The Ball Is Round: A Global History of Soccer (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781594482960)

The definitive book about soccer, from the author of The Games: A Global History of the Olympics.

There may be no cultural practice more global than soccer. Rites of birth and marriage are infinitely diverse, but the rules of soccer are universal. No world religion can match its geographical scope. The single greatest simultaneous human collective experience is the World Cup final.

In this extraordinary tour de force, David Goldblatt tells the full story of soccer's rise from chaotic folk ritual to the world's most popular sport-now poised to fully establish itself in the USA. Already celebrated internationally, The Ball Is Round illuminates soccer's role in the political and social histories of modern societies, but never loses sight of the beauty, joy, and excitement of the game itself.

Author: David Goldblatt
ISBN-10: 1594482969
ISBN-13: 9781594482960
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Language: English
Published: 01/02/2008
Pages: 1008
Format: Paperback
Weight: 2.05lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 1.70d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2008 pg. 102