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The Intelligent Fan's Guide to Soccer and World Cup '94
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Reviews and Commentary for The Game of Their Lives
From Kirkus Reviews , 08/01/96:
A timely and authoritative account of the Americans who pulled off one of the sporting world's most stunning upsets by defeating the powerhouse English soccer team in the 1950 World Cup. Contested every four years, the World Cup tournament breeds a worldwide fanaticism that has no equal. Until recently, however, when the US hosted the tournament, the World Cup barely registered a blip on Americans' sports radar. Douglas (Class, 1992, etc) ably demonstrates that this was even more the case in 1950, when the US sent, absent of fanfare or press coverage, a hastily assembled band of amateur and semipro players composed chiefly of working-class immigrants. Listed as a 500-to-1 shot by one London bookmaker, the Americans were prohibitive underdogs to an English squad considered by all as the team to beat. From the opening kickoff, the Americans frustrated their foe's attack and late in the first half scored the match's only marker--a shot that caromed into the English net off the head of forward Joe Gaetjens. This goal would prove to be the margin of victory, as the Americans held their opponents in check over the balance of the contest. In his profiles of individual team members (among them an undertaker, a gym teacher, two mail carriers, a dishwasher, and a bricklayer), Douglas recreates a more innocent era in international sports competition. Without beating us over the head with it, the author makes clear that these were men who played for fun and cherish every moment of their soccer careers. Refreshingly, the players profiled--who have mostly moved on to fulfilling lives--begrudge today's wealthy athletes nothing. Worthy of comparison to such classics of sports reporting as David Halberstam's Summer of '49, this book should be a real kick for soccer rooters and nonfans alike. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Synopsis:
Presents the life stories of the eleven young immigrant strangers who joined together and went on to win the 1950 World Cup during a time before big TV deals and endorsement contracts, when their only inspiration was their love for the game of soccer.
Customer Comments
from western wa. , 11/21/97, rating=8:
a look at values not often seen today,a little history to remind us of where we came from, all built around one of the most amazing sport stories in USA's & British history
04/03/97, rating=8:
Wonderful story of the greatest US sports upset ever
In the 1950 World Cup, the United States fielded a team of scrappy immigrants' sons which the world refused to take seriously. Three games later, respect had been gained. The U.S. had defeated England, the land where soccer was born, in the most shocking upset in World Cup history, 1 goal to none.
Far beyond a story of a sporting journey to Brazil in 1950, The Game of Their Lives offers a glimpse into the lives of eleven elegantly simple Americans. Centering on 50's St. Louis, then the soccer capital of the U.S., these men recount life growing up as a first-generation American. This inspiring tale is a humbling read in the face of the millions pro athletes make today. There was a time when the sheer thrill of victory and the honor of playing for your country was pay enough.
Douglas recaptures an inspiration created 47 years ago and immortalizes it for all in the pages of this book. A must-read for any U.S. soccer fan.
Reviews and Commentary for Goal! : Great Moments in World Cup HistoryHave you read this book?
Synopsis:
Whether you call it soccer, futbol, or calcio, the world's most popular sport comes engagingly to life in this compendium of more than 200 facts, figures, and flukes since the first World Cup tournament in 1930. From crazed players and fantastic brawls to amazing goals and incredible flubs, it's all here in time for the 1994 championship.
Reviews and Commentary for Goooal : A Celebration of Soccer
Sports and Outdoors Editor's Recommended Book, 08/01/97:
Andres Cantor is one of the sporting world's true characters: he is the stentorian voice of soccer on the Univision network. The book's title comes from the multisyllabic wail Cantor lets out when a goal is scored and he's at the microphone. His book's contents are far less loud, but are every bit as colorful and interesting: a detailed history of World Cup soccer and the jingoism that often attends it all run through Cantor's outsized personality. Cantor knows his stuff and relays it entertainingly with keen analyses of the evolution of on-the-field play and punchy interviews with such high-kickers as Brazil's Pele, England's Bobby Charlton, Holland's Johann Cruyff, and Argentina's Diego Maradona.
Synopsis:
The sportscaster famed for his trademark shout of "goal" during the 1994 World Cup shares his insights into soccer: the players, the history, and the game's greatest moments. Filled with personal anecdotes and observations, Goooal! features the highlights of every World Cup--the best matches, the best players, and the best goals--plus dozens of behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and photos.
