Book excerpt: Written by the English and American tennis historians - Bob Everitt and Richard Hillway, this fine book comes in its own protective leather-covered slip case and is lavishly produced (quarter-bound in leather) with a wealth of new and unpublished illustrations and photographs (over 500) from the authors' own collections. Their research is seamlessly combined to form a tremendous tribute to both the game of lawn tennis and the past, present and future of the renowned All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. This seminal history of the birth of the game and its development over the first four years of its life begins with a detailed study of Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, the inventor. It examines his doubters and rivals, dispelling common myths as it cleverly weaves its way through a chronology of events culminating with a detailed description of the staging of the first Wimbledon Championship in 1877 and the players who took part. This mighty tome has taken authors Bob and Richard twenty years to compile. The depth of their research is breathtaking. Extending to over 570 pages, the book includes biographies of the players and tournament officials, with masses of information on manufacturers, a comparison of the rules, and a time-line of lawn tennis related events. Fully indexed, it will be a book desired by all tennis history loving fans and bibliophiles.