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Soccer in Sun and Shadowby Eduardo Galeano
Staff Pick
Eduardo Galeano consistently composes some of the world's most elegant and engaging prose. Whether writing about national histories, military juntas, the intrusiveness of advertising, the poetry of lovemaking, or, as in this case, the world's most popular sport, he invariably weaves grace and reverence into his recollections. Galeano, Uruguay's greatest writer, remains a singularity amongst his international contemporaries. Though he admits to a lifelong adoration for the pastime, being "a beggar for good soccer," Galeano never resorts to sentimentalism, nor does he stoop to deifying the game or its players. Throughout much of the book, however, he decries the corporate takeover of this most widely beloved sport, saying "play has become spectacle, with few protagonists and many spectators, soccer for watching. And that spectacle has become one of the most profitable businesses in the world, organized not for play but rather to impede it." Despite soccer's modern adulteration, the game retains a most lively history, and Galeano, through the use of his trademark vignette-styled prose, recounts these bygone days. "Five thousand years ago, Chinese jugglers had balls dancing on their feet, and it wasn't long before they organized the first games," writes Galeano, outlining soccer's origins, which he traces over thousands of years of human civilization through to the 1994 World Cup (and the forsaking of Diego Maradona). Soccer in Sun and Shadow is a breathtaking monument to the greatness that is soccer, but one that also documents the darker moments that shall forever tarnish its legacy. Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:This new edition of Eduardo Galeano's riveting commentary on the history and politics of soccer includes newly written material on the 2002 World Cup, which one quarter of humanity watched. Discussing everything from the leveling of the Twin Towers to the death of the sole survivor of that extraordinary match between British and German soldiers in 1915, one of South America's greatest commentators issues forth on robotic soccer in Japan, the mass-production of the game as a sign of the decline of civilization, the amazing success of Senegal and Turkey, and how Nike beat Adidas. Review:"Stands out like Pelé on a field of second-stringers." The New Yorker Review:"Perfect for American soccer fans who are looking for a quick snapshot of the highlights and lowlights of this very popular international sport." Publishers Weekly Synopsis:This effervescent book, illustrated by the author's spry silhouettes, is a lyrical celebration of the Latin character.Stands out like Pel on a field of second-stringers.It's all here. Everything you should know about soccer, the world's game.Perfect for American soccer fans who are looking for a quick snapshot of the highlights and lowlights of this very popular international sport.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.Galeano delivers a loving tribute to the game and its culture, and a celebration not only of soccer but also of life.Brilliant, lyrical flights of language that, like a player racing down the field in a mad, beautifully executed breakaway, are piercingly and unexpectedly insightful.
Synopsis:Discussing everything from the leveling of the Twin Towers to the death of the sole survivor of that extraordinary match between British and German soldiers in 1915, one of South America's greatest commentators issues forth on robotic soccer in Japan, the mass-production of the game as a sign of the decline of civilization, the amazing success of Senegal and Turkey, and how Nike beat Adidas. Synopsis:Includes bibliographical references (p. [227]-234) and index.
About the AuthorEduardo Galeano's previous books include Memory of Fire, The Book of Embraces, and We Say No. His book Open Veins of Latin America sold one million copies worldwide. He lives and breathes soccer in Montevideo, Uruguay. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
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Related SubjectsLanguages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Sports and Outdoors » Sports and Fitness » Soccer » General Sports and Outdoors » Sports and Fitness » Soccer » General
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