View Full Version : Sports books recommendations
I'm going to order the band of brothers Blu-ray from amazon.co.uk, that found really cheap, but as i'm going to expend some $ on shipping to Spain, i thought it would be a good chance to add some more items, specially books.
I love sports books and movies, fictional or real that talk about the lives of players, managers, coaches, teams, etc. Not just a biography of a famous guy, but a nice story written like a novel. For example like Friday night lights, Any Given Sunday, the Natural, Bull Durham, Rudy, Remember the titans, etc. Also historical books about any sport, but not just a collection of stats, also anecdotes, etc.
The sports i'm mainly interested are football, soccer, basketball, baseball and hockey, both at college and pro levels.
Can you guys recommend some? One i'm thinking on buying could be "Moneyball" as i have read good things about it, both about being fun and also teaching some baseball, is it a good choice?
Dr. Sak
03-10-2010, 09:58 AM
Civil War by John Feinstein (College Football). It is about the Army/Navy rivalry.
Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger is a good book if you haven't read that one.
The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team by Wayne Coffey
Something For Joey by Richard E. Peck. This one is about John Cappelletti's Heisman Run all the while his brother Joey is struggling with Leukemia. True story.
Meat Market by Bruce Feldman: If you are into college football recruiting, this is the book to get.
albionmoonlight
03-10-2010, 10:03 AM
If you like Bill Simmons' style and sense of humor, then you will like The Book of Basketball. And you will learn a lot about pro basketball.
Not everyone likes his style, so be sure you know that you like him before you buy it.
Lathum
03-10-2010, 10:16 AM
Am I the only one who thought this was about gambling?
Lathum
03-10-2010, 10:16 AM
The curious Case of Sid Finch
Sun Tzu
03-10-2010, 10:19 AM
Meat Market by Bruce Feldman: If you are into college football recruiting, this is the book to get.
Seconded
Swaggs
03-10-2010, 10:19 AM
If you like Bill Simmons' style and sense of humor, then you will like The Book of Basketball. And you will learn a lot about pro basketball.
Not everyone likes his style, so be sure you know that you like him before you buy it.
Speaking of Simmons, I'm looking forward to hearing from him on the Dunleavy dismissal. Should be fun. :)
I'll add a couple more that I have enjoyed:
The Draft by Pete Williams -- kind of an ins and outs of the draft from different perspectives (players, college coaches, agents, front office, etc.). It is from the 2003 or 2004 season (whichever year the Steelers got Heath Miller).
License to Deal by Jerry Crasnick -- a fun book about an entrepreuner (sp?) who becomes a baseball agent. He gets his first big break when Dontrelle Willis blows up.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton -- if you haven't already read it, a sports classic and one of my favorite books of all time. Bouton, who had been successful with the Yankees early in his career, is a washed up pitcher who essentially kept a diary while trying to hang on in 1969.
rafini
03-10-2010, 10:33 AM
Rope Burns - Book of short stories that Million Dollar Baby comes from
If you like MMA:
Total MMA
Blood in the Cage
A Good Walk Spoiled
B & B
03-10-2010, 10:34 AM
Just say no to bodog.
Big Fo
03-10-2010, 10:39 AM
Moneyball is indeed a good one, so is the Blind Side by the same author (Michael Lewis).
Simmons' Book of Basketball is great.
Another good one already brought up is A Good Walk Spoiled.
Inverting the Pyramid is a good one on the history and evolution of soccer formations/tactics from the earliest matches to the present.
Screwball by David Ferrell is a funny novel. The Red Sox have a brilliant rookie (think Roy Hobbs, blazing fastball and can hit a ton) who has turned the team around but all of a sudden murders are taking place wherever the Red Sox travel.
Playing the Moldovans in Tennis by Tony Hawks. Not completely sports related, perhaps more of a travel book but still quite good. Basically, two guys are watching England v. Moldova in World Cup/Euro Championships qualifier (forget which) and one bets the other that he could beat every member of the Moldovan national team in tennis. The rest of the book is about getting into Moldova, his experiences there, and trying to track down all the players. Not much space is given to the tennis action but it's a good read.
