La Roja: a Journey Through Spanish Football - Hardcover

Jimmy Burns is an award-winning journalist and author of seven other books. He was born in Madrid in 1953. He has reported for the Financial Times, London Observer, BBC and the Economist, and was the FT correspondent in South America in the early 80s and his book on Argentina and the Falklands War, The Land that lost its Heroes, won the 1988 Somerset Maugham Award for non-fiction. When not in Spain, or travelling elsewhere, he lives in London.

Barcelona Soccer Institute (blog)
“[An] absorbing book....this book is a must read. It will make you appreciate the game even more than you do.”

The Soccer Room (blog)
“Combining keen observations, informative research, and groundbreaking interviews with everyone from del Bosque to Kubala, Burns brings the dynamic history of Spanish soccer to life. La Roja is the inspiring journey of the circumstances and individuals who have shaped, nurtured, and created the superpower that the rest of the soccer world envies today.”

Wall Street Journal
“La Roja shows in colorful detail how the traditions and loyalties of one country ended up by giving us the finest clubs and national team of the present moment.”

The Independent“Those who like to sneer that the world’s most popular sport is a grossly exaggerated and often meaningless metaphor for the battle of real life should get hold of this splendid book.” Financial Times“[A] vivid survey of Spanish football” Guillem Balague, Sky TV correspondent“There is so much people don’t know about Spain and Spanish football, and that is not a bad thing for as long as a complete writer like Jimmy Burns has a look at it and bring his unique vision of it. La Roja fills a hole in the knowledge of both Spain and Spanish football, as it goes beyond the football to explain a country, a society and its transformation through, thanks and despite the beautiful game.” John Foot, author, Winning At All Costs: A Scandalous History of Italian Soccer“Spain is a place where football, politics, history and regional identity are impossible to separate. La Roja is a fascinating and path-breaking study of the role this game has player in Spanish society right from its origins until the present day. Much of this history took place in the shadow of fascism, and Franco is an ever-present figure for a large part of this book. But Burns also studies the role football played in the transition to democracy, and the rise of one of the greatest teams the world has ever seen: Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, as well as Spain’s recent triumphs in international football. A must read for all fans of sophisticated football writing.”
Simon Kuper
“Steeped in Spanish soccer and Spanish history all his life, Burns is the perfect person to write this book.”
Washington Post Book World“Burns takes readers on a journey from the sport’s turn-of-the-century introduction by British miners in Spain’s southern region to the 2010 World Cup triumph in Johannesburg. This is not, however, a book just about soccer. It’s also about culture, politics and religion....Burns’s work is as graceful and entertaining as Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, La Roja’s modern-day geniuses.” Zeenews.com (India)“[La Roja] takes us on a journey through some of the extraordinary characters, games, and moments that have defined Spanish football from the early days.” ESPN Soccernet“La Roja succeeds because it is a history lesson focused on more than names and dates....Without a doubt, La Roja is an essential contribution to the historiography of Spanish football.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review“[Burns has] a fine eye for tragedy and irony both political and on the pitch. Spain’s dominance is remarkable, especially because of the long odds that the country’s history forced its players to overcome, and Burns rises to the challenge of telling this intertwined saga.” The Volunteer“[A]n informative and entertaining history of Spanish soccer....Burns knows the Spanish soccer scene like the back of his hand.” 101 Great Goals“[A] fantastic read.” International Soccer Network“La Roja: How Soccer Conquered Spain and How Spanish Soccer Conquered the World by Jimmy Burns is the single, most comprehensive resource on the history of Spanish soccer....[Burns’s] passion and enthusiasm shines through the retelling of history, great games and players, important coaches and administrators, the highs and lows of the Spanish game. Burns unearths some great history: players, teams, and matches that would have been forgotten without this book....If you want to truly know Spanish soccer, you have to buy this title. You will come to appreciate the Spanish game so much more after reading this....It is an incredible story told by one of the world’s best experts on Spanish soccer. Simply put, La Roja is a must read!” Library Journal Xpress Reviews, starred“Burns gives us a book that rivals the best in recent soccer writing....Highly recommended as among the best soccer books of 2012.” The Sunday Indian (India)“Jimmy Burns’ definitive account of Spanish football both on and off the field...comes as a whiff of fresh air....The level of research undertaken by the author is simply breathtaking.” Can-India (Canada)“The timing of this book is almost as perfect as the lethal pass from Xavi to Jordi Alba that led to the astounding second Spanish goal in the Euro 2012 final against Italy.” Roanoke Times“If the soccer team La Roja is a successful Don Quixote fighting for the glory of Spain, then it is fortunate to have a Jimmy Burns to tell the story. His narrative style is as much a credit to Spanish culture as is that of Saavedra Cervantes.” Scotsman (Scotland)“Ambitious and highly enjoyable....Burns tackles his subject with care and enthusiasm.” Globe and Mail (Canada)“Jimmy Burns...provides a fascinating look at the growing role of the game in Spain.” Irish Times“[La Roja] is a wonderfully enjoyable read....It has indeed been quite a journey, and Burns is a most entertaining guide.” Goal, the New York Times Soccer blog“[A] comprehensive, entertaining and informative book about the history of Spanish soccer.” Barcelona Football Blog“La Roja shows itself to be well-researched and solidly put together....this is a very good book....This is not a book about Barcelona and it is not a book for the sycophantic looking to hear of their team praised on high. It is history: sometimes dry, often fascinating, and always looking to explain modern misconceptions.” The Independent (UK)“[A] masterly exploration of Spanish football....a fascinating account....The richness of Spanish football’s myth and history is at least the equal of Britain’s, and Burns has done a tremendous job of setting it in the context of the country’s wider history. If, on 1 July, Spain become the first team to retain the European Championship, there would be no better tribute to them than this fine book.” The Tablet (UK)“This richly textured book is a potted history of Spanish nationalism through football, and Burns was the perfect person to write it.” The Economist“Burns shows that there is far more to tell about Spanish football than today’s success on the field.”
Belfast Telegraph (UK) “[A] splendid book....La Roja is indeed much more than a journey through Spanish football. It is a story of pain, humiliation and ferocious regional rivalry.” Shelf Awareness“Burns relates nearly 150 years of Spanish soccer history, capturing its roots, the regionalism, the racism, the politics, the bullfighting connections and even a cultural reminiscence of Don Quixote. He portrays personalities, rivalries, strong emotions—including his own—and moments of shining success for a much-beset nation....La Roja is a window into Spain and its component cultures, regions and histories as well as a celebration of soccer and its most recent champions.” Simply Futbol (blog)“Jimmy Burns is amongst one of the best writers out there and in his latest book, La Roja, he leaves no doubt as well as no stone unturned....La Roja is not just a tremendous book to read. Jimmy Burns’ latest book is an educational tool for fans of Spanish football and fans of the game in general. The information as well as the passion reflect how they live and breathe the Beautiful Game in that country.”
Carlos Briceno, Barcelona Soccer Institute (blog)“[An] absorbing book... this book is a must read. It will make you appreciate the game even more than you do.... I imagine one of the ambitious tasks Burns set for himself when he started writing this book was to capture ...