View Full Version : What books do you suggest?
OklahomaGunner
17 Mar 2006, 12:39 AM
What books of Arsenal history would you suggest that I check out.
I hear so many names mentioned of the past and I have no knowledge of them, what's a good way to read up on my Arsenal history?
Skizz
17 Mar 2006, 03:36 AM
My girlfriend bought me "The Official History of Arsenal Football Club". It only covers up to 2001 but that was an official club book that featured pics, stats, everything. That book was legendary, and you should be able to pick it up on the cheap = assuming you know your Gunners stuff post-2001!
Speaking of which, they will probably make another edition of that book now that Thierry's broken the record, so it may well be worth holding on until the end of the season to see what they come up with.
bigg skizzle
The Grimster
17 Mar 2006, 04:34 AM
My girlfriend bought me "The Official History of Arsenal Football Club". It only covers up to 2001 but that was an official club book that featured pics, stats, everything. That book was legendary, and you should be able to pick it up on the cheap = assuming you know your Gunners stuff post-2001!
Speaking of which, they will probably make another edition of that book now that Thierry's broken the record, so it may well be worth holding on until the end of the season to see what they come up with.
bigg skizzle
Now updated to 2005 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0600613445/qid=1142587993/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1_1/202-2774654-7727838) Highly recommended!
Lanesra
17 Mar 2006, 06:05 AM
They're all in here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0600612244/qid=1142591222/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/203-1789511-7412723)
Skizz
17 Mar 2006, 06:13 AM
Now updated to 2005 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0600613445/qid=1142587993/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1_1/202-2774654-7727838) Highly recommended!
:eek: Will be purchasing!
bigg skizzle
CTGooner
17 Mar 2006, 09:18 AM
-Rebels for the Cause
-Bob Wilson's Autobiography
- Addicted, Tony Adams
- True Grit, Frank Mcclintock
Cannon
17 Mar 2006, 09:36 AM
I also recommend Rebels for the Cause.
The Glorious Game:Extra Time (Arsene Wenger, Arsenal and the quest for success) by Fynn and Whitcher is the best book on Wenger's time at Arsenal.
The Official Arsenal Miscellany by Brennan is full of trivia about the club including many stories I'd never heard before.
Bernard Azulay has some good Arsenal books worth checking out.
red & wite army
17 Mar 2006, 12:14 PM
Well, I'm guessing Feverpitch doesn't need any recomendations....
"The Official History of Arsenal Football Club" is great...another must buy book.
I also like the book on all the players in Arsenal's history.
Try to get Arsene's autobiography....and Tony's...and any other player you admire.
OklahomaGunner
17 Mar 2006, 12:25 PM
Reps all around...thanks fellas.
Amazon.com thanks you as well. ;)
DC_Gunner
17 Mar 2006, 12:32 PM
It has nothing (except for Bergkamp and overmars) to do with Arsenal, but Brilliant Orange: Then Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by far the most interesting sports book I've ever read.
gothamite
17 Mar 2006, 12:40 PM
Seconding Fever Pitch, just because. It was my introduction to the club, and is largely responsible for my being a Gooner.
Also, the Rough Guide looks pretty good. Haven't read it yet, but I have lots of other Rough Guides (both travel and pop culture), and they're all top-notch.
Przybylinski
17 Mar 2006, 01:21 PM
Tony Adams - Addicted is really good. Bob Wilson and Frank McClintok's books are good as well for reading about players.
The official history book updated to this year is worth buying.
And Fever Pitch as always.
DoctorK
17 Mar 2006, 03:44 PM
The Official is brilliant. Bought mine opening week of '03-'04. Definitely need the latest revision!
The Glorious Game: Extra Time by Alex Flynn and Kevin Whitcher is pretty good, though it does get bogged down in places.
Just picked up Rebels for the Cause a few weeks ago and it is fascinating!
And Fever Pitch is absolutely mandatory reading.
leepyswetr
17 Mar 2006, 04:30 PM
Nick Hornby's How to be Good isn't about Arsenal, but you could spend a long time pondering how Dennis Bergkamp fits on a list of people who are "talentless, overrated, or simply wankers."
Cannon
17 Mar 2006, 05:04 PM
It has nothing (except for Bergkamp and overmars) to do with Arsenal, but Brilliant Orange: Then Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by far the most interesting sports book I've ever read.Yeah that was a good read although I got a bit bored with the architecture stuff. Still a worthy read with some interesting ideas.
How soccer Explains the World (Foer) is a good first football book and even old guys might learn a story/fact or two. The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro is another good book for people new to the game.
Football against the enemy (Kuper) is one of my favorites. Must Read.
The Story of the World Cup (Glanville) is good for catching up on the WC that you know little about and even the more recent ones.
Another favorite of mine is Soccer in Sun and Shadow (Galeano) a very beautiful book with many interesting stories about football in S.America but it isn't for everybody. Galeano throws in leftist politics, comments on racism, etc while describing legends of S.America football. However, if you want to read a lyrical book that captures the beauty of the game then this one is for you.
A weird one that I read awhile ago is The Far Corner: A Mazy Dribble through North-East Football (Pearson). If you'd like to learn about the history of football in NE England and enjoy odd stories about clubs and players you've never heard of before, pick up this one. Obviously used Fever pitch for "inspiration."
Just started, Futebol (Bellos) on Brazilian football. So far so good.
Anybody read Passovotchka (Downing), Barca (Burns), or The Glory Game (Davies)? Got those for Xmas and haven't gotten around to reading them yet.
No1ArsenalFan
18 Mar 2006, 12:53 PM
What players have written an autobiography. I've got Ian Wright's and Tony Adams just wondering if you guys know of any others I could get.
No1ArsenalFan aka Rich Smith
impalemeplz
18 Mar 2006, 01:03 PM
What players have written an autobiography. I've got Ian Wright's and Tony Adams just wondering if you guys know of any others I could get.
No1ArsenalFan aka Rich Smith
vieiras but its utterly boring compared to adams one.
No1ArsenalFan
18 Mar 2006, 03:48 PM
vieiras but its utterly boring compared to adams one.
Yeah I know about Vieira's but I heard Pires has written one. Is this true?
No1ArsenalFan aka Rich Smith