---
product_id: 10636774
title: "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy"
brand: "joe mcginniss"
price: "A$41"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/10636774-the-miracle-of-castel-di-sangro-a-tale-of-passion
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy

**Brand:** joe mcginniss
**Price:** A$41
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy by joe mcginniss
- **How much does it cost?** A$41 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/10636774-the-miracle-of-castel-di-sangro-a-tale-of-passion)

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- joe mcginniss enthusiasts

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## Description

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy

## Images

![The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71SljF7dPOL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Very good book in spite of the author
  

*by G***N on Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2003*

Inside there is a great story of uncelebrated heroes, and villians, behind what might be considered the more mundane situation -- that a soccer team from a small village manages promotion to a B league with the season-long goal of surviving. Along the way, there are many great details of the local players, supporters, life within Serie B soccer, and the fabric of society in a small, working-class Italian hillside town. Set on this smaller stage, the story has it all -- life, death, compassion, greed, character, and corruption -- woven together with many amusing and curious subtexts and insights about a "strainero" trying to fit in to a whole other culture and language.The story is a great success at real-life drama. The only unfortunate part is that the story slowly unravels how much the author completely blew a real opportunity to fit in more and delve deeper beneath the surface of his adopted society -- opting more and more to impose his own self-righteous mindset and judgement on matters (he was as much a "bulldozer" as he accused the soccer team's manager of being) rather than taking a step back to learn more about the inner workings of another culture. This isn't ethnocentrism or even an example of American arrogance -- the author simply self-destructed at his mission to respect, observe, and ask in order to learn and report.Even so, the book is a great success in spite of the author's mistakes. He gained access to a remote, close-knit community amidst the throes of of several major events -- also capturing moments of great humor. The author's detailed accounting of his conversations and experiences there makes it a fascinating story in its own right.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    The Sopranos and even better in Castel di Sangro
  

*by L***T on Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2007*

During the sixties Joe Mc Ginniss wrote about presidential campaigns and the selling of the president. He made a marvellous and unexpected comeback in 1999 with his The Miracle of Castel di Sangro. You will never regret buying this wonderful book about soccer in an isolated moutain region in Italy. Joe Mc Ginniss spends the season with this astonishing soccer team. In fact he depicts soccer as one of the pillars of communal life in this very peculiar village- like setting. But it is not an innocent setting. Innocence is definitely lost in this part of the continent and Mc Ginniss produces remarkable characters. The owner, Signor Rezza, straight out of the Sopranos, the coach Osvaldo Jaconi, "to argue with him is like throwing pebbles at a bulldozer" and the name of the team's principal sponsor, Soviet Jeans.  Multiple plotlines develop in the story. The most exciting one is in the end when Castel di Sangro Calcio ultimately secures its position in the B series. The last needless game there is a  smell of corruption when Castel di Sangro Calcio is defeated by 3 to 1 by Bari that thereby gains promotion. This stinking smell of corruption delivers an unhappy ending for Joe Mc Ginniss but the story is wonderful.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    One one the best non-fiction books I've read in years.
  

*by R***W on Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015*

It's been quite some time since I was moved to write a review. This book, a suggestion by a stranger upon hearing that I wanted to learn more about soccer, and Italian soccer in particular suggested this book. I'm not going to go into the story or background because many reviewers do that well and I want some things to remain a surprise. This is s story about that is about soccer yes and Italy. It is even more about the heart and soul of athletes. It is about human nature, ups and downs, savage disappointments, triumphs unimaginable, twists and turns unforeseen, laughs, and finding a place in the world. It is also about balances and soft voices...I was so sad to read that Joe McGinnis had passed away in 2014.  I so wanted to write him a thank you note for teaching me about joy and perspective and soccer.  And affirming my love for the complexities of Italy. And this book above all. I refuse to lend to any one because I ways want it near to look at. Selfish?  Maybe. In the end, I can't stop thinking of it.It's all like a movie, Joe.

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*Product available on Desertcart Australia*
*Store origin: AU*
*Last updated: 2026-02-18*