The Story of the World Cup.

Reading Up on the World Cup

AS THE WORLD CUP fast approaches, soccer fans and would-be fans have more opportunities than ever to enhance their of the world's most popular sport. Did you know that the earliest form of soccer may have been played in China, in seventeenth-century B.C.? Or, that the first World Cup Championship was held in 1930 in Uruguay, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of its independence--and Uruguay won! And, that the World Cup was always won by a nation from the continent where it was played, until 1958--when Brazil was triumphant in Sweden.

These fascinating facts and a wealth of others are revealed in a new, timely soccer primer--The Simplest Game (Collier), by Paul Gardner. Originally published in 1976, The Simplest Game has been completely revised and updated to reflect the sport's changes. One of the U.S.'s top soccer writers and television commentators, Gardner offers his inside knowledge and keen insights to what he views as a highly individualistic sport. "Soccer can be played in a...