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Borussia Dortmund. Siła Żółtej Ściany
Prawdziwa miłość do najgorętszego klubu Europy!
Na początku XXI wieku Borussia Dortmund była na skraju bankructwa, by już kilka lat później dwa razy z rzędu zostać najlepszą drużyną Niemiec. Dziś BVB to jeden z najpopularniejszych i najszybciej rozwijających się klubów piłkarskich na świecie.
Wielki sukces drużyna zawdzięcza jednak nie tylko bramkostrzelnym napastnikom, przebojowym pomocnikom, solidnym obrońcom i charyzmatycznym trenerom. Borussia to przede wszystkim wspaniali kibice, którzy nie odwrócili się od klubu nawet w najtrudniejszych momentach.
Fani z całego świata co dwa tygodnie spotykają się w Dortmundzie, zapominając o lokalnych klubach, by doświadczyć atmosfery Signal Iduna Park, kibicując bezpośrednio z Żółtej Ściany. Jak to możliwe, że klub, który nie wygrał żadnego europejskiego trofeum od ponad dwudziestu lat, tak całkowicie pochłania ludzkie umysły?
Poznaj historię Zagłębia Ruhry, powstania Borussii i budowy Westfalenstadion. Dowiedz się, jak duży wpływ na rozwój klubu z Dortmundu mieli Polacy – nie tylko za sprawą słynnego tria Lewandowski, Błaszczykowski, Piszczek – i daj się wciągnąć w wir czarno-żółtego szaleństwa.
Na początku XXI wieku Borussia Dortmund była na skraju bankructwa, by już kilka lat później dwa razy z rzędu zostać najlepszą drużyną Niemiec. Dziś BVB to jeden z najpopularniejszych i najszybciej rozwijających się klubów piłkarskich na świecie.
Wielki sukces drużyna zawdzięcza jednak nie tylko bramkostrzelnym napastnikom, przebojowym pomocnikom, solidnym obrońcom i charyzmatycznym trenerom. Borussia to przede wszystkim wspaniali kibice, którzy nie odwrócili się od klubu nawet w najtrudniejszych momentach.
Fani z całego świata co dwa tygodnie spotykają się w Dortmundzie, zapominając o lokalnych klubach, by doświadczyć atmosfery Signal Iduna Park, kibicując bezpośrednio z Żółtej Ściany. Jak to możliwe, że klub, który nie wygrał żadnego europejskiego trofeum od ponad dwudziestu lat, tak całkowicie pochłania ludzkie umysły?
Poznaj historię Zagłębia Ruhry, powstania Borussii i budowy Westfalenstadion. Dowiedz się, jak duży wpływ na rozwój klubu z Dortmundu mieli Polacy – nie tylko za sprawą słynnego tria Lewandowski, Błaszczykowski, Piszczek – i daj się wciągnąć w wir czarno-żółtego szaleństwa.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2016
52 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 8, 2022
This review is brought to you from the line for Megan Thee Stallion
Primarily, a passionate, thoroughly researched and accessible history of one of football's most famous clubs. Subtextually, a dossier on Just How Bad We've Fucked The Sport. Uli Hesse absolutely smashes it on both levels.
How he's able to spin out detailed, enthralling match reports from like 70 years ago as if it happened yesterday idek. So many times I was swept up in the pure footballing emotion, while simultaneously lamenting for a past I never experienced.
Community. Values. Dogs biting players during the games. Oh, the past! What have we done???
Reading this feels like an opportunity slipping through our fingers. There's a real sense of the game we could have built in the UK if we weren't SLAVES to The Coin. It even tragically seems too late for Borussia now, who need to compete at the top of the European game consistently to maintain their iconic status, but the expenditure required to do so may end up costing them everything that made them iconic.
God we are trapped. We are all so trapped. Oh God. Oh GOD.
However, you're more than welcome to ignore all the subtext and just enjoy lots of bangin stories about pitch invasions in the 1930s. Or muse on the vibes of the Ruhr region. Or bask in the sheer sunlight of Jurgen Klopp. It's all here and it's all painted beautifully in soaring yellow and black.