Synopsis:
The sportscaster famed for his trademark shout of "goal" during the 1994 World Cup shares his insights into soccer: the players, the history, and the game's greatest moments. Filled with personal anecdotes and observations, Goooal! features the highlights of every World Cup--the best matches, the best players, and the best goals--plus dozens of behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and photos.
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List: $23.00 Our Price: $16.10 You Save: $6.90 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 24 hours.
Hardcover, 297 pages |
Reviews and Commentary for Goooal! : A Celebration of Soccer
Sports and Outdoors Editor's Recommended Book, 08/01/97:
Andres Cantor is one of the sporting world's true characters: he is the stentorian voice of soccer on the Univision network. The book's title comes from the multisyllabic wail Cantor lets out when a goal is scored and he's at the microphone. His book's contents are far less loud, but are every bit as colorful and interesting: a detailed history of World Cup soccer and the jingoism that often attends it all run through Cantor's outsized personality. Cantor knows his stuff and relays it entertainingly with keen analyses of the evolution of on-the-field play and punchy interviews with such high-kickers as Brazil's Pele, England's Bobby Charlton, Holland's Johann Cruyff, and Argentina's Diego Maradona.
Synopsis:
Cantor brings to the history of the World Cup the same enthusiasm, knowledge, and idiosyncratic touches that have made his broadcasts on Univision a favorite of both Latino and mainstream audiences. Filled with personal anecdotes and observations about the game and the business of soccer, Goooal! will appeal to the many fans of America's thriving new professional soccer leagues.
Synopsis:
The sportscaster famed for his trademark shout of "goal" during the 1994 World Cup shares his insights into soccer: the players, the history, and the game's greatest moments. Filled with personal anecdotes and observations, Goooal! features the highlights of every World Cup--the best matches, the best players, and the best goals--plus dozens of behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and photos.
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List: $21.90 Our Price: $15.33 You Save: $6.57 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.
Reading Level: Ages 9-12 |
Reviews and Commentary for Soccer Around the World (World Cup Soccer)
Synopsis:
Sharp, exciting photos and text written with knowledge and enthusiasm make this book delightful to read. Soccer Around the World starts with a brief general history, followed by histories of the game in various countries including the U.S.
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List: $6.95 Our Price: $5.56 You Save: $1.39 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.
Reading Level: Ages 9-12 |
Reviews and Commentary for Soccer Around the World (World Cup Soccer)
Synopsis:
Sharp, exciting photos and text written with knowledge and enthusiasm make this book delightful to read. Soccer Around the World starts with a brief general history, followed by histories of the game in various countries including the U.S.
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List: $24.95 Our Price: $17.47 You Save: $7.48 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 24 hours.
Hardcover, 170 pages |
Reviews and Commentary for Soccer! : The Game and the World Cup
Booklist , 07/19/94:
When the remainder tables at your local bookstore are cluttered with the World Cup's literary detrituslong about October would be a good guessthe U.S. publishing industry's shotgun marriage to the game of soccer will be officially over. In the meantime, though, World Cup books just keep coming. This one has a better chance of avoiding the remainder table than most. Though the text does include the mandatory World Cup reviewhighlights of each Cup from 1930 to the presentit's really much more than just a history of the tournament. Liberally and often spectacularly illustrated with 230 illustrations, 170 in color, the book offers a visual and anecdotal history of soccer around the world. Most impressive, though, especially for the recalcitrant American viewer, are the photos, which effectively portray the stunning athleticism of the game's best players (see the cover of this issue). For libraries where one World Cup book is more than enough, here is the one to buy.
Copyright© 1994, American Library Association. All rights reserved
Synopsis:
An extraordinary publication celebrating the world's most popular game and its greatest tournament, this guide was organized and authorized by the editors of Europe's most prestigious daily sports newspaper. It includes a magnificent portfolio of today's soccer stars, a lavishly illustrated history of the game, a brilliant visual display of the game's tactics, and more. 180 illustrations, 100 in color.
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List: $17.95 Our Price: $14.36 You Save: $3.59 (20%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days.
Paperback, 368 pages |
Reviews and Commentary for The Story of the World Cup
Synopsis:
This comprehensive history of the world's top soccer tournament--from the 1930s through the 1990 competitions--features vivid accounts of individual games from the World Cup's illustrious history and is packed with behind-the-scenes stories and character sketches of the managers and players.
Synopsis:
The definitive history of one of the world's most popular tournaments, The Story of the World Cup gives vivid accounts of individual games, from the World Cup's beginnings in 1930 to the latest competition. The book includes many behind-the-scenes stories and character sketches of the great managers and players who made their mark on the international scene.