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Availability:
In Stock.
Arrives
Tuesday, Nov 10
At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Format
- Paperback
- Model
- 16-pp. 4/c photo insert
- Dimensions
- 5.5 x 1.13 x 8.25 in
- Weight
- 1.05 lb
- Publisher
- Bold Type Books
- Publication date
- April 8, 2014
Description
Fear and Loathing in La Liga is the definitive history of the greatest rivalry in world sport: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. It's Messi vs. Ronaldo, Guardiola vs. Mourinho, the nation against the state, freedom fighters vs. Franco's fascists, plus majestic goals and mesmerizing skills. It's the best two teams on the planet going head-to-head. It's more than a game. It's a war. It's El Clásico. Only, it's not quite that simple. Spanish soccer expert and historian Sid Lowe covers 100 years of rivalry, athletic beauty, and excellence. Fear and Loathing in La Liga is a nuanced, revisionist, and brilliantly informed history that goes beyond sport. Lowe weaves together this story of the rivalry with the history and culture of Spain, emphasizing that it is "never about just the soccer." With exclusive testimonies and astonishing anecdotes, he takes us inside this epic battle, including the wounds left by the Civil War, Madrid's golden age in the fifties when they won five European cups, Johan Cruyff's Barcelona Dream Team, the doomed Galáico experiment, and Luís Figo's "betrayal." By exploring the history, politics, culture, economics, and language―while never forgetting the drama on the field―Lowe demonstrates the relationship between these two soccer giants and reveals the true story behind their explosive rivalry. Read more
Specs 9
| Publisher | Bold Type Books |
|---|---|
| Publication date | April 8, 2014 |
| Edition | Illustrated |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 480 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1568584504 |
| ISBN-13 | 08 |
| Item Weight | 1.05 pounds |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 1.13 x 8.25 inches |
No specs match.
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Top Amazon Reviews
A history (and soccer) lovers dream
Format: Kindle
This book comprehensively details the history of the rivalry, from 1902 to present day. Of course you cannot understand the rivalry without understanding the Spanish Civil War and this is where Sid Lowe shines with a ton of detail on those dark days. Personally I thought the best part was the chapter on the Alfredo Di Stefano transfer which I found very similar to the story of how the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees changing both clubs forever. Barca obviously didn't sell Di Stefano but they, like the Red Sox, whiffed on a chance to acquire/keep one of the greatest players of their respective sports. The only flaw of the book I felt was that it felt a little thin when it came to the rivalry present day. It has a detailed overview of Mourinho vs Guardiola but I felt Lowe didn't devote enough pages to Messi vs Ronaldo, ironic considering they are the ones on the cover. Lowe wrote almost nothing on Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United and little on how Messi ended up at La Masia. But really that's a small nitpick on a otherwise great book. If you want to buy just one book on El Clasico this is the one to buy. Update (10/30/2014): I am changing my rating to 5 from the original 4 stars. When I wrote the review I had read about 50% of it, basically a through scan but now that I've read it more throughly I felt I shortchanged Sid Lowe. What he's written here is a deep rich history of the Real Madrid and Barcelona rivalry that is as much a history book as it is a soccer book. As someone who loves history and soccer this is nirvana. This is no doubt the greatest english language book on the Madrid-Barcelona rivalry and I wonder even if there is a Spanish language book that is better. I stand by my original criticism because I think we all like to read about contemporary stuff because that's the part we've personally experienced but when I read about the Spanish Civil War and how Barcelona and Real Madrid fared and the influence of Francoism on the rivalry (and Spanish society overall) I can't but help admire the totality of Sid Lowe's work. He must've done a enormous amount of research. I'm gushing a bit but I cannot praise this book enough. 5 stars for a book that should be winning literary awards.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2014 by Usni
For the fanatical football fans with an appetite for it's history
Format: Paperback
A great read for any football enthusiast and a must have for all FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF fans. Sid Lowe narrates with a passionate attention to detail from an unbiased perspective on a heated rivalry dating back generations. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it drags on in the first few chapters describing the politics of Spain at the time of the civil war and he barely addresses the the current rivalry of the two sides, which are more bitter than ever! The chapters are arranged based on the different era's of the rivalry, so feel free to jump to whatever chapter interests you more. Overall, I enjoyed the read and being a fanatical Barca fan myself this book was an education in the club's history and many of those who represented it.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2014 by Amazoned out
The Best Football Writer in the Game Produces a Clasico
Format: Paperback
This book has politics, revolution, intrigue, a severed pigs head, and just about everything else a footy fan would want from an extensively researched and written book on the two biggest clubs in Spain. Sid Lowe documents this dichotomy, this relationship, this interdependence of two sporting entities that find themselves as often on opposing sides of the pitch as they do on opposing sides of a civil war (hyperbole). Lowe's prose guides us through the histories of these two titanic teams as they battle for supremacy in Spain and Europe, having Salomonic tussles over player signatures, courting the favor of dictators and royals alike. Such a delightful and enjoyable read.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024 by Duke of Raoul
Love for la liga
Format: Kindle
Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a recent convert to The religion of f Soccer. I'll also Admit that I am obsessed. Especially with the history and the politics of the countries and periods surrounding the game. Sid Lowe's analysis and overview of the history of both of these giants on and off the pitch is incredible. I found myself taking notes and seeking out clips and photo's to help visualize these moments he describes. I began this book with a set ideas of real Madrid and by the end i had a different outlook. it also strengthened my love for barca. Kudos to Sid Lowe to remind us of both teams glories and failures in both of their long histories. A must read for fans of both real Madrid and f2f Barcelona .
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Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2018 by Aaron King
Fascinating Read, Great Author
Format: Paperback
Over the past year, football journalism/literature has become one of my favorite genres for casual reading. Sid Lowe, an acclaimed journalist who writes for ESPN and the Guardian (among others), weaves social and sporting history with anecdotes about two of world football's greatest clubs. Those who are intimately familiar with Spanish/Catalan history as they apply to both Real Madrid and Barcelona may find some of the material redundant. Thankfully, I was not in that camp and thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Lowe's insights into Spanish culture, society, and language through the lens of its most celebrated football clubs. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of these two clubs or Spanish history as expressed through football.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014 by GS4815
Dr. Lowe Does It Again
Format: Kindle
If you are familiar with Sid Lowe's work you will enjoy this book. He provides a lot of historical information about Barcelona and Real Madrid. The book is fairly easy to read. The author points out many interesting facts about both teams. A must read for any football mad fan.
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2014 by Ajax14
Fascinating for anyone interested in THE greatest rivalry in world sport and it's history which goes ...
Format: Paperback
Sid Lowe is the most informed writer in English about Spanish football and this book is a total credit to him. Fascinating for anyone interested in THE greatest rivalry in world sport and it's history which goes well beyond a game of football to involve the politics and history of Spain. For the reader like myself who is greatly interested in both it is an essential read.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2018 by Christopher Watson
Absolutely Brilliant!
Format: Paperback
By far the best account of the El Classico rivalry I have ever read, which is saying something since I have read quite a few books on these two clubs. Amazingly detailed account. Author took a lot of painstaking effort and took some real deep dives into the two clubs history. A very honest appraisal of both clubs, their successes, failures, good & bad sides of an eternal rivalry. A great read for any football fan.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2015 by Mushfique