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Amazon.co.uk Review
Futebol is sub-titled "The Brazilian Way of Life", and if any sport can truly be deemed to be such a thing for any country on the planet, then surely the sport must be football, and the country Brazil. Alex Bellos's study of football in Brazil, its history, its players, supporters and legends, works from the standpoint that Brazilian football is one the modern wonders of the world, "the beautiful game" being an art form in itself and a universally recognised trademark and brand. From such a view, he is able to entertain the reader not only with stories about great players and matches well known by the followers of world football, but also about the unique position of the game in the world's fifth largest country. Thus featured here are not only tales of Garrincha, Socrates and Ronaldo, of Flamengo and Fluminense, but also of football amongst the Indians of the Amazon, Brazilian footballers in the Faroe Islands and the story of the design (and designer) of the famous golden yellow Brazilian shirt, perhaps the most instantly recognisable icon in football anywhere. Where other books investigating the footballing culture of one country might have a more straightforward story to tell, Bellos uses this more eclectic approach. While the subjects of his observations are linked by the common threads of football and Brazil, he still captures magnificently the beauty, passion and the occasional absurdity of the world game in the world's number one footballing nation. --Trevor Crowe --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Sunday Times
'Fascinating ... perceptive ... evocative ... vivid, remarkable'

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Customer Reviews

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

An odyssey through Brazil and its football, 3 May 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life (Paperback)

Much more than just a book about Brazilian football, and much more interesting than a book just about Brazilian culture, this wide-ranging work takes the reader right into the heart of the spiritual homeland of what Pele may or may not have called 'the beautiful game'.

From the sweltering depths of the Amazon to the barren wastes of the Faeroe Islands, Bellos takes us on a voyage of discovery into the cultural significance of Brazil's most important gift to the rest of the world.

Want to know what made kicking a pig's bladder around the most appealing game for Brazil's poor huddled masses? You'll find the answer here. Puzzled by the connections between samba, candomble religion and Brazilian football? Look no further. Interested in whatever happened to auto-football/button football/futevolley? Bellos is your man.

Along the way, we discover a football tournament where beauty queens score as many points as the players themselves; meet the man who designed Brazil's iconic strip (and supports the team responsible for the national tragedy that led to its creation); and delve into the heart of darkness that characterises Brazilian football's current relationship with its paymasters.

As we all gear up for the moneyfest that will be the forthcoming World Cup in Japan and Korea, this book represents a valuable reminder of the deep humanity at the heart of our planet's most valuable sporting commodity.

Anyone who has ever marvelled at the perfection of Carlos Alberto's goal in the 1970 World Cup Final should read this book. Anyone who hasn't, should get themselves a tape of the game, then read this book.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Great Book, 2 Oct 2003

By	rigsby (london United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

A wonderful annecdotal, factfile of Brazilian life and how it's seemingly totally entwined with football. Football is life to Brazilians and they take the playing of the game to extremes of all kinds! The wonderful telling of beautiful but tragic tales of players such as Garrincha and Barbosa and the "Fateful Final" of the 1950 World Cup where the whole of Brazil seemingly mourned the defeat against Uruguay.

Terrific book and a real eye opener on Brazilian culture and life...

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

The Futebol Journey, 16 Aug 2003

By	Graeme Parker "graeme23us" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life (Paperback)

Futebol is the Brazilian way life. Alex Bellos' description of how a simple game has changed the face of this vast country is both fascinating and hugely entertaining. From the introduction of the game to Brazil by Charles Miller in 1894 to the corruption and greed of the Brazilian Football Confederation before the last world cup, it's all here.

Funny stories of Brazilians in far flung outposts such as the Faroe Islands, superstitions and spells, help the reader to understand not only Football in Brazil but the bigger picture of the struggling economy and colourful culture. This book is an education, and if you've never been to Brazil you'll certainly be inspired to travel there!

As with all good books the final chapter is simply the best. Alex Bellos describes his interview in a Sao Paulo bar with Socrates or now Dr Socrates. And yes he is named after the original, and has is own political and philosophical views, much beyond the simple game of Futebol.

Not a book for the statistician or those looking for details of games, but a thoroughly enjoyable read even for non football fans.

Graeme Parker

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