Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball

By Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford

Book Overview

Reaching back over a century of struggle, liberation, and gutsy play, Shattering the Glass is a sweeping chronicle of women's basketball in the United States. Offering vivid portraits of forgotten heroes and contemporary stars, Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford provide a broad perspective on the history of the sport, exploring its close relationship to concepts of womanhood, race, and sexuality, and to efforts to expand women's rights.

Extensively illustrated and drawing on original interviews with players, coaches, administrators, and broadcasters, Shattering the Glass presents a moving, gritty view of the game on and off the court. It is both an insightful history and an empowering story of the generations of women who have shaped women's basketball.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807858293
• ISBN13: 9780807858295
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding history of women's basketball!

This is a comprehensive and well written history of women's basketball at all levels from high school, industrial, AAU, college, pro. Great stories from its stars of yesterday and today, with many quotes and personal glimpses from players and coaches from every level and many major teams. The authors clearly understand the significance of Title IX and its significance to every female scholar-athlete and attempt to convey its continued importance with repeated references to it. Highly recommended for any fan of the game, and a MUST READ for young girls and women who want to appreciate the pioneers of the game they play.

A "Must Read" for Anyone Interested in Women's Basketball

This is a carefully and well-written book that provides an excellent and thorough history of women's basketball. The book is a good blend of some of the unknown players/coaches/teams and the usual suspects. While the book focuses on basketball, the authors do a great job of placing the sport into the social/political dynamic of the times. They trace the continuing tension between women's expected roles and behaviors with the seemingly contradictory skills and attributes that athletic competence requires. They also don't flinch from discussing the presence of lesbians in and the impact of homophobia on the sport. I'm just an ordinary fan and enjoyed this book thoroughly. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in women's basketball.