Great follow-up to Soccer in a Football World
584334
I purchased "Distant Corners" a few months after reading David Wangerin's wonderful "Soccer in a Football World". "Distant Corners" is almost like a sequel, in that it focuses in greater detail on some of the major eras covered in "Soccer in a Football World". In other words, it is a treasure to anyone interested in educating themselves in the history of US Soccer. It is difficult to find thorough yet concise and entertaining accounts of soccer in this country, which is one of the reasons why this book is so important. Just about every major era and event of US Soccer history is covered here, with a personal and almost tragic touch and focus on some of the individuals who tried to help the growth of the game in the USA. Part of what makes US Soccer's history so fascinating is the passion with which its supporters have thrown towards the support, which at various times seem futile and other times necessary for keeping the game alive. All of that spirit and hardship is captured in this book.
2410445
This soccer set was easy to set up and start a game (we have an air compressor so blowing everything up was a snap). Having two goals instead of one would've been great, but even with just one this is still a lot of fun. It didn't take long for the kids in our neighborhood to come and investigate once this was set up for our nephew. He's not a big sports player, but he loved the oversized aspect of this soccer set. When several other kids joined in, it became more of a game to see who could make the craziest goal rather than an actual soccer match.

While soft and lightweight is great at preventing injuries, it also makes this susceptible to gusts of wind. Thankfully Franklin included spikes so the goal can be tethered to the ground. The soccer 'ball' is like kicking around a big beach ball, so this had the kids doing crazy stuff like trying to head-bop it or bounce it off their backside to try to score a point. Add in a sprinkler or two on the soccer pitch for fun on a hot day, or take this with you to the beach for a game on the sand. Be warned that this isn't made from super thick, puncture resistant pvc. Roughhousing with this set is not recommended, and it's highly probable you will need to replace the soccer ball with a beach ball by the end of the summer. It doesn't come with any sort of patch kit, but those are fairly cheap and readily available. So far everything has held up to a few games with kids in the 10-12 year old age range. I was honestly surprised at how much they have been enjoying this, and think I will check out the other inflatable Franklin sets, especially the bowling one as I can see the kids combining the two.
2854905
One Goal is one great book!

Lewiston, Maine, population 36,000 (96% of whom were white) agreed in 2001 to accept 7,000 African refugee (primarily Somalian) immigrants. Lewiston, which had been losing population for decades, and was somewhat looked down upon as a poor hard-scrabble town by other towns nearby, was virtually changed overnight.

Amy Bass does an excellent job of giving us the sociological background of the town, the impact to and reactions of the town of the influx of African immigrants, the racism that reared it's ugly head, an interesting look into the Somalian culture, the Islamic tenets, and wonderful insider views of the characters, the halls of the high school, and the soccer field.

Human nature has many conflicting inclinations; two of which are the desire to help others, and the want/need to feel "better than" someone else. The Somalian influx to Lewiston, brought out both. Townspeople who were all for the immigrants coming, suddenly weren't sure that they liked the changes in their town. Anger grew among many. Meanwhile, the Somalian families were trying to learn a new language, acclimate to the vast differences in America versus where they had come from, while honoring their own culture and beliefs.

One Goal focuses primarily on the high-school soccer team, the impact the immigrants had on the team, and the team's ultimate impact on the town. For the male immigrants, soccer was life. They had played it every day since childhood, for hours on end. It was more than a sport to them - it was a way to communicate, to vent, to escape, to think things through, to focus - they could not imagine life without soccer. Their playing abilities on the field were like nothing anyone had ever seen before. For the white athletes, soccer was a sport, a game. Coach Mike McGraw, taught them that playing soccer is one thing, playing as a team, with no thought to your own glory is another, playing as a brotherhood takes it even further. Coach Mike McGraw made that happen. With his down-to-earth ways, his strict but fair rules, his interest in his players as individuals, his recognizing the need to learn more about and respect the Somalian culture and Islamic religion, and incorporate that into the team, he molded and melded the team bit by bit.

