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bnsfly's review against another edition
4.0
Decent book. Found that it was more anecdotes about the world surrounding soccer than any sort of explanation of the soccer world, let alone the world as a whole. Interesting stories, though. Mostly compelling - frequently saddening, with all the useless, irrational hate and violence, and not a ton said in favor of a sport the author clearly cherishes.
ejdecoster's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting, but not quite what I expected. It's more a collection of stories and examples of globalization within international soccer (both on the national and club level) than it is about soccer's "role" in globalization. Interesting for fans of the game, but Foer doesn't really have a strong hypothesis or theory to tie the disparate parts together.
mnaufalu's review against another edition
2.0
I’m giving this book 2 stars primarily because I enjoyed its descriptions of different cultural conflicts that get played out in football. However, being the football fan that I am, and also being somewhat educated on political issues around the world I had a decent to good knowledge of some of the issues discussed in the book. Which brings me to my criticisms. The author at multiple points identifies himself as a liberal yuppie and I’m glad he did for the benefit of the people who would not have been able to come to this determination on their own just by reading the book.
To put it simply, he is perhaps THE stereotype of an American liberal, especially in the 2000s. This is quite clear because of the perspective he writes the book from and the conclusions and assertions he makes. He writes positively about the repressive regime of the Shah in Iran, and claims that Iranians like football because it gives them a connection to the capitalist west. In the same chapter he calls Nasser a dictator which shows a stunning lack of nuance given Nasser was and continues to be a much acclaimed figure in the Arab world, or perhaps he thinks the support of the Arab masses is in fact a red flag given a borderline chauvinistic attitude he shows to anymore not agreeing with his cosmopolitan sensibilities, and the fact he said that the United States is one of the only countries committed to the democratisation of the Middle East when discussing why the neo-conservative solution to “modernisation” fails. Did he think the Iraq War was about democratisation???
Let me be clear, I am not myself unbiased. I am firmly on the political left, and would call myself an internationalist, which is why I consider this book which at many times seems to dip into apologia for globalisation and dismisses concerns about the gentrification of football to be severely out of touch. The liberal conflation of globalisation with liberal values and diversity, rather than identifying it as a particular economic phenomenon which often sidelines the working class for middle class consumer interests is why the election of Trump and Brexit happened, along with a broader rise of populism. This has led many of them to put fingers in their ears and claim they are the last bastions of rationality in a world gone mad. The author does not quite do that in this book, because it was written in a time before the revolt against liberal centrism took centre stage. Instead it treats the people who were displaced with mild condescension, and assumes that they will be dragged kicking and screaming into the “modern” world.
To put it simply, he is perhaps THE stereotype of an American liberal, especially in the 2000s. This is quite clear because of the perspective he writes the book from and the conclusions and assertions he makes. He writes positively about the repressive regime of the Shah in Iran, and claims that Iranians like football because it gives them a connection to the capitalist west. In the same chapter he calls Nasser a dictator which shows a stunning lack of nuance given Nasser was and continues to be a much acclaimed figure in the Arab world, or perhaps he thinks the support of the Arab masses is in fact a red flag given a borderline chauvinistic attitude he shows to anymore not agreeing with his cosmopolitan sensibilities, and the fact he said that the United States is one of the only countries committed to the democratisation of the Middle East when discussing why the neo-conservative solution to “modernisation” fails. Did he think the Iraq War was about democratisation???
Let me be clear, I am not myself unbiased. I am firmly on the political left, and would call myself an internationalist, which is why I consider this book which at many times seems to dip into apologia for globalisation and dismisses concerns about the gentrification of football to be severely out of touch. The liberal conflation of globalisation with liberal values and diversity, rather than identifying it as a particular economic phenomenon which often sidelines the working class for middle class consumer interests is why the election of Trump and Brexit happened, along with a broader rise of populism. This has led many of them to put fingers in their ears and claim they are the last bastions of rationality in a world gone mad. The author does not quite do that in this book, because it was written in a time before the revolt against liberal centrism took centre stage. Instead it treats the people who were displaced with mild condescension, and assumes that they will be dragged kicking and screaming into the “modern” world.
selenajournal's review against another edition
3.0
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization has been on my shelf for years and it was the mention of soccer that kept me from reading it. Despite being from Eastern Europe, I am completely ambivalent toward soccer.
And yet Franklin Foer uses soccer as a brilliant example to discuss hooliganism within soccer, nationalism and corruption. He writes about specific soccer teams (mostly in Europe but also Brazil) and how team rivalries show themselves to be much more complex than what they seem.
As soon as I started reading the first story, I was taken aback with how wonderful Foer is. It probably helps that I lived through the Yugoslavian war and know that soccer rivalries were used for nationalistic purposes - and in fact - the die-hard fans were organized under the Serbian party and are responsible for two thousand known deaths. Foer perfectly captured the obsession and quite frankly, the hatred that existed during those years.
