The global power of soccer might be a little hard for Americans, living in a country that views the game with the same skepticism used for the metric system and the threat of killer bees, to grasp fully. But in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, soccer is not merely a pastime but often an expression of the social, economic, political, and racial composition of the communities that host both the teams and their throngs of enthusiastic fans. New Republic editor Franklin Foer, a lifelong devotee of soccer dating from his own inept youth playing days to an adulthood of obsessive fandom, examines soccer’s role in various cultures as a means of examining the reach of globalization. Foer’s approach is long on soccer reportage, providing extensive history and fascinating interviews on the Rangers-Celtic rivalry and the inner workings of AC Milan, and light on direct discussion of issues like world trade and the exportation of Western culture. But by creating such a compelling narrative of soccer around the planet, Foer draws the reader into these sport-mad societies, and subtly provides the explanations he promises in chapters with titles like “How Soccer Explains the New Oligarchs”, “How Soccer Explains Islam’s Hope”, and “How Soccer Explains the Sentimental Hooligan.” Foer’s own passion for the game gives his book an infectious energy but still pales in comparison to the religious fervor of his subjects. His portraits of legendary hooligans in Serbia and Britain, in particular, make the most die-hard roughneck New York Yankees fan look like a choirboy in comparison. Beyond the thugs, Foer also profiles Nigerian players living in the Ukraine, Iranian women struggling against strict edicts to attend matches, and the parallel worlds of Brazilian soccer and politics from which Pele emerged and returned. Foer posits that globalization has eliminated neither local cultural identities nor violent hatred among fans of rival teams, and it has not washed out local businesses in a sea of corporate wealth nor has it quelled rampant local corruption. Readers with an interest in international economics are sure to like How Soccer Explains the World, but soccer fans will love it. –John Moe

Author:Franklin Foer
Paperback:272 pages
Company:Harper Perennial(2005-07-01)(2005-07-05)
ISBN:0060731427
List Price:$13.95
Amazon Price:$6.90
Used Price:$3.95
How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

Brazil is the largest and most populated country in South America, and is fifth largest in the world in both area and population. Portuguese is the only official language of Brazil which is spoken by nearly the entire population. In fact, Brazil is the only country in the America?s in which Portuguese is their primary language.

If you look at a map of Brazil, you can see that it borders almost every other South American country except Ecuador and Chile. Brazil is divided up into 5 regions. The North Region, which is by far the largest, Northeast Region, Center-west Region, South Region and the Southeast Region, home of the most famous and popular destinations Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The capital of Brazil is Brasilia, and with 11 million plus people, Sao Paulo is its largest city. Sao Paulo Brazil is also one of the largest cities by area and population in the southern hemisphere.

Brazil has a large selection of outdoor activities available for tourists and locals alike. You can hike, surf, dive, go rafting, play golf, volleyball, soccer, fish or virtually anything else you may want to do in the great outdoors you can do here in Brazil. Like most places in the world as of late, Cave exploring is now a very popular commode and with about 2, 800 registered Caves, the tourism industry has never been brighter.

Brazil is, of course, is also home to over 60% of the Amazon Rainforest. The Rainforest itself has some 5.5 million kilometres in total size within 8 different countries. The Rainforest also has much wildlife and some species that even still have yet to be discovered. The very sad thing about this habitat is that by the year 2020, it is estimated that 50% of the Brazilian wildlife will become extinct! It is so bad that since 1970, over 500 square kilometres have been lost in this beautiful forest.

One more thing to remember while in Brazil is that street violence in certain areas of the major cities could get very harsh and dangerous. Don?t let this stop you from going to go visit a remarkable place, just be cautious. Make sure you don?t bring a lot of money with you at one time, don?t walk around at night in places you don?t know and if possible travelling in groups is a great idea. It is also a good idea to make sure you ALWAYS have a photo ID on you. The Brazilian police can ask for such things anytime, and you don?t want to constantly have your passport on you. A photocopy is a must have, so be sure you carry those around and leave the original in a safe place.

Whether you are looking for a beautiful beach, a glimpse of the absolutely stunning Amazon Rainforest, or the mile high sky scrapers in downtown Sao Paolo, Brazil has a little something to offer to any travel adventurer.

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Your living room is alive with light thanks to the team goose-neck desk lamp from The Memory Company. You can watch the game with an abundance of light coming from this 14.5-in x 6-in desk lamp, which features a durable, high-gloss, baked-enamel finish in team colors with printed team names and logos on the shade and base.

Kitchen:Dorm Lamp,Durable, highgloss, baked-enamel finish,Team colors and logo
Company:The Memory Company
List Price:$29.99
Amazon Price:$27.50
Louisiana State University Dorm Desk Lamp