During a break in practice he noticed the white players were resting on one end of the practice field, the black players on another. Yelling at them to gather in the center of the field and sit, he mixed up all up until he was satisfied with the reconfiguration. "Now they are speckled, he thought. Perfect." He then told them that they were to always be a team, on the field and off, acknowledging each other, spending time together, building relationships and respect. "We can teach the town" he told them, and they believed him. Always encouraging, playing off strengths and reducing each player's weaknesses, and unafraid to take someone to task, Coach McGraw consistently stressed that the only way they would win was together, as one team with one goal, the state championship.

The team began to win game after game, shutting out team after team. As the wins increased, the town became more interested in soccer and proud of their team. They began to see how the players and their families interacted, and were more open-minded as a result.

This is a wonderful, inspiring read. I think Mike McGraw is a hero, and a testament to how one person can change thousands of lives. Please don't miss this read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
1040069
In addition to being a fan of most pro sports, I also happen to volunteer in my local youth soccer league.  I have seen the sport grow and, in a way, start to decline. I say decline because the recreational youth leagues that promote fun over winning are seeing a decrease in registration while the "select" or "club" leagues that focus on individual performance and dreams of college scholarships are gaining in popularity.  No matter the level, soccer still remains a game for children to play more than an adult game to watch. And that is the point of this book-Why is soccer still not a marquee sport in the United States?  What keeps people from embracing and devoting themselves to soccer the way they do the "big three and a half," as baseball, football, basketball and hockey (the 1/2) are referred to by the author?

"Offside" reads like a history textbook. First, the authors outline the history of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. They point out how nationalism, marketing, and competent, though controversial, management all contributed to the flourishing of those sports in the United States.  I will say it is more interesting reading than exciting reading since only sports "junkies" may enjoy knowing how the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL came to be what they are today. Then we get a history of soccer and learn all the factors working for and against its growth in the United States. Finally, we are brought up to modern day when the U.S. hosted the 1994 World Cup and soccer took center stage here. The authors review both the good and bad ideas that had the sport on the brink of rising to perhaps number four.  Alas, we also get an analysis of how that momentum was lost when the American team did not do so well at the 1998 World Cup. The success of the women's game is mentioned but the women's professional league folded shortly after the book was written.

I enjoyed this book kind of like a magazine in a doctor's office; it is a nice time-filler and you may learn something you didn't know before. If you are involved with soccer at any level and enjoy sports history or biographies, you may like this book. Otherwise, think twice before "kicking" back with this one.
150592
This is a great book. Zlatan speaks about how the football world really works, holding nothing back. Every chapter of the book is interesting in its own way, giving you a great perspective on the professional and personal life of -in my opinion- the greatest center forward to have ever played the game. It's truly a very entertaining read.
4707855
I love soccer more than words can express.  College...go tarheels (womens)  worldly.. go real madrid and arsenal...mls  go chicago fire and galaxy!!!  This game rocks, the gameplay is great, and all the off the ball controls really enhance the playing experience.  The graphics are awesome.  The only thing i can't stand is the commentary... but oh well.  EA sports really made a winner!
2721229
Concise and insightful - just what someone who didn't grow up playing soccer needs to make up for lost time.
1770595
THE WILD SOCCER BUNCH is already becoming an international favorite group of kids and this first edition in this country  - Kevin the Star Striker  - demonstrates why.  Not only does this book, which originated in Germany, hit a note of alignment with a team sport already well established as a favorite throughout the world, it also manages to tell stories that are imaginative and hugely entertaining.  Author Joachim Mesannek states that his mission is to encourage children worldwide to live by their values they learn by playing the game of soccer: courage, teamwork, and friendship.  His writing accomplishes that goal.  He is aided by the intricate and well conceived illustrations by Jan Brick.

