Book

Angels with Dirty Faces: The Footballing History of Argentina

Name: Angels with Dirty Faces: The Footballing History of Argentina
Author: Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson

2016

Jonathan Wilson · 2016 · UK

Charts Argentina's footballing identity from its British origins through Maradona and beyond.

A rare deep English-language history of Argentine football and its political entanglements.

The Historian

Jonathan Wilson delves into the storied past of Argentine football, tracing its roots to British influence in the 19th century. He navigates the complexities of identity and politics through the triumphs of Maradona's era. This nuanced account preserves Argentina's tumultuous football history, where colonial legacy meets national pride.

The Psychologist

In "Angels with Dirty Faces", Jonathan Wilson excavates the messy, beautiful history of Argentine football. This is a study in nostalgia and disillusionment, where national identity is wrapped in the threads of colonialism and the allure of Maradona's rebellious spirit. Fans project their own desires onto Argentina's triumphs and failures, seeking solace in the team's fraught narrative.

The Sceptic

Wilson's sweeping narrative risks romanticizing the nation's football heritage, glossing over darker aspects like the military dictatorship's exploitation of the sport for propaganda purposes. The book's emphasis on Maradona as a cultural icon may overlook the complexities of his own troubled relationship with power and identity.

These are interpretations written in three voices, not quotations from any individual.

Language: English
Length: 448 pp
Subject: History of Argentine football
Region: South America
Tone: Serious
Difficulty: Deep

Orion; paperback and ebook

In print

Sourcejonawils.com

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