What do you think?
Rate this book
Playing Hard : A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play
Playing Hard is a tribute to the power of play in all its forms — a searching personal account of how play, games, and sports sanctify life and give it meaning. In this moving and wide-ranging examination, Peter Unwin reflects on life and relationships through countless acts of play and the many unexpected places it is found.
Through a shared love of games, the author reconnects with his terminally ill father and is exposed to the complexities of his father’s past, of his experiences with war and violence, and of a different but equally powerful commitment to a life of play.
From Snakes and Ladders to shooting pool, from an improbable soccer game in the Sahara to first memories of playing baseball under catalpa trees — Peter Unwin examines the irresistible urge to have fun, reminding us that to live is to play, and to play hard is to live well.
Through a shared love of games, the author reconnects with his terminally ill father and is exposed to the complexities of his father’s past, of his experiences with war and violence, and of a different but equally powerful commitment to a life of play.
From Snakes and Ladders to shooting pool, from an improbable soccer game in the Sahara to first memories of playing baseball under catalpa trees — Peter Unwin examines the irresistible urge to have fun, reminding us that to live is to play, and to play hard is to live well.
Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2025
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 24, 2025
Playing Hard: A Life and Death in Games, Sports, and Play is a quietly powerful and deeply reflective memoir that elevates play from a pastime to a philosophy of living. Peter Unwin writes with warmth and insight, showing how games and sports become a language through which memory, identity, and love are expressed.
The most moving aspect of the book is Unwin’s reconnection with his terminally ill father through shared acts of play. These moments open the door to difficult truths about his father’s past, shaped by war, restraint, and emotional distance, while also revealing a gentler devotion to life through play. The contrast is handled with sensitivity and emotional honesty.
From childhood games to sports played in unexpected places, each vignette feels purposeful and resonant. Playing Hard ultimately reminds us that play is not trivial it is how we connect, endure, and make meaning of our lives. A thoughtful, life affirming read.
The most moving aspect of the book is Unwin’s reconnection with his terminally ill father through shared acts of play. These moments open the door to difficult truths about his father’s past, shaped by war, restraint, and emotional distance, while also revealing a gentler devotion to life through play. The contrast is handled with sensitivity and emotional honesty.
From childhood games to sports played in unexpected places, each vignette feels purposeful and resonant. Playing Hard ultimately reminds us that play is not trivial it is how we connect, endure, and make meaning of our lives. A thoughtful, life affirming read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review