Reading the book will involve kids and parents alike - the writing is that good.  But the author's goal is far greater than entertainment. He succeeds in motivating kids to get involved on team sports, wins them over to sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, self acceptance, and the joy of the game.  The writing is infectious and bodes well for a continuing series by this talented duo of Messanek and Brick.  Grady Harp, August 10
3619481
Really enjoyed reading Tim's story.  His passion for Everton puts into his words what I thought myself from watching him play. His experience of playing for Man Utd and his frustration when things didn't go to plan is a fascinating read. The fear of losing at Man Utd allows us to relate Tim's experience to the Man Utd story of the last two seasons when losing became a more common experience for the team.

His life challenges outside football are just as big a part of his story. It'll be interesting to see where his path heads from here.
1965455
Well written YA fare.  It helps if you understand soccer
983641
I pretty much play only sports games on my Playstation 2, and this rates up there with Madden 2004 and ESPN NBA Basketball as the best sports games I have played this year.  This game is so good it will actually make you want to watch soccer, and when you do you will realize how this game almost eerily recreates the atmosphere and gameplay of real soccer.  It truly makes FIFA 2004 seem laughable--and FIFA 2004 is a pretty good game by sports games' standards.  Warning: this game is fairly complex, with a 50+ page instruction booklet, and can cause a little frustration, but once you get into it you will be completely absorbed and probably push aside all your other games for at least a month.  Here are some suggestions to help you out if you have never played before: 1. Start with the basic controls on the two star level (three stars is the default, and is really tough on beginners). 2.  Go to training mode, click on Challenge Training, and prepare to have fun and learn a whole lot about how to play this game. These are much like the Madden drills, and teach you skills such as passing, shooting, dribbling, defending, and free kicks.  3.  Play in Cup Mode with an international power such as Brazil or England.  You should be able to pull out a good finish.  4. Check a website like [...] or db.gamefaqs.com and go to Edit Mode and rename the club teams.  Most of the players already have their correct names, but it is nice to know when you are playing Manchester United.  4. Now you are ready for Master League, the greatest franchise mode in any sports game.  You will start with a mediocre team, so when negotiations come up grab an unlocked player or a player without a club.  It is okay to go in the red as long as you are not under 10,000, and have money when the next season begins. 5.  Go to options and play around with the language of the announcers.  Even if you don't understand a word of French, Spanish, German, or Italian, these announcers make the game a lot more fun!  Gooooooaaaaaaaaalllllll!  If you have a reasonable amount of time to dedicate to a soccer game, this is the one to get.  It is so great it actually will make you a fan of this incredibly popular international sport!
3487401
As someone who loves Knausgaard's "My Struggle" series (and anxiously awaits the last part, due in English this year??), I enjoyed this book. He and another author are simply exchanging letters, as they watch (from two different locales) the World Cup soccer matches.  I don't even care for soccer as a sport but this book still captivates. Seeing the game thru THEIR eyes, gave me a better appreciation of it. But it was all the tangential issues they both wrote about, and in such a personal way as befits 'personal letters', that really are enriching. As with his other books, you just feel like your own life is richer for having been given such intimate glimpses into someone else's life, no matter how different those lives are. If you like Knausgaard, you'll enjoy this book.
1701828
Please note: This review is for the Advance Uncorrected Proof.

I'm not a die-hard soccer fan but I do enjoy watching national teams compete in the World Cup.  There's a good foreward by NBA star, Steve Nash, who is also a well known soccer fanatic.  The book is neatly organized into 5 time periods: 1930-1958, 1962-1970, 1974-1982, 1986-1994, 1998-2006.  The well selected and dramatic photos are in B/W but the published version should have color photos after the 1940's period.

