How Soccer Explains the World - Franklin Foer

How Soccer Explains the World

By Franklin Foer

  • Release Date: 2009-10-13
  • Genre: Social Science
Score: 4
4
From 85 Ratings

Description

“An eccentric, fascinating exposé of a world most of us know nothing about. . . . Bristles with anecdotes that are almost impossible to believe.” —New York Times Book Review

“Terrific. . . . A travelogue full of important insights into both cultural change and persistence. . . . Foer’s soccer odyssey lends weight to the argument that a humane world order is possible.”  — Washington Post Book World

A groundbreaking work—named one of the five most influential sports books of the decade by Sports Illustrated—How Soccer Explains the World is a unique and brilliantly illuminating look at soccer, the world’s most popular sport, as a lens through which to view the pressing issues of our age, from the clash of civilizations to the global economy.

From Brazil to Bosnia, and Italy to Iran, this is an eye-opening chronicle of how a beautiful sport and its fanatical followers can highlight the fault lines of a society, whether it’s terrorism, poverty, anti-Semitism, or radical Islam—issues that now have an impact on all of us. Filled with blazing intelligence, colorful characters, wry humor, and an equal passion for soccer and humanity, How Soccer Explains the World is an utterly original book that makes sense of our troubled times.

Reviews

  • Soccer is my Passion!

    5
    By LewisJose
    Soccer is great game! it unites many countries and people together. I am happy and proud that i play Soccer. I hope i had enough money to read this book, but i'm sure its a great book.
  • Great Sports Book

    5
    By KingAaronVII
    This is a well researched and thoughtfully composed book. I highly recommend it for anyone, soccer fan or not, who is interested in the dynamics of tribalism and the general human condition. The only disappointment is that I've never read a sports book that is close to this in quality.
  • Indispensable

    5
    By rfoil
    For those who love the game, this is a must read. Indispensable for understanding why soccer rivalries transcend sport. I couldn't put it down.
  • Overall Good Book

    4
    By LONDON ENGLAND
    Whilst overall I thought it was a very good book with interesting and unique stories and examples, I though it skimped a little on the analogy between soccer and globalisation. Even though it was clearly there I felt it could have been better explained and more plainly put. But other than that I quite enjoyed it and really loved the ability to read it on my iPad/iPhone.