The Glorious World Cup: A Fanatic's Guide

by Alan Black and David Henry Sterry

Book Overview

Read Alan Black and David Henry Sterry's posts on the Penguin Blog.

A guide to the biggest sporting event in the world-for those who like their soccer with a side of kick-ass.

The teams, the fans, the goals, the saves, the divas, the divers, the myths, the madness-they're all part of the world-wide spectacle that is soccer's ultimate tournament, and they're all here in this turbo­charged guide. Packed with trivia,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00CF5KWZG
• ISBN13: 9780451230201
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Berkley / Nal
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME IN THE WORLD

Hilarious, insightful, an examination of why this is the most important game on the planet. A joyful celebration of the random acts of madness, tragedy, and triumph that can happen when 22 people get together and kick a football around. Wicked sharp writing, can't recommend it highly enough!

The Glorious World Cup is a winner!

Knowing little about Soccer, I picked up this eye catching book at a friends house. Having read Sterrys work before I was curious. I wasn't disappointed. This book is full of humor, facts I have no clue how he found, bios and strange trivia that I try hard to remember at gatherings to appear smart. I loved this book so much I am now waiting for two copies to arrive for family members in London who take this game extremely seriously. A perfect, clever, funny jem of a book for die hard fans and people who know nothing about soccer, but want to be entertained.

Great

This book stands out from the pack of statistics-laden competition. Guest authors, illustrations and behind the scenes information about the players, teams and location that you won't find anywhere else. Read this book before the World Cup and keep it by your side once the games begin. You'll see the whole thing through a new, clearer lens.

FOR ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO LOVES SOCCER

My husband is a soccer nut, as are a number of my nieces and nephews. I bought this book first for my husband who devoured it in one sitting and was laughing out loud. Because he liked it so much, we then bought copies for my nieces and nephews as well as for two old friends who were in an adult soccer league with my husband. It's a great inexpensive gift if you, like me, have soccer fanatics in your life.

Soccer Never Made Me Laugh So Hard

I admit it, I'm technically a soccer mom who wanted to be a professional player as a kid, but I never really followed the sport as an adult. This book is changing that and making me anxious to watch the World Cup. The interesting bios, little-known histories and kooky trivial tidbits have reeled me in and given the game such a human slant. (I always wondered what was going on with the Zidane head-butt, not that I actually saw the game...) Plus, this has got to be the funniest sports book out there and the wittiness of the two authors works seamlessly together. I also really enjoyed Irvine Welsh's essay, as well as Po Bronson's. (who caught my attention after I read Nurture Shock, his child development book having nothing to do with soccer.) This is a surprisingly fun book, both for people who are die-hard soccer fans and for those who want to occasionally converse with those who are!