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andyirwin89's review against another edition
4.0
A very enjoyable and insightful read. The book presents football as part of the core fabric of Brazilian society. In Bellos’ experience, football is a national obsession, and the way football is played and organised in Brazil mirrors its people. Friendly, informal, passionate and products of a multicultural, postcolonial and early democratic nation.
The research is extensive and the breadth and quality of interviewees is very impressive. The overall style of the prose is accessible, by turns informative and sensitive and the author doesn’t take himself too seriously whilst treating his subjects with respect. The author is clearly empathetic with Brazilian culture and manages to write like a critical friend - which in my view demonstrates the best kind of explorative journalism.
The research is extensive and the breadth and quality of interviewees is very impressive. The overall style of the prose is accessible, by turns informative and sensitive and the author doesn’t take himself too seriously whilst treating his subjects with respect. The author is clearly empathetic with Brazilian culture and manages to write like a critical friend - which in my view demonstrates the best kind of explorative journalism.
winji's review against another edition
4.0
يتحدث الكاتب عن بداية انتشار كرة القدم في البرازيل علي يد ميلر الانجليزي مع الأخذ في الاعتبار احتمالية معرفة البرازيليين مسبقا بها مع تشابه اللعبة مع رياضة كان يمارسها الهنود الحمر اشبه بكرة القدم.. ثم ينتقل الي الاضطهاد الذي عاني منه الملونين لممارسة هذه اللعبة التي كانت مقتصرة علي الانجليز والطبقة الغنية ، وتأسيس اول الاندية في البرازيل نادي فلومننسي في ريو ويعتبر من اشهر الاندية البرازيلية الي الآن ثم تعدد ظهور عدة اندية بعد ذلك منها نادي فاسكو دي جاما وهو اول الاندية التي فتحت ابوابها للملونين ، والانتقال للتحدث عن كأس العالم الذي خسره البرازيلين امام اورجواي وما سببه لهم من عقدة .. ولكن ابرز ما في الكتاب هو التحدث عن ما اضافه البرازيلين للعبة وتغيير مفهومها الانجليزي تماما الذي كان مقتصرا علي الاساليب الدفاعية والكرات الطولية(وما زالت) الي مفهوم جديد هو اللعب كالرقص فبدأت تتميز اللعبة بالمتعة والشغف الذي اضافه البرازيلين وبروز اسلوب المراوغات الذي استمده العالم فيما بعد منهم.. ولكن اكثر جزء نال اعجابي فعلا هو عندما تحدث عن ابرز لاعبين برازيليين وهما بيليه وجارينشا ونظرة البرازيلين لكل منهم فهم يعتبروا جارينشا يخصهم وحدهم وانما بيليه يخص العالم كله مع ما يكنه البرازيلين لبيليه من اعجاب وتقدير وايضا اللاعب سقراط وهو لم يكن مجرد لاعب عادي وانما لاعب ذو شخصية و ثقافة واراء وافكار مستقلة وقد افرد له فصل في نهاية الكتاب وهم لاعبيين لم تتسني لنا الفرصة لمشاهدتهم فقرب الصورة لهذه الاجيال.. ولكن ينقص هذا الكتاب هو افراد جزء للتحدث عن العداوة التي يتبادلها البرازيلين والارجنتينين كرويا .. ولكنه في النهاية كتاب ممتع لمن يهوي كرة القدم :)
seanpwcurrie's review against another edition
3.0
Bellos argues in compelling prose that football is central to the identity and expression of Brazilians.
The characters Bellos encounters leap off the page, and the stories are entertaining.
But as for any book that tries to explain a country through one lens, it is a tad over-generalised. Also, despite being written just 22 years ago, Bellos' use of racialised language has not aged well.
The characters Bellos encounters leap off the page, and the stories are entertaining.
But as for any book that tries to explain a country through one lens, it is a tad over-generalised. Also, despite being written just 22 years ago, Bellos' use of racialised language has not aged well.
barry_x's review against another edition
5.0
This is a superb book about Brazilian football and it's influence on it's culture. The book is well written and full of interesting stories and characters. Bellos successfully evokes the richness of Brazilian culture and it's diversity.
There is so much in this book it is hard where to start with a review. The early history of football in the country is covered well although I would like more in the book from the point of view of club football and it's history.
The national team is well represented with great articles about Garrincha, Pele and Socrates. A highlight for me is the article on Brazil's 1950 home defeat in the World Cup and the scars the country carry still following on from it. It seems strange for a country that has won so much to be so obsessed about defeat.
There's fascinating chapters about the impact of religion in the sport, about 'super' fans and the impact of supporters organisations. A personal favourite of mine was the description of amateur tournaments featuring hundreds of teams with a requirement to submit a beauty queen for each team.
There is so much in this book it is hard where to start with a review. The early history of football in the country is covered well although I would like more in the book from the point of view of club football and it's history.
The national team is well represented with great articles about Garrincha, Pele and Socrates. A highlight for me is the article on Brazil's 1950 home defeat in the World Cup and the scars the country carry still following on from it. It seems strange for a country that has won so much to be so obsessed about defeat.
There's fascinating chapters about the impact of religion in the sport, about 'super' fans and the impact of supporters organisations. A personal favourite of mine was the description of amateur tournaments featuring hundreds of teams with a requirement to submit a beauty queen for each team.
andrewfontenelle's review against another edition
4.0
Alex Bellos takes a very good look at the Brazilian obsession with football. A must read for anyone interested in how the game has been shaped by culture, politics, religion and more in that country.
sdc's review
4.0
Short of an encyclopedia, I can't imagine a more thorough look at Brazil's version of The Beautiful Game. Only criticism is that the writing is wooden in places, awkward in others. What it lacks in elegance it makes up for with first rate reportage and thoroughness. A must read for any soccer fan.
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