Each chapter is set up to explain a certain aspect of globalization and uses two teams (usually rivals) to explain it. What made this book particularly interesting is that he went to these countries and talked to the hooligans that lived it, getting their accounts of things. It wasn’t a dry history, instead, it provided an insider’s view. Aside from the incidents with Red Star Belgrade in former Yugoslavia, it was interesting to see how soccer is tied in to so many corruption schemes, money-laundering operations and nationalist groups. It even mentioned this through soccer groups that I’ve heard of like Manchester, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Red Star Belgrade and players like Ronaldo.
You do not need to be a soccer buff to enjoy this book nor to understand it (though maybe the significance of the Ronaldo reference will be beyond you). Foer adequately explains any funny soccer terms that he uses (which isn’t many). I was worried, getting into this book, that it would focus on the technical aspects of soccer would overwhelm me, but I was wrong.
Franklin Foer, brother to Jonathan Safran Foer, is known for sports coverage and his work as the editor of the New Republic (a prominent politics and culture magazine). It only makes sense for him to use his knowledge of sports to help explain certain aspects of the world.
‘Franco, Mussolini, and a high percentage of all modern dictators have made the link between sport and populist politics countless times. To Berlusconi’s left-wing ctitics, the resemblance to these tyrants is not coincidental (page 186).’
Completely unrelated, but apparently everyone in the Foer family is a successful writer. Bastards.
And yet Franklin Foer uses soccer as a brilliant example to discuss hooliganism within soccer, nationalism and corruption. He writes about specific soccer teams (mostly in Europe but also Brazil) and how team rivalries show themselves to be much more complex than what they seem.
As soon as I started reading the first story, I was taken aback with how wonderful Foer is. It probably helps that I lived through the Yugoslavian war and know that soccer rivalries were used for nationalistic purposes - and in fact - the die-hard fans were organized under the Serbian party and are responsible for two thousand known deaths. Foer perfectly captured the obsession and quite frankly, the hatred that existed during those years.
Each chapter is set up to explain a certain aspect of globalization and uses two teams (usually rivals) to explain it. What made this book particularly interesting is that he went to these countries and talked to the hooligans that lived it, getting their accounts of things. It wasn’t a dry history, instead, it provided an insider’s view. Aside from the incidents with Red Star Belgrade in former Yugoslavia, it was interesting to see how soccer is tied in to so many corruption schemes, money-laundering operations and nationalist groups. It even mentioned this through soccer groups that I’ve heard of like Manchester, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Red Star Belgrade and players like Ronaldo.
You do not need to be a soccer buff to enjoy this book nor to understand it (though maybe the significance of the Ronaldo reference will be beyond you). Foer adequately explains any funny soccer terms that he uses (which isn’t many). I was worried, getting into this book, that it would focus on the technical aspects of soccer would overwhelm me, but I was wrong.
Franklin Foer, brother to Jonathan Safran Foer, is known for sports coverage and his work as the editor of the New Republic (a prominent politics and culture magazine). It only makes sense for him to use his knowledge of sports to help explain certain aspects of the world.
‘Franco, Mussolini, and a high percentage of all modern dictators have made the link between sport and populist politics countless times. To Berlusconi’s left-wing ctitics, the resemblance to these tyrants is not coincidental (page 186).’
Completely unrelated, but apparently everyone in the Foer family is a successful writer. Bastards.
tomrblike's review against another edition
2.0
Book starts well with some interesting stories and analogies but towards the end its age starts to show and show badly. The triumphant early 2000's liberalism is tricky to stomach knowing what we now do and some of the historical points he makes are misguided at best.
stephb413's review against another edition
3.0
I admit, I'm not a soccer fan (or a sports fan at all), but as an American expat I've come to see the impact/effects of the sport firsthand and appreciate it. I didn't know most of the people in the book, but I appreciate the links, generalizations, and perspectives of the book. I guess I just don't know enough about the sport to truly appreciate the book fully, but it was entertaining and informative for sure.
the_emas's review against another edition
3.0
I love the idea of examining a culture's most serious political and social problems through its pastimes, but I think Foer falls short of the task he sets for himself. Some of the chapters are poorly developed, with not enough of a historical backdrop to truly paint a picture of soccer's cultural context. The chapters become mere vignettes on different soccer teams and rivalries, without a clear central thesis. Each sentence seems to make sense as you read it, but you come away from each page without any coherent insight. Foer jumps from one insight to the next in a completely different train of thought without really establishing any of them. So while each bit seems interesting, nothing is developed enough to scrape past the surface.
Foer seems to flourish in his theories about teams with which he personally identifies - whether it be because of his Jewish heritage, his Barca fandom or his home country. As much as I liked getting a "worldwide" view of soccer, I think he would have been able to present a more coherent thesis if he had focused on these three storylines as well as the history of Iranian soccer. Sometimes less is more and I think that would have transformed this from a travelogue of soccer to the pop-academic text on globalization that was advertised.
Foer seems to flourish in his theories about teams with which he personally identifies - whether it be because of his Jewish heritage, his Barca fandom or his home country. As much as I liked getting a "worldwide" view of soccer, I think he would have been able to present a more coherent thesis if he had focused on these three storylines as well as the history of Iranian soccer. Sometimes less is more and I think that would have transformed this from a travelogue of soccer to the pop-academic text on globalization that was advertised.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Warning: Depsite the fact that I am a Yank, I might refer to soccer as football in this review. The term football makes more sense.
