For the English speakers, this is the translation of the most wonderful book by a true fanzaço Fernando Fiore , to celebrate the coming of the 2006 Copa Mundial! (Vamos al Mundial is the title of this book).
Written with a big heart and much love, and with the (small) inroads "o jogo bonito" is making in the USA, this book is not just a guide to the Germany experience and description team to team fo the happy national sides, but a great history of all the World Cup from the very beginning to 2002. (I will hope this book is updated in 2010 , just as Eduardo Galeano's "El Futbol a Sol y Sombra" made the updated edition!).
Don Nando's perspective as an argentino , transplanted from uruguai and with also Italian ancestry closely parallels my history, as it relates to futebol.
(Sorry to say, Seu Nandinho,..I am "Boca" in Argi, "e sou Verdão também"! However my ancesrty compels me this year to forsake "O Penta" and shout 'Forrrrrza Azzzzzzurrrrrrri!)
He colors each page with his admiration and affection for the beautiful game, its stars, and all the surprises it brings. As well, a historical perspective , both from history passed and personal experience enable me to "smell the matches" as if I am there again in attendence!
Always a positive outlook, a good word , and ultimate entusiasm in every page, Don Fernando is our most genial "tipo cem-por-cento" if you do not know him already from the televison broadcasts!
When I see this book originally, I thought it just the 2006 "guidebook", until I sit for a minute to read it! I could not put it down!
10000000000 stars in the galaxy for this small gift!
A bola é redonda.....who knows WHAT can happen this year's Copa!
I think it my moral and filisofical "enemy" Henry Kissinger who once said futebol is "a little box of surprises", né?
He was dead -on with that statement, and this "little book" really surprised me as I must say it is "essential" for every futebol fan!
To tell the truth, after I bought this book, I went the next day and ordered "Vamos al Mundial", the original 'em espanhol" edition of the book! And now "today is history, tomorrow a mystery. Onward to Copa 2006!