Yahoo Sport takes a sneak peek at the new Official History of the FIFA World Cup book
The beauty of the World Cup is that looking back is often even more exhilarating that looking forward.
Nothing beats a well-planned nostalgia trip. It’s ever the more powerful when you know in your heart of hearts the same old same old awaits your country in Russia.
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At least now you can have a handy coffee table distraction when things inevitably go to pot in June and July. But until that moment arrives, at least we have hope to cling on to.
Ah, hope. The Official History of the FIFA World Cup preserves precious memories while allowing even England fans to dream. It’s 304 pages packed with not only history to enrich you , but a narration which offers anything-can-happen belief to all.
The power of the World Cup’s pull is it’s iconic moments, expertly captured by some of sports’ greatest of some of sports’ greats.
When you open to a gold fly-sheet, you are expecting big things. Carlton Books doesn’t disappoint. The Greatest Show on Earth as FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggests in his foreword has a book to whet the appetite for the next chapter.
Don’t expect this to be a quick flick through. Yes there are some fantastic photographs, but it’s not all about the sublime imagery.
As you would expect, every tournament is revisited. Set out in an easy-on-the-eye way, there’s no confusing content to get your head around, this is World Cup words written by people who breath it. Facts, figures and things you would have forgot make it something you’ll struggle to put down.
It’s more of an encyclopedia than a book. You won’t want to be without it.
© FIFA, FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logos, and the Emblems, Mascots, Posters and Trophies of the FIFA World Cup™ tournaments are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. Manufactured under licence by Carlton Books.
‘THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP™, Written by the FIFA World Football Museum™, Published by Carlton Books. Hardback RRP £30. www.carltonbooks.co.uk’