 more countries, see our Shipping Policy.
Do you price match?
Yes. Seen the same new book (same ISBN and format) cheaper at a UK retailer? Email support@foxandfable.com before you buy and we'll send you a code to match their price. Delivery charges aren't included. See our Price Match Guarantee for eligible retailers.
How much does shipping cost?
Standard UK delivery is £2.99, and free on orders over £35. We also offer Express International delivery to 21 more countries — see our Shipping Policy for rates.
Are your books new?
Yes. All of our books are brand new and unread, from publishers and UK book wholesalers.