5 comments about The Game of Their Lives: The Untold Story of the World Cup's Biggest Upset.

1. i thought it was fantastic. it's not as much about soccer as i thought it would be, and it's not the most well written book i've seen, but the long stretches where it seems like the author transcribed a recorded conversation with one of the players are amazing. some of the stories the players recall provide an insight to a time in American history that i never knew. really did give a unique view of an unforgettable moment in US Soccer history. also, very quick read.



2. Rather than investigating the events surrounding the team from an academic or even journalistic perspective, Douglas basically records the recollections of the surviving members, with more emphasis on their idyllic childhoods than anything that happened at or after the World Cup. There was much more material to be had here had the book had a wider scope or more comprehensive research. As an example, Walter Bahr is one of the seminal figures of American soccer, but the descriptions of him in the book are limited to sepia-toned recollections of his youth in "simpler times." Still and all, it is nice to read about a team that history has not accorded its due, and if one can accept the book for what it is rather than wishing it were something more, the short time it takes to read it is worthwhile.



3. Although the movie may be missing pieces here and there or not go deep enough into character development, it's still a good heartwarming story. Any person with a true love for the sport will connect with it in some way.



4. I would recommend this book a US soccer fan that may only know the final score for this historic game. This book does describe the state of US soccer in the 50's. For example, some people may not be aware that there is a national club championship open to all US teams (the National Challenge Cup, today this cup tournament is called the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup). This team was made up of players that came from some of the teams that won the cup such as Simpkins-Ford (1948 & 1950 with Gino Pariano, Charlie Colombo, Frank Borghi, and Frank Wallace) or New York Brookhattan (1945 Joe Gaetjens team). For the die hard soccer fan this book needs more details on how this team won its spot in the World Cup. Also, there really is not enough detail on the game itself, which may be a result of the dearth of information even at the time (still there is enough there to get your hear pounding and help the reader imagine the excitement of the game). Considering how the English team felt humiliated by result they sure did not want to discuss the game and the US press could hardly care any less. Also, it would be nice to have the perspective of the English players; however, that was not the writer's purpose. This is a story about the men who played the game because they loved it. There needs to be a more detailed treatment of these men and specifically Joseph "Joe" Gaetjens. That being said there is not much out there on the subject and this is still an enjoyable story of perseverance. I hope this book and the upcoming movie bring more people to examine this



5. I can understand those who want more about the soccer than the team members. But consider that this book isn't just about the upset, it's about the people who made it happen. It's as much about the social history of the team as anything else. Could the author have spent more time following up reserves and scouring the globe for accounts of the game? Probably.

   But I think the story would suffer for that. Could someone write a focused, technical account of the game and the 1950 World Cup? Probably. But the social and personal contexts enrich the story. It could stand to be a little longer, and perhaps fleshing out the other team members would help in that regard. But what there is of this book is more interesting because we're given background.

5 comments about Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas.

1. SINGIN' & SWINGIN', the third installment in Angelou's autobiographical series of books, pleased me more than did the first two, or perhaps I should say that it is less uncomfortable to read than are its predecessors. I must confess that, by the time I finished Angelou's second book, her nearly constant expression of prejudice against Caucasian Americans was becoming tedious.
   
   One finds a very thick thread of bias and racial distrust in both CAGED BIRD and in GATHER TOGETHER, and that thread is made even more annoying by the fact that the many instances of abuse and betrayal that Angelou relates in those first two books are all perpetrated not by Whites but by her fellow Blacks, yet that race receives none of her blanket condemnation. Granted, I suppose that, had I lived as a Black in Stamps, Arkansas in the 1930s and '40s, I too would have copious reasons to distrust and dislike the entire White population of the United States, yet the barrage of vituperation directed against that population does become repetitive and predictable, two traits that an author should normally avoid in a book, the justification behind them notwithstanding. SINGIN' & SWINGIN' is not devoid of Angelou's racial prejudices by any means, but it is not so heavily laden with them, and they are not so intrusive as to overwhelm the reader.
   
   Two other targets of criticism arise in Angelou's first three books: her veracity and her own culpability for some of the blows she has described. As to the first, the historical accuracy of these books, I have mentioned in another review that I find most unusual the fact that Angelou, a dropout from the formal educational system, habitue of bars and sometime prostitute and brothel owner, actually plunged into books by authors such as Jane Eyre and Dostoevski for pleasure. Nonetheless, the fact that she writes of having done so tells us something of her self concept and desire for fulfillment and meaning in her life. In SINGIN' & SWINGIN', she writes of her success as a professional singer and dancer, of touring Europe as a cast member of the musical "Porgy and Bess," and of interacting with many "big name" performers. Did she actually "rub shoulders" with all the notables mentioned in her book?
   
