The Ball is Round

“Football conquered the world with its capacity to astonish, and this is its definitive history.” —The Independent

“Since it became a worldwide phenomenon, nobody has attempted to write an overall history of the game. Now David Goldblatt’s stunning book will be the measure against which all other such volumes are judged.” —The Guardian

“Goldblatt writes with authority, humor, and passion, not least in the accounts of famous or significant matches scattered throughout the book… there is no doubting the worth of David Goldblatt’s extraordinary book.” —Times Literary Supplement (London)

“Goldblatt’s magnum opus, at close to a thousand pages, is an ambitious project realized in a most impressive manner. Anyone with a brain and an interest in football will enjoy this book: just don’t drop it on your foot.” —The Daily Telegraph (London)

“Just possibly the most erudite football book ever, yet also a very good read. Goldblatt doesn’t just understand the social context of the game around the world; he also has a nose for the best stories. This book is a mindboggling achievement.” –Simon Kuper, author of Soccer Against the Enemy