The Story of the World Cup - Softcover

For a month every four years, millions around the world turn their attention to the World Cup, where the most skillful soccer players proudly represent their countries. Brian Glanville, a sports journalist and soccer commentator, brings his wit and detailed knowledge of the game to The Story of the World Cup, a breezy romp through the competition's history and personalities. Although Glanville is obviously knowledgeable about his subject--from its origins to its politics--he is careful not to patronize his readers. He strolls through the narrative much like a tour guide, pausing here and there to reflect or evangelize on events that would perhaps go unnoticed by the untrained eye. But Glanville never forgets the real stars of this story: the players. Some are names that are recognizable, like Maradona and Pele--whom he follows from beginning to end (and in some cases, sordid end); others are the lesser-known stars, ranging from Beckenbaur and Cruyff to Garincha and Moore. Each team has its own unique story, whether it be the fallen genius of Argentina's Maradona or the perpetual bad luck of the Dutch. There is also a subtle message here: Glanville suggests that soccer return to basics and warns of the dangers of too much glitz and bureaucracy. The Story of the World Cup is both educational and entertaining--one part encyclopedia, one part drama. --Jeremy Storey

Brian Glanville, novelist and journalist, is one of the best writers on football. He spent nearly thirty years as a football correspondent for the Sunday Times to which he is still a contributor. He has also written for The People as well as contributing obituaries of prominent players to The Guardian. Simon Barnes has said of him, 'Football has been better served than most sports with grown-up fiction, all of it from Brian Glanville, who has written some beautiful short stories and the classic Sixties period piece, The Rise of Gerry Logan.' And A. J. Ayer, 'Brian Glanville himself is a literary exception ... he is the best football journalist of recent times and the best writer of football fiction.' Faber Finds have reissued three of his novels - his two on football, The Rise of Gerry Logan and The Dying of the Light as well as The Olympian.