Review
“...lush, evocative photography...” (goal.com )
“...readers will no doubt find something to identifywith in the anecdotes of great players.” (goal.com )
“...the undemanding book is fun to flip through and 5 percent ofthe revenue from the book goes to UNICEF. Recommended.” (Los Angeles Daily News )
“A Beautiful Game also offers an interesting data set: a rare chance to considerthe question of what makes a player from the perspectives of the players themselves.” (Pitch Invasion )
“Don’t let the long title intimidate you: This large-format offering is filled with gorgeousphotos and candid interviews with some of the sport’s most accomplished players, who share their love of the game.” (Washington Post )
“...a generous collection of eye-catching photographs, this coffee-table book lets some of the world’s best players track back to their days as youngsters and write about how the sport seduced them.” (New York Times )
“Full of vibrant images, the book is an inspiring ode to the sport.” (San Francisco Chronicle )
“...a great promise that’s beautifully executed.” (Oregonian (online) )
Product Description
Wherever you are on earth, it's only a matter of time before you come across children playing soccer. Another five minutes and you will probably find yourself having a ball rolled to your feet as an invitation to join in the game. Soccer is a common language and a culture shared: a joy, a passion, an escape, and an affirmation of identity understood and celebrated by children—and their parents—in every country around the globe.
For this unique collaborative project, soccer writer Tom Watt talked to the world's top players about growing up and falling in love with the game: Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Gilberto Silva; England's David James and Scotland's Craig Gordon; Italy's Fabio Cannavaro, Spain's Iker Casillas, and France's Franck Ribry; South Africa's Benni McCarthy and Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu; USA's Landon Donovan and Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura; and the world's most famous player, David Beckham.
A Beautiful Game tells their stories, in the players' own words—stories of boys who would grow up to be heroes for a new generation of young players and fans. They look back to their childhoods: to their family homes, to their schoolrooms, to the friends they grew up with, and to the places where they first played the game that has made them stars. The players' words are brought to life with over 160 full-color images that offer rare, emotive, and striking insights into childhood all over the world, and celebrate soccer's ability to touch the lives of children—and adults—wherever the beautiful game is played.
Five percent of the originating publisher's revenue from sales of the book worldwide will benefit selected UNICEF sports-related projects.