Spiced with colorful evidence and stories, this title traces the growth of what during pre-industrial times was called "the simplest game" through its codification in the nineteenth century to the 1994 World Cup. Murray weaves the sport's growth into the culture and politics of the countries where it has been taken up.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Soccer, one of the most popular games in the world, is played by many and is supported fanatically by millions. So, how did this sport come about? What were its origins? Why has it flourished for so long? Bill Murray, an Australian sports historian, answers these questions and many more as he persuasively presents the case for why soccer is the premier sport of the world. Tracing the history of the organized game--from its origins as a leisure pastime for private-school alumni in London in 1863 to the World Cup held in the U.S. in 1994--Murray commentates on the evolution of soccer from past to present. Attention is paid to all aspects of the game, ranging from America's ambivalent attitude toward professional soccer to the progress of the women's game to the threat of hooliganism. The ground covered is vast, but Murray's readable style will be appreciated by anyone who has a passion for the game, and will inspire interest in those who know little about it. --Jeremy Storey
Review
"A landmark work on the sport of soccer." -- John Haydon, The Washington Times "Witty and passionate, scholarly and literate... Unhesitatingly, I would classify The World's Game as the most satisfying book on football that has ever come to my attention." -- J. Neville Turner, Bulletin of the Australian Society for Sport History "Well researched ... readable, factual and informative." -- John Weir, author of The Absolute Game "Presents an excellent case for why soccer is the sport of the globe." -- Adam Korengold, The American Reporter Book Review "One of the finest chronicles of soccer... Gives you reason to appreciate why the world's game has continued to flourish." -- Adelaide Advertiser, Australia "Bill Murray has accomplished the seemingly impossible. He has masterfully rendered the complexities of soccer's history into a single vividly written story." -- Benjamin Rader, author of Baseball: A History of America's Game "Spiced with colorful evidence and stories...The World's Game is a very interesting book packed with arresting detail." -- James Walvin, author of The People's Game: The History of Football Revisited
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great overview of soccer history.,
By PaulB "pbanik" (Saskatoon, SK Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports) (Paperback)
Unlike other soccer books which can be narrow in scope and range, Murray's book attempts to take us beyond the borders of South America and Europe and examines soccer all over the world. It also examines political and social affiliations attached to the game. The appendix has major soccer disasters covered,tragedies involving players,major soccer grounds,FIFA membership,Soccer at the Olympic Games before 1930,The Growth of the World Cup,and The Growth of Various Youth Tournaments. It also has a useful Glossary which is a must for any observer, casual or hardcore fan of the game. It would be a good introductory book for someone learning about soccer history because it has plenty of useful anecdotes that illustrates the game's colorful and controversial history.
5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This book was great!,
By melissa feldhaus (united staes) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports) (Paperback)
After having played soccer for years, it was amazing to see how much I didn't now about the history of the sport. Now that my daughter is absorbing everything soccer, this book has helped. She is preparing to do a report on soccer and it's history. I am sure she'll do great!
0 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports),
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This review is from: The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports) (Paperback)
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
When Americans celebrated the centenary of their national football code on 6 November 1969, the game they commemorated was in fact closer to soccer than to either rugby or what came to be known as American football. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
first football association, soccer power, soccer nations, dribbling game, soccer grounds, registered players, domestic league, football code, domestic game, world soccer Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
World Cup, United States, South America, Olympic Games, South Korea, Soviet Union, South Africa, World War, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, West Germany, Middle East, Réal Madrid, River Plate, Great Britain, Manchester United, New York, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Challenge Cup, Fall River, Queen's Park New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
When Americans celebrated the centenary of their national football code on 6 November 1969, the game they commemorated was in fact closer to soccer than to either rugby or what came to be known as American football. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
first football association, soccer power, soccer nations, dribbling game, soccer grounds, registered players, domestic league, football code, domestic game, world soccer Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
World Cup, United States, South America, Olympic Games, South Korea, Soviet Union, South Africa, World War, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, West Germany, Middle East, Réal Madrid, River Plate, Great Britain, Manchester United, New York, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Challenge Cup, Fall River, Queen's Park New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 32
books:
See all 32 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- The Old Firm by Bill Murray in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby on page 162, and Back Matter
- SOVIET UNION 2E CL/ DAVIES by Davies in Back Matter
- The Olympics: A HISTORY OF THE MODERN GAMES (2D ED.) (Illinois History of Sports) by Allen Guttmann in Front Matter
- Off the Ball: The Football World Cup by Alan Tomlinson in Back Matter
See all 32 books this book cites
- The International Politics of Sport in the Twentieth Century by Professor Jim Riordan on page 47, and page 88
- Sport Business in the Global Marketplace (Finance and Capital Markets) by Hans Westerbeek on page 124, and page 125
- Nike Is a Goddess: The History of Women in Sports by Lissa Smith in Back Matter
- Soccer's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Clumsy Keepers, Clever Crosses, and Outlandish Oddities by John Snyder in Back Matter
- Sport Stars: The Cultural Politics of Sporting Celebrity by David L. Andrews on page 137
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