Glorious World Cup

Read Alan Black and David Henry Sterry''s posts on the Penguin Blog.

A guide to the biggest sporting event in the world-for those who like their soccer with a side of kick-ass.

The teams, the fans, the goals, the saves, the divas, the divers, the myths, the madness-they''re all part of the world-wide spectacle that is soccer''s ultimate tournament, and they''re all here in this turbo­charged guide. Packed with trivia, tall tales, stats, quizzes, and photos, The Glorious World Cup gives readers:

•Famous player profiles

•Villains, heroes, hooligans, and hard men

•On-field glory and off-field indiscretions

•Underdogs, overachievers, maniacs, and miracles

•Commentary from famous fans-including Irvine Welsh, Po Bronson, and Simon Kuper

•A look back at the greatest World Cup finals