How Soccer Explains The World by Franklin Foer

I searched in Google for some good books about Football and its history. Many people pointed out "The ball is round by David Goldblatt" and some other books. But when I saw this title "How Soccer Explains The World " I was curious and bought the book immediately. I started reading it immediately and was really happy that I read this wonderful book.

“Soccer isn't the same as Bach or Buddhism. But it is often more deeply felt than religion, and just as much a part of the community's fabric, a repository of traditions.” 

The author explains how the globalization and football works in different countries. The author very clearly explains that the globalization did not end tribal fighting or created equal space for everyone to progress. On the other hand it created even more unbalanced world with poorer people are getting marginalized. He explore the failure of globalization.

“Indeed, this is an important characteristic of the globalization debate: the tendency toward glorifying all things indigenous even when they deserve to be left in the past.” 

The author put much effort to understand why English fans reacting in a manner they are and their rationale behind supporting particular team. He visited many stadiums around the world to get to know the details .In each chapter the visits different countries and meets different people and gets details of different issues.

"As the Protestants celebrate a goal, they're egged on by the team captain, a long-haired Italian called Lorenzo Amoruso, who has the look of a 1980s male model. Flailing his arms, he urges them to sing their anti-Catholic songs louder. The irony is obvious: Amoruso is a Catholic. For that matter, so are most of the Rangers players. Since the late nineties, Rangers routinely field nearly as many Catholics as Celtic. Their players come from Georgia, Argentina, Germany, Sweden, Portugal and Holland, because money can buy no better ones. Championships mean more than religious purity."

The author clearly indicates how sport has been deeply entwined with politics and cultures of the countries. In the chapter "How Soccer Explains The Sentimental Hooligan", the author talks about Chelsea Headhunter Alan 'Garrison' (not his real name). Alan's story was very interesting but I doubt it veracity. I also not sure about the author's claim of 'more than 100 killed' in English hooligans during 80's. In another chapter "How Soccer Explains The Pornography Of Sects", the author explains the relationship between Celtic and Ranger fans(Catholics and Protestants). He visits to the ground with both supporters and try to understand their relationship with the clubs. The author points out that the clubs are the benefactors from the fans sectarianism.


 *The above graphics is taken from " http://prezi.com/n9t2kepublhq/how-soccer-explains-the-world/# " . Thanks to creator.

The authors loves Barcelona football club as it is owned by the fans. He like the way the club works. He also tells the story of Barcelona football club and how the team and the stadium became the place for the people of Catalonia to vent their anger .

I should say that this book is a must read for those who interested to know about football culture and impacts on societies.