 |
|
What people are saying - Write a reviewUser ratings
Review: How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of GlobalizationUser Review - Karen - GoodreadsNo, the book doesn't explain the world, but it did complicate my understanding of soccer. The chapter "How Soccer Explains the Gangster's Paradise" describes soccer in the Balkans. Some of the soccer ... Read full review Review: How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of GlobalizationUser Review - Richard - GoodreadsVery good use of soccer to explain the world economy. Lots of interesting details about the various clubs around the world. Read full review Editorial Review - Reed Business Information (c) 2004 All 382 reviews »Foer, a New Republic editor, scores a game-winning goal with this analysis of the interchange between soccer and the new global economy. The subtitle is a bit misleading, though: he doesn't really use soccer to develop a theory; instead, he focuses on how examining soccer in different countries allows us to understand how international forces affect politics and life around the globe. The book is full of colorful reporting, strong characters and insightful analysis: In one of the most compelling chapters, Foer shows how a soccer thug in Serbia helped to organize troops who committed atrocities in the Balkan War-by the end of the war, the thug's men, with the acquiescence of Serbian leaders, had killed at least 2,000 Croats and Bosnians. Then he bought his own soccer club and, before he was gunned down in 2000, intimidated other teams into losing. Most of the stories aren't as gruesome, but they're equally fascinating. The crude hatred, racism and anti-Semitism on display in many soccer stadiums is simply amazing, and Foer offers context for them, including how current economic conditions are affecting these manifestations. In Scotland, the management of some teams have kept religious hatreds alive in order to sell tickets and team merchandise. But Foer, a diehard soccer enthusiast, is no anti-globalist. In Iran, for example, he depicts how soccer works as a modernizing force: thousands of women forced police to allow them into a men's-only stadium to celebrate the national team's triumph in an international match. One doesn't have to be a soccer fan to truly appreciate this absorbing book. (July) Related books
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrasesAC Milan Agnellis Alan American anti-Semitism Arkan Barca Barcelona become began Belgrade Berlusconi Brazil Brazilian soccer called Camp Nou cartolas Catalan Catholic celebration Celtic championship chanting Chelsea club’s coach Combat 18 culture Democracy di¤erent e¤ect Edward English European field fight figure filled find Findlay finished firm first five flag football foreign investors Franco game’s Garrison Gboko Glasgow globalization goals Graeme Souness Hakoah hooligan influence Inter Iranian Italian Italy jersey Jewish Jews Jimmy Juventus Karpaty Krle league Lviv match Miranda Muslim national team nationalist Nazis never Nigerians o¤ense oªce oªcials Obilic Old Firm Pelé Pelé’s play players police political president profit Protestant Rangers fans Real Madrid Red Star Belgrade referees regime Reza scored Serb Serbian soccer soccer club Soccer Explains Social Democracy stadium Stoichkov su¤ered supporters team’s television there’s tion told Tottenham tournament turned Ukraine Ukrainian Vasco watch World Cup Yuri Bibliographic information
|