Description

‘Delves into the very essence of being a fan, while seamlessly exploring Italian history, politics, culture and society,’ Guardian

Is Italy a united country, or a loose affiliation of warring states? Is Italian football a sport, or an ill-disguised protraction of ancient enmities?

Tim Parks goes on the road to follow the fortunes of Hellas Verona football club, to pay a different kind of visit to some of the world’s most beautiful cities. This is a highly personal account of one man’s relationship with a country, its people and its national sport. A book that combines the pleasures of travel writing with a profound analysis of one country’s mad, mad way of keeping itself entertained.

Publisher Review

"Addictive reading...each chapter is a short story, the whole book an epic" * Observer * "Parks knows his football, and he knows Italy still better. His adopted country, in all its enduring and exasperating strengths and weaknesses, comes vividly to life" * Sunday Times * "A fascinating emotional journey... His descriptions of Italian football are descriptions of Italy itself, its regional differences, its squabbles, its distinctive temper" * Daily Telegraph * "An enthralling, insightful account of the real Italy" * Independent *