Description
Book Synopsis: Shortlisted for the Daily Telegraph Football Book of the Year Ultras are often compared to punks, Hell's Angels, hooligans or the South American Barras Bravas. But in truth, they are a thoroughly Italian phenomenon. From the author of The Dark Heart of Italy, Blood on the Altar and A Place of Refuge.
Italy's ultras are the most organized and violent fans in European football. Many groups have evolved into criminal gangs, involved in ticket-touting, drug-dealing and murder. A cross between the Hell's Angels and hooligans, they're often the foot-soldiers of the Mafia and have been instrumental in the rise of the far-right.
But the purist ultras say that they are insurgents fighting against a police state and modern football. Only among the ultras, they say, can you find belonging, community, and a sacred concept of sport. They champion not just their teams, they say, but their forgotten suburbs and the dispossessed.
Through the prism of the ultras, Jones crafts a compelling investigation into Italian society and its favorite sport. He writes about not just the ultras of some of Italy's biggest clubs—Juventus, Torino, Lazio, Roma, and Genoa—but also about its lesser-known ones from Cosenza and Catania. He examines the sinister side of football fandom, with its violence and political extremism, but also admires the passion, wit, solidarity, and style of a fascinating and contradictory subculture.
Details
Experience the gripping world of Italian football like never before with Ultra: The Underworld of Italian Football. This book, shortlisted for the Daily Telegraph Football Book of the Year, delves into the unique and thrilling realm of ultras – Italy's most organized and violent football fans. Drawing comparisons to rebellious groups like punks and Hell's Angels, ultras are a phenomenon that is inherently Italian, making them an intriguing subject of study.
Written by the acclaimed author of The Dark Heart of Italy, Blood on the Altar, and A Place of Refuge, this book takes you on a journey through the lives of ultras. Some have evolved into criminal gangs involved in activities like ticket-touting, drug-dealing, and even murder. They have become foot-soldiers of the Mafia and key players in the rise of the far-right. Discover their motivations, their origins, and what drives them to be so passionate about their teams.
But not all ultras are tainted by criminality. Pure ultras see themselves as rebels fighting against a repressive police state and the commercialization of modern football. Deeply rooted in a sense of belonging and community, they consider themselves champions not only of their teams but also of forgotten suburbs and the dispossessed. Immerse yourself in the culture, camaraderie, and sacred concept of sport that can only be found among the ultras.
In Ultra: The Underworld of Italian Football, author Jones expertly weaves together a compelling investigation into Italian society through the prism of the ultras. This book goes beyond the ultras of the famous clubs like Juventus, Lazio, and Roma to shine a light on lesser-known groups from cities like Cosenza and Catania. Delve into the sinister side of football fandom with its violence and political extremism, while also admiring the passion, wit, solidarity, and distinctive style of this captivating and contradictory subculture.
Don't miss out on this riveting exploration of Italian ultras and their world. Grab your copy of Ultra: The Underworld of Italian Football today!
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