The following are a few football books worth the read…
The Beckham Experiment illuminates a critical era in the development of North American soccer. Rather than digressing into celebrity-fawning, Grant Wahl’s journalism becomes the star as secondary characters spring to life even if Beckham’s own voice is ominously not present. At the end, poor management and underpaid players show the human cost of a monopolistic league structure geared towards turning a buck rather than producing a high end product. You put down the book just as you leave Wal-Mart – with many more bags than you intended, but ultimately unsatisfied and uneasy.
You can find The Beckham Experiment At Amazon
How Soccer Explains the World begins with an audacious premise but ends with a staggering reflection of soccer’s place in the social fabric of a vast array of cultures. From corruption in Belgrade to antisemitism in Europe, Foer leaves no stone unturned. While he does dabble dronefully about Barcelona-love, the section on Islam and soccer is both thought provoking and daring. Don’t expect an explanation or all encompassing meta narrative, but rather a Canterbury Tales trot around the world with football as your tour guide.
You can purchase How Soccer Explains the World At Amazon
Fever Pitch seamlessly chronicles the rise, fall, and rise of Arsenal FC as it coincides with the quarter-life crisis of Nick Hornby. As the author grows from a twenty-something vagabond to a seasoned thirty plus professional, Arsenal FC shifts from a defensive-shell to the beautiful passing of Monseur Wenger. Hornby’s impressive memory of mid80′s Arsenal matches almost overshadows the humorous travails of an old adolescent becoming a young man. Almost.
You can buy Fever Pitch at Amazon
Please note that Futfanatico is an affiliate with Amazon and derives revenue from any purchases.
