Temples of the Earthbound Gods: Stadiums in the Cultural Landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires [Hardcover]

Christopher Thomas Gaffney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

In Rio de Janeiro, the spiritual home of world football, and Buenos Aires, where a popular soccer club president was recently elected mayor, the game is an integral part of national identity. Using the football stadium as an illuminating cultural lens, "Temples of the Earthbound Gods" examines many aspects of urban culture that play out within these monumental architectural forms, including spirituality, violence, rigid social norms, anarchy, and also expressions of sexuality and gender. Tracing the history of the game in Brazil and Argentina through colonial influences as well as indigenous ball courts in Mayan, Aztec, Zapotec, Mixtec, and Olmec societies, Christopher Gaffney's study spans both ancient and contemporary worlds, linking the development of stadiums to urbanization and the consolidation of nation building in two of Latin America's most intriguing megacities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Written for both academic and general audiences, the book seems appropriate for undergraduate or graduate teaching as well as more widespread readership. I highly recommend Temples of the Earthbound Gods as both a lively read and an insightful reflection on sports and society in Latin America. (Brian J. Godfrey, Department of Earth Science and Geography, Vassar College Journal of Latin American Geography ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

A fascinating account of how the world's most popular sport has left an indelible mark in two world cities. (Joseph L. Scarpaci, Professor of Geography, Virginia Tech )

Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292718802
• ISBN-13: 978-0292718807
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,140,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just for soccer fans, August 8, 2009

By 

T. Chamberlain - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Temples of the Earthbound Gods: Stadiums in the Cultural Landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (Hardcover)

I was expecting a tightly focused work addressing soccer stadiums in Brazil. While it was certainly that, it was so much more. I'd recommend this read for anyone headed down to Rio or B.A.; soccer ultimately defines the culture there, so to say this is a book simply about soccer stadiums would be missing the point. It's a book about the culture, evolution, and broader global acceptance of Brazil itself, so entwined with the beautiful game that the two cannot be separated. Dr. Gaffney's captured the essence of this on all fronts, throwing some welcome curveballs and a nicely-original writing style into the mix as well, while also speaking to the casual observer who may simply want a reading companion on their travels. I would give any thoughtful acquaintance (regardless of their interest in soccer) traveling that direction this book, nearly labeling it armchair travel, but with the huge caveat that it will provide much more than that.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, relevant, and educational, August 5, 2009

By 

A.F. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temples of the Earthbound Gods: Stadiums in the Cultural Landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (Hardcover)

This book is very simply eye opening. It completely changed the way I now look at stadiums and sporting events. I have always been interested in urban population patterns but had never considered the significance of sports. Gaffney shows first how important sports can be to defining a people and how the stadium becomes the mechanism through which this happens. He goes onto examine the rituals that take place in these "temples" in a way I had never considered. He uses various famous stadiums to make his point, but readers can't help but apply his principles and ideas to every event they go to for the rest of their lives. Best of all, it's entertaining to read. A must buy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, August 2, 2009

By 

CMI - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temples of the Earthbound Gods: Stadiums in the Cultural Landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires (Hardcover)

Wow: a book about sports that moves well beyond the usual obsessions of fame, personality and money. Delving deeply in the substance and subalterns of life, Dr Gaffney's storytelling and arguments sweeps up jocks, travelers, students, academics and visionaries alike. Highly recommended.