The Simplest Game: The Intelligent Fan's Guide to the World of Soccer

by Paul Gardner

Book Overview

Revised in time for the new soccer league and the 1996 Olympics, The Simplest Game continues to be the reference on the game, its players, and its history. Now with photos throughout of the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028604016
• ISBN13: 9780028604015
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

THE soccer book from THE soccer guru

Paul Gardner knows what he is talking about. His incredibly entertaining book is punctuated by a sharp wit and thought provoking opinions, and is not hurt by the fact that the game has had such a fascinating history.Gardner cannot resist putting his opinion into his stories, but it has such a throwback, purist's appeal, that you can't help but pay attention and agree with him. He goes through the history of the game, all the major competitions (World cups 1930-1994, Olympics 1896-1992, European championships), the state of the game worldwide, the state of the game in America and its hopes for the future, and the history of tactics and all the major styles of play.It really makes no difference that it was prepared for the 1996 Olympics, because if you had not read it on the cover you would probably not have realized that as you were going the book. Gardner does not base the book around this fact at all, making it truly the intelligent fan's guide to soccer.

A must for any true soccer fan

Plain and Simple. If you want to know the history of soccer. GET THIS BOOK. I played for 15yrs but never knew the history of the game. I am now getting ready to coach the sport I love and wanted to know the history. Talk about a great find this book was. Everything I ever wanted to know was here. Learn about the World Cups, Olympics, Tactics and the Future of the game. I am so happy I got this book because I know so much more about the game then I ever dreamt.BUY IT!

A great look at the world's greatest game

This book is a fantastic primer for new fans of the world's greatest game. Mr. Gardner covers the history of the game and its tactics and provides many an interesting story along the way. Americans will learn that soccer (like any American sport) has its legendary and quirky stories. For instance, I never knew that the Brazilian government declared Pele a national resource to prevent his club team in Brazil from selling him to an Italian team.

THE Soccer Primer for an intelligent fan

Gardner's book is exactly what it claims to be. This is not a book for a moron, this is a book for a soccer fan who wants to know how the game is played, has been played, is managed, the history of the game, and the possible future of the game. Gardner is very opinionated, but his opinions are geared toward encouraging intelligent, exciting, attack-oriented soccer. I read this book during my first season of viewing MLS in the US, and now I keep track of the Bundesliga, Premier League, Primera, Serie A, and many other leagues with gusto. If you are a soccer fan, and your love of the game goes beyond the unintelligent hooligan type, this is the book for you.

Must read for every soccer fan!

Gardner's book is the best history of the game I've ever read. He explains the evolution of the game in an exiting and engaging style. World Cup history, tactics, the rules, it's all here. Players, fans, and coaches should be REQUIRED to read this book! Fantastic.