Description
Book SynopsisA history of modern Spain told through one of world football''s most intense rivalries' Independent
Sports Book of the Year' Sunday Times
It's Messi vs Ronaldo, it's Catalonia vs Castilla. It's the nation against the state, freedom fighters vs Franco's fascists. It's majestic goals and mesmerising skills, red cards and bench brawls. It's the best two teams on the planet going face to face and toe to toe.
It's more than a game. It's a war.
It's Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
Only, it's not that simple. From the wounds left by the civil war to the teams' recent global domination, historian and expert on Spanish football, Sid Lowe lifts the lid on sport's greatest rivalry. Lowe has spoken to the biggest names and the forgotten heroes who defined their clubs. Men like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Johan Cruyff as well as the only survivor of the most politically charged game in history, the Barcelona striker who knocked Madr
Trade Review
One of the year’s best football books … an extremely well-informed and usefully myth-busting portrait * Guardian *
Fascinating * Sunday Independent *
Sports Book of the Year * Sunday Times *
Football Books of the Year: Sid Lowe isn’t an ordinary football writer and, as a result, this is not an ordinary football book. Lowe paces it all so well ... like an engaging lesson from your favourite teacher * Daily Mirror *
A revelation. Anyone interested in Spain's two biggest teams can learn something new from this labour of love ... tackling tricky subjects with skill and weaving them into an engaging story. For that, this book stands out from the rest. * talksport.com *
