Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins: Ping-Pong and the Art of Staying Alive

From Library Journal
In this series of essays, noted prose stylist Charyn (Blue Eyes) examines the game of Ping-Pong. Charyn provides an introduction to the history of the game, depicts its major players ("pongistes") from this century (e.g., Henry Miller), reviews playing styles and techniques, and details the evolution of the game's equipment. He laments the passing of Ping-Pong emporiums from the streets of New York, which he sees as a major factor in the decline in world-class players from the United States in recent years. The writing style is deeply personal as the author, a member of the U.S. Metro Ping-Pong team in Paris, strives to explain the mystique table tennis holds for him and his fellow enthusiasts. For most readers, however, his efforts may be unsuccessful. Ultimately, this is the epitome of a niche publication: it is of potential interest to a small, dedicated population only. For large sports collections. John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Ping-pong, played around the world by over 250 million people, cast a hypnotic spell on Jerome Charyn’s childhood imagination. Sizzling Chops and Devilish Spins portrays the great pongistes and includes photos and interviews with table tennis legends Marty "The Needle" Reisman and Dick Miles. From ping-pong detente in China to the underground bars of New York City, Charyn details the sport’s history while capturing the intellect, excitement, and anarchic spirit of ping-pong’s golden age. This offbeat and entertaining chronicle of one of the world’s quirkier Olympic sports is presented in a completely redesigned trade paper edition. "Table tennis can now add to its two certified American superstar players a certified American superstar chronicler — The New York Times "Both an informed history and an intimate memoir.... [Charyn’s] book is a giddy delight and a sweet elegy." — The Los Angeles Times Book Review


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In this series of essays, noted prose stylist Charyn (Blue Eyes) examines the game of Ping-Pong. Charyn provides an introduction to the history of the game, depicts its major players ("pongistes") from this century (e.g., Henry Miller), reviews playing styles and techniques, and details the evolution of the game's equipment. He laments the passing of Ping-Pong emporiums from the streets of New York, which he sees as a major factor in the decline in world-class players from the United States in recent years. The writing style is deeply personal as the author, a member of the U.S. Metro Ping-Pong team in Paris, strives to explain the mystique table tennis holds for him and his fellow enthusiasts. For most readers, however, his efforts may be unsuccessful. Ultimately, this is the epitome of a niche publication: it is of potential interest to a small, dedicated population only. For large sports collections. John Maxymuk, Rutgers Univ. Lib., Camden, NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.


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