The World Is a Ball Audiobook By John Doyle cover art

The World Is a Ball

The Joy, Madness, and Meaning of Soccer

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The World Is a Ball

By: John Doyle
Narrated by: Chris Kayser
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For the past 10 years, leading Canadian journalist and cultural critic John Doyle has been traveling the globe to observe World Cup and other soccer matches played at the highest level. The result is a Bill Bryson-esque narrative full of wit and insight, concluding with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In between his encounters with the delirious fans, the crazed taxi drivers, the leprechauns and the lederhosen, Doyle examines the evolution of soccer as a global phenomenon. More importantly, he explores in highly entertaining fashion how national character is revealed in both how the teams play the games and how their fans choose to celebrate.

This is a book that will excite and entertain both soccer enthusiasts and the legions of listeners who simply love great storytelling.

©2010 John Doyle (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Popular Culture Soccer Social Sciences Sociology of Sports Sports Writing

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
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great insight and perspective from a journalist and fan! good anecdotes from soccer maniacs across the globe.

solid story, good humor

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This is a fascinating chronology of major events in soccer from a unique perspective. However, although the writer attempts to simplify certain terms and examples, it takes a certain amount of preexisting knowledge to understand it all.

Some great stories but best for a true soccer fan

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A must listen, of a unique and passionate persective on the world's most important sport.

A fantastic story

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Great quarantine book. I attended many of the same World Cups and Euros as discussed and was fun to hear his take on them.

Really enjoyable

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How did the narrator detract from the book?

SOOOO many poor pronunciations...UEFA, Ajax, Scholes, Ibrahimovic, Feyenoord, Arjen Robben...all it takes is a little research. I suspect the author would be disappointed.

Mostly very enjoyable BUT....

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The emotional aspect of the game becomes clear as the narrator delivers a strong performance to capture those aspects of the Beautiful Game that are blaringly absent from traditional North American sports. We'll written and a joy to listen to! RCTID!

A must read for north American soccer fans!

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Listening to the journey of various World Cups, various Euro competitions, it's a great listen. Lots of history and lots of fun

Enjoyable

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The story was magnificent, the narration solid, but too many mispronounced/overpronounced names that occasionally broke the immersion of the book.

Fantastic story, solid but flawed narration.

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