I didn't see tennis listed among your favorite sports (it's not one of mine either, I'm a more casual fan) but I just finished A Terrible Splendor: Three Extraordinary Men, a World Poised for War, and the Greatest Tennis Match Ever Played and really enjoyed it. The subject is the 1937 Davis Cup semifinal between USA and Germany and three of the biggest names in tennis at that time, Don Budge, Gottfried von Cramm, and Bill Tilden. The Davis Cup was a bigger deal back then than it is nowadays and von Cramm in particular was under a lot of pressure to win it because the Nazis were keeping a close eye on him (he refused to join the party despite higher ups like Hermann Goring pressuring him to do so, he was a homosexual which the Nazis weren't the biggest fans of, etc.). The match itself is maybe 10% of the text, most of it is background information on the main characters, side characters, and various places during the interwar period. It's one of the best sports books I've ever read, a true story but it does read more like a novel which you said would appeal to you.
Ronnie Dobbs2
03-10-2010, 10:42 AM
Next Man Up by Feinstein - a walk through a season with the Ravens under Billick. Interesting stuff.
Marc Vaughan
03-10-2010, 10:42 AM
Unsurprisingly all soccer related ... ;)
Left Foot Forward: A Year in the Life of a Journeyman Footballer - Garry Nelson played at every English soccer level but the Premiership and in the latter days of his career wrote a couple of books detailing 'real life' as a professional soccer player. Fantastic reading all of them.
The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw: Robin Friday Story - Auto-biography on Robin Friday, an amazingly talented soccer player who's wild side meant he never achieved the success he should have. An interesting read written partially through interviews with people who knew him.
Inverting the pyramid - history of soccer tactics through the ages; its a great book imho - especially if you're a soccer geek.
Finally not a book - but a DVD if you can find it Warnock its a BBC documentation done on Neil Warnock who is still a manager today, he allowed them behind the scenes a few years ago and you get to watch him as he really is.
If you like Bill Simmons' style and sense of humor, then you will like The Book of Basketball. And you will learn a lot about pro basketball.
Not everyone likes his style, so be sure you know that you like him before you buy it.
I definitely recommend this one.
Logan
03-10-2010, 10:42 AM
Should definitely read Ball Four.
Mickey Mantle has an autobiography-like book called "My Favorite Summer: 1956" where he chronicled his Triple Crown year. My dad is a big Mantle fan and got it for me when I was younger, I remember reading it cover to cover frequently. There's a lot in there about his wild times with Billy and Whitey.
Unsurprisingly all soccer related ... ;)
Left Foot Forward: A Year in the Life of a Journeyman Footballer - Garry Nelson played at every English soccer level but the Premiership and in the latter days of his career wrote a couple of books detailing 'real life' as a professional soccer player. Fantastic reading all of them.
The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw: Robin Friday Story - Auto-biography on Robin Friday, an amazingly talented soccer player who's wild side meant he never achieved the success he should have. An interesting read written partially through interviews with people who knew him.
Inverting the pyramid - history of soccer tactics through the ages
Finally not a book - but a DVD if you can find it Warnock its a BBC documentation done on Neil Warnock who is still a manager today, he allowed them behind the scenes a few years ago and you get to watch him as he really is.
Will have to look into those, thanks.
Logan
03-10-2010, 10:44 AM
Next Man Up by Feinstein - a walk through a season with the Ravens under Billick. Interesting stuff.
I liked this a lot too. I'm pretty sure I mentioned this book on here before and a couple people knocked it good. But like you said, it's interesting...you get to read some of the behind the scenes stuff about the Terrell Owens trade to Baltimore that got canceled, Jamal Lewis' drug charge, etc.
cubboyroy1826
03-10-2010, 10:45 AM
Fantasyland is a book I have read at least 4 times. It is kinda sports in that it deals with fantasy baseball. This book follows a sportswriter in his quest to win one of the toughest fantasy baseball leagues.
