The Simplest Game: The Intelligent Fan's Guide to the World of Soccer

Rating:
Summary: THE Soccer Primer for an intelligent fan
Review: Gardner's book is exactly what it claims to be. This is not a book for a moron, this is a book for a soccer fan who wants to know how the game is played, has been played, is managed, the history of the game, and the possible future of the game. Gardner is very opinionated, but his opinions are geared toward encouraging intelligent, exciting, attack-oriented soccer. I read this book during my first season of viewing MLS in the US, and now I keep track of the Bundesliga, Premier League, Primera, Serie A, and many other leagues with gusto.

If you are a soccer fan, and your love of the game goes beyond the unintelligent hooligan type, this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Review: Only someone who truly loves the Most Beautiful game can write a book like this. It would be a real tragedy if any self-respecting, decent soccer-loving fan did not read Mr. Paul Gardner's The Simplest Game at least once in their lives. As for me, I've read it at least three times and I only bought it two month ago!

What a beautiful book!

Oh, this is a warning for owner's of this book: Do not lend it to someone who's love of the sport is equal or greater than yours: you will never get your book back!

Rating:
Summary: THE soccer book from THE soccer guru
Review: Paul Gardner knows what he is talking about. His incredibly entertaining book is punctuated by a sharp wit and thought provoking opinions, and is not hurt by the fact that the game has had such a fascinating history.

Gardner cannot resist putting his opinion into his stories, but it has such a throwback, purist's appeal, that you can't help but pay attention and agree with him. He goes through the history of the game, all the major competitions (World cups 1930-1994, Olympics 1896-1992, European championships), the state of the game worldwide, the state of the game in America and its hopes for the future, and the history of tactics and all the major styles of play.

It really makes no difference that it was prepared for the 1996 Olympics, because if you had not read it on the cover you would probably not have realized that as you were going the book. Gardner does not base the book around this fact at all, making it truly the intelligent fan's guide to soccer.

Rating:
Summary: A must for any true soccer fan
Review: Plain and Simple. If you want to know the history of soccer. GET THIS BOOK. I played for 15yrs but never knew the history of the game. I am now getting ready to coach the sport I love and wanted to know the history. Talk about a great find this book was. Everything I ever wanted to know was here. Learn about the World Cups, Olympics, Tactics and the Future of the game. I am so happy I got this book because I know so much more about the game then I ever dreamt.BUY IT!

Rating:
Summary: THE soccer book from THE soccer guru
Review: Simply put (pun intended), this is a must-read for soccer fans. It's basically the history of soccer condensed into one book. The World Cups, the great players, the great teams, the controversies. If you are a soccer fan but don't know much about the history of the game, pick up this book.

Rating:
Summary: A great look at the world's greatest game
Review: This book is a fantastic primer for new fans of the world's greatest game. Mr. Gardner covers the history of the game and its tactics and provides many an interesting story along the way. Americans will learn that soccer (like any American sport) has its legendary and quirky stories. For instance, I never knew that the Brazilian government declared Pele a national resource to prevent his club team in Brazil from selling him to an Italian team.

Rating:
Summary: Are you kidding me?
Review: This book is six years old and it is a preface to an event that happened... six years ago. For Pete's sake, there are more relevantbooks out about the world cup in 2002! and they want fifteen bucks for this thing. What a rip.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Review: This is a great book to learn about the history of soccer and much more. Paul Gardner also goes through each of the World Cups in detail. He also explains the future for soccer in America. A great book to read if you are just learning the game or a big fan. Any one can read it and become more educated about the game of soccer, calcio, futbol, or voetbal.