A History Lesson

January 10th, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee Posted in Education, General | Comments »

Ever wondered about the origins of the sport that you love? Yes? Okay so you know something about squash originating in English schools in the 18th century but just how much DO you know?
Let James Zug take you back to the 12th century and tell you all about the game of tennis and rackets and fives and squash.
His book Squash: A History of the Game which goes into great depth is also a highly recommended read. Here is a good description of what it includes:
“The first history of squash in the U.S., Squash tells the story of the game from its beginnings in 1884 in open-air courts in New Hampshire to today’s pro tournaments in portable glass courts in Grand Central. It describes every aspect of the game: women, men, juniors, intercollegiates, singles and doubles, hardball and softball. Learn about such legends as Harry Cowles, whose Harvard teams never lost a match; Eleo Sears who swam in the icy Atlantic in February before matches; and the Khan family who emerged from the Khyber Pass to build the world’s greatest squash dynasty in North America. Follow the concrete court on the Titantic to its watery grave. Read in detail about the classic confrontation between Jahangir Khan and Mark Talbott at the 1984 Boston Open. Gasp at the five times the title of national champion has come down to one final, winner-take-all point. Discover who are the stars of the future. With sixteen pages of exciting photographs and an appendix containing a complete list of all major tournament winners, Squash is the essential piece of equipment for the twenty-first century player and fan.”