How Soccer Explains the World

An eccentric, fascinating expos of a world most of us know nothing about. . . . Bristles with anecdotes that are almost impossible to believe. New York Times Book ReviewTerrific. . . . A travelogue full of important insights into both cultural change and persistence. . . . Foers soccer odyssey lends weight to the argument that a humane world order is possible.Washington Post Book WorldA groundbreaking worknamed one of the five most influential sports books of the decade by Sports IllustratedHow Soccer Explains the World is a unique and brilliantly illuminating look at soccer, the worlds most popular sport, as a lens through which to view the pressing issues of our age, from the clash of civilizations to the global economy.From Brazil to Bosnia, and Italy to Iran, this is an eye-opening chronicle of how a beautiful sport and its fanatical followers can highlight the fault lines of a society, whether its terrorism, poverty, anti-Semitism, or radical Islamissues that now have an impact on all of us. Filled with blazing intelligence, colorful characters, wry humor, and an equal passion for soccer and humanity,How Soccer Explains the Worldis an utterly original book that makes sense of our troubled times.