The Ball is Round

Oct 6, 2024 10:18 PM

Author:David Goldblatt

The Ball is Round

THE DEFINITIVE, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BOOK ABOUT FOOTBALL

'Football conquered the world with its capacity to astonish, and this is its definitive history' The Independent

There may be no cultural practice more global than soccer. Rites of birth and marriage are infinitely diverse, but the rules of soccer are universal. No world religion can match its geographical scope. The single greatest simultaneous human collective experience is the World Cup final.

In this extraordinary tour de force, David Goldblatt tells the full story of football's rise from chaotic folk ritual to the world's most popular sport.

The Ball Is Roundilluminates football's role in the political and social histories of modern societies, but never loses sight of the beauty, joy, and excitement of the game.

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'Goldblatt writes with authority, humour, and passion, not least in the accounts of famous or significant matches scattered throughout the book' Times Literary Supplement

'Since it became a worldwide phenomenon, nobody has attempted to write an overall history of the game. Now David Goldblatt's stunning book will be the measure against which all other such volumes are judged' The Guardian

'Goldblatt's magnum opus . . . Anyone with a brain and an interest in football will enjoy this book' The Daily Telegraph (London)

Reviews

His generosity of spirit shines through the book

—— Sunday Telegraph

A great man and a great ambassador, Seve has represented his country, his sport and himself with class. I am sure you will enjoy his life story

—— Jack Nicklaus

Exceptional

—— Gary Player

A genius

—— Tiger Woods

The definitive story of Britain’s greatest ever cyclist

—— Christmas books recommendations , Cycle Sport

A definitive insight into one of cycling’s most intriguing characters and tragic stories

—— Cyclist

His book is not only the day to day battle with the boredom of training, finding the courage to go one step beyond and an utter dedication to a dream, it is also a tribute to the strength that can be found within a loving family

—— Sunday Express

Trower has the perfect pitch for a sentence that illuminates an entire culture

—— Financial Times

His dedication to finding a spiritual dimension to a lost art is hard to fault

—— Wanderlust

Notable for its honesty. The Liverpool defender's published opinion that he is happier retired from international football prompted a media frenzy

—— Martin Pengelly , Guardian

One of the few current footballers worth an autobiography

—— Jonathan Ruppin , Bookseller

Amid the basketful of bland post-World Cup books, McGrath's life story stands out a mile... Fascinating reading.

—— Evening Standard

The Republic of Ireland's most popular sportsman, still adored by fans of Manchester United and Villa.

—— BBC Sport

An all-too honest account of a playing career that just got better and better, despite threatening to go off the rails.

—— Sunday Mercury

An extraordinary book.

—— Irish Independent

Harrowing and brutally honest...a gripping story.

—— Derby Evening Telegraph

Brutally honest.

—— The Irish Post

Less a football autobiography, more repentant confessional.

—— Kevin Hughes , FreeSport

stunning

—— FourFourTwo

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