Want to learn the ideas in String Theory better than ever? Read the world’s #1 book summary of String Theory by David Foster Wallace here.
Read a brief 1-Page Summary or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. Note: this book guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher or author, and we always encourage you to purchase and read the full book.
Video Summaries of String Theory
We’ve scoured the Internet for the very best videos on String Theory, from high-quality videos summaries to interviews or commentary by David Foster Wallace.
1-Page Summary of String Theory
Overview
A lot of people wonder how tennis players are able to play at such a high level. They also wonder what it takes to get there and excel in the sport. If you’re one of those people, this article will give you an insider’s look into that world from a former player who is now a writer.
In this article, you’ll learn that Federer sweats a lot when he plays tennis; how he perceives a ball while playing on the court; and why sports memoirs are usually so dull.
Big Idea #1: David Foster Wallace served up more than fine prose.
David Foster Wallace is a talented author, but he could have been a competitive tennis player. His peers gave him the nickname “Slug” because of his slow play and laziness on the court. However, he still won more matches than he lost.
Wallace (2011) explains that he used the wind to his advantage. He grew up in Philo, Illinois, which is even windier than Chicago where it’s known as “The Windy City.” Wallace learned not to fight the winds when he played. Instead, he harnessed their power.
Wallace was also known for his bike riding. He liked to tack across the wind by using a book-laden arm as a sail. People in town thought he was crazy, but they didn’t understand that it helped him get around faster and more efficiently than everyone else.
He applied his knowledge of the wind to his game on the court. The other kids were stronger and more technically proficient than he was, but he didn’t play like them. He lobbed high, slow shots that let the wind wreak havoc on their shots.
Wallace had another trick up his sleeve. He sweated a lot, especially in the hot summer. Although sweating isn’t considered to be an attractive trait, it helped Wallace on the court because he could play longer than anyone else without getting dehydrated or hungry.
His opponents were often preppy and slicked, but would soon begin to wilt in the heat. Wallace called himself a physical savant who could play forever.
It’s a pretty good racket.
Big Idea #2: There’s no other way to spin it –Tennis aces don’t emerge from nowhere.
Professional tennis is tough. The top 100 players in the world qualify automatically for all tournaments, including grand slams. But those ranked outside this echelon must fight it out among themselves for the remaining spots. These qualifying events are brutal and occur before the tournament proper.
The qualifiers are full of players on the brink of making it to the top 100. These players include former greats who just can’t seem to keep up anymore, as well as current players who missed entry deadlines for tournaments. There are also many promising youngsters with a lot of potential who will never make it past mediocrity in their careers.
Therefore, there is a huge difference in the ability of players. It can be discouraging to watch as someone who is ranked 75th beats someone ranked 180th! What’s the reward for making it through qualifying? You’ll get to play against the best tennis players in the world, and they will be rested after not having played any matches yet. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works with most professional tennis players. They have had years of pain and sacrifice to become successful on tour.
The lives of professional athletes may seem glamorous, but they have to work hard to get there. They travel a lot and appear in ads for watches and sportswear. However, it’s not as easy as it looks. It takes discipline to become highly ranked in tennis or golf—even making the top 500 is difficult for most people because you need so much practice and determination.
Let’s admit it: they suffer. In fact, some of them are modern-day saints who endure this suffering for our betterment. We can witness their passion and splendor by watching them in action.
