A revised and updated paperback edition of Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger's acclaimed history of German football, first published in 2002.
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Amazon Review
Tor! The Story of German Football does exactly "what it says on the tin". As the author explains, his aim was to write an entertaining history of the German game. He has certainly achieved his goal, or "tor" as they would say in Germany. Hesse-Lichtenberger sets out to prove that football in Germany is not necessarily the efficient, predictable machine that those of us believing in the German stereotype might think. Again, he succeeds. From the foundation of the game to the present day (and dare I mention the historic 5-1 defeat at the hands of the English in Munich in September 2001), the narrative finds plenty of room to include the quirky, amusing and unexpected. The seemingly curious names of many German club sides are dissected, while the fact that the national side managed to win the 1954 World Cup before the advent of the first professional national league only serves to amaze. The author proclaims his belief that it is people who shape events, and misses no opportunity to investigate the diverse personalities who have made the German game what it is, from the obsession of Herberger to the maverick brilliance of Netzer. The upshot is a wonderfully colourful history, and one that will no doubt surprise even most the avid of Europhile football followers. The latest in the line of recent books in English on European football, Tor!, like a number of German teams of the past, is a clear winner. --Trevor Crowe
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
A model of how history should be written. -- Four Four Two
Beautifully crafted... demolishes myths with the cold-blooded efficiency of a literary Gerd Muller -- Times
Very good... Tor! reveals that German football is more prone to self-doubt than self-promotion. -- Observer
Beautifully crafted... demolishes myths with the cold-blooded efficiency of a literary Gerd Muller -- Times
Very good... Tor! reveals that German football is more prone to self-doubt than self-promotion. -- Observer
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By J. E. Parry
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend. This was an excellent decision. Cheers Stumpy...
This history of football in Germany is well written, funny and tragic. There were so many things that I learnt from this. From the way teams were named and originated to stories that just make you laugh out loud and others that reduce you to tears.
As an example there is the story of a player signed by a team who said "They wanted to give me a third of the gate receipts. I told them No Way. I won't accept less than a quarter."
To think that the Germans had no professionalism or national league until 1963. The way that the national federation controlled the game and looked on professionalism as a disease to be fought off is unbelievable to us.
This book proves that there is more to German football than Bayern Munich. It shows how team rose and fell and how the game developed from an "unpatriotic" and "foreign" one into a world beater. This teaches us about the German people and their view of us and other countries.
They are bemused at our image of them and do not understand our rivalry and obession with the War that pervades the meetings between our countries.
I highly recommend this to every who wants to gain an insight into the history and development of the game in Germany.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Jay M
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I couldn't believe how good this book was. It tells you everything you ever wanted to know about German football. It's origins, how it progressed, developed into the Bundesliga.
It's written in such an entertaining style and is so informative. There are loads of stories, from the stories behind team names such as Energie Cottbus and Carl Zeiss Jena, to detailed looks at significant figures in German football history from Franz Beckenbauer to Lothar Matthaus, from Gerd Muller to Rudi Voller. Then there are the tales of German football during the Nazi Era, from players who went missing and those whose fate was all to obvious.
There is a detailed account of football from the old East Germany. It is divided into a different section, as it should be, from the West German football league. Then came reunification and the players who found bigger fame once they moved to the West from the East, Jens Jeremies and Sebastian Deisler being two such players.
This is not just a straight, German football history book. It's too well written for that. It is one of the best football books I've read and I've read many. There are many lighter moments in here too, you will be laughing out loud to. Sehr gut und Einfach klasse!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. Betts
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I read this cover to cover in about a week, and enjoyed every word - this has got to be one of my favourite football books ever. So much so that I now see Rudi Voller in a completely different light, Lothar Matthaus in exactly the same light and now (this is the most bizarre bit) feel sorry for Oliver Kahn after his 'mare in the 2002 World Cup Final.
The shambles that was German national football, incredible as it seems, is explained in full as is football's position within the Nazi regime.
If you have any interest in football, or Germany, buy this book, it's fantastic. Perhaps if you're one of the 'no surrender' brigade, don't bother but get your kids to read it as they'll grow better for it!
The shambles that was German national football, incredible as it seems, is explained in full as is football's position within the Nazi regime.
If you have any interest in football, or Germany, buy this book, it's fantastic. Perhaps if you're one of the 'no surrender' brigade, don't bother but get your kids to read it as they'll grow better for it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very insightful
For any football fan who has an interest in German football this book gives you the context to the modern German game. Very informative and interesting read.
Published 1 month ago by therevba
4.0 out of 5 stars
Successful present!
I bought this book from a list of requests from my partner. He seems to be enjoying it very much (in fact he is beside me reading it as I type! Read more
Published 3 months ago by a.e.m.lofts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic tale told very well indeed
Midway through this book, there's a reference to a popular view of Udo Lattek, manager of Bayern in the 1970's, that any fool could have lifted silverware with a squad that... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2011 by Wattsenhausen
4.0 out of 5 stars
An eye opener
This puts it all into context. Yes they've won it three times (it is three isn't it?), but not since 1990 though they won the Euro's in 96. Read more
Published on 15 Sep 2010 by androo235
4.0 out of 5 stars
deserves its praise
As a long time fan of German football who had long lamented the relative ignorance of it in Britain, certainly compared to the equivalent knowledge of the British game amongst... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2010 by der Dicke
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Book on Football I have Ever Read
Herr Hesse-Lichtenberger has written a most informative book on the history of German football from it's rise in Imperial Germany to it's years of world dominance in the seventies... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by steve b
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written, researched, passionate, self effacing, and contextual.
Many books try to place sport in a wider context, Barca a peoples passion has limited success, Viva la vuelta promises it and fails. Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by D. Mead
5.0 out of 5 stars
the history of german football
I'll admit at the time of writing the review i haven't actually finished the book! However what i have read so far is fantastic. Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2008 by godzilla78
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do NOT miss!
This is a truly wonderful book. 2nd only in my 40-odd years of sports book reading to John Arlott's Fred. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2007 by The BlackFerret
4.0 out of 5 stars
an informative and enjoyable account of German Football
I would recommend this book to any football supporter. Lichtenburger has produced a marvellously detailed account of his country's footballing history, and has presented it in a... Read more
Published on 18 May 2007 by T. Lynch
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