Among the Thugs Audiobook By Bill Buford cover art

Among the Thugs

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Among the Thugs

By: Bill Buford
Narrated by: Bill Buford
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They have names like Barmy Bernie, Daft Donald, and Steamin' Sammy. They like lager (in huge quantities), the queen, football clubs (especially Manchester United), and themselves. Their dislike encompasses the rest of the known universe, and England's soccer thugs express it in ways that range from mere vandalism to riots that terrorize entire cities.

Now, Bill Buford, editor of the prestigious journal Granta, enters this alternate society and records both its savageries and its sinister allure with the social imagination of a George Orwell and the raw personal engagement of a Hunter Thompson.

©1990, 1991 William Buford (P)2018 Random House Audio Europe Freedom & Security Great Britain Organized Crime Politics & Government True Crime England Sports Crime

Critic reviews

“A grotesque, horrifying, repellent and gorgeous book; A Clockwork Orange come to life.” (John Gregory Dunne)

"An important, perhaps prophetic, book...both exciting and sad at the core.... [Buford is] a superbly talented reporter." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Animated, witty, and so pungent you can taste the stale lager." (Washington Post Book World)

Featured Article: The Best Soccer Audiobooks for Avid and Prospective Fans


Soccer definitely has game. It’s played by more than 200 million people around the world, and it's the world's most-viewed sporting event. If you're in America, Canada, Ireland, or Australia, you probably call it soccer, and if you live in most other parts of the world, you call it football. Whether you're a casual player, a serious fan, or just interested in learning more about the game and its staying power, these audiobooks capture what makes soccer such a sensation.

Featured Article The Best Soccer Audiobooks for Avid and Prospective Fans
Whimsical Storytelling • Dry Humor • Delightful Performance • Insightful Commentary • Vivid Descriptions
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If you are interested in European Futbol, the pathology of mobs, the social science of the disaffected, the draw of identity, gangs, history, policing, gratuitous violence, or whimsical story telling, this is a recommended read! Highly resonant over 30 years later, this book has something to reveal about topics as diverse as East London gentrification, south Central LA gang life, and the MAGA movement. A person could read it and make a strong argument against the 2nd amendment and another read and make a strong defense of it. It should be more talked about, because it is prepared to talk to us.

Wow…!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s not often you hear an educated description of violence, mix in an honest account of its motivation and attraction, top it off with a dry subtle humor and you get this great book. The author narrates it perfectly.

Thoughtful, eloquent, humorous, honest.

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Great store, worth listen too, and well read by author!! Time well spent . Must Listen

Great store, worth listen too, and well read by author!!

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Was very happy to hear the author himself narrate and give perspective to this wild time in football history.

Best book about Football Hooliganism

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I couldn’t stop listening, from the beginning to the end! Fantastic book. If you are someone who knows a bit about the world of hooligans, football fan violence and are interested in the psychology of the crowds, this is a perfect choice. Loved it!

Absolutely fantastic!

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I originally read this in 1992 or so, on paper— it was thrilling then— but as I know now many years later about the social strife in England at the time, it’s a testament to its era.

I learned a lot more now, many years later with hindsight by responsibly following closely to global politics and machination of despair, anger, violence among common people— even here in America 2024.

I think in my youth I glorified the anarchy of the supporters, but now know it is better how the story actually closes. No spoiler, highly recommended.

It holds up

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very enjoyable. I like Mr. Buford's writing very much. probably the best of the three books I've listened to of his. I enjoyed him reading it. well worth the time.

very vivid and gripping

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A very raw and uncomfortable look into a world Bill Buford could almost made me understand.

Wow, just wow

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I read this book in print back in the 90s and loved it. I disagree with Budford's experience that the Dutch fans are not violent. While the Dutch national team's fan club seems to have done a good job at controlling their hoolies on a national team level, fans from leading Dutch clubs are plenty bad.
Still, I found his book insightful and an enjoyable read.

Loved the Print, Loved Audible

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I simply loved this audiobook, enjoyed the print years ago but this is much better. The author beautifully captures the emotions, insights and heart wrenching moments of the story. Bellisimo!!!

Delightful

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