Timing, they say, is everything. Kirsten Schlewitz couldn't have picked a better moment to release this comprehensive history of SSC Napoli. Published in the wake of the club's historic 2023 Serie A triumph, their first in 33 years—the book arrives when the world's eyes are once again fixed on the passionate football city of Naples.
However, the true specialness of "More than Maradona" lies not in its timeliness, but in its ambition to transcend the enduring influence of its titular figure. Schlewitz boldly argues that the club's story is far richer and more complex than just those glory years, even though Diego Maradona's seven-season spell at Napoli remains legendary.
The book's structure is masterful in its simplicity. Rather than getting bogged down in strict chronology, Schlewitz weaves together three distinct narratives: the club's sporting journey, the city's cultural evolution, and the passionate relationship between the two. This approach enables her to delve into the emergence of Napoli as a unique entity in modern football, a city where both sporting and cultural identities are intrinsically linked.
What's particularly refreshing is how the author handles the Maradona years. Instead of rehashing well-worn tales, she uses them as a lens to examine larger themes: the north-south divide in Italian football, the economic realities of Serie A in the 1980s, and the complex relationship between individual genius and collective achievement. The result is a nuanced portrait that neither diminishes Maradona's impact nor allows it to overshadow the club's broader history.
The book's final chapter, covering Napoli's triumphant 2022-23 campaign, feels like a perfect capstone to the narrative. The team's dominant performance, securing the title with five games to spare and a 16-point gap to second place, serves as proof of Schlewitz's central thesis: that Napoli's story is one of continuous renewal and resilience, not just past glory.
The book excels in its meticulous attention to detail. Schlewitz has meticulously uncovered intriguing characters and moments that are often overlooked in English-language accounts of Italian football. From the club's founding figures to modern-day heroes, each character is rendered with depth and humanity.
The inclusion of Marcus Marritt's illustrations adds another dimension to the storytelling, capturing the visual drama of key moments in the club's history with striking elegance. These artistic interludes complement the narrative perfectly, providing welcome pauses for reflection in what is otherwise a densely packed historical account.
If there's any criticism to be made, it's that occasionally the book assumes a level of familiarity with Italian football that some readers might not possess. However, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise an accomplished work of sports literature.
"More than Maradona" is more than just a football book it's a love letter to Naples, a study in sporting culture, and a reminder that even the most iconic figures are part of something larger than themselves. For anyone interested in football history, Italian culture, or simply great storytelling, this book is an essential read.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Publisher: Visit High Press Publishing
Published: October 31, 2024Price: £14.99 Hardcover: 304 pagesISBN-10: 1738449610ISBN-13: 978-1738449613Dimensions: 152 x 228 (mm)