In addition to providing the standard game results, readers are treated to well written, engrossing, and fun stories of standout games, teams, players, etc.  Interesting sidebars (supplemental stories to the games) include, "The Five World Cup Fans You'll Meet in Hell", "The DNA of the World's Greatest Teams", "Wanted: Multilingual Marathoner with Encyclopedic Memory", "Rogues" (Parts I and II), "Beckham's First Law of Motion", "Worst Teams Ever", Authors debate: "Pel, Maradona- Who's Better?","Classic World Cup Superstitions", "The Wags(Wives and Girlfriends) that Tail The Dogs(players)", etc.  There's also an informative "World Cup Facts and Figures" section for stat fans towards the end of the book

The authors have succeeded in recapturing the intensity, emotions, triumphs, defeats, personalities, and quirky fun anecdotes of the world's most popular sport.  Well recommended for soccer and sports fans everywhere!
3430266
This is very engaging book about soccer. Having had a soccer family plus my own kids playing soccer is a very refreshing
look at what 7 pros have gone through. The book is very informative and open about for example Christian Pulisic have done
to be where he is what his family has done to help him. Some of the choices they made and how he continues to be very successful and humble.
Soccer can be a very expensive sports for growing athletes in the US.

The chapter on Chicharito was very cultured filled and entertaining. Soccer runs in his family having his father and grandfather played for
the Mexican National teams.

Writing while excellent is not as child friendly as I was hoping.  A youth version would be a real treat for any developing soccer player.
The information is great.
2117485
The Girls of Summer provides an in-depth look not only of the 1999 World  Cup final match against China but also gives a good history of the U.S.  women's national team.  The book looks at brief parts of the game as they  occurred and then breaks away from the game to fill in details about how a  particular player or the team in general reached this moment in time.  Depsite breaking away from the action, it does give complete coverage to  the game from their arrival at the Rose Bowl to the celebration in the  locker room after the game.  It provides a great deal of insight into the  early struggles of the national team to their national glory in 1999.  Although it is almost entirely about soccer, it does examine the struggle  women in general have faced across the globe to be allowed to play sports.  The story does not end with the victory against China.  It also looks at  the struggle the national team faced with the U.S. Soccer Federation after  the tournament.  The author has done a good job of including interviews and  vignettes from many of the main players on the team.  If you are looking  for a simple recounting of the U.S. victory, this book is not for you.  This book also does not provide much detail about the World Cup games  leading up to the final.  If you are looking for detailed coverage about  how the U.S. team developed over the last 12 years, you will enjoy reading  The Girls of Summer.
4780356
i love this book!  Mia Hamm is a great soccer player who knows what shes talking about.  i recomend it to anyone who is serious about soccer and wants to learn how to improove thier game.  it has pictures about the world cup in 1999 and of her as a kid.  it is great for coaches, players, and pretty much anyone. it also tells about mia's life outside of soccer.  hanging out with her friends, family, and teammates.  overall this is a great book.
2998252
Let me just start off by saying I am a HUGE David Beckham fan, nevertheless it will not make my review a biased one. I got into the sport of Soccer/Football in fall of 2009, prior to that I had been a hockey fan and growing up in Minnesota you could see why, but then one day I needed cologne and after stumbling upon Beckhams's fragrance line I did a little research on the man and almost immediately I became a fan. I own his jerseys and collectibles you name it, but enough about that..this book is amazing! I bought it because I was a fan of his and wanted to get back to doing more reading. A lot of us people rely on television and video games now a days for our only entertainment..which for the most part doesn't really challenge our brains. This is an autobiography so we get to see the world through Beckham's eyes..I am only half way through it, but I just can't seem to put it down. Which is good, because now any free time I get I do it reading rather than flipping on the television set. This book shows how Beckham deals with what the press says and thinks of him and how it really does effect him still the man is always determined no matter what to quiet the haters and for that I admire him. The book goes further into his personal life by telling how he met his wife Victoria and how his father had such a huge impact on him becoming the start soccer player that he is today as well as his struggles with Sir Alex Ferguson and his destined departure from Manchester United. This book is also packed with personal photos of Becks which include ones with his son(Brooklyn, because most of the book was written before his second boy came along), pictures of his wedding with Victoria, as well as pictures of him on the field. Enough said..if you are a die hard Becks fan like I am and you want to know about the man's past and upbringing as well as what he was feeling inside during his greatest soccer moments than this is the book to buy, you won't be disappointed!