The Ping Pong Player and the Professor: An Anthropologist Explores Fatherhood and Meaning in an Extraordinary Sport

by Richard Sosis

Most Americans view ping pong as either a basement recreation or the focus of a fraternity-party drinking game. Yet table tennis is an Olympic sport and one of the most popular athletic activities in the world.  The Ping Pong Player and the Professor  is a quirky memoir about the adventures of a Jewish anthropologist and his son, an elite player, in the colorful subculture of this extraordinary sport. The tale of their exploits in this hidden world is peppered with anthropological wisdom-the professor can't help himself-on a range of topics, including ethnicity, religion, sport, family, and how humans create and discover meaning in life. At its core  The Ping Pong Player and the Professor  is a heartwarming love story about the relationship between a father and son, two introverts who share a common bond over a nine-foot by five-foot table.

312 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2023

Reviews

[Max Manthou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable and informative blend of personal memoir and anthropological observation. Especially appealing for anyone who’s had a taste of the table tennis world in the US.

Definitely recommend!