The Beautiful Game: Sixteen Girls and the Soccer Season That Changed Everything

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 304 pages
• Published by: Harper Paperbacks August 22, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0380808609
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0380808601
• Book Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 7 ounces

From Library Journal
Littman, an investigative journalist who has written two books on computer hackers, takes his title here from Brazilian soccer great Pele, who described soccer as "That gorgeous game I love so well." In this great book, Littman describes what happens when a former college soccer star becomes the coach of a rather nondescript girls' soccer team in Santa Rosa, CA, and tries to lead the team to a championship, a goal they have never achieved. In this well-written, readable story, Littman follows the Santa Rosa Thunder closely throughout the season, detailing the highs and lows and showing that the difference in intensity between men's and women's sports is becoming blurredAthe coaching techniques of the Thunder coach appear to be as strict as those of many men's coaches. This fine book deserves wide readership among both young female athletes and their parents. Recommended for public and school libraries.AWilliam O. Scheeren, Hempfield Area Sr. H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Review
"A well-balanced journey that celebrates sports, girlhood, and determination." -- San Francisco Examiner

"An exciting book, filled with team spirit, similar to IN THESE GIRLS HOPE IS A MUSCLE." -- Booklist

"REQUIRED READING! You'll cheer for the girlsand may even shed a tear" -- Sports Illustrated for Women

"This is a season inside, an honest look at a girls elite soccer team Worth reading" -- Los Angeles Times

"This is a story that should be passed along, girl to girl, mother to mother, dad to dad." -- USA TODAY.com

"Well-written, readableThis find book deserves wide readership among both young female athletes and their parents." -- Library Journal

Reader Reviews
The better book would be to write about these girls 5 or ten years from now and ask them to reflect on the season. As the parent of children playing club soccer, I admire the tenacity and spirit these girls displayed. But as another reviewer wrote, it's more likely they bonded in their unity against the coach and her tactics. I kept waiting for the author to delve into the oft-times maniacal world of club soccer, fueled by parents seeking to either re-live or re-invent their own youth. Why else would parents allow their girls to practice in bad conditions that would encourage injury or illness, or let them try to play injured? But the author went along for the ride, writing about these girls as if they were 25 and not 14 (a tough age, soccer or no soccer). Look no further than the back cover with the team photo as evidence that all was not well, even in their finest hour. All the girls and coaches are smiling, except for Kim, the star player. She looks like she's at a funeral. But her dad is smiling ear to ear. I also had a big problem with the author's writing style. Didn't like to use subjects in his sentences. Liked to start his sentences with a verb. Got to be annoying after reading the first chapter. Wished he didn't do that.