Africa United is the story of modern day Africa told through its soccer. Travelling across thirteen countries, from Cairo to the Cape, Steve Bloomfield, the former Africa Correspondent for The Independent, meets players and fans, politicians and rebel leaders, discovering the role that soccer has played in shaping the continent. This wide-ranging and incisive book investigates Africa’s love of soccer, its increasing global influence, the build-up to the 2010 World Cup itself and the social and political backdrop to the greatest show on earth.
Africa United
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Review
“Bloomfield’s book presents the perfect contextual backdrop for understanding how football intersects with everyday life, politics, and national identities in this part of the world.” (Newsweek )
“[T]he author relates what soccer means in nations where poverty and danger go hand-in-hand. The result is a highly charged read at least as much about politics as soccer. Highly recommended.” (Library Journal )
“A journalist’s continental odyssey. … it’s a brave journey - Bloomfield should never have taken that old Russian aircraft in Sierra Leone - and carries us to countries most of us will never see. The highlight, a beautiful piece of writing, is Bloomfield’s visit to Mogadishu, the wrecked yet splendid Somali capital.” (Financial Times )
“This is a fascinating account of how football lies at the very heart of African consciousness....The insights that Bloomfield has gleaned as The Independent’s Africa correspondent shine through in the perfect balance of passionate prose and informed accounts of key moments both on and off the pitch.” (Waterstones.com )
[Africa United] is an excellent book and offers a fascinating introduction to thirteen national African teams.” (About.com )
“[T]he author relates what soccer means in nations where poverty and danger go hand-in-hand. The result is a highly charged read at least as much about politics as soccer. Highly recommended.” (Library Journal )
“A journalist’s continental odyssey. … it’s a brave journey - Bloomfield should never have taken that old Russian aircraft in Sierra Leone - and carries us to countries most of us will never see. The highlight, a beautiful piece of writing, is Bloomfield’s visit to Mogadishu, the wrecked yet splendid Somali capital.” (Financial Times )
“This is a fascinating account of how football lies at the very heart of African consciousness....The insights that Bloomfield has gleaned as The Independent’s Africa correspondent shine through in the perfect balance of passionate prose and informed accounts of key moments both on and off the pitch.” (Waterstones.com )
[Africa United] is an excellent book and offers a fascinating introduction to thirteen national African teams.” (About.com )
From the Back Cover
Africa United is the story of modern-day Africa told through its soccer. Traveling across thirteen countries, from Cairo to the Cape, Steve Bloomfield meets players and fans, politicians and rebel leaders, discovering the role that soccer has played in shaping the continent. He recounts how soccer has helped to stoke conflicts and end wars, bring countries together and prop up authoritarian regimes.
A lively and elegantly reported travelogue, Africa United calls attention to the amazing relationships between people and soccer, and to the state of Africa on the cusp of the biggest moment in its sporting history, the 2010 World Cup.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Cpt. Cords
Format:Paperback
Fascinating travelogue about Africa and its relationship to soccer. While Bloomfield neglects some important football-playing nations, such as Cameroon and Ghana, his attention to some of Africa's minnows is commendable. He also includes first-hand accounts of national and club-team matches, presenting a multifaceted study of soccer in ten African nations.
By jensworld
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am ecstatic about this book. Intelligently written and proof that Africa is the best place in the world! I truly believe that some of the world's best football players hail from africa, and this book helps me to see why! I was absolutely thrilled at the service I received with this purchase. I found navigating about the site to be quite simple enough, and there is ample information available to help you decide. Thank you for the brilliant read once again! Cheers!
Format:Paperback
I know very little about African soccer, and while this isn't the most thorough book on the topic, it is an entertaining read and a good introduction. I'll certainly try to watch the African Cup of Nations if it's available in the United States.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
has the pulse of the continent's soccer scenes
Very definitely worth picking up for any soccer literati fan. The subtitle pretty much sums it all up. Read more
Published on April 1, 2011 by Brian Maitland
3.0 out of 5 stars
BEEN THERE, SEEN THAT
There are some very good things that can be said about this book. For a start it is very well written in a pleasant and informal way. Read more
Published on June 6, 2010 by DAVID BRYSON