TroyF
03-10-2010, 10:46 AM
Blind Side
Anything by John Feinstein and I mean anything. Great writer. Here is his amazon page:
hxxp://www.amazon.com/John-Feinstein/e/B000AQ72DC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Seabiscuit - an amazing book about a horse
ISiddiqui
03-10-2010, 10:47 AM
Speaking of Michael Lewis (who wrote "Moneyball"), "The Blind Side" is a good read. It's got the story of Michael Oher, but also the evolution of the Left Tackle position.
FrogMan
03-10-2010, 10:50 AM
Some I've not seen mentionned yet and that were available on amazon.co.uk. All Football books...
Paper Lion: Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback: Amazon.co.uk: George Plimpton: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Lion-Confessions-Last-String-Quarterback/dp/1599218097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268239188&sr=1-1)
a writer becomes fourth string QB for the Detroit Lions for one training camp in the 60s and lives to tell about it.
A Civil War: Year Inside College Football's Purest Rivalry: Amazon.co.uk: John Feinstein: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=0316278246&x=0&y=0)
very good book about the rivalry between Army and Navy in College Football
"You'RE Okay, it's Just a Bruise": A Doctor's Sideline Secrets: Amazon.co.uk: Rob Huizenga: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=0312136277&x=0&y=0)
former doctor of the Oakland raiders tells of his time on the sidelines and the outrageous stuff that happened there
Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL: Amazon.co.uk: Jeff Benedict, Don Yeager, Don Yaeger: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pros-Cons-Criminals-Who-Play/dp/0446524034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268239598&sr=1-1)
a bit date as it came out in 1998, but I remember finding it intersting when I read it back then
FM
ISiddiqui
03-10-2010, 10:51 AM
As for soccer, I'd recommend:
Soccer Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper
How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer
Both are books about the impact of soccer on the society and culture they are in.
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is also an amazing read about an Arsenal fan's obsession with his team done in a series of diary-like entries.
FrogMan
03-10-2010, 10:57 AM
here's another I read about half of, don't remember why I got sidetracked, but the part I read was pretty interesting:
Pigskin: The Early Years of Pro Football: Amazon.co.uk: Robert W. Peterson: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pigskin-Early-Years-Pro-Football/dp/0195119134/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268240149&sr=1-1)
FM
whomario
03-10-2010, 10:58 AM
Blind Side
Anything by John Feinstein and I mean anything. Great writer.
agreed, really like a few of his books, my favourite one :
Let me tell you a story is basically a biography of Red Auerbach as told by himself. Feinstein gets to sit in with a lunch group of people headed and invited by Auerbach and writes down the stories Red has to tell. Great stories, well written = awesome book.
Peregrine
03-10-2010, 11:39 AM
A Few Seconds Of Panic by Stefan Fatsis - An NFL writer learns kicking and goes to a Denver Broncos training camp. Sort of a newer Paper Lion and a great book, especially for it's insights into the psyche of modern NFL players.
Big Fo
03-10-2010, 11:48 AM
A Few Seconds Of Panic by Stefan Fatsis - An NFL writer learns kicking and goes to a Denver Broncos training camp. Sort of a newer Paper Lion and a great book, especially for it's insights into the psyche of modern NFL players.
I might check this out, I really liked his book Word Freak that was about the world of competitive Scrabble.
The Undefeated by Jim Dent (IIRC) is a good read on OU's undefeated streak in the 50's.
FrogMan
03-10-2010, 12:17 PM
I've often seen this book on shelves around here but never bought it. It's on my "to read" list for someday in the future, if only because I was a big Ken Dryden fan when growing up.
