This book uses soccer to provide insights into worldwide politics, religion, business, ethics, leadership, childhood, philosophy, and art. It examines the way soccer influences and reflects these aspects of society, and vice versa. Each chapter includes a selection of players ...

“An eccentric, fascinating exposé of a world most of us know nothing about. . . . Bristles with anecdotes that are almost impossible to believe.” —New York Times Book Review “Terrific. . . . A travelogue full of important insights into both cultural change and persistence. . . . Foer’s soccer odyssey lends weight to the argument that a humane world order is possible.” — Washington Post Book World A groundbreaking work—named one of the five most influential sports books of the decade by Sports Illustrated—How Soccer Explains the World is a unique and brilliantly illuminating look at soccer, the world’s 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 it’s terrorism, poverty, anti-Semitism, or radical Islam—issues 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 World is an utterly original book that makes sense of our troubled times.

In the quest for sustainability, we strive to meet our present needs without sacrificing the same opportunity for future generations. Our success or failure depends on our ability to think in “systems,” integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations. But how do we learn systems-thinking? In a series of engaging, rapid-fire stories, Sustainability through Soccer takes readers on a journey through a progression of systems-thinking and sustainability concepts. Using the beautiful game of soccer as an analogy, Leidy Klotz illuminates real-world interdependencies (such as between climate change and human rights), building the chain of concepts in a fun, accessible way. Soccer nerds and newbies alike will be entertained on the way to a deeper understanding of sustainability science.

The modern world is networked and always working. Organizations no longer have the luxury of time. Expertise is no longer confined to a couple of smart guys in corner offices, reviewing information to which only they have access and issuing instructions through layers of middle-men to nine-to-fivers who carry out the dictates and feed paper back up the chain, awaiting the next set of instructions. Today’s successful organization is decentralized and never stops moving. In fact, organizational success is a lot like soccer. Every player is both a specialist and generalist. Responsibility on the field is distributed, and everyone on the team works for everyone else. Communication among players is constant. Soccer is 90 minutes of systems thinking in action. Soccer Thinking for Management Success is by a soccer fan and player who has spent a career building and running teams and organizations. He draws on insights from leaders, known and not-so-well-known who use soccer thinking to succeed. This is not just another book on how to be a great leader by a famous person. This is a management and leadership book by, and for, the rest of us.

“A brisk and informative look at Major League Soccer’s first twenty years . . . West gives MLS fans a worthy chronicle.” (Booklist). In 1988, FIFA decreed that the 1994 World Cup would be played in the United States – with the condition that the U.S. would start a new professional league. The North American Soccer League had failed just four years prior, and the prospects of launching a new league for Americans, who didn’t share the rest of the world’s love for soccer, were both exciting and daunting. The United States of Soccer is the engaging history of Major League Soccer’s bootstrap origins prior to its 1996 launch, its near-demise in the early 2000s, and its surprising resilience and growth as it won recognition from soccer fans around the world. The book also explores the origin of MLS’s superfans who set the tone within MLS stadiums and defining what it is to be a North American soccer fan. Phil West chronicles those fans’ voices – intermingled with league officials, former players and coaches, journalists, and newspaper accounts – to detail MLS’s remarkable journey.

Dive into the world of soccer with this mega book of everything to do with the beautiful game. Learn all the lingo from the essential phrases to the bizarre jargon. Meet the greatest players, managers and teams of all time from both the men's and women's games. There are masterclasses from the pros; learn to take a slide tackle like Nesta, bicycle-kick like Zlatan and shoot like Ji So-Yun. Wander through the haircut hall of fame and learn the most iconic goal celebrations. This is an essential guide to the wonderful world of soccer. The Basics and the Lingo History of Soccer The Game Through Time The Greatest Teams of All Time Soccer Boots past to Present The Evolution of the Ball The GREAT Players Legendary Coaches and How They Did It The Key Positions Managers and Formations The Big Cups Amazing Stadiums Coolest Jerseys How to... Take the Perfect Shot... Like Ji So-yun Make the Perfect Slide Tackle… Like Alessandro Nesta Take the Perfect Set Piece… Like David Beckham Play the Perfect Long Ball... Like Xabi Alonso Take Penalties... Like Matt Le Tissier Do Nutmegs... Like Luis Suarez Have the Perfect First Touch... Like Dennis Bergkamp Play the Perfect Through Ball... Like Xavi Beat the Offside Trap... Like Fernando Torres Do the Perfect Attacking Header... Like Didier Drogba Do the Perfect Defensive Header... Like Kalidou Koulibaly Weird and Wonderful Haircuts Celebrations The Big and the Small Soccer Lingo from Around the World: A Stir Fried Aeroplane More than the Game Respect the Referee Who’s Who? The Match Day Crowds and Chants