First a thanks to Andy for a great book. I guess I'm like a typical Korean who just can't forget that wonderful time we call "Unforgettable June of 2002". I was in Korea for the WC and it was the greatest experience of my life. It was interesting reading the book from an American perspective. I was also at US vs. Korea (while I'm typing this, Friedel makes another save) and US vs. Poland (thank you Park Ji Sung). Your book took me back to Korea once again and especially your chapter about partying in Daejon after the Poland game brought me back some great memories. I want to add few funny stories that happened in Daejon after the game. First my American friends and I met with many US service men who were attending a soccer game for the first time. One of them tried to sneak a bottle of whiskey but got caught by the security. Instead of confiscating the bottle the securityman poured his whiskey into a plastic cup and gave it back to him. I remember him saying "I've been in Korea for only two days but damn I love this country". My friends and I were sitting nervously while US is losing 3-0 to Poland and we were all praying for a Korean victory. I'm sitting with US fans and I was translating the news back to my friends. Suddenly all the phone started going off and the crowd went nuts. We were all wondering what was going on and the old Korean couple in front of us told me that Park just scored in Incheon and I translated it back to all my friends. Every US fans behind me started chanting "Dae Han Min Guk" and I have a great picture of my friend Steve praying for a Korean win. Once the game is over all the US and Korean fans hugged and high-fived eachother. After the game my friend Dave runs into a bar full of Koreans in his Uncle Sam hat and flag and started to chant "Dae Han Min Guk" and all the Koreans started chanting "USA". My friend Steve, Al and I were walking into downtown and one truck full of Korean college students stops by and asked us to get in. Amongst the crowd, we met one American fan draped in Stars and Stripes and he told us he got on because the students were taking him drinking. We arrive downtown full of peaceful mayhem and we drank soju and beer all night for free. I just wanted to add my few experience of the WC and thank you once again for a great book. If WC2006 is half as good as 2002 then I'll be very happy.
I was fortunate enough to get ahold of a copy of Andy's book while in France for the the Confed Cup. I have to say that it was a great read and REALLY made me wish that I had been able to travel to last summer's world cup. I highly recommend it to any fan of U.S. soccer and footy in general.
I want to thank everyone who posted the great reviews on this board. Hearing them make all the hard work I put in over the past year worth it. I am so glad folks seem to be enjoying the book. On another note, it is now listed on amazon.com. You can find it on http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...17071/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/002-8438153-6095242 On the page, it says it ships in 3-5 weeks. I cannot speak for Amazon, what they may do in the future, or make any promises, but I have heard from someone who ordered from there and they recieved it in less than 2 weeks. If you would rather not risk it, you can still get it at http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=3331&196180503-24093aaa Again, thanks to all who have bought it and for those who haven't, Whazzzup? Help a starving-soccer-book-writer out.
The Washington Times ran an excellent review of the book today. Please check it out. http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20030725-115928-4602r.htm
I pre-ordered this book, it was actually a very fun read. I personally feel kind of disconnected with the events up until the Korea game. This is because, and I fear to say it here...I didn't even know WC02 was going on at the time. Don't hurt me! I stumbled across the USvPortugal game late one night while actually at a casino arcade. A nearby tv was tuned to the match, and I took a greater interest in the match than the games. Watched the remainder of game, and was unknowingly cheering the US on. It wasn't until the next afternoon that I'd found out that I had watched us defeat Portugal. And that's all she wrote. Getting back on topic, I highly recommend the book to anyone who'd like a great first hand account of the up and downs of WC02. I'm also hankering to try out some kimchee sometime soon, thanks to the author's great segments on dining.