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The Ball Is Round

A Global History of Soccer

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The Ball Is Round

By: David Goldblatt, David Goldblatt - foreword
Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
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About this listen

The definitive book about soccer, from the author of The Games: A Global History of the Olympics.

There may be no cultural practice more global than soccer. Rites of birth and marriage are infinitely diverse, but the rules of soccer are universal. No world religion can match its geographical scope. The single greatest simultaneous human collective experience is the World Cup final.

In this extraordinary tour de force, David Goldblatt tells the full story of soccer's rise from chaotic folk ritual to the world's most popular sport - now poised to fully establish itself in the USA. Already celebrated internationally, The Ball Is Round illuminates soccer's role in the political and social histories of modern societies, but never loses sight of the beauty, joy, and excitement of the game itself.

©2006 David Goldblatt (P)2020 Tantor Football (Soccer) Sociology of Sports Sports History Soccer United States Soccer History

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Some will love, too long for me

I’m a huge football fan so was waiting to sink my teeth in, but there was just too much going on. It’s more on me than on the author who is clearly extremely talented and knowledgeable. I think most football fans will love it, it just wasn’t for me

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