cover image Glory, Goals & Greed: Twenty Years of the Premier League

Glory, Goals & Greed: Twenty Years of the Premier League

Joe Lovejoy. Mainstream (Trafalgar Sq., dist.), $19.95 (272p) ISBN 978-1-8459-6768-0

In time for the English Premier League’s 20th season, journalist Lovejoy presents a selection of highlights, lowlights, and general history to the soccer league’s fans. The result is a mix of what he knows as a fan/journalist and what he believes would be of interest to the widest cross-section of fellow fans. The book begins slowly, and neither the preface nor the introductory chapter (never mind the rambling foreword by Gérard Houllier, who headed Liverpool) will make much sense to those unfamiliar with the league, but Lovejoy’s handlings of a few noteworthy topics are valuable. The league’s founding hardly constitutes a “sexy” story—it mostly involves rows over television rights and the financial claims that follow. Similarly, in contrast to a handful of player profiles barely noteworthy even to a hardcore fan, some perspective is provided via an interview with the players’ union chief, Gordon Taylor, and a discussion of player agents’ role in the modern game. A heavy dependency on quotes burdens the book. (Jan.)