Death or Glory: The Dark History of the World Cup

by Jon Spurling

In this astonishing book Jon Spurling has travelled the world to scratch beneath the glossy, confetti-strewn surface of the world's biggest sporting event to uncover its dark secrets. What lengths did Argentina's right-wing military junta really go to in order to ensure their national team won the World Cup at home in 1978? Why did Idi Amin instruct Uganda's footballers to "break the teeth" of their Tanzanian counterparts in a World Cup qualifier? What really happened during the infamous 'Soccer War' between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969? Which country's players were sent to work in a chicken-plucking factory as punishment for a poor result during qualifying in 1994? Part travelogue, part history, Death or Glory is based on more than 100 exclusive interviews with players, supporters, writers and team officials. Its 16 chapters take you on a fascinating journey through sport, politics, conflict and civil strife that ultimately reveals the astonishing power of the world's greatest sporting event ― a power that goes far beyond a few games of football every four years.

Genres: Sports, Football, History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and fast read that still treats it's subject very seriously. John Spurling travels the world in search of the dark side of Football's biggest tournament. Each chapter focuses on a World Cup in which a dictator was involved, usually with heartbreaking results.

[Derek Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Treads a familar path but has some insight. Some of the interviewees seem strange choices - just random fans, and some of the stories seem little more than rumour and heresay.

[Gary K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slog . Struggled to finish it.