A matter of life and death - Jim White

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH takes the sayings of the great and the good - not to mention the lovers and the loathers - of the beautiful game as starting points for an informal, freewheeling and entertainingly opinionated history of football.

Exploring themes as diverse as the language of football, the role of the media, the role of money, and the careers of gilded geniuses from Pele to Ronaldo and maverick managers from Clough to Mourinho, and generously sprinkled with anecdotes and fantastic photographs, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH is the perfect present for anyone with a passion for football.

Jim White has written for the Independent, the Guardian and the Telegraph. He is the author of MANCHESTER UNITED THE BIOGRAPHY and YOU'LL WIN NOTHING WITH KIDS.

'This is an easy to digest delight of a book, not to mention a real education. Even better, it's got Christmas gift for Dad written all over it' Sport.

'Jim White's book is as entertaining as it is informative' Shortlist.

'Richly enjoyable' Guardian, Books of the Year.

'[A] wonderful chronological snapshot of how football has evolved. It's an entertaining read right from the kick off ... a highly enjoyable compendium' The Northern Echo.

'Jim White is a great sportswriter, he has chosen his quotes carefully while providing his own informative yet idiosyncratic narrative. Brilliant!' Philosophy Football.