Primarily, a passionate, thoroughly researched and accessible history of one of football's most famous clubs. Subtextually, a dossier on Just How Bad We've Fucked The Sport. Uli Hesse absolutely smashes it on both levels.
How he's able to spin out detailed, enthralling match reports from like 70 years ago as if it happened yesterday idek. So many times I was swept up in the pure footballing emotion, while simultaneously lamenting for a past I never experienced.
Community. Values. Dogs biting players during the games. Oh, the past! What have we done???
Reading this feels like an opportunity slipping through our fingers. There's a real sense of the game we could have built in the UK if we weren't SLAVES to The Coin. It even tragically seems too late for Borussia now, who need to compete at the top of the European game consistently to maintain their iconic status, but the expenditure required to do so may end up costing them everything that made them iconic.
God we are trapped. We are all so trapped. Oh God. Oh GOD.
However, you're more than welcome to ignore all the subtext and just enjoy lots of bangin stories about pitch invasions in the 1930s. Or muse on the vibes of the Ruhr region. Or bask in the sheer sunlight of Jurgen Klopp. It's all here and it's all painted beautifully in soaring yellow and black.
December 19, 2024
Este libro pasa por toda la historia del equipo en menos de 300 páginas.
Desde sus inicios siempre ha sido un equipo que ha vivido en la sombra de otros gigantes. Siendo el equipo de una ciudad trabajadora, poco atractiva y con poco dinero, de alguna forma ha encontrado la manera de, en años recientes, convertirse en uno de los clubes más populares y queridos alrededor del mundo.
Un equipo que ha coqueteado con el descenso en varias ocasiones, incluso con la banca rota (porque el equipo actúa como una PLC).
Jugadores que dejan el club por avaricia, conflictos en la directiva, falta de recursos, incluso víctimas de un atentado, fans inconformes con el rendimiento, bajas expectativas de la directiva. Sin duda, no existe una temporada en la que el club no tenga que lidiar con alguno de estos problemas. Sin embargo, a pesar de todo esto, son capaces de mantener sus valores y principios: amor incondicional, pasión, trabajo duro y lealtad.
Jugadores iconicos, entrenadores iconicos, pero sobretodo una afición iconica.
Desde sus inicios siempre ha sido un equipo que ha vivido en la sombra de otros gigantes. Siendo el equipo de una ciudad trabajadora, poco atractiva y con poco dinero, de alguna forma ha encontrado la manera de, en años recientes, convertirse en uno de los clubes más populares y queridos alrededor del mundo.
Un equipo que ha coqueteado con el descenso en varias ocasiones, incluso con la banca rota (porque el equipo actúa como una PLC).
Jugadores que dejan el club por avaricia, conflictos en la directiva, falta de recursos, incluso víctimas de un atentado, fans inconformes con el rendimiento, bajas expectativas de la directiva. Sin duda, no existe una temporada en la que el club no tenga que lidiar con alguno de estos problemas. Sin embargo, a pesar de todo esto, son capaces de mantener sus valores y principios: amor incondicional, pasión, trabajo duro y lealtad.
Jugadores iconicos, entrenadores iconicos, pero sobretodo una afición iconica.
September 1, 2024
This was a really interesting book on the history of one of my favorite clubs. I did expect more on the Klopp era, but it does make sense that much of the book was devoted to the older history/players and supporters. Reinforced my bucket list item: to watch two games at the stadium, once from the Yellow Wall, and once from another stand just to see the magic of it.
April 27, 2020
Impecabil scrisă, mi-a depășit toate așteptările. Curge atât de bine încât am fost nevoit să citesc din ce în ce mai puțin pe măsură ce mă apropiam de final. Povestea e completă, rotundă și captivantă, nicidecum o simplă înșiruire de ani și nume proprii.
August 2, 2022
Turbulent.
June 21, 2022
I learnt things I loved to learn, thank you Mr Hesse.
May 8, 2019
When one of my favorite writers (Uli Hesse) writes about one of my favorite things (Ballspielverein Borussia 1909 e.v. Dortmund) ... this is the book.
