Great book! It kept me up reading all night. A fascinating look at British culture and sport. ( )

Among the Thugs, a chronicle of British soccer hooliganism, is one of the classics of immersive journalism. In several cases, Buford gets a little too immersed, but he uses the experience to inform some very interesting discussions of crowd violence. ( )

This book is not so much about soccer, but rather about soccer culture in England. An interesting read, but it sentimentalizes the violence surrounding an ordinary soccer match. The class society is front and center, something which is a bit foreign to my American eyes. We like our class-based hypocrisy to be hidden in the shadows, not placed in view, for all the world to see. Each time a grizzled old veteran steps up and talks about how it used to be, it makes me sad I never saw it, but glad that it's no longer that way. If you've ever seen "Football Factories", this book makes an interesting accompaniment. ( )

In this entertaining travel account, Bill Buford explores what happens when fandom becomes much more than passing time. It is a way of living. I am an American soccer player and fan, so this book, while resting on the shelf, immediately appealed to me. I quickly became immersed as the author detailed the horrific imagery. At the same time, I was enamored by the sheer pride the fans had for their team, hometown, and culture. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book, you will never again think of sports fans in the same way. ( )

One of the best books ostensibly about sports I have read. ( )