Fever Pitch was made into a movie? I had no idea. God, did it happen before or after High Fidelity? I liked High Fidelity, but I can't imagine FP going to film. It was just too internal, as you pointed out, kirka. Dumbasses. Now there's a remake? Who's going to be the fan. Oh, wait, let me guess ... John Cusack? He really pulled off the whiny asshole role in High Fi. But I think he was best in Grosse Pointe Blank. Rich suburbia, guns, bullets, Minnie Driver. Oh yes.
Squealy, is right All Played Out is an absolute classic and makes Hornby look like the dilettante he is. It's not just the story from within the England camp though. He had unparallelled access to the players, although not all were welcoming, and he offers some intriguing insights on the qualities of Bobby Robson which are at odds with his current status as a footballing guru. He also stayed away from the hotel, amongst the fans, and this was a tournament in which our fans were particularly active. Again he gives brilliant insights into the experience of what it was like to be in Italy for a month, surving on little more than booze and being loathed and feared wherever you go. Interestingly, the book was not well received, particularly by the players, and no one has had anything like his access since. It is a remarkable book, written by a fan, with a fans sensibilities, who, despite privileged access, still had to rough it. It is honest and truthful in its assessment and despite the protests of the players at the time it is largely sympathetic to them. Even if you hate football you should read this book. I think it is actually out of print, but bleeding hell we have the worlds biggest second hand book finder under our very fingertips. Another, more recent football book that comes highly recommended is A Season With Verona by Tim Parks. I haven't actually read it but 2 young Blues fans have and if they say it's good, it's good. Much of it was serialised in The Guardian, the first article is here; a search for Tim Parks on the Guardian site will lead you to the rest. Angry White Pyjamas by Robert Twigger is superb. It is an account of a year the author spent training with the Tokyo riot police and is fascinating and profound. Funny too; it made me smirk more than once and actually changed the way I think, a bit anyway. When I was a nipper I loved Striker by Hunter Davies, which is in the style of the classic kitchen sink dramas of the sixties. Davies was also responsible for the classic The Glory Game. Nothing, or nobody, beats Alf Tupper though.
Where High Fidelity got it right, just about, was in relocating to Chicago and getting Cusack and his buddies to write it. Even then, it is only just about watchable. There is something very smug and knowing about Hornby and some of that irritating quality remains in the film. Fever Pitch, on the other hand is the worst and most odious kind of limpwristed chickflick you can imagine. Be very thankful you haven't had to sit through it.
FB: Two warnings from my respected SpoFi-ers will ensure that I stay away from Fever Pitch, the movie. Besides, having read the book, I don't really think I need to watch it. And two recos from my two favorite brummy bog bandits means I also have to add All Played Out to my reading list. And maybe Angry White Pyjamas, too. Damn it! ;-)
Hey Brits! FB's Alf Tupper link got me thinking of the marvels that were Roy of the Rovers, Hot Shot Hamish, The Hard Man, Mighty Mouse, Nipper (that scruffy rapscallion!). Unleash the fury.
Can anyone recommend a good book or two that will clue me in on the history of European/World soccer and the subtleties of playing? I watch the games and enjoy but would like to understand things much more than I do. I compare this to, say, the NFL, where I've been watching since birth and can understand nearly everything.
I would point you to some superb coffee-table books that I coveted as a kid. They had superb stories and illustrations of classic goals, the build-up passes and off-the-ball runs, as well as demonstrations of different tricks one could do (like Osvaldo Ardiles' using the outside of his boot to flick a mid-air ball from behind him, over his head to his front, all while making a run through midfield). But that was at least 20 yrs ago. I don't remember the name to even Google or Amazon it. Anyone able to help? God, I'd buy ten of those right now if I knew where to find them.
worldcup - I HAVE the book of which you seek at home. Yes I was a huge footy fan growing up but have moved away from it. I will post the title of it later when I look at it. If I can in fact find it I would happy to send it to you since you would appreciate it much more than I...
I have broken down and am sobbing in my cube. SpoFi has brought an end to two of my quests today. First, the Dr. Who sports song mystery is solved, now this. Well, vito90, perhaps you should send it to bill first and then he and I can meet over drinks and a soccer match on TV to transfer it. A brilliant day, this. *snif*
Also meant to include Norman Mailer's The Fight, which records just about every punch in the amazing '74 Ali-Foreman fight. Now that Foreman is kind of a cartoon, it's startling to read Mailer's account of air of menace about him. Best press-conference exchange ever: Reporter: "Do you think you'll knock out Ali?" Foreman: "I'd like to." And, from Hemingway's In Our Time, "My Old Man" and "Big Two-Hearted River." The latter is "about" flyfishing, which is sort of a sport and makes me think of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. And on and on.
Jason - OOH - that Mailer book is my next must-read. I also forgot to mention the Biography of Ali...Not this one, which was okay, but this one which was phenomenal. Oh Mr. WorldCup sir, you better shoot a mailing address my way, because I'm your new best friend. After I send you the collectibles I have you're going to be the most popular boy on the block! You're going to have to open this care package while in the bathroom, because you'll want to shit your pants when you see what I got. (Maybe Samsonov can help you with that...) This is the book I have, the link has very little description, but it is exactly what you were asking about above...(or Bill maybe you guys can arm wrestle for it)
"...and "Big Two-Hearted River." The latter is "about" flyfishing..." That river is known as the Fox River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. My dad fishes that river all the time, and he's also a huge Hemingway fan. With that in mind, you would think that my dad sought that river out on purpose, but it's pure coincidence since the river isn't too far away from our cabin. My favorite sports books are baseball related. The previously mentioned Ball Four is excellent, as are Maybe I'll Pitch Forever by Satchel Paige, and Veeck, As In Wreck by Bill Veeck. Excellent first hand accounts of baseball by some of the best characters to have been involved in the game.
