David Henry Sterry

Alan Black

Read Alan Black and David Henry Sterry's posts on the Penguin Blog. A guide to the biggest sporting event in the world-for those who like their soccer with a side of kick-ass. The teams, the fans, the goals, the saves, the divas, the divers, the myths, the madness-they're all part of the world-wide spectacle that is soccer's ultimate tournament, and they're all here in this turbo­charged guide. Packed with trivia, tall tales, stats, quizzes, and photos, The Glorious World Cup gives readers: •Famous player profiles •Villains, heroes, hooligans, and hard men •On-field glory and off-field indiscretions •Underdogs, overachievers, maniacs, and miracles •Commentary from famous fans-including Irvine Welsh, Po Bronson, and Simon Kuper •A look back at the greatest World Cup finals

A Fanatic's Guide

The Glorious World Cup

A "hilarious and utterly irreverent tale" (Irvine Welsh) of a year in the life of an abrasive pee-wee soccer coach Growing up in Scotland, Alan Black learned that soccer was no mere game; it was a matter of life or death. In this harshly hilarious tale, Black, a Glasglow transplant living in suburban California, coaches the Dragons, a peewee team that proves an embarrassment to his beloved sport. They're pampered. They're soft. They've been told by their overprotective parents that (gasp!) "winning isn't everything." Using drills and bombast, Black attempts to whip the team into shape. Kick the Balls is a sidesplitting memoir of grass stains and free kicks, a no-holds-barred account of one man's bafflement by an alien culture, and a stinging satire of American parenthood. Alan Black's voice-howling from the sidelines-is that rare thing: a fresh, original, winning comic talent.

Alan Black

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