   She is re-creating events from years past, and it may be that we are seeing some of her dreams as well as her actions, but what of that? Are not our dreams as much a part of our history as are our recordable acts? And are not all history books, written as they are by victors rather than by the vanquished, slanted by the world view of their authors? Besides, a good story usually benefits from some judicious embellishment. I find no quibble with Angelou's veracity, for I do not expect a word-for-word recollection of some conversation with a colleague decades ago but rather a retelling of that conversation that gives the reader a feel for the way it sounded in Angelou's ears.
   
   The third target, her own culpability for her treatment by others and for the guilt that she herself generates, is purely and simply inapplicable to a review of the book. The reader may feel strongly that Angelou had no right or privilege to seek freedom by touring Europe when she left her young son to the care of others and that she fully deserves the feeling of guilt that she describes. Another reader may feel that she was stupidly careless in her relationships with the Greek purser on her ship and with the ship's doctor. Indeed, even though the Angelou we find in this book is more mature than are her younger incarnations in the previous books, she can still be seen as incredibly naive and even foolish in numerous situations. There will be those who criticize the book because of these self-depictions. However, we must believe that this is the way Angelou saw herself at that stage of her life, and, while the reader may at times want to shake some sense into her, he must not allow this to affect his judgement of the book. Indeed, Angelou paints a very clear picture of herself--as she remembers herself--so, while we may be occasionally annoyed with the picture, we cannot fault the skill of the artist, for the picture is quite clear and unambiguous.
   
   I do not find SINGIN' & SWINGIN' to be a "stand-alone" book. For the reader to understand and appreciate Angelou's situation in this book, he needs to have read I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS and GATHER TOGETHER IN MY NAME first. We should consider her autobiographical books mere chapters from a larger tome, and we need to read those chapters in order. Of course, having once begun this imaginary book, the reader will want to finish it, and I am looking forward to beginning the next "chapter" in short order.
   
   Oh, one final thought: Ever wonder where Angelou's last name originated and how she "morphed" from Marguerite Johnson into Maya Angelou? The earlier books explained the "Maya," but this one explains the "Angelou." It's a neat revelation.



2. Maya Angelou tells us without restraint how she crawled out of the hell of her youth years to become a star dancer.
   Vivid decription of the situation of the African Americans and their mentality in the middle of last century.
   Evocative language, sharp, intelligent and fluent.
   A book to recommend.



3. I think that the book was very interesting in the beginning and the end, because I like the way it started out like she was shy about her entertainment career. And at the end it was very dramatic about how she was about to kill herself and her son as well because her life wasn't going the way she wanted it to go. Also, how the white community despised her and didn't accept the person that she was. This book really caught my eye, even though I am a young adult. I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults of all ages because it really is an excellent book.



4. this third installment of angelou's sutobiography is just as well written and interesting as her first two. however, i have become completely baffled with ine aspect of the novel. in the first two books, her son's name was guy. suddenly, in "singin and swingin..." her son is referred to as clyde! if anyone knows why this is so, please share your explanation. it would be highly appreciated! and whatever his name is, still a good read.



5. A very pleasant read. There's nothing like traveling Europe and Africa by way of Angelou's memory and experience (if you can't get there personally). This autobiography covers the time Maya spent with the Porgy and Bess opera. I'm always amazed at the elegant, graceful and poetic way the author tells her life story. I'm even more amazed at how those same characteristics are exhibited in her speech, her stature, and her aura. This is a quick read that is sure to inspire. Angelou has a way of sharing wisdom and experience in a manner that connects with most any reader. Add this one to your list and be sure to check out some of her audiotapes as well. The only thing better than reading Maya's work, is listening to Maya read her work.

2 comments about Hoolifan - 30 Years Of Hurt.

1. Probably much more entertaining for someone who has a better history of the game. A lot of the book was repetitive. It seems it was just going from one spot to the next fighting. Need to weave in something besides the fighting and build up the main players more.



2. Very entertaining and a good look at all aspects of hooliganism very well written, The best book on the subject, I have ever read. I highly recommend.

1 comments about Kenny Dalglish Autobiography.

1. This book is one of the best I have ever read. It gives you more information about him, more then the newspapers could give you in 5 years. He tells you about all the good times he had at Liverpool being both manager and player. Explaining some of the arguments as well. My dad has met Kenny in the late 70's. He went to go and watch Liverpool play and on the way home he got on the bus with the full squad. My dad also stayed with them and in the morning Kevin Keegan asked him to nip down to the chemist for him. So the helpful man my dad is he zoomed off to the chemist but only forgot the money!!! So he had to run all the way back for the money. Now back to Kenny Dalglish. The greatest footballer Liverpool have ever had. This book is one of a kind. I would reccommend anyone to buy this book.

1 comments about Freddy Adu: young Soccer Super Star (Robbie Readers).

1. Does your soccer child want to do a book report or read about today's soccer stars? Well look no further. This beginning chapter book is well written and filled with full color action photographs.

No comments about Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing.

No comments about David Ginola: The Autobiography.

5 comments about Congratulations: You Have Just Met the I.C.F..

1. The title of the book is their business card, I think it's brilliant on their part though I can't say I'm sorry I was never handed one. Or perhaps I am. There are probably large cardboard boxes full of what's written about football hooligans. They analyze the why and the how; violence seems to attract a sort of fascination and I admit I am not immune to it. And I am not immune to a level of admiration for anyone like Bill Gardner who could walk up to the mob of another firm and say "Good afternoon gentlemen. The name's Bill Gardner." And then the ruck's on. It's a sort of utter fearlessness and abandon, and this book won't analyze anything, it'll bring it to life for you through the words of all the right faces in the Inner City Firm. It's stories of the West Ham supporters through the height of violence in the 70's and the 80's, along with a glimpse into the meaning of the violence from some of the most feared men of the I.C.F. You'll find no academics or reporters talking about hooligans here, I love it because here people get to speak for themselves.
   
   Interestingly enough, though, there's very little said about West Ham or football itself. A great book with a lot more about football is Eduardo Galeano's Soccer in Sun and Shadow, highlighting the great games and the great players and the politics behind it all, a great counterpoint to give context to a book like this one...



2. Its not unusual to see black people at
   football matches these days but back in the 70's and early 80's there
   were a lot of skinheads on the terraces and they were mostly extreme
   right wing racists. I didn't go to football at all in the UK in the
   70's but I remember going to see my first England match in 85 and
   being quite shocked by some of the racist chanting from some sections
   of the crowd at our own players. In short if you were black and
   standing on the terraces behind the goals (where all the hardcore
   fans gather) then you were seriously hard. Cass Pennant was that, a feared man as well. His writing is clear and focused, and this book is a great account of West Ham United's main firm, the Inter City Firm. Their rucks with rivals are still spoken of with awe, and one didn't venture into their turf on a game day without expecting to catch a beat down! Wild tales, especially to us Yanks!



3. Cass wasn't there a lot of the time.
   Too much 'secondhand' knowledge, to keep me gripped for long. But an easy read and entertaining all the same.
   I'd like to read more of what these people are thinking and feeling, than just related events.
   Cass, Gardner, Swallow, Leach and co, write your stuff 'first hand' - it would be facinating.
   No doubt these books are the life breath of DVDs like 'Green Street' or 'Football Factory'; both of which bear no resemblence to what really went (goes) on.
   Buy 'Good Afternoon, Gentlemen, the Name's Bill Gardner' by Bill Gardner and Cass Pennant - good read. Gardner is a diamond. Totally loyal to WHU and all it stands for. He certainly has my resect.
   West Ham usually win in their battles. A tough bunch indeed.
   They are definitely the second hardest firm since the Great War.
   The hardest being Millwall of course. Always outnumbered, never outdone. Sounds like a good title for a MFC book.
   If you REALLY want to know about WHU, buy Bobby Moore: By the Person Who Knew Him Best by Tina Moore. A GREAT read. He is WHU.
   Lord Moore of Dagenham, I refer to him as.



4. the book was a interesting read a little one sided i have years of experience in these sort of things and felt we only heard one side of the story. Otherwise very entertaining.



5. FOUND THIS BOOK VERY INTERESTING BUT IT WAS ALL ONE WAY TRAFFIC.. I REALY GOT INTO ALL THE STORIES AND IMAGINED AT TIMES I WAS ACTUALLY THEIR INVOLVED WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON.. THE ONLY DISAPPOINTING THING WAS THE FACT THEY NEVER SEEMED TO GET DONE. THEY ALSO SEEMED TO BELITTLE THEIR CLOSEST RIVALS AT TIMES BUT I MUST ADMIT THEY WERE AT THE TIME AWESOME BUT NOT INDESTRUCTABLE AS THIS BOOK LEADS YOU TO BELEIVE.

No comments about Out of His Skin.

1 comments about David Beckham: Soccer Megastar (Robbie Readers).

1. Does your soccer child want to do a book report or read about today's soccer stars? Well look no further. This beginning chapter book is well written and filled with full color action photographs.