I. The west -- Not-so-humble beginnings -- Gentlemanly rebel -- Roast beef and Russia -- The dangers of derision -- Table tennis and Trotsky -- Culture and the coming war -- Suspect -- Brothers -- The end of the game? -- The Jewish question -- II. The East -- Table tennis bandits -- The Trojan dove -- The rise of Asia -- Tiny tornadoes -- Reconnaissance -- The golden game -- Setting the table -- The end of brotherhood -- Preparation -- Sacrifice -- Nourishing the team -- Ping-pong espionage -- Cheery martial music -- The chance to shine -- Fallout -- Heroes of the nation -- Spreading of the gospel -- The grinding halt -- Under pressure -- House of cards -- Death to the doubters -- Down to the country -- III. East meets west -- The world at war -- The seeds of peace -- Long hair, light heart -- Could the Great Wall crumble? -- A measured coincidence -- An invitation home -- Surprise -- Decisions to be made -- The worries -- Crossing the borders -- All eyes on America -- Tension -- Nixon's game -- Political ping-pong -- IV. Aftermath -- Return game -- Capital performance -- United Nations -- The hippie opportunist -- The heights -- The costs.