Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “I'm not sure the book lives up to the grandiose title, but Franklin Foer does achieve something significant: he explains why & how soccer is so intertwined into various cultures across the globe. Yet his most brilliant chapter is probably the last one--explaining the role of soccer in the United...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“I'm not sure the book lives up to the grandiose title, but Franklin Foer does achieve something significant: he explains why & how soccer is so intertwined into various cultures across the globe. Yet his most brilliant chapter is probably the last one--explaining the role of soccer in the United States might be a true Sisyphean task.”
Kind wrote this review Wednesday, September 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great stories.. Reminds me of Green Street Hooligans”
Jamie F wrote this review Thursday, August 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very good book... but I do have lots of criticism. If it wasn't for the last three chapters, I would have given it 3 stars. The first seven chapters don't explain the world at all or anything in it. They explain soccer and the soccer world. So the title is kind of deceiving. Also, one thing that bothered me was that until the last three chapters he was never really explaining anything. In order to explain something there has to be an original question or confusion. He never asks a question or shows confusion and then how soccer explains it. He just rambles about soccer and people. The whole bit about globalization is never really well explained; it's kind of assumed. He has the same theory as Fareed Zakaria, Thomas Friedman, and others that globalization increases tribalism type behaviors and loyalty in the locale, destroying or at least undermining nationalism. He never really explains that well, and it's not a very strong motif throughout the book, so I don't quite understand why it's the subtitle. Another annoying thing is that he's constantly switching from past tense to present tense and back to the past. Having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book for its insights on the world of soccer in a wider context. Again, the last three chapters are phenomenal.”
Josh D wrote this review Tuesday, July 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A journalist experiences soccer worldwide, in stadiums, pubs, homes. He talks with the most hardcore hooligans and fanbases and sees how each team represents the world getting smaller, how the style of play is reflective of the government. he highlights the victory and defeat and how each team shares it with an entire people.”
ifnobodyspeaks wrote this review Friday, June 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The author show how soccer is not just a sport but a reflection of the cultures of different parts of our world. He relates soccer to the economic, political, and racial aspects of society. And even though it is the same sport, the meaning and the impact on the different world societies is different.”
Michelle H wrote this review Tuesday, January 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer is a book that explains the theory of globalization and compares it to the world. Franklin Foer writes about different stories about people in different countries who went to crazy experiences in their life because of soccer. Foer's main reason why soccer is a perfect example of globalization is because soccer unites people. Soccer clubs have firms were people unite and fight against other firms. Although this is not a peaceful method of living, it brings out the pride and nationalism in a person, Even though some firms hate each other, when it comes to the whole country playing against another, all the firms unite to become one. This book shows how soccer effects the culture of my societies./
Gregory H wrote this review Wednesday, November 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I found this book very interesting because of a couple of reasons. Soccer is my favorite sport and this book shows how the game is very serious to others. I found it interesting the some people would die for their teams for loyalty. The only thing that i did not enjoy about the book is that the book gets boring at the end. I found myself lost and had to reread because I was bored to death. Overall, this was a great book and I recommend this to anyone who enjoys soccer or wants to learn more about the culture of soccer.”“Brilliant. A real gift for every football fan. The book tells you so much about how football defines culture apart from economy. the book though has its flaws. The author is pretty opinionated at places and at other places he has desperately tried to connect the scenario with football. but generally a very well researched and presented book. Even non football fans would love it in parts.”
Alekh Agrawal wrote this review Saturday, October 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I suspected that the whole world revolved around this game...this is proof.”
Terry E wrote this review Tuesday, August 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Horrible book. Really only dealt with hooliganism, rather than sociology.”
Amy P wrote this review Monday, August 4 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
