Description
Book Synopsis'An entertaining new book… which looks back at the most bizarre sporting activities ever devised by mankind' Daily Mail
'Perfect book for the Christmas stockings of adults and curious children' Wall Street Journal
For those who enjoyed the quirkiness of Schott's Miscellany, the erudition of The Etymologicon or the extremes of The Dangerous Book for Boys, this is the ideal read. From
Flagpole Sitting to Hot Cockles, Edward Brooke-Hitching has researched through piles of dusty tomes to bring vividly back to life some of
the most curious, dangerous and downright bizarre sports and pastimes ever devised, before we thought better of it and erased them from the memory. After all, who would ever want to bring back
Fox Tossing, a popular sport for men and women in 17th-century Germany? The sport involved dozens of couples pairing up and standing 20-25 feet apar
Trade Review'An entertaining new book… which looks back at the most bizarre sporting activities ever devised by mankind.' * Daily Mail *
'A lively trawl through long-forgotten sports and games from around the globe.' * The Economist *
'Perfect book for the Christmas stockings of adults and curious children.' * Wall Street Journal *
'An engaging book on sports that have fallen out of favour' * Tatler *
'A strange and strangely enjoyable new book. . . This inventory of failed sports is both compelling and affectionate, fitting for a book in which "eccentricity" is not just included but celebrated.' * The Boston Globe *
'[A] droll romp through the history of bizarre games and other pastimes.' * Library Journal *
'An entertaining look at the way things were.' * Washington Post *
'[An] intriguing, go-to guide on the weird and wonderful activities of years gone by' * Irish Examiner *