It didn't disappoint, and actually exceed my already high expectations. Just really really good. For me, a BVB lover, the book is a gift, an offering from a fellow fan and football historian.
I plan to write a full review at The Bundesliga Fanatic, but wanted to sing the book's praises here, too.
It didn't disappoint, and actually exceed my already high expectations. Just really really good. For me, a BVB lover, the book is a gift, an offering from a fellow fan and football historian.
I plan to write a full review at The Bundesliga Fanatic, but wanted to sing the book's praises here, too.
January 5, 2023
Vanaf het begin sleept de pakkende proloog de lezer meteen mee in het verhaal en de passie rond Borussia Dortmund. Dat gevoel van verbondenheid laat je doorheen de rest van het boek nooit meer los.
Uli Hesse schetst een fantastisch totaalbeeld van de club doorheen de jaren heen, met aandacht voor zowat alles: de sportieve prestaties, het economische en financiële aspect, het stadion, en de mindset van de supporters en de relatie met hun club. Daarnaast is er nog ruimte om bredere tendensen in de voetbalwereld en zelfs niet-voetbalgerelateerde zaken toe te lichten, maar wel telkens met het doel om de lezer de club Borussia Dortmund beter te doen begrijpen.
Het feit dat Hesse daarin slaagt, maakt dat dit boek meer is dan de louter een uiteenzetting van de geschiedenis van Borussia Dortmund. Belangrijker dan de nieuwe info die de lezer meekrijgt, is dat de lezer het gevoel rond de club ervaart. Je begrijpt de passie van de supporters en hoe zij hun club beleven.
Naast het gevoel dat in het boek ligt, zorgt ook de stijl van Hesse ervoor dat je als lezer niet het gevoel krijgt dat je een geschiedenisverhaal aan het lezen bent. Zijn uitgebreide en gedetailleerde beschrijvingen zorgen voor een breed totaalbeeld, terwijl zijsprongen, leuke anekdotes en quotes van betrokkenen de nodige afwisseling brengen en het boek luchtig houden. Maar evengoed weet Hesse moeilijke zaken, zoals financiële constructies, duidelijk uit te leggen. En hoewel hij vaak lovend is over Borussia Dortmund, durft hij ook kritisch te zijn waar nodig.
Dat alles maakt dit boek voor mij een absoluut voorbeeld voor wat een clubportret zou moeten zijn.
Uli Hesse schetst een fantastisch totaalbeeld van de club doorheen de jaren heen, met aandacht voor zowat alles: de sportieve prestaties, het economische en financiële aspect, het stadion, en de mindset van de supporters en de relatie met hun club. Daarnaast is er nog ruimte om bredere tendensen in de voetbalwereld en zelfs niet-voetbalgerelateerde zaken toe te lichten, maar wel telkens met het doel om de lezer de club Borussia Dortmund beter te doen begrijpen.
Het feit dat Hesse daarin slaagt, maakt dat dit boek meer is dan de louter een uiteenzetting van de geschiedenis van Borussia Dortmund. Belangrijker dan de nieuwe info die de lezer meekrijgt, is dat de lezer het gevoel rond de club ervaart. Je begrijpt de passie van de supporters en hoe zij hun club beleven.
Naast het gevoel dat in het boek ligt, zorgt ook de stijl van Hesse ervoor dat je als lezer niet het gevoel krijgt dat je een geschiedenisverhaal aan het lezen bent. Zijn uitgebreide en gedetailleerde beschrijvingen zorgen voor een breed totaalbeeld, terwijl zijsprongen, leuke anekdotes en quotes van betrokkenen de nodige afwisseling brengen en het boek luchtig houden. Maar evengoed weet Hesse moeilijke zaken, zoals financiële constructies, duidelijk uit te leggen. En hoewel hij vaak lovend is over Borussia Dortmund, durft hij ook kritisch te zijn waar nodig.
Dat alles maakt dit boek voor mij een absoluut voorbeeld voor wat een clubportret zou moeten zijn.
November 6, 2021
Book 1 of Nov.
Uli Hesse, a football journalist, writes on the history of Borussia Dortmund, a special football club in Germany. Borussia or BVB, has in recent years, built up a worldwide following because of its ability to turn out really exciting football teams while not boasting anything close to the resources of the top clubs in the world. It is everybody's favourite second team.
Hesse records the early history of the club and tries to explain the devotion that the fans have to the club and vice versa. It helps that BVB has one of the best stadiums in Europe, and one that retains a standing terrace.
Through its illustrious history, BVB has faced pivotal moments, including facing relegation in 1986, and bankruptcy as recently as 2005. But along the way it has also had stunning moments including its 1997 Champions League win against a star studden Juventus, featuring Zidane, Vieri and Del Piero, where Lars Ricken scored the decisive goal - voted the best of the century by BVB fans - with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.
The modern day BVB was built by Jurgen Klopp who is still revered in Dortmund. It is club that is built less around stars and more around hard work, full throttle running, and teamwork. It now has a reputation of blooding youth and developing top players including Gundogan, Aubamayang and Sancho - who go on to represent the top clubs in the world - while still being competitive in domestically and in Europe. I wish that the author had dwelled more on this model, which I am sure is unique to only a few clubs in Europe.
Uli Hesse, a football journalist, writes on the history of Borussia Dortmund, a special football club in Germany. Borussia or BVB, has in recent years, built up a worldwide following because of its ability to turn out really exciting football teams while not boasting anything close to the resources of the top clubs in the world. It is everybody's favourite second team.
Hesse records the early history of the club and tries to explain the devotion that the fans have to the club and vice versa. It helps that BVB has one of the best stadiums in Europe, and one that retains a standing terrace.
Through its illustrious history, BVB has faced pivotal moments, including facing relegation in 1986, and bankruptcy as recently as 2005. But along the way it has also had stunning moments including its 1997 Champions League win against a star studden Juventus, featuring Zidane, Vieri and Del Piero, where Lars Ricken scored the decisive goal - voted the best of the century by BVB fans - with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.
The modern day BVB was built by Jurgen Klopp who is still revered in Dortmund. It is club that is built less around stars and more around hard work, full throttle running, and teamwork. It now has a reputation of blooding youth and developing top players including Gundogan, Aubamayang and Sancho - who go on to represent the top clubs in the world - while still being competitive in domestically and in Europe. I wish that the author had dwelled more on this model, which I am sure is unique to only a few clubs in Europe.
June 4, 2020
Very accessible and enjoyable read about a club I don't know much about. Picked it up after listening to the excellent discussion of the book on the Football Ramble's podcast (direct MP3 link).
I admire Hesse's craft in writing this book. He wrote it in English, as apparently he does for all his English-language books. It is in direct language that flows and is easy to read. Although it is chronological, it isn't just a listing of events. He peppers his writing with anecdotes and foreshadows a lot. He does an admirable job in the early chapters setting the economic and social context of the region and of the city, without delving into economic/statistical reporting (which is what I tend to do...). He gives you just enough to get a sense, and then moves on with the story. Every few pages there is an "action scene" which is a few paragraphs of a match report. This gives the book the pacing of a novel, making it easy to turn the page.
Probably the only criticism I have is the abrupt ending. I wish there was more than a few paragraphs in the epilogue, some sort of deeper analysis on the legacy of the club to cap off the book.
The story is great, I am super-excited about BVB now, but I think the craft of this book is even better. I will pick up another of his books for sure.
I admire Hesse's craft in writing this book. He wrote it in English, as apparently he does for all his English-language books. It is in direct language that flows and is easy to read. Although it is chronological, it isn't just a listing of events. He peppers his writing with anecdotes and foreshadows a lot. He does an admirable job in the early chapters setting the economic and social context of the region and of the city, without delving into economic/statistical reporting (which is what I tend to do...). He gives you just enough to get a sense, and then moves on with the story. Every few pages there is an "action scene" which is a few paragraphs of a match report. This gives the book the pacing of a novel, making it easy to turn the page.
Probably the only criticism I have is the abrupt ending. I wish there was more than a few paragraphs in the epilogue, some sort of deeper analysis on the legacy of the club to cap off the book.
The story is great, I am super-excited about BVB now, but I think the craft of this book is even better. I will pick up another of his books for sure.
March 22, 2023
Jestem kibicem Borussii Dortmund, więc przeczytanie tej książki było wyłącznie kwestią czasu. Z tego względu wymagałem wielu wciągających historii na temat ukochanego klubu piłkarskiego. Uli Hesse napisał dobrą książkę, lecz dla mnie brakowało w niej różnorakich perspektyw odnoszących się do burzliwej historii klubu z Zagłębia Ruhry. Książka jest dobrze napisanym reportażem o historii jednego z największych klubów w historii niemieckiej piłki, lecz nie przyczyniło się to do szybszego tempa czytania książki.
April 5, 2021
Good, fast read about Borussia Dortmund, which draws on average the second-largest crowds of any sports team in the world. Understanding how the team got here is an interesting story. The book itself is imperfect. The narrative style leaves a lot to be desired and presumes a base of knowledge going into the book. But I learned quite a bit about German soccer in general and Dortmund in particular.
February 13, 2021
Really worth a read
I have followed German football for over a decade and found this history of BVB a really well researched and entertaining read.
There are other cult clubs like Union Berlin and St Pauli but for me BVB have a really fascinating history and this book documents it excellently.
I have followed German football for over a decade and found this history of BVB a really well researched and entertaining read.
There are other cult clubs like Union Berlin and St Pauli but for me BVB have a really fascinating history and this book documents it excellently.
April 28, 2021
This book isn't perfect - as others have said here, the ending is somewhat abrupt. But there are very few historical football books that are as compelling and which capture the essence of a club. I came away with fresh understanding of why Borussia Dortmund is virtually everyone's second favourite club.
January 1, 2020
I’ve only been a Borussia Dortmund fan for a short time. This book provides some welcome context and history about the club in a brisk, reportorial style. (The author clearly finds the club’s story fascinating.) For the fans.
January 10, 2020
Fun read about a fantastic club. However, the last few chapters’ occasional mentions of Dortmund-based BVB fans’ trepidations regarding globalization of the brand caused me to pause and consider my own fandom. Still, Heja BVB!
May 25, 2020
A cracking history of the famous Dortmund
Discover what went on behind the scenes during BvB's greatest moments of history. this is truly You Jesse's love letter to the club he adores
Discover what went on behind the scenes during BvB's greatest moments of history. this is truly You Jesse's love letter to the club he adores
November 8, 2020
Along with Tor and his history of Bayern Munich, this has to be one of the best books on German football out there. Hesse's conversational style makes everything accessible and fun to read. Great stuff.
August 13, 2021
I've been a fan of the club for over 25 years, read, heard and saw a lot about it for all those years and yet this book could teach me quite a lot of new things. I strongly recommend it to everyone interested in the club.
April 20, 2024
A really excellent and entertaining read charting the history of Borussia Dortmund. Full of interesting facts, including how the club was formed along with the ups and downs both on and off the pitch. This one of best football books I've read. Highly recommend.
December 30, 2025
Very fast paced book about Borrusia Dortmund, coming from someone who doesn’t care about German football at all. I didn’t get all of the fancy stocks and debt and stuff like that, but I knew enough to make the book fun.
January 21, 2019
Essential read on Borussia Dortmund, includes some golden, I mean, yellow, nuggets of info about the club you wouldn't otherwise know.
December 30, 2019
Informative, insightful.
January 25, 2020
A fantastic look at not only the football club but the history and culture of the city that birthed it.
May 26, 2020
This is a fascinating read told with so much obvious passion for Borussia Dortmund.
July 22, 2021
I liked the book quite a lot, but I am a BVB supporter. For non-supporters it can become a bit monotonous. It's a bit like reading an enhanced version of a Wikipedia page.
August 17, 2022
kocham BVB całym serduszkiem i zajebiscie jest poznać historie tego klubu tak od początku
July 18, 2023
Great read for a BVB fan. Extremely well researched and tells a great story about the club's history, centered around the fans. However, It was a little too detailed for me.
May 9, 2024
Verry Good!!
June 12, 2024
Informative. Touching. Engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews