Editorial Review

The playing fields of the '80s and '90s are sadly littered with the unfulfilled promises of athletic greatness deterred by self-destruction. Soccer star Diego Maradona rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to teenage fame and a career that blazed its way across Europe before reaching apotheosis in the 1986 World Cup. That World Cup performance, in which Maradona raised his already magnificent game an impossible notch or two, elevated him to a sporting pantheon reached only by a supernatural handful: think Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Pelé. But, as biographer Jimmy Burns painfully details, the charismatic and stormy Maradona quickly lost everything to drugs, scandal, and corruption. Maradona's is a cautionary tale, and Burns relates it with charisma. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

this book is manure and racist
This book just shows the typical ignorancy of an english party writing about maradona. i read it to try to equal my opinion after reading maradona's own autobiography and i ended up disgusted not at maradona but at the shameles author who is ignorant( little word!) to whatever is argentine. I dare to say that Maradona's own book provides better introspect and is better written. Burns at one point says that in Argentina houses are built with manure.That's outrageous.Jimmy Burns is vary partial towards Maradona's opponents. Im Argentine yes and know the faults and shames of my society but Burns has invented and blown out of proportion in his interest a lot of details. This book is racism in disguise.

Good book, a little hard on Maradona
I really enjoyed this book, it was very insightful in a historical sense as to Maradona's life.I felt it was a little too hard on Maradona.While I don't doubt the excess and lunacy that surrounded Maradona, I feel that he was an unfortunate guniea pig for what global soccer has become.I only wish that more could have been said about Maradona's fantastic play and his human side.Good book overall but temper it with one that paints Maradona in a better light.

Er, David Luis...
David Luis, is there a Fox News in Argentina? Pele most certainly played in the 1970 World Cup final. He scored the game's first goal on a dazzling header and later closed out the match by assisting to Carlos Alberto. That's two goals out of Brazil's four, and highlights of those goals are replayed endlessly on television in any football-loving country.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Argentina    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Maradona, Diego,    6. Soccer    7. Soccer players    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Sports & Recreation / Soccer   

Subjects:  1. Soccer (Association football)   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Philosophy Of Science    3. Physics    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Soccer    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Popular science    9. Science / Physics    10. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (1)

Great training book
I thought this book was tip top.The drills and exercises are unique and definitely incorporate more tactics that you would use in a match.I'm coaching under 8 players and many of the drills are great problem solving sessions that help them begin to think more as they play and gain experience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)   

Subjects:  1. Fitness training    2. Soccer (Association football)   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Juvenile Easy Readers    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile Sports    6. Juvenile literature    7. Readers - Beginner    8. Soccer    9. Sports & Recreation - Track & Field   

Subjects:  1. Soccer (Association football)   

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Reviews (1)

Viva El Becks
This is decent read regarding the trial and tribulations of David Beckhams first few months in Spain,(and we should have the problems he had).But if you are trying to understand why this guys is so beloved, or why"football" is so important to Europeans then maybe you should take a look at this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Football - General    3. Soccer    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Biography: sport    8. FOOTBALL PLAYERS    9. Soccer (Association football)    10. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (2)

From a reader not interested in Futbol...I loved the book
I first read Ruy Castro's 'Bossa Nova' and wanted more! Then I found his book 'Rio de Janeiro', and loved it. I then went on to read Ruy Castro's next book (translated into English) Garrincha which is about a Futebol star. I am not into soccer but I loved the book.

The Sad Song of a Little Bird
Although some people may disagree - the entire population of Argentina, I suspect - Brazil are widely considered the top dogs of world soccer. As a nation they've won the World Cup five times and the Maracan� - where Brazil play their home games - is one of the sport's most famous stadiums. Any discussion about the soccer's greatest players will feature several Brazilians - Pel�, Jairzinho, Zico, Rom�rio, Bebeto, Falc�o, S�crates and Ronaldinho would surely be in contention. Manuel Francisco dos Santos, most commonly known as "Garrincha", may not be as widely known as his countrymen but he fully deserves to be included on that list. He is, however, quite clearly honoured in his home country where he is still known as the "Joy of the People".
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Sports - General    3. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    4. Biography: sport    5. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (10)

A fine read, but it could have been so much more.
Rather than investigating the events surrounding the team from an academic or even journalistic perspective, Douglas basically records the recollections of the surviving members, with more emphasis on their idyllic childhoods than anything that happened at or after the World Cup.There was much more material to be had here had the book had a wider scope or more comprehensive research.As an example, Walter Bahr is one of the seminal figures of American soccer, but the descriptions of him in the book are limited to sepia-toned recollections of his youth in "simpler times."Still and all, it is nice to read about a team that history has not accorded its due, and if one can accept the book for what it is rather than wishing it were something more, the short time it takes to read it is worthwhile.

Good Movie for any die hard soccer player
Although the movie may be missing pieces here and there or not go deep enough into character development, it's still a good heartwarming story.Any person with a true love for the sport will connect with it in some way.

