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May 09, 2006
Books I Read in April
How Soccer Explains the World : An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
by Franklin Foer
From Publishers Weekly: Foer, a New Republic editor, scores a game-winning goal with this analysis of the interchange between soccer and the new global economy. The subtitle is a bit misleading, though: he doesn't really use soccer to develop a theory; instead, he focuses on how examining soccer in different countries allows us to understand how international forces affect politics and life around the globe. The book is full of colorful reporting, strong characters and insightful analysis: In one of the most compelling chapters, Foer shows how a soccer thug in Serbia helped to organize troops who committed atrocities in the Balkan War—by the end of the war, the thug's men, with the acquiescence of Serbian leaders, had killed at least 2,000 Croats and Bosnians. Then he bought his own soccer club and, before he was gunned down in 2000, intimidated other teams into losing. Most of the stories aren't as gruesome, but they're equally fascinating. The crude hatred, racism and anti-Semitism on display in many soccer stadiums is simply amazing, and Foer offers context for them, including how current economic conditions are affecting these manifestations. In Scotland, the management of some teams have kept religious hatreds alive in order to sell tickets and team merchandise. But Foer, a diehard soccer enthusiast, is no anti-globalist. In Iran, for example, he depicts how soccer works as a modernizing force: thousands of women forced police to allow them into a men's-only stadium to celebrate the national team's triumph in an international match. One doesn't have to be a soccer fan to truly appreciate this absorbing book.
My Review: I have no knowledge of soccer, which makes it a bit of a mystery to explain why I picked up this book at Barnes and Noble a couple of months ago. When I finally started reading it, I was immediately engrossed--this is exactly the sort of book that makes political science interesting. Even though I didn't get any of the actual soccer techniques, I was totally caught up in the fan analysis, the collusion with government officials, and the inter-racial aspects of today's soccer teams. Highly recommended.
Also, I'm in the process of listening to Cloud Atlas on audiobook, but it's taking me FOREVER...review to follow.
Comments
I gave this book to O last year--he loved it too! And he then bought a copy for T's husband. All of this is useless information to you and your readers, but there you go...
--Red
Posted by: Red at May 9, 2006 12:00 PM
