A review by brentmayberry
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer

4.0

Just finished a highly entertaining book about how soccer incorporates aspects of globalization. From Nigerians in Ukraine, to an English team without a single royal subject in its lineup, from sectarian strife in Scotland, to the nationalist Catalans, this book gives the history of some of football's most impressive clubs and explains how politics, economics, media, culture are all influenced by the passion for the beautiful game.

I had no idea football was so intertwined in so many cultures. It's practically a secular religion, and it's a powerful, powerful force.

Of particular enjoyment was the final chapter about how soccer explains America's "Culture Wars".