Not Many Options
I would recommend this book a US soccer fan that may only know the final score for this historic game.This book does describe the state of US soccer in the 50's.For example, some people may not be aware that there is a national club championship open to all US teams (the National Challenge Cup, today this cup tournament is called the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup).This team was made up of players that came from some of the teams that won the cup such as Simpkins-Ford (1948 & 1950 with Gino Pariano, Charlie Colombo, Frank Borghi, and Frank Wallace) or New York Brookhattan (1945 Joe Gaetjens team).For the die hard soccer fan this book needs more details on how this team won its spot in the World Cup.Also, there really is not enough detail on the game itself, which may be a result of the dearth of information even at the time (still there is enough there to get your hear pounding and help the reader imagine the excitement of the game).Considering how the English team felt humiliated by result they sure did not want to discuss the game and the US press could hardly care any less.Also, it would be nice to have the perspective of the English players; however, that was not the writer's purpose.This is a story about the men who played the game because they loved it.There needs to be a more detailed treatment of these men and specifically Joseph "Joe" Gaetjens.That being said there is not much out there on the subject and this is still an enjoyable story of perseverance.I hope this book and the upcoming movie bring more people to examine this ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Brazil    3. Essays    4. Soccer    5. Soccer players    6. South America    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. United States    10. World Cup (Soccer)    11. Sports & Recreation / Soccer   

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Subjects:  1. Football - General    2. Soccer    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. FOOTBALL_PICTORIAL WORKS    6. London, Greater London    7. Soccer (Association football)    8. Sports & Recreation / Football    9. c 1980 to c 1990    10. c 1990 to c 2000   

Editorial Review

As the world watched Brandi Chastain set up for her penalty kick, Michelle Akers lay on a training table beneath the Rose Bowl recovering from her efforts in the Women's World Cup final. She had been given two liters of fluid intravenously but was still woozy and it didn't register, at first, that Chastain had scored and the U.S. team had won. At her insistence, the doctor removed her IVs and she staggered out onto the field to join the celebration. As she stood in the center of the field, the capacity crowd began chanting "Aaa-kers! Aaa-kers! Aaa-kers!"Read more

Reviews (6)

the best athletic bio I ever read!!!!
Michelle Akers is the example of what persitence can do for you in any area of your life. We are taken into her world and shown what the career of an athlete entails. I was presently surprise to not be hit over the head with a sermon of why I should be Christian. In this book metaphors can be drawn and you can take her inspiriation to apply it to your daily life. An easy read and you don't have to believe in Jesus to love this book!!
The Best Book EVER!!!
I play select and I alway enjoy reading books on awsome soccer players. When my friend told me about this book I jumped at the oppertunity to read yet another soccer book. I read it and couldnt put it down. As a Catholic I diffently could relate and found it pretty cool we share the same faith. A True Inspiration
Michelle Akers writes a truly inspirational story.As you read The Game and the Glory you feel as if you know Michelle personally.The book is easy to relate to because she tells her story on such a personal level.We see Michelle grow through her relationships, her spirituality, her CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and of course soccer.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Akers, Michelle,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    7. Soccer    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports & Recreation - Soccer    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Women    13. Women And Sports    14. Women soccer players   

Reviews (14)

Save your money....I have never thrown away a calcio book--until now
I have never written a review before; I have also never thrown away a calcio book. After reading this book, I can no longer say either.
ultimately nothing profoundly new here
It's not that this isn't a good book but if you've read any of these "follow the club for a season" book, it really offers nothing new other than following a team in another nation. Yes, we find out that all supporters seem hung up on chldish racist/sexist comments/chants. I did like the fact he incorporated Web site BBS postings as many of those were a laugh. An Interesting Season
This is a very interesting book for a variety of reasons. The author, Tim Parks, is British, but has lived many years in Verona. He has developed a keen understanding of the passion of Italian calcio (football), along with the more negative facets: bitter provincial rivalries, racism, and the hard-core fan element of the "ultras."Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Hellas Verona (Soccer club)    3. Italy    4. Parks, Tim    5. Soccer    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Current Events / General   

Reviews (2)

Fútbol: juego, pasión, arte
Este libro de Eduardo Galeano quiere mostrar mucho sobre la experiencia del fútbol, un fenómeno internacional de masas que es fabuloso negocio y demandante deporte, pero sobre todo, juego que puede ser poético. Antiguamente, 'poiesis' (verbo griego) tenia algún poder sobre el oído y consecuentemente el sentir y pensar de las gentes, cuando la letra escrita era escasa. 'Poiesis' era terapéutica para la vida. Hoy día no todos apreciamos la poesía, y desde luego no tiene para nosotros modernos el sentido antiguo de 'poiesis' como "creación"; para nosotros la poesía es palabrería más o menos bonita, escrita, apenas experimentada y pobremente declamada.Y algo de eso pasa con el fútbol. Cuando Galeano escribe en la Introducción, "una jugada bonita por amor de Dios," encapsula todo cuanto intenta expresar de la pasión futbolística en este libro, y nos invita a compartir ese anhelo leyendo las historias y leyendas que plasma, en busca de ese arte juguetón, pasional y artístico.
love for soccer - El amor al futbol (ambos idiomas)
This book tell us about the real love for soccer, it is incredible how Galeano document history of soccer from a new way to feel it. This is not a simple history of soccer, this is the history of why soccer is the most played sport. Galeano defenitly loves soccer as a graceful and inspiring sprot played by real artists, not as like the most of us, his is fan of soccer beyond his favorite team. Soccer is not only about scoring a goal and wining, it is realy important how you play it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Soccer (Association football)   

