Having almost no interest in the subject of sports, I put off reading a book for the Nonfiction Reader Challenge category as long as I could. I had drawn up a small shortlist of titles but, as a fan of the informative and hilarious British trivia panel television show, QI, when I spotted Everything To Play For as a new release in a library catalogue, I immediately snapped it up.

Authored by two of the show’s ‘elves’ (aka researchers), Everything To Play For reflects the spirit of the program. Exploring the weird and wonderful wide world of sports, from the disputed origins of golf, to the tactics of tug-of-war, from the invention of the anti-orgasm bicycle seat, to the psychology of teamwork, and much more, the anecdotes embrace the idea that participating in, or watching, sport is about more than just the game, it is an integral part of the human experience with implications for individuals, society, politics, and technology.

Almost in spite of myself I found this book to be intriguing, surprising and entertaining. I had thought I might end up skimming parts, but I even read the extensive footnotes. I feel I learned a lot of fascinating, if perhaps ultimately useless, trivia. I don’t need to know that the football huddle originated with a Gallaudet University quarterback, Paul Dillingham Hubbard, who needed to communicate with his team, or that the invention of plastic was due to the pursuit of cheaper billiard balls, or even that see-sawing was once a Roman spectator sport, but I’m weirdly glad I do.

Written in a personable tone, and with plenty of humour, this book can be read straight through, or dipped into as desired. Ideal for sports fans and trivia buffs, Everything To Play For is all fun and games. ( )