The Game, 20th Anniversary Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Ken Dryden: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-20th-Anniversary-Ken-Dryden/dp/0470835842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268244947&sr=8-1)
FM
Super Ugly
03-10-2010, 12:55 PM
End Zone by Don DeLillo is one of my favourite novels.
digamma
03-10-2010, 01:00 PM
The Perfect Mile (http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Mile-Athletes-Minutes-Achieve/dp/0618391126), by Neil Bascomb, about the battle to be the first to break the four minute mile.
The Real All Americans (http://www.amazon.com/Real-All-Americans-Changed-People/dp/0385519877/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268247154&sr=1-1), by Sally Jenkins, about the Carlisle Indian School's college football performance in the early part of the century.
I second some of the Feinstein selections, particularly a Civil War.
Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer (http://www.amazon.com/Rammer-Jammer-Yellow-Hammer-Heart/dp/0609807137/ref=cm_srch_res_rpli_1), by Warren St. John, about an Alabama football season when he bought a used RV and followed the team.
Missing Links (http://www.amazon.com/Missing-Links-Rick-Reilly/dp/0385488866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268247558&sr=1-1), by Rick Reilly, fiction before Reilly went all soft and shit.
Ronnie Dobbs2
03-10-2010, 01:00 PM
End Zone by Don DeLillo is one of my favourite novels.
The first 50 or so pages of Underworld are fantastic and also fit in the sports motif.
RainMaker
03-10-2010, 01:12 PM
Most of the books I'd recommend have already been mentioned here. I do think Friday Night Lights is a must-read and one of the classics of the last 30 years.
If you're a baseball guy, Crazy '08 is a fun book about the 1908 season. It covers a lot of the early figures in baseball and has some interesting history behind it.
ISiddiqui
03-10-2010, 01:23 PM
+1 for "Crazy '08". Brilliant book and I can't believe I forgot about it!
Scoobz0202
03-10-2010, 01:28 PM
One of my favorites, Miracle of Castel Di Sangro
Amazon.com: The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy (9780767905992): Joe McGinniss: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Castel-Sangro-Passion-Folly/dp/0767905997/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268249221&sr=8-1)
Joe McGinnis went to a small town in Italy for a year and followed their team. The book is remarkable.
Super Ugly
03-10-2010, 01:40 PM
The first 50 or so pages of Underworld are fantastic and also fit in the sports motif.
Yeah, that's some great writing.
Awesome list thanks, will pick some of those for sure.
RainMaker
03-11-2010, 03:38 AM
+1 for "Crazy '08". Brilliant book and I can't believe I forgot about it!
I bought it off I believe your recommendation in the book thread.
OldGiants
03-11-2010, 07:17 AM
As for soccer, I'd recommend:
Soccer Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper
How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer
Both are books about the impact of soccer on the society and culture they are in.
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is also an amazing read about an Arsenal fan's obsession with his team done in a series of diary-like entries.
Foer and Hornby are tremendous books. I'll look for Kuper myself. OTOH, I hated the Miracle of Castel Di Sangro because the author is an egotistical turd who injects himself into the action with his know-it-all attitude. He's a prime example of the Ugly American at work. I think a European such as you, Icy, would find Maginnis contemptible.
I would like to recommend the greatest baseball book of all time, The Glory of Their Times:
Amazon.com: The Glory of Their Times : The Story of Baseball Told By the Men Who Played It (9780688112738): Lawrence S. Ritter: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Their-Times-Baseball-Played/dp/0688112730)
Interviews with early major leaguers and fascinating. I'll never forget the cannon ball story of Dummy Hoy, the deaf center fielder, among so many others.
Marc Vaughan
03-11-2010, 08:26 AM
Oh can't believe I forgot to recommend Trautmann ...
There are several books on him - he was an amazing person as well as being a great footballer. He came across to England as a German prisoner of war and ended up playing for Manchester City and being much loved despite originally being seen as one of the enemy in post war Britain.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trautmann-Alan-Rowlands/dp/185983762X
(interesting fact - Trautmann broke his neck during one match playing for City and instead of being substituted decided to play on, completing the match ... and this was in the days before keepers had the protection they're afforded by referee's today)
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