The author journeys around the world to discover why basketball has become a global phenomenon, from the Royal court in Bhutan to the tragedy of the legendary junior national team in war torn Yugoslavia, where he learns that basketball has the power to define an individual, a race, a culture, and even a country. 40,000 first printing. From basketball's origins in Canada to modern China--with stops in Iowa, Italy, Arizona, and Angola-- Big Game, Small World: A Basketball Adventure ably tracks the international growth and popularity of basketball. Alexander Wolff simply (and convincingly) explores basketball's reach as a driving force and saving grace. Some countries mimic the NBA to the last detail, while the game provides a symbol of freedom and opportunity in more restrictive countries. Interviews with players, coaches, and local legends provide insight into how the sport has evolved, and what it means, in their respective countries. Perhaps most importantly, we see that, like soccer, basketball is a part of the social fabric, played everywhere by children, sometimes with little more than the rocks Dr. James Naismith had. Although Wolff covers much ground, he covers it quickly; details beyond the game are relatively sparse, as though he had a tight schedule. Still, the book is thoughtfully prepared, the interviews engaging, and Wolff a sure-handed writer. So why the drive in small countries to play basketball? As a Lithuanian noted: "In Lithuania today, if you have money, you have no reputation, because your money is black [market] money. If you have reputation, you are teacher, scientist, artist--but you have no money. Only basketball player has money and reputation." True, this observation applies to many sports worldwide, but Big Game, Small World stands as part of the proof. --Michael Ferch Basketball's popularity worldwide often goes beyond the bounds of recreation, business, and entertainment. In some countries, its impact is political and even cultural, as Sports Illustrated writer Wolff makes clear in this enlightening sports travelog. The author explored the game's international reach by interviewing some of the best and brightest players, coaches, and observers in 16 countries. He starts his research in Ontario, Canada, birthplace of James Naismith, who is credited with inventing the game in Springfield, MA, in 1891. Europe was Wolff's next destination, and he presents many colorful anecdotes from stops spanning Poland, Italy, and Bosnia. Back in the United States, Wolff traveled widely and asked players of numerous ethnic backgrounds about basketball's influence on their lives and aspirations. More trips to Brazil, Japan, and Bhutan demonstrate the myriad differences in how various countries approach the sport, but it's quite evident by the end of the book that there are more unifying elements than divisive ones. Wolff's knack for finding fascinating people to interview goes far in humanizing basketball in a global context. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries. Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. *Starred Review* Wolff first burst on the scene two decades ago as the coauthor of The In-Your-Face-Basketball Book (1980), a hoop junkie's nationwide guide to the best pickup and playground basketball in the country. He's now a senior writer for Sports Illustrated , and he's still moving without the ball. This journey takes him to 16 countries and 10 states as he examines the effect basketball is having on the world. A trip to Lithuania reveals a country in which patriotism and basketball became synonymous during decades of Soviet rule. Wolff investigates the origins of the crossover dribble and finds himself in Peoria, Illinois. There are also stops in Ireland, Italy, the Philippines, and an Ontario village that houses a small museum devoted to James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Along with the more travel-oriented pieces, there are also several outstanding profiles of such disparate figures as a cloistered nun who was a talented basketball player, Michael Jordan's best pal in college, and former Princeton basketball coach Pete Carril, an iconoclast whose teams consistently competed successfully with larger, more athletic opponents by employing intelligence, patience, and fundamentals. Wolff's passion for the game burns as feverishly as it did 20 years ago, when he was looking for pickup games. This is a wonderful book, certainly the best on basketball this season. Wes Lukowsky Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Alexander Wolff is an award-winning senior writer for Sports Illustrated(r). He has been on staff for more than 20 years and is considered the dean of basketball writers within the magazine industry. He lives in New York and Connecticut.