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Reviews (1)

The rise and fall of the NASL
A book like this has been over due for years. It charts the rise and fall of the world game in the USA in the mid 70s to early 80s and lays the foundations for its recovery in 94 with the World Cup and the creation of the MSL in 96. Read more

Subjects:  1. Football - General    2. Soccer    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Biography: sport    6. FOOTBALL PLAYERS    7. SOCCER_HISTORY    8. Soccer (Association football)    9. Sports & Recreation / Football    10. USA   

Reviews (4)

A cheap shot at Red Blaik, West Point and Army Football
I was outraged at the anti Blaik, anti Army football theme of this man's book, always referring to the football team as "Brave Old Army Team". It's obvious a man with an axe to grind cannot write an objective book. I can define this book in three word's. This Book Stinks!!!
Doesn't Pass The Smell Test
Leave it to a "journalist" to opine, speculate, and exagerate an exceptional glitch in the Long Grey Line. Peee-uuu. Hold your nose.

Great read for Flavor - but mistakes aplenty
The story gives one an accurate gut feeling of what it must have been to be a cadet 50 years ago - the presures of time, the constant stress. For this alone the book reads well. Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. College sports    3. Collegiate Athletic Programs    4. Corrupt practices    5. Football    6. History - General History    7. History: American    8. New York (State)    9. Sports    10. United States - 20th Century/50s    11. West Point    12. History    13. History / Military / General    14. Soccer (Association football)    15. USA    16. Warfare & Defence    17. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (9)

The best modern book on Refereeing the Beautiful Game!
I just finished reading Bob & Ed's book a fourth time in preparation to teach an Entry (Associate) Level Referee Instructor course in Northern California next weekend, and every time I read it, I find not only things to help me (State Referee) in my game, but also to pass on to new Referee Instructors (State Instructor) in the development of referees.
The Fine Art of Refereeing
This is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive book about officiating now in print; with apologies to Izaak Walton, it's "The Compleat Referee." If you are a soccer or "football" referee, this book is IT
If you are a ref...this book teaches you how to really BE one and be a PART of the game..not the obstruction to it.YOU NEED this book it is the best referee book ever written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference / Handbooks & Manuals    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation / Soccer    4. Handbooks & Manuals    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Refereeing    7. Reference    8. Soccer    9. Soccer referees    10. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (1)

BILLSHANKLY--ITS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT
This biography is a super read and a must for the bookshelf of any"Shanks"fan.Anything about Shankly is interesting and entertaining but this one by Stephen F.Kelly is probably the most comprehensive I have read so far.I am an avid Bill Shankly admirer and I was enthralled in this book,I just hated to put it down when my eyes were calling for sleep.From the coal face in Glenbuck,Ayrshire,Scotland,the small mining village where he was born,we are taken on a wonderful soccer journey to Liverpool via Carlisle,Preston,GrimsbyandHuddersfield,its all there,the hard times,the Scottish pride,the humour and the great,never ending enthusiasm for the game.You can just see the sparkle in his eyes as he slaps one of his players on the back and proclaims to one and all,"What a great day for football all we need is some green grass and a ball." You also have to chuckle as he briefs his Liverpool team before a big game against a top European team with the words,"You have nothing to worry about,they are just a load of cab horses."Yes this is a football story,a story about a man who was one of a kind,a fiercely proud man,a players manager, a knowledgeable manager loved by many people in the football world.moreso by the Liverpool fans.This book tells it all,you travel the road with Shanks and really could it be better than that,I don't think so. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography: sport    2. Football codes    3. Soccer (Association football)   

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Reviews (1)

a must read!!!
for all those football fans across the world this book is a must read. this book exemplifies the dedication and fanaticism of the football fan!!! this book gives a first hand look into the insanely furious times of 1980's football. if you have any interest in any sports, you should read this book. this is what being a fan is all about,willing to fight anyone who disrespects you and your team. a must read ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography: general    2. Football - General    3. Hampshire    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Soccer    6. Soccer (Association football)    7. Sports & Recreation    8. FOOTBALL_BIOGRAPHY    9. Popular culture    10. Sports & Recreation / Football    11. Violence in society   

Subjects:  1. Biography: sport    2. Brazil    3. Soccer (Association football)