Life in La Liga: The Story of Spanish Club Football

by Rab McWilliam

In Life in La Liga, football writer Rab MacWilliam delves to the heart of one of Europe's most historically and politically complex nations to explore its rich football history, examining its deep-rooted rivalries and internecine vendettas, and the undoubtedly impressive standard of its football clubs.

From the big five of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Valencia, to the likes of Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Deportivo de La Coruna, Real Zaragoza, Celta de Vigo, Espanyol, Real Betis and Sporting Gijon, McWilliam laces an entertainingly informative narrative with short biographies of the Spanish game's main participants, players, and characters, as well as reflections on the humorous, tragic and pivotal events that have taken place since the Spanish league's origins in the late nineteenth century on its journey to becoming the dominant force in the global game that it is today.

Genres: Sports, Football

368 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2019

Reviews

[Sie Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this is an informative read around some of the key players and moments in the history of La Liga (up to 2018-19 season). However, I found the book a little bit too childish/basic to be fully engaging. The book had a narrative that aside from making continual reference to points it had already told you, seemed to be quite simplistic.

That aside, for anybody looking for a quick or starting point into the clubs of La Liga, and a little bit of further background around football in Spain, this would probably suffice, although there are far better and more in depth books out there (to be fair, the author does reference these at the end).

In summary, an overview of La Liga without any real depth behind the overlying headlines and achievements, a good (and easy) read for anybody looking to get into Spanish football at the top level.

[Abdulrahman Tingari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers about the spanish football and the la liga football clubs such as real madrid, barcelona, atheltico madrid, real betis, sevilla, atheltic bilbao, as well as other clubs have emerged in different eras with varying degrees of succes in la liga, and second tier of spanish football league. Spanish football culture is indeed diverse and complex covers the origin, development, and influence within spain, the book has included history, clubs events, regional rivalries, and role of media and fans in spain, knowledge is given about how the game is shaped in country and reasons that made spanish football clubs the successful side in europe. There are few spanish phrases and football expression that comes across in spanish television commentaries such as campo de futbol, gol, pena, equipo, temporada, and empate.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and at times fascinating read, particularly the wonderful origin stories of clubs like Real Betis or Bilbao. I preferred the first 2/3rds of the book to the final third, as it mostly seemed a list of results rather than interesting history. In saying that, it did make me think back fondly on some of those times, particularly the magnificent Barcelona team under Guardiola.

[Laura Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great premise of going beyond the obvious Spanish football teams (Real Madrid and Barcelona) but felt very restrained. A decent source of information but not particularly detailed or explanative.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, digestible overview of Spanish football.

[Fabes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Spanish football

[Alex Marriott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good content alongside some exceptionally poor writing and a ton of filler (including endless introspection)

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veel feiten, leuke anekdotes!