One of the world's foremost sports historians, Professor Gems has written a readable, fully illustrated book on sports history. It is the first video text in the field in which the reader can see authentic reenactments of ancient sports and videos of modern sport. It is written as a textbook for college classes in sport history and for the general public who are interested in modern and ancient sport and how sport has evolved through the ages. Professor Gems has also included an interesting chapter in the rise of women's sports. It is a "must read" for anyone interested in sports.