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firerosearien's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, fast-paced read that takes the reader on a journey through some of the most soccer-mad countries in the world (and in the US), and draws out how soccer and the prevailing cultural and political climate can intertwine.
My only thought would that the book could definitely do with an updating, even though it's only a few years past publication - the Iran chapter would benefit from coverage of the failed 2009 green revolution and Arab Spring a few years later; and the USA chapter would benefit from coverage of the US in the World Cup in 2006, 2010 and 2014 - where it's popularity has exploded.
My only thought would that the book could definitely do with an updating, even though it's only a few years past publication - the Iran chapter would benefit from coverage of the failed 2009 green revolution and Arab Spring a few years later; and the USA chapter would benefit from coverage of the US in the World Cup in 2006, 2010 and 2014 - where it's popularity has exploded.
dannb's review against another edition
4.0
A glimpse at 20th and 21st history, circling around soccer. Power, hate, ego... makes the world go ‘round.
jessgrieser's review against another edition
3.0
Foer definitely leaves the best for last in this book. I was expecting to read something that was more cohesive, rather than multiple studies of soccer in various nation-states. The book feels a bit disjointed for having been written in that style. That said, each foray into the respective country's culture surrounding soccer sheds very interesting light on a number of late 20th and early 21st century political dilemmas. Among the more interesting were the discussions of Irish fans' still entrenched anti-papist stances, the explanations of Italian oligarchs, and the subtle Catalonian nationalism that underlies the Barca fandom.
Some of the chapters are quite a bit longer than necessary, and drag. But others are pithy and carried by strong narratives and quirky characters, which make the book move along more swiftly. The best two chapters come at the end, when Foer explains the internal conflict between secular Iranian nationalism and the more religious state favored by Iranian leadership, and the American divide over soccer as it represents a class war. Reading this in early 2017 is particularly interesting in that respect.
I would've liked an epilogue like the prologue, tying the various disparate arguments together in more detail. The book feels like a series of chapters which barely speak to one another, and a final chapter which ties it together would've made it stronger. That said, this is a quick read, and as I explained to the woman on the airplane who asked if I was a soccer player, it's a way to read a book ostensibly about sports that is actually about things I find more compelling. :)
Some of the chapters are quite a bit longer than necessary, and drag. But others are pithy and carried by strong narratives and quirky characters, which make the book move along more swiftly. The best two chapters come at the end, when Foer explains the internal conflict between secular Iranian nationalism and the more religious state favored by Iranian leadership, and the American divide over soccer as it represents a class war. Reading this in early 2017 is particularly interesting in that respect.
I would've liked an epilogue like the prologue, tying the various disparate arguments together in more detail. The book feels like a series of chapters which barely speak to one another, and a final chapter which ties it together would've made it stronger. That said, this is a quick read, and as I explained to the woman on the airplane who asked if I was a soccer player, it's a way to read a book ostensibly about sports that is actually about things I find more compelling. :)
nanometers's review against another edition
3.0
Some fun chapters of countries and popular teams (international & club) paralleled politics and the turmoil of the decades past.
misskrislm's review against another edition
4.0
I used to play soccer as a kid. I've recently grown to appreciate it as one of the better sports in the world (though I still will never be a sports fan). Picking this up during the World Championships seemed like a good way to play a part without getting overly invested.
Well, I was not expecting to get so invested in a book about the sport.
Foer tells you a little about the sport, but so much more about history, business, psychology, economics, geography, immigration, and romance than the game itself, and that's a great thing for me. From the first page, I was sucked into his worldview and he never let up, adding touches of humor to offset the sometimes unsettling truths he presented.
Absolutely fascinating. A must for anyone attending a game party, but not wanting to watcht he screen the whole time and wanting a deeper understanding of what's going on.
Well, I was not expecting to get so invested in a book about the sport.
Foer tells you a little about the sport, but so much more about history, business, psychology, economics, geography, immigration, and romance than the game itself, and that's a great thing for me. From the first page, I was sucked into his worldview and he never let up, adding touches of humor to offset the sometimes unsettling truths he presented.
Absolutely fascinating. A must for anyone attending a game party, but not wanting to watcht he screen the whole time and wanting a deeper understanding of what's going on.
tagrace's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.0
This was a quick read but also a real disappointment. I was hoping to read more about the global development of soccer, but it was basically a loose collection of anecdotes about how soccer illustrates dynamics of globalization. The analysis is weak and relies heavily on stereotypes.
abevigodless's review against another edition
3.0
Less a theory of globalization than a series of fascinating, well-reported anecdotes by an author whose storytelling and love of the game shine through.
bookaneer's review against another edition
4.0
buku yg sgt entertaining apalagi buat penggemar olahraga yg satu ini. banyak fakta2 menarik yg dikemas cukup apik. kalau barca itu sebutannya 'mas que un club', maka sepakbola itu 'mas que un sport'. learn football and you learn the world :D