Soccer In Sun & Shadow

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.

"Stands out like Pelé on a field of second-stringers." The New Yorker

"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

Includes bibliographical references (p. [227]-234) and index.

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.

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.

Eduardo Galeano is also the author of Open Veins of Latin America, Days and Nights of Love and War, The Book of Embraces, We Say No, and other works. He is a regular contributor to The Nation. He lives in Montevideo, Uruguay.