Kirjahaku

Jorge Knijnik's wonderful new book, The World Cup Chronicles - 31 Days that Rocked Brazil, is a unique and different look at the 2014 World Cup and its social, cultural, political and sporting impact on the people of Brazil. The World Cup wasn't 'just' a football tournament for Brazilian people - even though it came to be defined by the infamous 7-1 semi-final result against eventual winners, Germany - but it was part of the national psyche and important social change, overlaid by what we now know as corrupt practices within world football which included those in power in football in Brazil over decades. Knijnik's book looks at before, during and after the World Cup and discusses the much-vaunted 'legacy' issues to which FIFA has always pointed as being what they give back to a nation.

Jorge Knijnik's second work of non-fiction via Fair Play Publishing is a compelling contribution to sports literature: a Brazilian-born Australian humanities academic writing about his passion-football-in his homeland and the continent it belongs to. Exquisitely researched and written, it captures the elegance of the star players and the visceral struggles in South American societies describing the social and political context of football on the content where jogo bonito is a force that both divides and unites people. The backdrop of volatile politics, oppression and inequality in the continent is painted behind vignettes of football games, players, politicians and the sport itself. Jorge Knijnik manages to capture the heat, both political and literal, in his descriptions of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, their beautiful games, and their beautiful players. Tales of South American Football weaves the fabric of culture and sport in 13 chapters that give the reader a path into modern history and social realities in the region. Football is on every page. It is glorious, passionate and at times revolutionary.