A Beautiful Game: The World's Greatest Players and How Soccer Changed Their Lives

A moving read even if you aren't a fan of soccer. This book is about people who have an intense passion for something and follow it - no matter the struggle. It also shows how different soccer players got to where they are in very different ways. Some arrive on the world stage by playing 3 v 3 with their friends on the street with a makeshift ball while others have technical coaches from the age of 3. This book shows the beauty of soccer and how it can bring all backgrounds together for the love of a game. For those aspiring soccer players, it will inspire them by seeing the passion these guys have and reading the wisdoms they acquired to become the best. This is a great read for those who love true stories of the indomitable human spirt and those who love soccer. I wish there was another book to follow this one with some of the newer players arriving on the scene.

My life long friend over the past 70 years grew up in England and played and coached soccer for most of his life. What could I give him for Christmas that he would actually acknowledge and even read for pleasure. This book was a real winner. It proudly sits on his coffee table and he won't shut-up about its contents. I don't like soccer and I love silence. But in the long run, I pleased my friend. It's all worth it.

For a budding soccer high school player .... He said he heard of this book, but thought you couldn't get. His mother (also a soccer player) was as happy to receive this into their home!

When I purchased this book I was a little surprised by its physical size as it is very large. That being said, I think this book is a great representation of the beauty of soccer, the way that it is written where the players tell about how they fell in love with the game is really interesting especially because some great players are featured. This book more or less changed the way I address the game whenever I am able to play where now I try to smile as often as possible while playing and remember the game for what I loved when I was younger growing up.

The pictures and the stories in this beautful coffee table book are fantastic! I purchased this for my daughter, who is a soccer player and a huge fan of the sport. I found myself reading it when she wasn't. Great gift for the soccer player in your life!

I bought this as a gift for one of my nephews who loves the sport. I come from a "die-hard soccer family" - 3 generations strong; coaching, refereeing and playing, This is the perfect book for all soccer fans who are interested in the history and techniques of soccer, whether a coach, referee, player, or armchair warrior.. "A Beautiful Game..." is being enjoyed by my nephew and entire family.

We bought this book for christmas 2011. I have 4 sons between 9-13 who have almost memorized the book. short bios on players from humble backgrounds are not only inspiring, but a geography lesson as well. The big format makes the book easily approachable, and you find yourself wanting to read "just one more". The book puts a human face on professional soccer, and helps focus on the journey more than the success. Highly recommended for young and old alike.

A beautiful book about the "Beautiful Game." If Americans would just take the time to watch, understand, and appreciate soccer (without comparing it to football or basketball, etc.)...well...they would finally catch on to what the rest of the world has known for a long, long time. This book would be a great place to start.

Tom Watt has written this book with such passion that you feel the stories if you were the reporter. What a great book for a TV series,what a delight that would be!