cover image The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting From The New Yorker

The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting From The New Yorker

Edited by David Remnick, Random, $30 (512p) ISBN 9781400068029

Remnick's thoughtfully curated selection of New Yorker essays spans the gamut of the sports conversation. From sketches of Tiger Woods to contemplations of the branding prowess of Michael Jordan to examinations of how "the choke" differs from panic, Remnick's choices display a deep affinity for a variety of sports and an understanding of their importance in the modern discourse. The essays, written by wildly different authors ranging from Henry Louis Gates Jr. to Malcolm Gladwell, make for an enjoyably diverse reading experience. While readers may not be fans of a particular sport or athlete, the essays are universal; covering decades of sports writing, they speak to certain ineffable qualities of athletics and explore every facet of the games we play. This anthology represents a great variety of what The New Yorker has to offer and is an excellent way to pass the time between games. (Jun.)