Shattering the Glass

The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball

Revised Edition

By Pamela Grundy, Susan Shackelford

Shattering the Glass

Approx. 280 pp., 6.125 x 9.25, 62 halftones, appends., notes, bibl., index

  • Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4696-7478-0
    Published: February 2025
  • Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8078-5829-5
    Published: March 2007
  • E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-1-4696-2601-7
    Published: November 2017
  • E-book PDF ISBN: 979-8-8908-8236-3
    Published: November 2017
  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4696-7477-3
    Published: February 2025

Paperback Available February 2025, but pre-order your copy today!

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American women's basketball has reached new peaks of interest and popularity, thanks to spellbinding athletes, exhilarating games, and a vibrant, empowered vision of womanhood. Shattering the Glass stands as the definitive history of the sport. Combining extensive historical research with dozens of oral history interviews, Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford bring life and depth to stories of the many generations of female athletes who have fought for liberation on and off the court.

In this new and substantially expanded edition, Grundy and Shackelford provide a fresh view of the sport that extends to the present. They chart the expanding visibility of college programs, the growing dynamism of the WNBA, and players' courageous leadership on social issues such as sexuality and race, drawing on the actions and reflections of stars such as Seimone Augustus, Kim Mulkey, Brittney Griner, Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Breanna Stewart, Dawn Staley, and Caitlin Clark. The result is a compelling story of women's empowerment through sport over the past century.

About the Authors

Pamela Grundy is a historian and author who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her previous books include Teaching U.S. History through Sport and Color and Compromise: West Charlotte High and the American Struggle over Educational Equity.
For more information about Pamela Grundy, visit the Author Page.

Susan Shackelford runs her own writing and editing business and is the author of Hoops and Heroes: The Inspiring History of Army West Point Women's Basketball.. She is a former sportswriter at the Miami Herald and the Charlotte Observer. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For more information about Susan Shackelford, visit the Author Page.

Reviews

"A must-read for anyone who loves the game. Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford introduce us to the women who opened the gymnasium doors for generations to come."—Rebecca Lobo

"When it comes to women's sports, people don't know enough about us. Now doors are opening. People are able to see us, they're able to hear us. We're about to move light years ahead. We need to bring our history with us." —Seimone Augustus, four-time WNBA champion

"Deeply researched and deftly written, Shattering the Glass lovingly preserves the history of the women who fought for their place on the court. Covering the game from its infancy to the current moment of ascendance, this seminal work is filled with stories you won't soon forget. A must-read."—Kate Fagan, sports journalist and coauthor of Hoop Muses

"A fascinating read about the history of women’s basketball, including the many challenges girls and women have overcome to play a game they love. As I read I kept saying to myself, 'That sure feels familiar.' Thank you to the authors for chronicling this incredible journey.”—Coach Tara VanDerveer, three-time national champion, Stanford University

"This highly entertaining work takes us on a journey from our humble beginnings in bloomers to the heights we are finally achieving. It tells a story of relentless determination and pioneering players and coaches who blazed the trail for us to follow."—Coach Muffet McGraw, two-time national champion, Notre Dame

"My journey in women's basketball has shown me that the greatest victories aren't won just on the court but in the hearts and minds of those who believe in the power of women's sports. 'Shattering the glass' means you have done something no one else has done, and opened up all the possibilities for our future."—Nancy Lieberman, two-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer