Dr. Gerald Gems is one of the premier sports historians in the world. In this book, the first video text in sport history, we can see videos of how ancient and modern games have been played. But he goes beyond the sport, looking at the cultural background in which the sports have been played. We see ancient sports from China, India and the Americas and we follow the evolution of sports through the medieval days and the Renaissance and into England, the birthplace of modern sports. We then follow the development of sports today— including the importance of sports for women and the globalization of modern sports. It is the most comprehensive and interesting book on sports history and is required reading for anyone who considers himself or herself a sports enthusiast.