Alexander Wolff is the author of The Audacity of Hoop: Basketball and the Age of Obama (Temple University Press, 2015). Wolff is a senior writer at Sports Illustrated.

On the eve of the college basketball championship, The Audacity of Hoop suggests that the game is more than just shooting hoops. Especially for President Obama, Wolff argues that basketball has been central, both to his childhood, but also to his political success. The game has featured in his daily routine, relationships with advisers, and negotiations with foreign nations. This book is filled with fantastic photos and a way to assess the Obama presidency.

Heath Brown is the host of the New Books in Political Science podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @heath brownLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies