Soccer in Sun and Shadow

This is not only a must read for all soccer lovers, but all literature lovers. If you don't know spanish check out the English translation.

Galeano's book remains the most lyrical and whimsical book ever written about soccer / football. He is one of the few writers who has managed to both embody and describe the spirit of the beautiful game at the same time. Wonderful to have such a talented writer and spirit give the game the treatment it deserves. A rare book...

This breathtaking collection of soccer vignettes would resonate only with those who had played the game in the streets, who can still remember the names of the neighborhood heros and legends. That bygone era had certainly produced the most imaginative and skillful players in the history of the game. And it is the poor neighborhoods and urban slums that still produce the best creative genius in terms of individual talent, not the resplendent multi-million dollar youth academies of the post-industrial world. The stories and observations in Galeano's book are vibrant with emotion, there is nostalgia, sadness and sorrow parlayed through the memory. One observation is particularly poignant, that of an empty soccer stadium after the game, the feeling of emptiness and mortality. Thank God, Uruguyan soccer is probably the only one true to its great tradition, and althouigh the country is ridden with endemic problems beseeching that part of the world, no other team in the world can weave a gossamer lace of short passes like they do. May be such old notions as dignity and integrity could be reinvigorated in our commodified world if people read such books. After finishing the book, it's a no-brainer to understand why the World Cup dwarfs any other sporting event in terms of TV audience by the billions!

This book tell us about the real love for soccer, it is incredible how Galeano document history of soccer from a new way to feel it. This is not a simple history of soccer, this is the history of why soccer is the most played sport. Galeano defenitly loves soccer as a graceful and inspiring sprot played by real artists, not as like the most of us, his is fan of soccer beyond his favorite team. Soccer is not only about scoring a goal and wining, it is realy important how you play it.Full of descriptions of moments in soccer history that show us this.Galeano no es hincha de su equipo, es fan e hincha del futbol por sobretodas las cosas. Por eso el futbol debe ser hermoso y con pasión. Este libro es una cronografía de los momentos que han hecho historia en el fútbol. Es una recopilación de los momentos que nos enseñan porque el futbol es el deporte mundial. Para Galeano el futbol es más que marcar goles y ganar, es una verdadera fiesta llena de pasión. Este compendio de historias nos transmiten los momentos y personas que nos enseñan esto. Es una exelente manera de re-enamorarse del buen fútbol.

Soccer in Sun and Shadow is a superb book covering the very early days of soccer to modern soccer's start in England to the world game that is played today, and all of it is superb. Even if you are not a huge soccer fan, Galeano's passionate writing will draw you into the fold and make you care for at least as long as the book is open. Galeano recalls his childhood memories of goals scored and saves missed, the beautiful dance his heroes performed with the ball, and his pride in South American soccer. His writing is sublime and metaphoric, and Galeano never stumbles. By the time he examines the new phase of commercial soccer you'll want to cry at the tainting of a game that is (was?) so pure. The commercialization of soccer will help peolpe from the states relate to the rest of the world: after all, it was just a couple of decades ago when our four major sports were ruined by escalating salaries, corporate involvement and worthless expansion. Galeano wears his heart on his sleeve and creates a wonderful read that anyone, sports fan or not, should enjoy.