Soccer in Sun and Shadow (Hardcover)

by Eduardo Galeano (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From The New Yorker
Stands out like Pele on a field of second-stringers.

Review
As only a radical Latin American writer can, Galeano conjures up images of legendary heroes and earth-shaking goals, with heavy-handed swipes at commercialism and class-politics, real-life racism and fascism. -- Time Out New York, Anderson Tepper, 9 July 1998

Each [chapter] is priceless...and keeps the reader turning pages quickly. -- Los Angeles Times, Elliott Teaford, 28 May 1998

Galeano's history of the world cup is poignant and engaging. -- New York Newsday, Mathey Yeomans, 5 July 1998

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Verso (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859848486
• ISBN-13: 978-1859848487
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #848,937 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful & Lyrical Reader, June 22, 2000

By	A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Soccer in Sun and Shadow (Paperback)

This is a thoughtful little soccer history reader by a well-known Uruguayan poet and writer. It's written in tiny little topical chunks covering the history of soccer in roughly chronological order. Starting with the pre-history of soccer it unravels leisurely until at the end there is a small denunciation of the big money interests that have corrupted the game which has a grip on the imaginations of little boys (and now girls) around the world. Scattered throughout are lyrical testimonials to individual performers and goals throughout history. As I read, I kept wishing for an accompanying DVD to show these magical goals, but upon reflection, I realized that what Galeano can paint as magic with words might well fade into banality when subjected to the freeze frame. Even though a lot of the players and matches mentioned will mean little to North American soccer fans, the book is still essential reading for its ability to impart the mystical grip the sport has on much of the globe.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetic history of the world's game, April 9, 2001

By	J. Rossi (Downers Grove, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Soccer in Sun and Shadow (Paperback)

Soccer in Sun and Shadow is a superb book covering the very early days of soccer to modern soccer's start in England to the world game that is played today, and all of it is superb. Even if you are not a huge soccer fan, Galeano's passionate writing will draw you into the fold and make you care for at least as long as the book is open.

Galeano recalls his childhood memories of goals scored and saves missed, the beautiful dance his heroes performed with the ball, and his pride in South American soccer. His writing is sublime and metaphoric, and Galeano never stumbles. By the time he examines the new phase of commercial soccer you'll want to cry at the tainting of a game that is (was?) so pure. The commercialization of soccer will help peolpe from the states relate to the rest of the world: after all, it was just a couple of decades ago when our four major sports were ruined by escalating salaries, corporate involvement and worthless expansion. Galeano wears his heart on his sleeve and creates a wonderful read that anyone, sports fan or not, should enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure poetry, April 8, 2006

By	Johnny Centreback (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soccer in Sun and Shadow, New Edition (Paperback)

Galeano's book remains the most lyrical and whimsical book ever written about soccer / football. He is one of the few writers who has managed to both embody and describe the spirit of the beautiful game at the same time. Wonderful to have such a talented writer and spirit give the game the treatment it deserves. A rare book...