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Broadway Books

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy

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Format: Paperback


Description

Master storyteller Joe McGinniss travels to Italy to cover the unlikely success of a ragtag minor league soccer team--and delivers a brilliant and utterly unforgettable story of life in an off-the-beaten-track Italian village. When Joe McGinniss sets out for the remote Italian village of Castel di Sangro one summer, he merely intends to spend a season with the village's soccer team, which only weeks before had, miraculously, reached the second- highest-ranking professional league in the land. But soon he finds himself embroiled with an absurd yet irresistible cast of characters, including the team's owner, described by the New York Times as "straight out of a Mario Puzo novel," and coach Osvaldo Jaconi, whose only English word is the one he uses to describe himself: "bulldozer." As the riotous, edge-of-your-seat season unfolds, McGinniss develops a deepening bond with the team, their village and its people, and their country. Traveling with the miracle team, from the isolated mountain region where Castel di Sangro is located to gritty towns as well as grand cities, McGinniss introduces us to an Italy that no tourist guidebook has ever described, and comes away with a "sad, funny, desolating, and inspiring story--everything, in fact, a story should be" (Los Angeles Times). Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown


Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 6, 2000


Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 404 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0767905997


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 92


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.93 x 8 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #77,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #97 in general Italy Travel Guides #127 in Soccer (Books) #278 in Travel Writing Reference


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Entertaining read with a real twist of an ending!
Format: Paperback
During the 1990s, the soccer club of Castel di Sangro aka Castel di Sangro Calcio spent a few years in the Serie B, the second highest professional league in Italy. Considering that Castel di Sangro is a small, isolated village of approximately 5,000 inhabitants in the arid Abruzzo region, this was a major achievement, a miracle if you believe in those things. The book is really the author's journal/diary as he follows the team during their first year in the Serie B. He writes in detail about his living conditions, observations, and interactions with both the townsfolk and the team members, which is really an entertaining page turner. As one reads, one really gets a feel for the culture of central Italy. However, SPOILER ALERT, the book takes a very sinister turn at the end. Just a clue, corruption and match fixing have long been a major issue in Italian soccer. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024 by David Freydkin
    • One one the best non-fiction books I've read in years.
Format: Paperback
It's been quite some time since I was moved to write a review. This book, a suggestion by a stranger upon hearing that I wanted to learn more about soccer, and Italian soccer in particular suggested this book. I'm not going to go into the story or background because many reviewers do that well and I want some things to remain a surprise. This is s story about that is about soccer yes and Italy. It is even more about the heart and soul of athletes. It is about human nature, ups and downs, savage disappointments, triumphs unimaginable, twists and turns unforeseen, laughs, and finding a place in the world. It is also about balances and soft voices... I was so sad to read that Joe McGinnis had passed away in 2014. I so wanted to write him a thank you note for teaching me about joy and perspective and soccer. And affirming my love for the complexities of Italy. And this book above all. I refuse to lend to any one because I ways want it near to look at. Selfish? Maybe. In the end, I can't stop thinking of it. It's all like a movie, Joe. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015 by RSW
    • Very good book in spite of the author
Format: Paperback
Inside there is a great story of uncelebrated heroes, and villians, behind what might be considered the more mundane situation -- that a soccer team from a small village manages promotion to a B league with the season-long goal of surviving. Along the way, there are many great details of the local players, supporters, life within Serie B soccer, and the fabric of society in a small, working-class Italian hillside town. Set on this smaller stage, the story has it all -- life, death, compassion, greed, character, and corruption -- woven together with many amusing and curious subtexts and insights about a "strainero" trying to fit in to a whole other culture and language. The story is a great success at real-life drama. The only unfortunate part is that the story slowly unravels how much the author completely blew a real opportunity to fit in more and delve deeper beneath the surface of his adopted society -- opting more and more to impose his own self-righteous mindset and judgement on matters (he was as much a "bulldozer" as he accused the soccer team's manager of being) rather than taking a step back to learn more about the inner workings of another culture. This isn't ethnocentrism or even an example of American arrogance -- the author simply self-destructed at his mission to respect, observe, and ask in order to learn and report. Even so, the book is a great success in spite of the author's mistakes. He gained access to a remote, close-knit community amidst the throes of of several major events -- also capturing moments of great humor. The author's detailed accounting of his conversations and experiences there makes it a fascinating story in its own right. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2003 by Greg S
    • Multo bello
Format: Hardcover
If you’re thinking of reading this do yourself a favor and read it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2025 by Thomas Kelley
    • Good Reading if you are from Italy's southern region
Format: Paperback
Good Reading if you are from Italy's southern region
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2024 by L'amore
    • Print is too small - please digitize
Format: Paperback
I loved this book when I read it many years ago. In fact, I read it twice and gifted copies to many people over the years. My husband would like to read it but the print is so small for his aging eyes. I’m writing this review as a plea for this wonderful book to be digitized so it can be read on Kindle. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2021 by D C Chiffriller
    • A bittersweet journey for author and reader
Format: Hardcover
What a deliciously captivating idea! An American moves to Italy to follow and hopefully befriend a soccer team through its full upstart season. Mr. McGinniss enthusiastically begins with all the innocence and excitement one would hope, and the reader is quickly immersed in the author's exhilaration and joy as the book unfolds. Unfortunately as Mr. McGinniss' envelopment in the team and town of Castel di Sangro deepens, so does his acrimony and contention. One can appreciate that what he is trying to convey to the readers is his own gradual emotional transformation here, as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the apparent dirt behind this magnificent team and its "miracle." What Mr. McGinniss ends up doing however is gradually imposing his own opinions and judgements both on the people in this fine town and in the end on the poor reader himself. As he gradually alienates himself from players, manager and owner, so too does he gradually alienate himself from the readers. In the end Mr. McGinniss can only see Italy and it's complex culture of "football" through the eyes of an ugly, vindictive American, and one is left only with distaste for the author. Nevertheless this bittersweet journey of Mr. McGinniss has many warm, evocative and beautifully insightful moments and at times can be marvelously enjoyable ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 1999 by Amazon Customer
    • a book about soccer?!
Format: Paperback
When our book group chose this book, I was totally prepared not to like it. To my surprise, I very much enjoyed the book. The writing style is entertaining while being informative. McGinnis explains the world of European soccer so even a complete novice can understand it. His descriptions of the people are terrific and bring the story alive. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story whether you are a sports fan or not. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2010 by Brayer Queen

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