The world's game: a history of soccer

Abstract

Known as much for emotional outbursts and violence of its fans as for its own stars, soccer (or football, as it is known outside United States) is a global game. Its international controlling body, FIFA, boasts more members than United Nations. Bill Murray traces growth of what during pre-industrial times was called the simplest through its codification in nineteenth century to 1994 World Cup, held for first time in United States. Murray weaves sport's growth into culture and politics of countries where it has been taken up, analyzing its reputation as a game that has seen more riots and on-field brawls than all other types of football combined. He vividly illustrates how soccer has become world's most popular sport, one that has resisted interference of politicians, dictators, and profiteers and - more recently - demands of television, through which it has spread to virtually every corner of globe. The World's Game will be entertaining and enlightening to anyone from most avid, knowledgeable fan to those who merely hope to learn a little about sport.