I have recently recieved a review copy of David Goldblatt's The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football to write a book review for the history journal for which I work. I will post my book review when it is written. Although Goldblatt admits he is a spurs fan it's still quite a read! At 1,000 pages long it may take a while for me to get through however. So far I am a quarter of a way through and it is quite impressive. Although there is a few questionable views in his discussion on the spread of the game across the English speaking world - particularly in regards to Australia - he covers some interesting topics discussing the global spread of the game, establishment of clubs, leagues and competitions, plus the rise of international football (so comprehensive there is even discussion on the rise of the Socceroos). Key players, managers, matches and developments in rules, gameplay and tactics are well covered, as is the ways in which money and power have influenced - and even taken control - of certain aspects of the game.
Although Arsenal has been discussed little so far in the first 250 pages, Herbert Chapman is given due recognition for his role as one of the first modern football managers who introduced to Arsenal in the 1920s and 1930s a modern professionalism and revolutionary tactical gameplan.

As discussing sport around my department can be frowned upon(heathens!), I was wondering if anyone else has viewed this book and has formed any particular views that they'd wish to share and discuss.

Wow mate, that was such a professional analysis of the book, can you be my English tutor? (Seriously advanced english in school is bugging me ) So it's writeen by a spurs fan, how did you understand their broken English . Sounds like a decent book though, might buy it

year 12 english is so formulaic..
Learn how to write- and you will do well.
The markers are very superficial - if they say an art of words, they will be in ore...and completely forget about content.

Caught Offside wrote:year 12 english is so formulaic..
Learn how to write- and you will do well.
The markers are very superficial - if they say an art of words, they will be in ore...and completely forget about content.

Thanks for the tip mate