Africa United: Soccer, Passion, Politics, and the First World Cup in Africa
&#8220;Bloomfield&#8217;s book presents the perfect contextual backdrop for understanding how football intersects with everyday life, politics, and national identities in this part of the world.&#8221; (Newsweek)&#8220;[T]he author relates what soccer means in nations where poverty and danger go hand-in-hand. The result is a highly charged read at least as much about politics as soccer. Highly recommended.&#8221; (Library Journal)&#8220;A journalist&#8217;s continental odyssey. &#8230; it&#8217;s a brave journey - Bloomfield should never have taken that old Russian aircraft in Sierra Leone - and carries us to countries most of us will never see. The highlight, a beautiful piece of writing, is Bloomfield&#8217;s visit to Mogadishu, the wrecked yet splendid Somali capital.&#8221; (Financial Times)&#8220;This is a fascinating account of how football lies at the very heart of African consciousness....The insights that Bloomfield has gleaned as The Independent&#8217;s Africa correspondent shine through in the perfect balance of passionate prose and informed accounts of key moments both on and off the pitch.&#8221; (Waterstones.com)[Africa United] is an excellent book and offers a fascinating introduction to thirteen national African teams.&#8221; (About.com)