Played in Germany was deeply interesting on multiple levels. A history of German politics and German soccer and the frequent overlaps between the two. Kit Holden provided a deep dive into the changes and shifts that came over Germany, particularly on the club level and the unification. The Bundesliga has a wilder, different feel to it than the Premier League or La Liga, and a lot of that stems from the 50+1 rule to block the corporate takeovers of soccer clubs that are becoming more prevalent throughout European soccer. Germany’s reluctance to share in large displays of patriotism (for obvious historical reasons) has made it a country of regions in a similar way to the US, and that regionalism ties into deep connections to their club soccer teams. Going region by region, Holden made a sort of travel guide for soccer fans prior to Euro 2024, and I feel the urge to travel to Germany and see several of these places. A very enjoyable read and one that got me excited for the upcoming Bundesliga season.

Many sports books resort to cliches and well-worn images, but what is refreshing about Kit Holden’s Played in Germany is Holden dispels cliches right from the introduction. When most readers think of Germany, they will likely conjure images of lederhosen, bratwurst and beer. As Holden contends, Germany is far more complex than the aforementioned idyllic images. For one thing, Swabians are known more for wine (some of the world’s best Rieslings) than beer. Germany is the only country in Europe bordered by nine (!) different countries and shows such diverse influences depending on the region, which Holden shows chapter by chapter.

While there have been books with similar setups—a travelogue through various parts of a country or Kevin Day’s Who Are Ya?, more of a humorous look at 90+ English soccer clubs and their respective histories—but Holden’s specific approach is refreshing. Holden brings together a blend of history of the different regions along with the significance and history of the soccer clubs within these regions. This isn’t a dry history book, but includes journalistic accounts through former players, current players, fans and important figures.

Readers get snapshots of Harry Kane dressing in lederhosen for PR, Dortmund fans’ undying adulation for Jurgen Klopp, the early history of the Mercedes Benz Group in Stuttgart, and learn more about the bevy of worldwide brands in Germany’s financial center, Frankfurt. Played in Germany is interesting and informative for those wanting to know more about the history of the country’s different regions and different cultural aspects, even if they are not soccer fans. For the soccer fans out there, there is even greater appeal, whether for those who follow Bayern Munich in the Champions League, those wanting to learn more about Bundesliga or just soccer fans in general. Readers walk away knowing a lot more about most of the soccer clubs throughout Germany. Highly recommended.

German Soccer came from the humblest of beginnings. Became Professional only in 1963, decades after other footballing powers had fully professional. With their demands that all teams be community run (through the 50%+1 rule), it's probably closest to the community of all the big leagues out there. Then you throw in World War II, and a splitting of the nation that still echoes decades after the wall fell, and you have the perfect antidote for soulless football. What other league would have the old-money giants of Bavaria, Bayern Munich, the resurgent punk of St Pauli, and the new-style money of RB Leipzig. How do you fit in this hodgepodge of different styles within one book? This book takes an almighty whack at it, and does a pretty good job.

The book is complete with rich stories and bits of history that emphasize what makes German soccer special. It goes to good lengths to dispel the lederhosen, oktoberfest steins of beer and bratwurst image that one has of Germany (although that's not unfamiliar in Bavaria), and brings you to the heart of clubs that are not just billionaire's playgrounds, but are the beating heart and soul of the community.

Note: Even if you don't know if you're "Aufstieg" or "Abstieg" (literally, going up, or going down), this book gives you insights on the most beautiful of games that is organic and authentic to the cultures and communities that make up the game. I highly recommend it for all folks who like reading about the Beautiful game, or have caught one of their games on TV or streaming and wants to know more about the players and pagentry that make up German football/soccer.

An informative coverage of the different areas of German football. As a Gladbach fan it was interesting to see the history of that club and how they were formed. Much of the writing is about the off the field scene that I find makes the sporting world much more interesting. From the Ultras that support the teams to how the teams are seen on a socia scale, Kit Holden delves into what makes each region tick, I would recommend this book to any football fan or those who love history.

Politics, History and Football - my 3 favourite subjects to read about!
German football is rich in character, central to the cultural fabric of the country, Kit Holden really captures the vibe here as Europe waits for Germanys Euro 2024 to kickoff.
His book ‘Scheisse We are Going Up’ was so good it made me a supporter of Union Berlin.
Here ‘Played in Germany’ stitches together the complexities of War & Holocaust, guilt & education, Left Wing v Right wing, Reunification of East & West, and how football has been pivotal to Germanys journey.
This book is brilliant, a great book to read now with the Euros about to start!
Thank you very much to Duckworth Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review.

One of my reading highlights of last year was Kit Holdens superb book on Union Berlin, so I'm delighted he is back with Player in Germany. I loved this book. It provided real insight into fan culture, as he travels through various regions of the country.

Played in Germany has the subtitle ‘A Footballing Journey Through a Nation's Soul’ and it does exactly that. Author Kit Holden expertly takes the reader on a journey through Germany to look at the historical, cultural, and social influences that make fußball what it is in the country.
The publication of the book is timed with the 2024 European Championships, in Germany, and the simple premise is that each chapter looks at one of the venues for the tournament. What Holden produces is a book that is easy to read due to the expert storytelling. It could be read in one sitting such is the skill on show. Holden has chosen his interviewees wisely and this tool brings the reader into the conversation, and it creates a wonderfully nuanced view of each part of Germany.

Although the book’s leitmotif is the European Championships, this book will last far longer than the football tournament. Holden’s journey into modern Germany has many fascinating sections and serves to enlighten the reader as to what makes the nation tick. It also reaffirms for football fans that their own footballing influences have a fascinating backstory and they, will, find out why they love their team and hate their rivals the way they do.

This book is a must for football fans everywhere and I hope that Holden revisits the German football story in more depth in future because as good as this book is, the reader will want to know more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have an interest in football, history and politics so, for me, this was an ideal book!
Using the structure of providing insight into a number of the significant football teams in Germany, and their respective geographical locations, the author's narrative rattles along at a refreshing pace thus avoiding what might have been a repetitive format. Through a history of the Clubs, the different regions of Germany are introduced in an interesting way through their own political and social histories, and, although historical incidents are referenced, discussion of current events gives a freshness to the narrative, and stories from fans of the Clubs provide great personal anecdotes on the impact of football on people's lives.
With the European Championships being held in Germany in June this year this book certainly delivers a great taster for anyone looking forward to the event.
Thank you to netgalley and duckworth books for an advance copy of this book

'Played in Germany' is a well-researched, witty and interesting social history of football in Germany. It largely sidesteps cliche and covers an awful lot of ground without sacrificing depth. The book is full of insights from football fans (rather than players) and Holden has a way with a telling phrase, such as 'The Ruhr may always have been the engine of German industry. But it was Stuttgart, way down in the south-west, which produced its most famous motor'. He also picks up nicely on that much-misunderstood force, German humour, for instance in quoting an 1860 München fan on their clubs decline: 'that has less to do with idealism, and more to do with incompetence.’ There might have been more on Germany's long dominance of women's football, which only gets a brief mention, and for me this book could have been quite a bit longer, which is probably the greatest praise I can offer.

This was a really pleasant surprise. A well researched and racily written overview of Germany through the eyes of its football clubs and supporters who are freely quoted throughout.

This is a timely publication given that Germany will be hosting Euro24 and the thousands of visitors to the competition will be thoroughly educated and entertained if they browse through this excellent book beforehand.

Highly recommended.