The Soccer Tribe

By Desmond Morris

Book Overview

A lavishly illustrated revised edition of the '70s cult book, updated by the author and with a bold new design and contemporary images. Before Franklin Foer, Bill Bryson, and Simon Kuper wrote about soccer, best-selling author and highly respected academic Desmond Morris became a director of a soccer club in order to properly analyze the world's most popular sport. In this revelatory book, Morris shares his experiences, guiding the reader through the marked tribal components of soccer, from the life of a team, the players, and their supporters to its symbols, rites, and rules. The Soccer Tribe is a tribute to the game, seen from the perspective of a lifelong fan and specialist. The book is divided into forty-four short chapters, each examining a vital aspect of the life of the Soccer Tribesmen. Included are "Rituals" (the taboos and punishments, goals and strategies); "Heroes" (their skills and superstitions, triumphs and defeats); "Trappings" (balls, costumes, banners and badges, trophies and medals); "Elders" (directors and referees, managers and trainers); "Followers" (old and young, celebrities and fans); and the "Tribal Tongue" (chants and slogans, cheers and curses). From Liverpool to Lyon, Bayern to Barcelona, and Manchester to Milan, Morris passionately dissects and examines every detail, all the way to the jerseys and stadium songs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0847849651
• ISBN13: 9780847849659
• Release Date: September 2016
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 3.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.0" x 10.5"

Customer Reviews

Soccer from the inside by an outsider

By viewing soccer as a complete outsider Desmond Morris succeeds in a brilliant way in getting a total picture that's very valuable even for the professional. An amazing book, very funny too. I really can't understand it isn't available anymore. I read it in dutch and I would like to read it in the original English language.

Perfect for understanding the soc. phenomenon of soccer.

Being a zoologist an ethologist and an englishman situates Dr Morris in a perfect position to explain why is soccer so popular and why it constitutes the principal chatting topic around the world.They should print it again. Its hard to find soccer books with this kind of approach to the subject..

fantastic - a great pity that out of print

This is the best book I have read about soccer. I am amazed that it is out of print. Author should update it without delay. With soccer being the world game, also emerging dramatically in USA and Australia sales of the book would skyrocket, especially if it is updated.Great pictures, great story.

likens the soccer world to that of tribesmen

the soccer tribe is an excellent insight to the parallels of soccer and the brutal struggle for survival as experienced from a tribesmen. the book is full of color pictures as well as information that can benefit the veteran player/observer as well as the beginner.