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Bold Type Books

Angels with Dirty Faces

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Format: Paperback, Illustrated


Description

The Masterful, Definitive History of Argentinian Soccer Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di St'fano: in every generation Argentina has uncovered a uniquely brilliant soccer talent. Perhaps it's because the country lives and breathes the game, its theories, and its myths. Argentina's rich, volatile history -- by turns sublime and ruthlessly pragmatic -- is mirrored in the style and swagger of its national and club sides. In Angels with Dirty Faces, Jonathan Wilson chronicles the operatic drama of Argentinian soccer: the appropriation of the British game, the golden age of la nuestra, the exuberant style of playing that developed as Juan Perón led the country into isolation; a hardening into the brutal methods of anti-fútbol; the fusing of beauty and efficacy under César Luis Menotti, and the emergence of all-time greats. Praise for Inverting the Pyramid "Here, for the first time in decades, is a top-notch soccer book on how soccer is actually played on the field." -- Simon Kuper "An outstanding work. . . . The soccer book of the decade." -- Sunday Business Post Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bold Type Books; Illustrated edition (August 23, 2016)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1568585519


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 12


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.12 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #97,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #7 in Argentinian History #67 in Soccer (Books) #119 in Sports History (Books)


#7 in Argentinian History:


#67 in Soccer (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Great book!, starting from the cover - It deeply reflects the history of Argentine fútbol. And more than that.
It is impressive not only the knowledge, but the level the accuracy and understanding of local issues that Mr. Wilson shows. The book is able to unveil some information even to an old Argentine man, very fond of foot-ball, which is my case. It is a nice and funny experience to read some very local facts by the guy that writes at The Guardian!, with full accuracy ..., as if it were written in Spanish by a local journalist. Despite the huge barrier that a different culture and language is supposed to represent to grasp some facts, the book incredibly maintains the local flavor. Wilson also has a good understanding of Buenos Aires "lunfardo" (slang), and gets the deep meaning of some expresssions, which clearly helped him to write such an outstanding work. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2016 by Alejandro G. Alle
    • Good read for football fans
Entertaining but not as good as his previous books. The chapters lack continuity and maybe could have been tied together a little bit more neatly.
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2016 by J. Rodriguez
    • An Amazing Journey
I used to be a frequent reader of Jonathan Wilson's columns on Guardian and ESPN FC. I know how good as a writer he is. Plus, his Inverting the Pyramid is one of the most mentioned books among football tactic enthusiasts. But with Angles with Dirty Faces, this was the first time I read one of his books, and it took no time to show why he is one of the best storytellers in football journalism. He digs into the past of Argentinian football and puts it in the context of the turbulent history of this nation. The book records the history that spans over a century and features hundreds of characters. There is so much information to put in. It really takes a skillful storyteller to keep track of all this, make sense of it, and make it interesting. He was able to do that, brilliantly. Highly recommended. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2017 by tucaoneo
    • even for those whose love of soccer is based largely on the European game
This is a well told story that covers the history of Argentinian soccer both within - the Argentina league - and without - in international competitions - the country. It also integrates the broader story of Argentina such as the dictatorship's attempt to use the 1978 world cup to enhance Argentina's reputation on the international stage. Though the book is not extremely technical, those without at least an intermediate level understanding of soccer tactics may wish to have Wilson's other book, Inverting the Pyramid, on hand to provide some background on the evolution of soccer more broadly. Overall, well worth the effort, even for those whose love of soccer is based largely on the European game. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2016 by Todd
    • Comprehensive History of the Beautiful Game in Argentina
Jonathan Wilson can always be counted on to write about deserving, fascinating topics with the right depth of inquiry and a rare clarity of language - this Angels with Dirty Faces is no exception. The tale of football in Argentina, the role it has played in that country's modern history, and the sagas of the legendary clubs and players there makes this an incredibly rich, yet easy and enjoyable read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2019 by Andrew Shuck
    • Interesting Read!
Enjoyable book.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019 by Livvy
    • Jonathan Wilson is probably one of the best scholars of the game
Jonathan Wilson is probably one of the best scholars of the game. This book is a comprehensive, time-spanning, and thorough look at Argentinian soccer. It doesn't seem to miss anything, and covers all of the most important aspects of the country's footballing history. However, the book lacks a bit of romance - Wilson tries often to tie the political scene of Argentina (often a contentious one) as it relates to football. While the two are undoubtedly intertwined, it never really feels believable in this book. It feels more like parallel events that overlap slightly, but it doesn't really capture the wholly intertwined aspect of football and politics, revolution, geopolitical events, etc. It feels a bit forced. Along the same lines, it often starts to read more like an encyclopedia or anthology vs. a story or historical literature. Many times I found myself zoning out because the book was just describing a relatively mundane match that didn't feel all that important in the long run of Argentina's football history. A great novel for those who wish to increase their knowledge of Argentinian footballing history, but not for those who are looking for a bit more flair or excitement. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2017 by Harding Royster
    • Great book for lovers of Argentine football
The best book about Argentine football in English. Explores the links between politics and football in Argentina. May need a new chapter after Argentina won the World Cup in 2022. :)
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023 by Giuliano

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