SKU: 54976389432

The Power and the Glory : A New History of the World Cup by Jonathan Wilson

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The Power and the Glory : A New History of the World Cup by Jonathan Wilson'A master at telling football's greatest ever stories Breathtaking. Wilson's eye for detail and his elegant writing brings the World Cup to life like no other book on the topic I have ever read' ELIS JAMES'Epic in scope, awesomely rich in detail, and compulsively entertaining' TOM HOLLAND'So much of what we know of football's history we know thanks to Wilson' SIMON KUPERThe football World Cup is the most watched sporting event on the planet. It has

'A master at telling football's greatest ever stories... Breathtaking. Wilson's eye for detail and his elegant writing brings the World Cup to life like no other book on the topic I have ever read' ELIS JAMES'Epic in scope, awesomely rich in detail, and compulsively entertaining' TOM HOLLAND'So much of what we know of football's history we know thanks to Wilson' SIMON KUPERThe football World Cup is the most watched sporting event on the planet. It has become a global obsession: 211 nations initially entered the 2022 edition. It has been running for almost a century. Yet there is no comprehensive history of the tournament: based on fresh interviews and meticulously researched this book will change that. By 1930, football had outgrown the Olympic Games. A new competition, run by Fifa, would take international football to the next level. After a shambolic start to the first cup in Uruguay - an incomplete stadium, shoddy refereeing and physios accidentally injuring players - the thrilling final saw Uruguay take on Argentina, beating them 4-2. From those chaotic beginnings grew the modern World Cup, a cultural phenomenon that draws the world together like nothing else, and that gives it a profound importance. Ask a random person on a random street to name a moment in the history of Senegal and they may well say Pape Bouba Diop's winner against France in the 2002 World Cup, a goal not only against the defending champions but against the former colonial masters.

The World Cup has political significance. West Germany's success in 1954 was a moment of reintegration into global society. Progress to the semi-finals in 1998 gave a huge boost to Croatia's sense of national self. But football is an unpredictable sport. In the so-called Soccer War of 1969 tensions between El Salvador and Honduras were ignited by a World Cup qualifier. More recently, the focus for governments seeking to political gain has been hosting the tournament, with the World Cups in Russia and Qatar clear examples of sportswashing, staging a tournament to project an image of a thriving society.

There has never been a comprehensive history of the World Cup that has considered not only the matches and goals, the players and coaches, the tales of scandal and genius, the haggling and skulduggery of the bidding process, but has also placed the tournaments within a socio-political framework. The story of the World Cup is also the story of the world; this book tells its definitive history.

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Binding: Hardback,
Pagination: 608 pages, 32pix approx
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SKU: 54976389432

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Isabelle
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Interesting
Format: Kindle
This was a very captivating book once you got into it thoroughly. But the third person perspective was a bit hard to get used to. But as you got into it and followed the different characters, it was interesting and filled with intrigue, conflict and forbidden love. I can’t wait to read the next one and to complete the series.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2022
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Lisa B.
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
OUTSTANDING
Format: Kindle
This was very, very good. The world is vast and characters are complex. There is a good plot with a whole lot going on. This is well written. Good twists and turns and some heart breaking moments. You will love these characters, they have heart and loyalty. I am hoping that there will be several more books. We've yet to see anything from the Sea Court but only a mention of them here and there. The Wood Court was given a quick couple of scenes, and only as far as some warriors, we've yet to enter their court and the Shadow Court, I'm not sure if they will be a force for good or bad, but they definitely will play a much bigger role moving forward. This is primarily the Ice and Air Courts. Told in multiple views, which I loved, it gives you a chance to see things from different eyes. There's alot of political maneuvering and deception. I loved it and will pick up the next book as it becomes available. If you like The Fae and the courts, you should love this. I think the author has mucn in store for us.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
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Jessika
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Definitely worth the read!
Format: Kindle
After taking a deep breath and taking in that wicked twist of an ending, I have finally composed myself. My first thought when I started this book was that I love Reyna's character. I was intrigued by her connection with her familiar and the Ruin that is plaguing her land. It came as no surprise that she took her sister's place in an attempt to protect her. When they reach the Air Court everything slows down. This is where it was iffy for me. First of all, I like multiple POV's in books however 7 is a bit much. It starts to interrupt the story line. I felt like I was finally making progress connecting with one character, then it was switched to another person. I felt they all had necessary or pertinent information but not necessarily were they all POV worthy. The only other thing that annoyed me was that Reyna constantly was " trapped." She would rush off without thinking, only to need rescuing. She is brilliant in a fight, but she really doesn't think through anything. Lorcan is amazing. I know he might be on the "bad" list, but his background is so interesting. Eislyn(Reyna's sister) is really so sweet, but calculating. I enjoyed her and Thane's dialogue. The author did an amazing job with the imagery in this book. Everything was so detailed it was easy to fall into the scene. I love unexpected twists and while part of the ending I expected, I wasn't expecting how it took place. All in all, I found it very entertaining and I am very invested in continuing this series. Favorite quotes: "The truth may be twisted but never false." "Who was she if she was not the enemy of the Air Court? What was her purpose of she no longer has that?" "In a war-torn land, love was always a lie."
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
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KAB
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Read!!! Great story!!!
Format: Kindle
The series is long, but Ms. Wolfhart does a fantastic job of weaving this tale while bringing so much to the characters. Surprises and plot twists along the way to keep you intrigued. There is some graphic sex, but is no way the focal point. Grammar was excellent (a rare find with a lot of self publishers) with only a few noted errors. I rarely give 4 stars, let alone 5.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2021
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Elisa
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 3
Sadly, DNF
Format: Kindle
I read this thru KU. I LOVED the synopsis. And then I began reading... and it was a DNF at 68% after picking it up and putting it down several times because I really loved the main female character. *****SPOILERS***** Pros: The world is unique, intriguing and fun. The primary female character is bad-a** but not a b*tech or a mary sue. The primary female has depth. I really want to know what happens to her even tho it's been weeks and I don't remember her name. The villains to the point I read are pretty good -- an ever present threat of mysterious and possibly many culprits. Cons: Way, way too many points of view. I stopped counting at 7. It's the prime reason why I don't care about most of the characters or remember their names even when I like them. There's just too many points of view so almost none of the characters have enough book space for the author to properly develop them. This literally killed the book for me. Actually it killed my desire to read. For weeks. The main male is more villain than hero. He agreed to marry the main female then locks her up & eschews her for her sister, all while bad mouthing her as unfit to rule when he never spent any time with her getting to know her. He is actually unfit to rule as he is blind to the woes of his own kingdom and starts off a peace mission to secure a ceasefire through marriage by murdering an inn full of people in her country for no real reason. Plus, he constantly makes promises he does not keep. And it's gross of him to pine for the sister behind the main female's back. ***** As much as I really wanted to see what happened to the main female character, it wasn't enough for me to keep trying to slog thru this book. There was a lot of potential here that just fell short. Hence, 3 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021

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