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  • Among the Thugs

  • Written by: Bill Buford
  • Narrated by: Bill Buford
  • Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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Among the Thugs

Written by: Bill Buford
Narrated by: Bill Buford
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Publisher's Summary

They have names like Barmy Bernie, Daft Donald, and Steamin' Sammy. They like lager (in huge quantities), the queen, football clubs (especially Manchester United), and themselves. Their dislike encompasses the rest of the known universe, and England's soccer thugs express it in ways that range from mere vandalism to riots that terrorize entire cities. 

Now, Bill Buford, editor of the prestigious journal Granta, enters this alternate society and records both its savageries and its sinister allure with the social imagination of a George Orwell and the raw personal engagement of a Hunter Thompson.

©1990, 1991 William Buford (P)2018 Random House Audio

What the critics say

“A grotesque, horrifying, repellent and gorgeous book; A Clockwork Orange come to life.” (John Gregory Dunne)

"An important, perhaps prophetic, book...both exciting and sad at the core.... [Buford is] a superbly talented reporter." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Animated, witty, and so pungent you can taste the stale lager." (Washington Post Book World)

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  • Matthew & Nina iles
  • 2019-10-22

Riveting

I can’t imagine this book being a bad read, but listening to the narrator is simply candy. Non-stop humor on a little understood and seldom witnessed topic as English Football violence to an American’s ears, the book serves as a vivid insight into this quintessentially British cultural carnage as witnessed by a Yank. Highly recommended in Audio.

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  • Ian
  • 2019-04-16

Loved the Print, Loved Audible

I read this book in print back in the 90s and loved it. I disagree with Budford's experience that the Dutch fans are not violent. While the Dutch national team's fan club seems to have done a good job at controlling their hoolies on a national team level, fans from leading Dutch clubs are plenty bad.
Still, I found his book insightful and an enjoyable read.

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  • Jon
  • 2022-04-12

Great store, worth listen too, and well read by author!!

Great store, worth listen too, and well read by author!! Time well spent . Must Listen

1 person found this helpful

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  • Everly Brown
  • 2021-12-06

God Awful Narration

Sounds like Rick Steves from PBS. DONT listen to this, reading it is much better.

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  • Jeremy
  • 2022-12-26

Terrible voice actor/reader

I couldn’t get through the first chapter the reader was so bad. Buyer beware! Gave the story a 3 bc I never got to hear it.

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  • Pete Redmond
  • 2022-11-26

This book is expertly done.

Bill Buford is one of the better non-fiction writers going today. Even if you don’t like football, this book is well worth your time.

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  • WammerJammer
  • 2021-04-29

Thoughtful, eloquent, humorous, honest.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s not often you hear an educated description of violence, mix in an honest account of its motivation and attraction, top it off with a dry subtle humor and you get this great book. The author narrates it perfectly.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2021-04-12

Absolutely fantastic!

I couldn’t stop listening, from the beginning to the end! Fantastic book. If you are someone who knows a bit about the world of hooligans, football fan violence and are interested in the psychology of the crowds, this is a perfect choice. Loved it!