Club Soccer 101

June 9, 2014
By giving quick overviews of the top 101 club teams in the world including the U.S., Dempsey, a U.K.-born journalist and former editor, helps U.S. sports fans new to soccer to make sense of the world of soccer. Along the way, readers may find reasons to support one team or another—whether they want to root for a powerhouse (Manchester United or Barcelona, for example); to celebrate their Scot-Irish heritage (Celtic Rangers);to cultivate a fancy for “Crazy Goats” (Guadalajara); or to avoid a team might have fascist connections (Italy’s Lazio; Real Madrid). All the classic stories are here, like Arsenal’s miracle victory at Liverpool to win the ’88–’89 league championship; but there are also lesser-known tidbits, such as tales about Vélez Sarsfield goalie José Luis Chilavert or the exploits of Porto’s Rabah Madjer in 1987 European Cup final. Dempsey’s prose is a nice mix of flavorful sports-reporting and poetic impressions (“they will always wear yellow and green: a team of nonaggressive but pleasant enough birds, abandoned as they are in a faraway land”), making this an enjoyable and informative collection of vignettes.

September 1, 2014

To capitalize on the growing popularity of soccer within the United States, NBC has begun broadcasting the English Premier League to an American audience. If you're already a soccer fan, this is welcome news. But what if you're a neophyte, lost in a land of unfamiliar players and storied club teams? This work provides a fantastic introduction to those who are attracted to the sport but haven't been raised in its traditions. In this encyclopedia of famous soccer clubs both past and present, Dempsey (A Supremely Bad Idea: Three Mad Birders and Their Quest to See It All) chooses 101 of the most famous club teams to play the game, and explains what made them special. Each entry features a brief table of facts followed by a narrative history of the club. For example, the entry on FC Barcelona notes when and where the team was founded, its uniform colors, and its leading scorer. Dempsey then goes on to describe FC Barcelona's role in Spanish history as a symbol of Catalonia and a victim of former prime minister Franco's intimidation. VERDICT This highly engaging, well-written reference volume will serve as an excellent introduction to those who are new to soccer and will still be able to teach die-hard fans a thing or two.--John Helling, Bloomfield-Eastern Greene Cty. P.L., IN

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2014
Club, or league, soccer provides more compelling viewing than international tournaments like the World Cup, argues Dempsey, and despite the recent conclusion of the most thrilling World Cup in decades, there are plenty of people who agree with him. After all, club teams play together every week, have their own knockout competitions, and often have rich histories far predating FIFA's biggest event. In short entries, usually just several pages long, Dempsey profiles teams from the biggest leagues (Germany's Bundesliga, England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, the U.S.' Major League Soccer) and some smaller ones (Greece's Superleague, Australia's A-League). With teams chosen as much for tradition and geographical importance as for having won anything recently, readers will find Notts County and Aston Villa, Kashima Antlers and Pohang Steelers, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Manchester United. Each entry provides a lively mix of facts, stories, and significant games, making this a great browse for both fans of international soccer and hipsters seeking what Dempsey calls obscure joys. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)