 
Barca: A People's Passion
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 7
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 On: 2007-02-09
I highly recommend this book for Barca fans and for general football fans alike. Not only does Burns write about the great players and personalities of the club, he also places them into a historical context.
This was one of the great surprises of the book. He spends considerable time placing Barcas history into the context of the Spanish Civil War and resulting Franco era. Students of Spanish History would do well to read this book.
Overall, I enjoyed it greatly, and hope to read more of Burns football books.
On: 2007-01-04
I thought this was a well written, well researched book about a topic that means quite a bit to me; mainly football and Barcelona. I love the sport and I love the city. If anyone has an interest in football and history, I would recommend "Barca" to them. (Also, a funny picture of Jose Mourinho when he was assistant manager there in the 90s, during the short time Ronaldo was there). Catalunya is like no place on earth in the way its football is played and coached, followed and loved by the people of the region who live their lives in support of their football club.
On: 2006-11-14
Let me first say that I am very bias. Ive been an FCB "soci" since 1981, played in their youth system for a couple of years, and by and large am one of the many fans that buys into the whole "Mes que un Club" mantra.
So understanding that, let me just say that Jimmy Burns has done a fantastic job helping the reader understand how history has shaped the meaning of "Mes que un Club". Part history, part sociology, Burns discusses the clubs history, both real and invented, that pushed FCB into being the opposition to Real Madrid.
Keep in mind this is more than a book on the Club. Burns adeptly weaves the Club and the sport with Catalan politics and identity. Always balancing the passions of "Cules" with the machination of the members of the board, one truly gets a sense of the depth of history and passion behind the Club.
The reader learns some of the details behind some of FCB lore, from the Di Stefano controversy, the Kings Cup match against Real Madrid after the Civil War, to the famous field invasion that erupted into a pro-Catalunya demonstration toward the end of the Franco regime. Some of the myths are debunked, but in all, the Clubs history is given a fair shake.
Keep in mind - On the downside, Jimmy Burns does favor the Catalan club, more times than not. He doesnt approach the topic dispassionately.
As a follow up to A Peaoples Passion, another great read on Spanish football can be found in Phil Balls excellent book, Morbo. It touches upon the unique history of Spanish football from its roots in the mines of Huelva, through the use of the sport in identity politics, particularly in the Basque Country and Catalunya.
 On: 2005-09-10
This book provides a great overview of the history of the club, its stars, the machinations of its ruling junta, and the passion of the cules, all against the backdrop of Catalonias political struggle for identity and independence within Spain. Burns provides some nice historical details and great anecdotes, but, as is to be expected considering the hundred year focus of the book and the complexity of 20th century Spain, necessarily deals with some of the political history in a less comprehensive manner.
Although it at times extremely well-written, the book could have done with tighter editing (hence, 4 stars). Burns repeats his descriptions of individuals and events in subsequent pages and at time his prose is florid and unfocused. Pretty minor complaints, however. Although not uncritical, Burns clearly appreciates what Barca have achieved. He also questions how the club will adjust, or might be changed, in the new century. Overall, the book is an excellent read, and continually succeeds in portraying the people involved as just that, people with passions and short-comings. At the end, you understand why the club embodies true football, why it inspires such passion, and why its such an important part of Catalonia. Forca Barca!
On: 2005-08-27
Reading this book is simple amazing. I bough it because I am a truly FC BARCELONA fan, however this books goes beyond that, it explains very well the relationships between Spanish recent history and soccer, finally I am able to understand the frivolity between this winner team and others, more related to social and political issues than only sports.
Very well documented, fair, balanced and a treasure for anyone who really wants to learn how important soccer is in many countries. Highly recommended. Congra and my appreciation for your work Mr. Burns
 On: 2003-03-02
Jimmy Burns writes dispassionately about a football club that evokes the strongest of emotions, including the kind of tribal love that borders on the chauvenistic. Fans of the club interested in modern Spanish history will appreciate the authors intertwining of football and politics. At times, however, this well-researched book feels drained of the games abundant color and spirit as club presidents receive far more attention than the boot room. Burns presents Barcas story chronologically, offering an absorbing account of the clubs creation, but when Franco arrives on the scene, the pages become populated with conniving industrialists. While certainly part of Barcas story, the board room machinations of ambitious suits drown out the passion of the cules.
The last few chapters of this history manage a comeback. Johann Cruyff swoops down on the Catalan capital and with a combination of deft moves and Dutch footballing genius restokes Barcas smoldering fires. Cruyff is the catalyst. The passages describing his obsessiveness and his successors success or failure to embrace the pulsing life of Barcelona are intriguing pictures of the cultural assimilation phenomenon. Dutchmen, who possess a paradoxical nature, both catholic and single-minded, universal and gaulingly self-possessed, obviously feel a kinship with FC Barcelona, with the Catalan spirit. The present manager of the team, Frank Rijkaard, is a perfect example of the Dutchmen that Burns describes as having an essential talismanic role at the club. Forca Barca.
On: 2001-05-19
Jimmy Burns is a very good writer. In this book he conveys the relationship between the Barcelona football club and the people of the Catalan region of Spain. Its a history of the Catalan people written through their love of their football team. He takes you through the Spanish Civil War (when the only place the Catalans could display their regional pride was at the stadium) all the way to present day (the rivalry with the Castillon side Real Madrid is as touchy as ever). A great read for any football fan, sports fan or someone interested in history.
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