Soccer FAQ: All That's Left To Know About the Clubs, the Players, and the Rivalries

Seasoned journalist and sportswriter Thompson (Those We Have Loved) has contributed a volume to Backbeat Books's FAQ series. This is a broad overview of soccer as a cultural phenomenon, introducing the reader to renowned players, significant teams, and the major story lines that have combined to make soccer a global obsession. Of course, breaking down such a complex topic into digestible chunks for someone new to the subject is a difficult task, and Thompson's success is mixed. His voice is lively and engaging, but the book's organization might be confusing to soccer novices. The chapters are not designed to progress chronologically or geographically; rather they choose an aspect of the game (traditional soccer songs, for example) and explore it in depth. As a result, individual chapters can be absorbing yet the whole book tends to meander.