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Standing in Line - 30 Years of Obsessive Queuing at Wimbledon
Standing in Line is a humorous memoir, based on a variety of experiences in The Queue, one of sport's most fascinating traditions.
Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy becoming a 39-year-old man, it is a love letter both to Wimbledon and to the wonder of British summertime. Watching the Championships is a national pastime, and this book is full of the ups and downs out on court, as well as the memorable pop-cultural moments off it. It is set against the desperate wait for a British Gentlemen's champion, viewed against the global reality show Wimbledon has become - transcending sport and class, yet still embracing tradition.
Illustrated with drawings from renowned artist and author Zebedee Helm, the book observes both the changing world around us and the behaviour of the half-million fans who cram themselves into this leafy corner of London for two weeks every year. Standing in Line is a joyful, gently nostalgic read for anyone who has found themselves gazing for hours on end at coverage of Wimbledon.
Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy becoming a 39-year-old man, it is a love letter both to Wimbledon and to the wonder of British summertime. Watching the Championships is a national pastime, and this book is full of the ups and downs out on court, as well as the memorable pop-cultural moments off it. It is set against the desperate wait for a British Gentlemen's champion, viewed against the global reality show Wimbledon has become - transcending sport and class, yet still embracing tradition.
Illustrated with drawings from renowned artist and author Zebedee Helm, the book observes both the changing world around us and the behaviour of the half-million fans who cram themselves into this leafy corner of London for two weeks every year. Standing in Line is a joyful, gently nostalgic read for anyone who has found themselves gazing for hours on end at coverage of Wimbledon.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 19, 2020
This was a really enjoyable romp through Wimbledon history from 1984-2013, although less about the queue than I thought it was going to be. Ben Chatfield is clearly a Wimbledon expert, with a real passion for tennis and for the tournament, and I really enjoyed his memories of the queue. I think more of this (the knee stuck in the fence and the weird characters he met in the queue are some stand outs) would’ve made for a better book, although maybe not as sellable!
August 9, 2022
Great book, detailing the wonder that is Wimbledon and it's queuing,a quintessential British experience,great read with great artwork.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews