A Load of Old Balls cover art

A Load of Old Balls

The QI History of Sport

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A Load of Old Balls

By: James Harkin, Anna Ptaszynski
Narrated by: Anna Ptaszynski, James Harkin
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About this listen

Previously published as EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR: THE QI BOOK OF SPORTS

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CHARLES TYRWHITT SPORTS BOOK AWARDS

'Top Bins! A personal best, a lap record and a hole in one for when rain has stopped play.' ALAN DAVIES

'The trivia book of the season . . . magnificent.' SPECTATOR

Hop, skip and jump into this wonderfully curious grand tour of the world of sports, brought to you by QI Elves James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski.

From sport's weirdest rules to its most unlikely heroes, via comically large cricket bats, pole-vaulting priests, creative football chants and exploding billiard balls, each chapter of A Load of Old Balls is brimming with surprising facts and intriguing stories.

Even if you've never asked yourself what David Attenborough has to do with yellow tennis balls, why Victorian doctors feared the outbreak of 'bicycle face' or what led ancient Egyptian athletes to have their spleens removed, this book will give you the astonishing answers - and plenty more besides.

**

For more from the team behind QI's hit TV show, check out the QI FACTS series of books, @qikipedia, their weekly podcast at nosuchthingasafish.com or visit qi.com

©2023 James Harkin (P)2023 Faber & Faber Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
Very interesting & informative. As someone who follows many sports there was plenty of new stories & facts I’d never heard before. Thoroughly entertaining

Enjoyable

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Interesting, engaging and lighthearted (except all the sad bits about social injustice - but that’s life) thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Excellent - love these guys

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Was never really too bothered by sports or sport related stories but after completing this book I will view sport in a completely new light. Thanks to QI for that opportunity. Loved it!

Great listen

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Once again the guys behind QI come up with a funny and informative book of things you didn’t know you wanted to know!!

Another funny book of randomness

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I wasn't sure this would be my sort of thing as I know next to nothing about sports beyond the basics. But I was happily proven wrong as this book is very enjoyable. Would recomend to anyone looking for a feel-good yet factual book.

Very funny ad interesting, even for non-sports fans

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As per usual Anna and James (I'm on a first name basis because I listen to the No Such Thing as a Fish podcast) are quite interesting, funny, thought provoking and charming.

I loved listening to the audio book while getting on with all my boring housework. It made the time fly by while I gain historical and multicultural perspectives.

I bought two hardback copies as Christmas presents for my brothers in law and they both loved it too.

It's a very good present for anyone with even a mild interest in sport or like myself a love of QI (on BBC iplayer) and Club Fish.

Quite interesting and so much more

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even for non sports fans thos is a quite interesting collection of sporting facts by two of the elves behind QI.

quite interesting

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Overall I have loved this book so far (I’m about 3/4 of the way through). James and Anna’s voices are deeply calming and easy to listen to! The facts are clearly well researched and neither too broad nor too pointed which, in my eyes, makes it quite interesting. I’m not really a big sports fan but I have found myself thoroughly enjoying learning about it.

My only criticism is that it is very much “global north” focused with only a handful of exceptions. That said! I am only 3/4 of the way through and the ending might surprise me still.

Would still highly recommend to everyone!

Quite interesting! ;)

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The extra bit at the end was pretty cool. Could do with the music though. Sports history is fun.

Sports

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