In 2000, I was making my way back from Copenhagen (Ah Wonderful Copenhagen, Beautiful Copenhagen, where I lived down the street from a waffle factory. I would get hungery just stepping outside the building), I had a lay over in Paris. The only time I have ever been to Paris. (Do you have any idea how long it took to me find something affordable to eat? And this was before the Euro). Anyway, I was there a few days before the French won the Euro Cup (a football tournment, for those of you who don't know, along the lines of the World Cup, but just for Europe. And if you don't know what the World Cup is, I don't think I can help you).
Paris seemed to be full of drums, chanting, drunken, happy Parisans (no doubt drunk on wine), and soccer, football, balls.
It was fun!
So fun that I was willing to forget that my beloved Dutch National Team (I'm not Dutch, but Netherlands is nice, and the de Boer brothers were playing) didn't make to the finals.
I've been lucky enough to have been in Europe twice during Euro Cups. The first time was when I went to England. I was in Scotland when the Scots lost to the English in a game (yeah, I don't quite get or believe it either). What I remember most is the man dressed in full kilt playing the bagpipes after the loss. It was far more beautiful than the drunken cries I hear from the bar up the street when a local Philly team loses. (Though there was plenty of that on the Royal Mile too).
America has nothing football fans.
Foer explores the impact (change isn't the right word) football has on society and nations. He makes an agrument that soccer represents an aspect of globalizations, and while sometimes this point isn't entirely proved, he tells story, after story, usually funny ones.
Foer explores the history of hooliganism.
Okay, before I go any further, I have to disgress (again). Mr. Foer, dude, Oakland Raider fans are closest to English Hooligans? What are you smoking? Philadelphia fans threw snowballs and iceballs at SANTA CLAUS (he deserved it, but still). C'mon. People are frightened to go to our stadiums. (Not because of the teams [maybe the Phils:] but because of the fans).
Sorry, just had to get that out.
Foer explores the history of hooliganism, talking to honest to gosh Hooligans, who are old, as well as looking at the Protestant vs. Catholic football rivalary.
Which is in Scotland and not Northern Ireland.
He also explains the state of football in Brazil, including a story that will disappoint Pele worshippers. That section of the book is heartbreaking. He examines racial tension in European clubs.
It is true that he is some what biased in some places, but hey, I like Baracelona too.
Nice bit on Iran, espcecially considering the current state of affairs there.
The only weak part is the section on America.
Overall, if you like football (or soccer) it is an enjoyable book.
In 2000, I was making my way back from Copenhagen (Ah Wonderful Copenhagen, Beautiful Copenhagen, where I lived down the street from a waffle factory. I would get hungery just stepping outside the building), I had a lay over in Paris. The only time I have ever been to Paris. (Do you have any idea how long it took to me find something affordable to eat? And this was before the Euro). Anyway, I was there a few days before the French won the Euro Cup (a football tournment, for those of you who don't know, along the lines of the World Cup, but just for Europe. And if you don't know what the World Cup is, I don't think I can help you).
Paris seemed to be full of drums, chanting, drunken, happy Parisans (no doubt drunk on wine), and soccer, football, balls.
It was fun!
So fun that I was willing to forget that my beloved Dutch National Team (I'm not Dutch, but Netherlands is nice, and the de Boer brothers were playing) didn't make to the finals.
I've been lucky enough to have been in Europe twice during Euro Cups. The first time was when I went to England. I was in Scotland when the Scots lost to the English in a game (yeah, I don't quite get or believe it either). What I remember most is the man dressed in full kilt playing the bagpipes after the loss. It was far more beautiful than the drunken cries I hear from the bar up the street when a local Philly team loses. (Though there was plenty of that on the Royal Mile too).
America has nothing football fans.
Foer explores the impact (change isn't the right word) football has on society and nations. He makes an agrument that soccer represents an aspect of globalizations, and while sometimes this point isn't entirely proved, he tells story, after story, usually funny ones.
Foer explores the history of hooliganism.
Okay, before I go any further, I have to disgress (again). Mr. Foer, dude, Oakland Raider fans are closest to English Hooligans? What are you smoking? Philadelphia fans threw snowballs and iceballs at SANTA CLAUS (he deserved it, but still). C'mon. People are frightened to go to our stadiums. (Not because of the teams [maybe the Phils:] but because of the fans).
Sorry, just had to get that out.
Foer explores the history of hooliganism, talking to honest to gosh Hooligans, who are old, as well as looking at the Protestant vs. Catholic football rivalary.
Which is in Scotland and not Northern Ireland.
He also explains the state of football in Brazil, including a story that will disappoint Pele worshippers. That section of the book is heartbreaking. He examines racial tension in European clubs.
It is true that he is some what biased in some places, but hey, I like Baracelona too.
Nice bit on Iran, espcecially considering the current state of affairs there.
The only weak part is the section on America.
Overall, if you like football (or soccer) it is an enjoyable book.
pantailamon's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating, thoughtful, and engaging! A really interesting look at topics I hadn't given much thought to before.