"A monumental exploration of soccer and society in our time-by its preeminent historian. In the twenty-first century, soccer commands the allegiance, interest, and engagement of more people in more places than any other phenomenon in the world. [The author] ... charts the sport's global cultural ascent, economic transformation, and deep politicization. With breathtaking scope and unparalleled knowledge of the game, [this book] explores soccer's vital role in our social, political, and economic lives: its connections to social discord in the Middle East and political division in Europe; the reasons behind its surprising surge in popularity in China, India, and the United States; and its use (and misuse) in the global advance of equality and human rights. [The author] proves that whether you call it football or soccer, you can't make sense of the modern world without understanding its most popular sport"-- Provided by publisher.
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