The World's Game: A History of Soccer (Illinois History of Sports) [Hardcover]

Bill Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996 | Series: Illinois History of Sports

Known as much for the emotional outbursts and violence of its fans as for its own stars, soccer (or football, as it is known outside the United States) is a global game. Its international controlling body, FIFA, boasts more members than the United Nations. Bill Murray 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, held for the first time in the United States. Murray weaves the sport's growth into the culture and politics of the countries where it has been taken up, analyzing its reputation as a game that has seen more riots and on-field brawls than all other types of football combined. He vividly illustrates how soccer has become the world's most popular sport, one that has resisted the interference of politicians, dictators, and profiteers and - more recently - the demands of television, through which it has spread to virtually every corner of the globe. The World's Game will be entertaining and enlightening to anyone from the most avid, knowledgeable fan to those who merely hope to learn a little about the sport.

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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 218 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; 1ST edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 025201748X
• ISBN-13: 978-0252017483
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,367,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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., February 23, 2001

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!, March 25, 2000

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), September 8, 2007

By 

Aurora, Ill, USA - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World's Game: A HISTORY OF SOCCER (Illinois History of Sports) (Paperback)

Very pleased with how fast I recieved the book. It was in wonderful shape