Winning at All Costs

October 1, 2007
Among the many soccer-crazed nations of the world, Italy may be the most maniacal. Its fans live and die with their teams even to the point of gufare (againstism)their rivals other rivals become their short-term favorite teams. In 2006, Italian fans visited both heaven (a World Cup championship) and hell (a game-fixing scandal that shocked even jaded observers). Foot, who is English, loves the Italian game, but he confesses that writing this book almost ruined the relationship. Although this wide-ranging, informal history spares no scandal, it doesnt skimp on excitement, either, helping us understand the countrys unique and peculiar attitude toward the sport. Its arranged almost like an encyclopedia: although there is a roughly chronological order (starting with early history and ending with 2006), most chapters are grouped around regions (Teams and Cities: Turin), roles (Goalscorers), or concepts (Power and Politics). This is a big book, but Foot moves swiftly, and Winning at All Costs will reward both casual browsers and serious students of Italys complicated, weird and angry football world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)