As the title implies, "America's Soccer Heritage" attempts to rectify this problem. Co-author Sam Foulds--a giant among soccer historians prior to his death in 1994--wrote this book in 1978, hoping to give the many new fans coming in the wake of the North American Soccer League's "Pele years" some understanding of the game's history in the U.S. In some ways he succeeds; the book touches upon all of the major events in U.S. soccer history, from the formation of its first professional league in 1894 to discussion of some of its top native-born players. There are also a number of fascinating photos from the "glory days" of professional soccer in the 1920s.

However, the book seems to be primarily directed at children. In Mr. Foulds' defense, this may have been his intended audience, particularly given the youth soccer boom of the 1970s. However, it makes for disappointing reading for anyone looking for a substantive history of the sport in the United States. Given the huge amount of information available in Mr. Foulds' private collection alone, it is clear that a much more thorough work could have been produced. In short, the Great American Soccer Book is still waiting to be written.

(This book is currently out-of-print. However, it is available through the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY).

This work is a scholarly essay which would find its most appreciative audience in a multi-discipline college honors class. The book combines philosophy with history of social change, history of journalism and television, and the effects of speedier mass communication on everyone's worldview.

It is likely no reader will agree with all points of Virilio's premise, but he presents points of view worthy of contemplating.

A reader with broad interests in the humanities as well as sociology will enjoy this book. The enjoyment will be even higher if the reader is familiar with European as well as American social and government trends. And you need to be comfortable reading French idioms which, justifiably, have been left untranslated. Most scientists would find this book too philosophical to be of interest to them.

I don't discount the story, but I do want people to be aware that this is not only a different author, but a different theology as well.