1966 : A Moment in Time

A vivid portrait of the world in 1966, centred around the storied World Cup tournament and its backdrop, published to mark the 60th anniversary. With London declared 'a swinging city' and the Beatles at their peak, the year's football World Cup convenes an international community standing at a critical inflection point. Propelled by social change, civil rights movements and technological advancement, yet shadowed by Cold War tensions, the Vietnam War escalation, and the space race, football has the potential to inflame ideological rivalries, unite old enemies, and allow nations to demonstrate their prowess on a global stage. Through the prism of the extraordinary tournament and the eight teams that reached the quarter finals – England, West Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, Portugal, Soviet Union, North Korea and Hungary – Michael Calvin provides a compelling examination of the sporting, social and cultural significance of this critical moment in world history. This hugely entertaining book brings to life a world and a sport caught in a tide of change, and shows how this critical year would change both forever.