Looks at the hard science behind many inventions and improvements in sports. Readers will find out how the introduction of the aluminum bat changed baseball; how a slapshot works, and what's involved in bending a ball like Beckham. It also covers the history of such milestones as the introduction of diversity, disabled athletes, and women in sport.

Title misspelled "Faster, highter, smarter" on spine.

High jump: the Fosbury Flop -- Pole vault: flexible fiberglass -- Baseball: Ted Williams and the art of swing speed -- Football: getting a kick out of soccer -- Hockey: the terrifying slap shot -- Skateboarding: Ollie up! -- Speed skating: slapping on speed -- Cycling: Obree, the Flying Scotsman -- Wheelchair sports: Hang Glider to Wheeler-Dealer -- Swimming: the Berkoff Blastoff -- Ski jumping: V for victory -- Blade running: run like a Cheetah -- Skiing and tennis: a head for innovation -- Bungy jumping: a leap of faith -- Cheating: steroid scandals -- Statistics: analytics and the A's -- Basketball: Michael Jordan's hang time.