{"product_id":"how-to-watch-soccer-like-a-genius-what-architects-stuntwomen-paleoanthropologists-and-computer-scientists-reveal-about-the-worlds-game-like-a-genius","title":"How to Watch Soccer Like a Genius: What Architects, Stuntwomen, Paleoanthropologists, and Computer Scientists Reveal about the World's Game (Like a Genius)","description":"\n\u003ctable align=\"center\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"productDetailSmallElements\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"From mutant fruit flies to penalty shoot-outs and the structure of the atom, Nick Greene's book explores the backstories of soccer and shows how the game is connected to . . . well, almost everything. Perceptive, witty, philosophical, and stylish. A delight.\" \n\u003cbr\u003e -- \"DAVID WINNER, author of Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Greene explores the 'world's game' by dissecting its largely accidental design and tracing its origins through the eyes of experts in unrelated fields . . . This book is a love letter . . . Greene provides a singular perspective on soccer that many fans will appreciate.\"\u003c\/p\u003e-- \"LIBRARY JOURNAL\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNick Greene \u003c\/b\u003eis an acclaimed writer celebrated for his inventive approach to sports and culture. He is the author of \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Watch Basketball Like a Genius\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003c\/i\u003e a book praised for its witty, interdisciplinary exploration of basketball through insights from game designers, economists, ballet choreographers, and even theoretical astrophysicists. Building on that success, Greene's \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Watch Soccer Like a Genius\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e applies the same imaginative lens to the world's most popular sport, drawing on expertise from architects, stuntwomen, paleoanthropologists, and computer scientists to uncover surprising truths about the game. Greene's work has appeared in \u003ci\u003eSlate, The Washington Post, \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Chicago Magazine, \u003c\/i\u003e where his writing blends humor, historical depth, and cultural commentary. Known for his engaging and self-deprecating style, he has covered everything from NBA and NFL analysis to quirky lifestyle experiments--such as riding the entire New York subway in one day and negotiating his internet bill using Sun Tzu's \u003ci\u003eThe Art of War\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Quotes\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"For anyone at all curious about soccer, sports and culture writer Greene's latest . . . is the ticket . . . Greene's unique and extremely enjoyable book about a sport that has been played for centuries couldn't be more timely.\"\u003c\/p\u003e-- \"BOOKLIST\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher Marketing\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA brilliant and entertaining deconstruction of the most popular sport in the world, just in time for the 2026 World Cup in North America, from the bestselling author of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to Watch Basketball Like a Genius\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter reading this fun book, you'll never look at soccer the same way again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eHow to Watch Soccer Like a Genius, \u003c\/i\u003e Nick Greene calls on a turf manager, an expert on color theory, and a landscape historian to understand the field itself, a paleoanthropologist to talk kicking, and an Anglican priest to explain schisms--how American football, soccer, and rugby could all develop from the field games of rowdy 19th-century British schoolboys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreene delves deep into what defines the game, how it developed, and what happens during a match's 90 minutes (and then some). His expert commentators include a domino toppler, a developmental neuroscientist, an art historian, a civil engineer, and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlong the way, Greene reveals how understanding the hidden logic of the game--from the science of a perfect kick to the design of the pitch--can transform the way you watch, making every pass, play, and decision more meaningful. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the sport, this is a book that deepens your appreciation of what's happening on the field and why it matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the surface, soccer seems like the simplest of games: one ball, two teams, two goals, and (preferably) some grass. There's a reason it's the first team sport little kids learn to play. But the closer you look, the more you dig into the game's history, the more infinitely complex and complex the picture becomes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eBooklist\u003c\/span\u003e 04\/01\/2026 (EAN 9781419777172, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/span\u003e 03\/01\/2026 pg. 118 (EAN 9781419777172, Hardcover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"italic\"\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/span\u003e 03\/23\/2026 (EAN 9781419777172, Hardcover) - *Starred Review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributor Bio:\u003c\/strong\u003eGreene, Nick\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNick Greene\u003c\/b\u003e is a contributing writer for \n\u003ci\u003eSlate\u003c\/i\u003e, prior to which he worked as editor at large at \n\u003ci\u003eMental Floss\u003c\/i\u003e and as web editor at the \n\u003ci\u003eVillage Voice\u003c\/i\u003e. His work has been published in \n\u003ci\u003eVice\u003c\/i\u003e, \n\u003ci\u003e Men's Health\u003c\/i\u003e, and \n\u003ci\u003eChicago Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives in Oakland, California.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"Abrams Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51496161837334,"sku":"9781419777172","price":33.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/9910\/8886\/files\/9781419777172.jpg?v=1783054529","url":"https:\/\/lusper.myshopify.com\/products\/how-to-watch-soccer-like-a-genius-what-architects-stuntwomen-paleoanthropologists-and-computer-scientists-reveal-about-the-worlds-game-like-a-genius","provider":"Lusperbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}