The World Encyclopedia of Football: A Complete Guide to the Beautiful Game

by TomMacDonald (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2009

  $3.25

  This is a complete guide to the beautiful game. This is the essential illustrated guide to football, charting more than 100 years of the game worldwide: the teams, the triumphs, the tragedies of the world's number-one sport. It includes fascinating profiles of the world's greatest players and personalities, with detailed biographies of star players past and present - from Alex James and George Best to Wayne Rooney. It also includes in-depth features on the top international clubs and national teams, including the dream teams in the history of the sport, and the championships of Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. It is illustrated with over 500 colour photographs and original archive material, this is essential reading for all football fans. This popular encyclopedia has been updated for 2009 to provide an up-to-the-minute profile of the beautiful game. The book charts the history of the global game and relives some of the magic with flashbacks to dream teams such as Arsenal in the 1930s and Brazil in the 70s.There are features on the World Cup finals and the major championships of Europe, South America, Africa and Asia and also profiles of stars such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo and Luis Figo. Finally, the book looks at the world's leading club and international sides, and at the players and personalities that gave them their greatest eras. Full results of the 2008-9 season and the 2008 European Championship finals are included. Illustrated on every page with colour photographs and archive material, this is the ultimate reference guide for football fans everywhere.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2001

  $3.25

  This comprehensive guide offers an up-to-the-minute profile of the global game. Starting with how it all began, it traces the growth of football from its 19th century roots. To relive some of the most magical moments, there are flashbacks to the dream teams of Arsenal in the 1930s, Real Madrid in the 1950s and Brazil in the 1970s and the major championships of Europe, South America and Asia. A look at the worldwide development of the women's game, and at the big business transfer market, gives an insight into the future of football in the 21st century. In a line up of the game's most inspiring players, 150 careers are profiled to show how stars such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Stanley Matthews and Pele made their mark on the game. There is also a look at the world's international and club sides. The top 36 FIFA teams are covered including both traditionally strong footballing nations such as Brazil, Italy or Germany, as well as emerging countries such as Australia, Japan and Nigeria.