Synopsis
Revised in time for the new soccer league and the 1996 Olympics, The Simplest Game continues to be the reference on the game, its players, and its history. Now with photos throughout of the most memorable and talented players, the book traces the evolution of soccer from a crude, rustic pastime into a sophisticated worldwide business and offers a wealth of facts, figures, rules, and anecdotes to delight anyone with a passing or devout interest in the sport. With an introduction by Pele, The Simplest Game is the only book the soccer fan will ever need.
Reviews
Soccer's premier international event, the World Cup, will take place in the U.S. this summer, so expect a glut of material on the event and the sport--but don't expect to find anything better than this updated overview by one of soccer's most respected reporters. Gardner, currently the author of a column for Soccer America magazine, has covered the sport for decades. He provides historical background on the game's origins before supplying detailed analyses of each of the previous World Cup competitions. He also reports on the funneling systems employed by other countries to develop young players into potential international-caliber stars. Perhaps of most interest to American fans will be Gardner's discussion of the strategy shifts that the game has undergone in recent years. He is especially critical of the modern defense-dominated approach, arguing persuasively that, without enough energy devoted to offense, soccer can become a tedious, dull game. Appended are the international rules, a glossary, and various lists of Cup winners and outstanding players. An excellent, thorough guide to modern soccer. Wes Lukowsky
With the 1994 World Cup just around the corner, the author offers a new edition of a book he wrote in 1976 ( LJ 10/1/76. o.p.). In this update, he chronicles World Cup activities from 1930 to 1990, the changing aspects of the game, and the rise of soccer in the United States. The appendixes feature a glossary, a list of governing body rules and members, plus a record of Olympic and club champions. The difference between the earlier edition and the current study lies in Gardner's analysis of soccer in the United States between 1970 and the present--in particular, the failure of the United States Soccer Federation to establish a quality professional league similar to what exists in Europe and South America. Soccer enthusiasts will enjoy reading Gardner's informative book. Recommended for public libraries.
- L.R. Little, Penticton P.L., B . C .
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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