In '66: A Year in Time, award-winning author Michael Calvin delivers more than just a chronicle of the 1966 football World Cup—he crafts a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of seismic global change. Calvin’s exceptional storytelling weaves together the on-field drama of the tournament with the era’s defining events: the Beatles’ meteoric rise, Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights Movement, the intensifying Vietnam War, and the unyielding tensions of the Cold War. His ability to link the world’s most popular sport with these pivotal moments in history makes this book an essential read for soccer fans and history enthusiasts alike.
Michael Calvin’s insight and depth shine as he explores not just the athletic prowess of the teams—England, West Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, Portugal, Soviet Union, North Korea, and Hungary—but also the cultural and political weight each carried. With London declared a “swinging city,” and icons like John Lennon and John F. Kennedy looming large, Calvin demonstrates how football became a symbol of both unity and rivalry among nations striving to redefine themselves. He artfully connects the sporting triumphs to the broader social transformations, from China’s Cultural Revolution to the ongoing space race, offering a vivid portrait of a world at a crossroads.
What sets Michael Calvin apart is his ability to humanize history. He draws on the stories of individuals—players, leaders, and visionaries—whose actions on and off the pitch reflected the hopes, fears, and ambitions of their countries. The 1966 World Cup, as Calvin shows, was more than a competition; it was a stage where national identity, political ambition, and the universal language of soccer collided. His narrative brings into focus the lasting impact of that summer, not only on the sport but on the very fabric of international relations.
With '66: A Year in Time, Michael Calvin once again affirms his reputation as one of the most insightful and influential voices in sports writing. His nuanced analysis, engaging prose, and deep understanding of both soccer and society ensure that readers come away with a richer appreciation of how a single year—and a single tournament—reshaped the world. This book is a testament to Calvin’s gift for turning history into a living, breathing story, making the events of 1966 as relevant today as they were then.
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This book will be delivered a few days after the publishing date.
Published: June 4, 2025
Publisher: Great Reads, Endless Choices Visit Bantam Books
Price: £22
Hardback: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0857508638
Dimensions: 240 x 160 (mm)
