Squash
A History of the Game
Will be published approx. on 4. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-6680-8971-2 (ISBN)
Description
Updated and with a new afterword from the author, this definitive history of squash by journalist James Zug is a must-read for squash lovers and sports history buffs alike, capturing the evolution of one of America's greatest games.
Step into the fast-paced world of squash with this ultimate deep dive into one of America's fastest-growing sports. This newly updated edition of Squash packs in fresh stories and insights, charting the racquet sport's evolution.
From its scrappy beginnings in the 1850s, when English schoolboys invented the game in alleys and yards, to its arrival on US soil in 1884, squash has grown into a global phenomenon. Award-winning journalist James Zug takes readers on a fascinating journey, exploring defining moments like the pivotal shift in the 1990s from the one court size to another, a change that propelled the US to international squash dominance. The game has over 1.6 million players in this country, a growing presence in schools and colleges, and is on the brink of its next big milestone-making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Packed with vibrant profiles of squash legends, Zug's narrative goes beyond the court. He uncovers the game's rich cultural roots, tracing its elite origins and its expansion into public and commercial clubs. Along the way, he captures the passion, drama, and camaraderie that make squash so much more than just a sport.
In the tradition of iconic sports histories like David Halberstam's The Amateurs, Squash isn't just for players-it's for anyone who loves a great story. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or curious newcomer to the game, this is your definitive guide to the lasting legacy of squash.
Step into the fast-paced world of squash with this ultimate deep dive into one of America's fastest-growing sports. This newly updated edition of Squash packs in fresh stories and insights, charting the racquet sport's evolution.
From its scrappy beginnings in the 1850s, when English schoolboys invented the game in alleys and yards, to its arrival on US soil in 1884, squash has grown into a global phenomenon. Award-winning journalist James Zug takes readers on a fascinating journey, exploring defining moments like the pivotal shift in the 1990s from the one court size to another, a change that propelled the US to international squash dominance. The game has over 1.6 million players in this country, a growing presence in schools and colleges, and is on the brink of its next big milestone-making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Packed with vibrant profiles of squash legends, Zug's narrative goes beyond the court. He uncovers the game's rich cultural roots, tracing its elite origins and its expansion into public and commercial clubs. Along the way, he captures the passion, drama, and camaraderie that make squash so much more than just a sport.
In the tradition of iconic sports histories like David Halberstam's The Amateurs, Squash isn't just for players-it's for anyone who loves a great story. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or curious newcomer to the game, this is your definitive guide to the lasting legacy of squash.
Reviews / Votes
"A well-paced account... For a game said to require, simply, 'a bat, a ball and a wall,' its lore is rich, and Zug is a good storyteller." -New York Times"Something about squash-the white walls, the cloistered courts and the cruel ring of a tinned volley-inspires eccentricity... [Zug] excels in describing the game's outsized personalities and how they won clubhouse fame and infamy." -New Yorker
"It doesn't take much reading to warm to the goofy, quixotic coaches, party animals, angry loners, footloose scions and racquet-wielding Holly Golightlys who traipse through the pages of Mr. Zug's book." -Peter Bodo, Wall Street Journal
"With its narrative vivacity and wealth of historical settings, this classy piece of sports writing is not just for squash nuts." -Kirkus
"[Captures] an interesting parallel between the game and American social movements... Zug's passion for and knowledge of the game make this a unique addition to the library of sports histories." -Publishers Weekly
"Accessible... Contains enough squash esoterica to excite the most dedicated squash junkie." -Columbia Magazine
"The squash world has been waiting for a book like this. I bet even the most dedicated and knowledgeable maestros of tight rails and feathery drop shots will learn lots of fascinating stuff they never knew before." -Tom Wolfe
"From schoolboys swatting balls on outdoor walls to the pros competing on portable glass courts in Grand Central Station, Squash beautifully conveys the fierce battles, exciting developments and many unforgettable personalities who have loved our game." -Mark Talbott
"Expert/hacker, hardball/softball, doubles/singles-all squash devotees should read James Zug's comprehensive and passionate account of the history of their game." -Frank Deford
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
b&w photos throughout
Dimensions
Height: 212 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
332 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6680-8971-2 (9781668089712)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
James Zug received his MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia. His work has appeared in numerous national magazines and newspapers like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Outside, and he is the author of a half dozen books. The world's leading squash journalist, he has traveled to six continents covering the game. Since 2005, he has been the chair of the US Squash Hall of Fame committee.