Barca: A People's Passion
by Jimmy Burns
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jimmy BurnsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-03-01
ISBN: 0747545545
Number of pages: 383
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Book Reviews of Barca: A People's Passion
Book Review: A Fantastic Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me first say that I am very bias. I've been an FCB "soci" since 1981, played in their youth system for a couple of years, and by and large am one of the many fans that buys into the whole "Mes que un Club" mantra.
So understanding that, let me just say that Jimmy Burns has done a fantastic job helping the reader understand how history has shaped the meaning of "Mes que un Club". Part history, part sociology, Burns discusses the club's history, both real and invented, that pushed FCB into being the opposition to Real Madrid.
Keep in mind this is more than a book on the Club. Burns adeptly weaves the Club and the sport with Catalan politics and identity. Always balancing the passions of "Cules" with the machination of the member's of the board, one truly gets a sense of the depth of history and passion behind the Club.
The reader learns some of the details behind some of FCB lore, from the Di Stefano controversy, the Kings Cup match against Real Madrid after the Civil War, to the famous field invasion that erupted into a pro-Catalunya demonstration toward the end of the Franco regime. Some of the myths are debunked, but in all, the Clubs history is given a fair shake.
Keep in mind - On the downside, Jimmy Burns does favor the Catalan club, more times than not. He doesn't approach the topic dispassionately.
As a follow up to A Peaople's Passion, another great read on Spanish football can be found in Phil Ball's excellent book, Morbo. It touches upon the unique history of Spanish football from it's roots in the mines of Huelva, through the use of the sport in identity politics, particularly in the Basque Country and Catalunya.
Summary of Barca: A People's Passion
Founded in 1898, FC Barcelona, also know as Barca, is today the world's biggest football club. Its 120,000-seat stadium, Camp Nuo, is one of the great cathedrals of the game, and its museum is the most visited in Spain. This is the story of FC Barcelona and its evolution as a social and political phenomenon.
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