{"product_id":"9791387839048","title":"THE PENALTY","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Penalty\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBook Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book explores the origin of the penalty kick, a rule that transformed football forever. Journalist and writer Robert McCrum delves into the history of his great-grandfather, William McCrum, an Irish goalkeeper who in 1891 proposed this spot-kick to tame a wild and undisciplined game. Through this invention, the author builds a bridge between 19th-century amateur football and today’s global business, while reflecting on Irish identity, the traumas of English football, and complex family ties. A work that combines sports chronicle, social history, and personal memoir with irony and erudition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is it about?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book starts with an almost forgotten historical figure: William McCrum, an Irish amateur goalkeeper who, in an era of violent football without clear rules, proposed the introduction of the penalty kick. The idea was met with skepticism and rejection by players and fans alike, but over time it became one of the most dramatic and decisive moments in the beautiful game. Robert McCrum uses this anecdote as a starting point for a broader investigation. Throughout its pages, the author examines the tensions between England and Ireland, the impact of football on national identity, and the historical wounds of English football, such as the famous \"penalty curse.\" At the same time, the book becomes a personal exploration of his own family heritage, combining rigorous historical data with an intimate and reflective gaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMain themes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin and history of the penalty kick as a fundamental rule of football.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eRelationship between England and Ireland through sport and family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eEvolution of football from 19th-century amateurism to the global industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eFamily memory and the personal legacy of a forgotten inventor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003ePsychology of the penalty: luck, pressure, and disappointment in sport.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is it recommended for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at football fans interested in its history and the curiosities that have shaped the modern game. It is also appealing to readers of biographies and historical essays looking for a narrative that weaves the sporting with the social and the personal. Especially recommended for those who enjoy works that combine rigorous research with an ironic and reflective tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this book offers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eA detailed and documented vision of the origin of one of the most iconic rules in football.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eA unique perspective that connects family history with the evolution of the sport.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAn analysis of cultural tensions between England and Ireland through football.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eReflections on the chance, pressure, and drama inherent in the penalty kick.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAn entertaining and cultured account that enriches the understanding of football as a social phenomenon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAuthor: McCrum, Robert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003ePublisher: Libros del K.O, S.L.L\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eLanguage: Spanish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSubject: Biography: sport, football\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eCollection: Non-fiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003ePublication date: September 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of pages: 192\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 258 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEditorial review\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a work that achieves a rare balance between historical erudition and personal narrative. Robert McCrum not only rescues a fascinating character from oblivion but uses his story to reflect on universal themes such as identity, chance, and heritage. The book will interest both football lovers who want to know the ins and outs of its regulations and essay readers looking for an original take on Anglo-Irish relations. Its ironic tone and brevity make it an agile and stimulating read.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LIBROS DEL K.O, S.L.L","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53407209095515,"sku":"9791387839048","price":21.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1018\/0650\/6331\/files\/979138783904.jpg?v=1781850408","url":"https:\/\/kalamobooks.com\/en\/products\/9791387839048","provider":"Kalamo Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}