Eat Sweat Play by Anna Kessel
Long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, 2016 For too long society has led us to believe that women and sport don't mix. While perspiration and 'fitspiration' have never been so hot, sport continues to be stubbornly cast as unfeminine. But why should sport and exercise be so gendered? What happened to the carefree versions of ourselves, the young girls who dared to climb trees, cartwheel across playgrounds or run down hills so fast we laughed until we couldn't breathe? When did we lose our sense of fun, and what else did we lose along with it? In a brave, funny and personal call to arms, Anna Kessel carries out a very timely health check on the nation and women's involvement in sport. In her exploration of major taboos, including body dysmorphia, periods, miscarriage, sex and the gender pay gap, Kessel discovers how sport and exercise play and integral role in every sphere of our modern lives. Sharing the tales of a fascinating range of women - from Sporty Spice conquering the music world in a shell suit to mums who box and breastfeed - Eat Sweat Play is the inspirational story of how women are finally reclaiming sport, and by extension their own bodies, for themselvesThis book is a plea to reclaim tracks, pitches and pools for women, and to ensure that the next generation grows up appreciating - and enjoying - all that their bodies are capable of. -- Emma John * The Guardian *
Fascinating, compelling and thought-provoking -- Lauren Laverne * The Pool *
A piercing call to arms, [Anna] argues that if women and girls embrace being active, it will lead to a sea change for women's bodies, self-image and outlook. It is brilliant. * Stylist *
I’d go as far to say that this book was a life changer for my health and fitness. -- Estee Lalonde
No topic is off limits - cringe worthy school PE, the gender pay gap, parenthood, women as fans, menopause, disability and even her own miscarriage are explored, telling a cradle-to-grave story of our vexed relationship with moving our own bodies. She also lays bare the systemic issues: sports science, for example, is based overwhelmingly on studies of male bodies, as if pregnancy and menstruation simply did not exist. This is a book for parents, sports lovers, and anyone who wants to be on the right side of history. -- Moya Dodd * Australia Financial Review *
Anna Kessel is a sports journalist, acclaimed author and vocal campaigner on equality in sport.
A rare example of a female journalist in her field, Anna published Eat Sweat Play: How Sport Can Change Your Life (Macmillan) in 2016, a passionate polemic aimed at bringing sport to the female masses.
A Guardian and Observer journalist since 2004, Anna has covered three Olympic Games, several World Cups, Euros and World Championships, and interviewed some of the biggest stars in global sport. Anna is also an experienced ghostwriter, working with a number of high profile sports stars, including an award winning football column.
Co-founder and chair of Women in Football (WiF), an organization lobbying against sexism in the game and championing female role models, The Independent described her as a “fearless adversary of sexism” in their list of the 50 Most Influential Women in Sport. Anna regularly contributes to TV and radio.
In 2016 Anna was awarded an MBE for services to journalism and women in sport. She is mother to two daughters.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781509808090 |
| ISBN 10 | 1509808094 |
| Title | Eat Sweat Play |
| Author | Anna Kessel |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Pan Macmillan |
| Year published | 2016-06-16 |
| Number of pages | 288 |
| Prizes | Short-listed for Cross Sports Books Awards: Freshtime New Writer of the Year 2017 (UK), Long-listed for William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2016 (UK) |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |