"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
In some ways the book is a standard travelogue. In following his lowly Series A team in their seasonal slog around Italy, Parks gets to visit all the famous sights and cities. What makes this journey so different and so interesting is that Parks is accompanied by vividly ordinary, honestly working-class, determinedly urban Italians and gets to share their Nick Hornbyish highs and lows. This in turn provides a credible, fresh and revealing insight into the Italian character. These fans do all the normal soccer-supporter things like fight, drink, despair, exult, rant and put each other in comas; but they also do more surprising things, like sing songs in praise of the murderous Liverpool fans of Heysel and give voice to racist feelings about their southern compatriots.
This may not sound like most people's image of southern loveliness. Indeed it isn't. But it is a much needed antidote to all that saccharine-sweet Under The Tuscan Sun stuff; and it also makes this book a splendid bedside companion to the Italian campaign in the next, or indeed any, World Cup. --Sean Thomas
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Travels around Italy in search of illusion, national character and goals.'Delves into the very essence of being a fan, while seamlessly exploring Italian history, politics, culture and society,' GuardianIs Italy a united country, or a loose affiliation of warring states? Is Italian football a sport, or an ill-disguised protraction of ancient enmities?Tim Parks goes on the road to follow the fortunes of Hellas Verona football club, to pay a different kind of visit to some of the world's most beautiful cities. This is a highly personal account of one man's relationship with a country, its people and its national sport. A book that combines the pleasures of travel writing with a profound analysis of one country's mad, mad way of keeping itself entertained. 'Delves into the very essence of being a fan, while seamlessly exploring Italian history, politics, culture and society,' GuardianIs Italy a united country, or a loose affiliation of warring states? Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780099422679
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 464. Seller Inventory # 5839347
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780099422679
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 464 pages. 7.80x5.04x1.10 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0099422670
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Is Italy a united country, or a loose affiliation of warring states? This is a highly personal account of one man's relationship with a country, its people and its national sport. A book that combines the pleasures of travel writing with a profound analysis of one country's mad, mad way of keeping itself entertained. Seller Inventory # B9780099422679