Description
THE VERTICAL TRIBE
Book Summary
A deep and unfiltered dive into the world of ultra fan groups in Spanish football. Journalist Borja Bauzá, who was part of one of these collectives in his youth, has traveled the country for years to interview dozens of radicals of all ideologies and allegiances. The result is a sociological, cultural, and political X-ray that unravels the dynamics, codes, and contradictions of a mass phenomenon that has marked our recent history.
What is it about?
The book explores the universe of football supporter sections from an internal and documented perspective. Through extensive fieldwork, Bauzá reconstructs the history, organization, and mindset of ultra groups, analyzing their evolution from the seventies to the present day. The work addresses the complex relationship between football, violence, territorial identity, and politics, offering a nuanced vision that avoids both demonization and idealization. The author does not limit himself to describing violent incidents, but seeks to understand the motivations, rituals, and sense of belonging that drive these groups, offering a choral and polyphonic portrait of a phenomenon that transcends mere sport.
Main Topics
- Sociology of ultra and radical groups in Spanish football.
- Symbolic and physical violence in the context of mass sports.
- Identity, tribalism, and a sense of belonging in the stands.
- Relationship between the ultra movement, politics, and ideologies.
- Ethnography of the rituals, codes, and internal hierarchies of radical fan bases.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at football fans interested in understanding the social dynamics surrounding the beautiful game, as well as students and professionals of sociology, anthropology, social psychology, and political science. It will also be of great interest to any reader looking for a rigorous and well-documented analysis of mass culture, collective violence, and the mechanisms of identity construction in contemporary Spain.
What this book provides
- An in-depth analysis based on extensive fieldwork and dozens of interviews with direct protagonists of the ultra phenomenon.
- A nuanced perspective that avoids simplistic judgments, offering an understanding of the causes and motivations behind radicalization in the stands.
- A historical and sociological journey that connects the evolution of ultra groups with the political and social changes in Spain.
- A look from the inside, thanks to the author's personal experience, which provides unique credibility and access to the subject of study.
Technical Specifications
- Author: BAUZA, BORJA
- Publisher: LIBROS DEL K.O, S.L.L
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Violence in society, Sociology of sport and leisure, Social, group, or collective psychology, Football, Rugby
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Publication date: May 2024
- Number of pages: 392
- Weight: 452 g
Editorial Assessment
The Vertical Tribe presents itself as a reference work for understanding a phenomenon that, despite its media visibility, has rarely been addressed with such rigor and depth. The author's approach, combining his personal experience with journalistic and sociological methodology, achieves a difficult balance between chronicle and academic analysis. It is a book that does not shy away from complexity and offers the reader tools to form their own opinion about ultra culture, beyond the headlines and stereotypes. Its main value lies in giving a voice to the protagonists themselves, which makes it an essential document for anyone who wants to go beyond the surface of a hot social debate.