Books : Forza Italia: A Journey in Search of Italy and Its Football

• Calcio: A History of Italian Football
• The Italian Job
• Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football
• Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football
• Forza Italia: The Fall and Rise of Italian Football
• see more

• Subjects - Books - General
• Football - Sports, Hobbies & Games - Subjects - Books - European Leagues
• Sports, Hobbies & Games - Subjects - Books - General AAS
• Football - Sports, Hobbies & Games - Subjects - Books - General AAS
• Subjects - Books - General AAS

In that same period, Argentine Diego Maradona was the uncrowned King of Naples, leading Napoli to a first ever scudetto title in 1987, not withstanding a hectic, Hollywood-type lifestyle that mixed footballing genius with bad company of the organised criminal type. From Maradona to Shevchenko and from Platini to Totti, "Calcio" is a fascinating tale of inspired players, skilled coaches, rich tycoons, glitzy media coverage, Mafia corruption, drug scandals and fan power. It is also a personalised reflection on the consistent and continuing excellence of Italian football throughout a period of huge social, political and economic upheaval. "Calcio" offers a unique insight into a society, where football has always been much more than just a game.

From the Publisher:
A unique and personal journey into the heart of Italy and its football


About the Author:
Paddy Agnew:
Paddy Agnew has been Rome correspondent for the Irish Times since 1986. Since 1991, he has been a match commentator on Italian football for state broadcaster RAI whilst over the last 20 years he has covered Italian football for ESPN TV, BBC World Service radio, Reuters, World Soccer magazine and many other news organisations. He lives near Rome with his wife Dympna and teenage daughter Róisín.

Average Rating:

Rating: - Disappointing
Having read a number of books about European and World football in recent years and being an avid follower of Serie football for the last 11 or so years I was very excited when I saw the release of two books on the Italian game; this and Calcio. I've not read Calcio, but it must be better than Forza Italia.

The major downfalls of this book are the subject areas it discusses. None of the chapters really delve into the unknown world of the Italian game, apart from one or two stand out chapters. There is a little bit about the beginnings of the game in Italy way back in the days of British industrialist in Genoa and a brief discussion of Mussolini's involvement in the game. Then we jump to the mid 80's and Maradonna. The rest ... Read More:

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Rating: - Forza Italia - perfect timing for two very different reasons.
Having touched down in Rome in 1985, and having no prior experience of Italy and not a hint of the language, Irish journalist Paddy Agnew spent 20 long years searching for the heart of Italian football - although, as he consciously points out, this is probably not what his girlfriend Dindy had in mind.
The end product is the riveting Forza Italia - a tale of a fervent nation with an unquenchable thirst for anything and everything relating to the round ball game. And at a time when the domestic game in Italy is facing one of its most testing eras, thanks to some unsavoury revelations concerning some of Serie A's biggest clubs, Agnew's words could hardly be more relevant.
From their seemingly jinxed national team - a myth that may ... Read More:

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Rating: - Perfect timing for yet another Italian soccer scandal
Agnew is the World's only football and Vatican correspondent!As a regular reader of Agnew's column on the Italian football scene in the Irish Times, I anticipated a good read. I got it! He recalls fascinating encounters with all the key movers and shakers in 'calcio' of the last 20 years, and binds them into a very readable volume. He also links the football world with his experience of Italian life. Not just for footie fans!