First published 1999
Joe McGinniss arrives in Castel Di Sangro, a small mountain town in Italy's Abruzzo region, just as the local soccer team achieves the impossible. This tiny village squad has won promotion to Serie B, putting them on the field against major cities like Genoa and Venice. McGinniss, a newcomer to soccer, embeds himself in a community transformed by sudden fame. The town pulses with an intensity not felt since World War II battles raged through their streets. McGinniss follows the colorful team members through a season of wild highs and crushing lows. Fans swing between ecstasy and despair as their beloved underdogs fight to survive among Italy's elite clubs. The author discovers that behind the fairy tale lurk betrayals, heartbreak, and the messy reality of human ambition. As the season unfolds, McGinniss becomes as invested as any local supporter, swept up in the emotional tornado that has consumed an entire community living their ultimate dream.
Genres: 20th-century, adventure, sports, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, underdog
Setting: Abruzzo, Castel Di Sangro, Genoa, Italy, Venice
Period: World War II
Audio Cassette · Unabridged Library Edition