The Ball is Round : A Global History of Soccer (Paperback)

from rtilbury

This is the bible of global soccer history as it relates to politics, economics, and society. It is a very detailed account that is not an overnight read. It is thoughtful, well researched, and well written. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to know the history of the game and why it has ...

from jrcovey

We are unlikely to ever see a more definitive and complete account of soccer than this. At 911 pages it is a long read but never a slog. Goldblatt seems equally conversant with social theory, political history, and the narrative drama on the pitch and strikes the perfect balance-never too general...

from alexrichman

Exhaustive, fascinating and uplifting. Unlike his later book which focuses on finance, here the positive power of football is front and centre. It's no minor undertaking - it felt like I was back at university wading through some chapters - but then it does cover the role of the world's favourite...

from rtilbury

This is the bible of global soccer history as it relates to politics, economics, and society. It is a very detailed account that is not an overnight read. It is thoughtful, well researched, and well written. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to know the history of the game and why it has ...

from jrcovey

We are unlikely to ever see a more definitive and complete account of soccer than this. At 911 pages it is a long read but never a slog. Goldblatt seems equally conversant with social theory, political history, and the narrative drama on the pitch and strikes the perfect balance-never too general...