Recommended Reading for Footie fans (that means you!)

[quentinc]

The Thinking Fan's Guide to the World Cup

Generally speaking, it's 32 essays, of varying length, on all the countries in the World Cup. Some of them are quite didactic and boring (Poland standing out in this regard), but others, especially on the poorer African and South American nations, are quite good (Ecuador and Cote D'Ivoire were my two favorites). Ostensibly, all the pieces should deal with football, but it varies to different extents. But if a game gets boring (re: You're watching England ;) ), you can take time out to read it, as it's very good. I found multiple copies at my local Barnes & Noble, which, besides Fever Pitch, has nothing beyond 5,000 books on coaching youth soccer.

There's excerpts from a few of the pieces in the latest National Geographic, including the introduction.

[Twenty26Six]

A good few of the many, many, many I have... :)

Faith of Our Fathers, by Alan Edge.

National Geographic, "Why the World Loves Soccer", June 2006.

Dutch National Coaching Handbook [may not be exact title].

Soccer Coaching Made Easy, by Tom Goodman, M. Ed.

[stanaccrington]

Futebol (Soccer the Brazilian way) by Alex Bellos.

The book of course has the pre-requisite chapters on the two Brazilian greats Pele and Garrincha, in addition to an investigation into Ronaldo and his fateful day during the 1998 World Cup Final in Paris. But the best chapters of the books are the ones that dig deeper into the sociological role that football plays in Brazilian life, from the rich and powerful, right down to the hardcore fans who live in the country's dangerous favelas (slums). Bellos obviously spent an enormous amount of time and money traveling this great country to get all kinds of different perspectives, and the novel is that much better for it. I suppose if I had something negative to say about this book it's that certain chapters (such as Frogs and Miracles) drag on a little too much for my liking. However, do not let this put you off for Futebol is truly worth reading.

[quentinc]

Has anyone read (or heard of) a book called Winning Orange? I sort of want to acquaint myself with the whole Dutch System and the idea of Total Football. I guess the one reccomended by 26 would be worth reading, no?

Has anyone read How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer?

[wemess0]

Has anyone read How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer?

I read it and enjoyed it. I would elaborate a bit more, but I read it in February '05 and don't remember too much about it. I do recall the chapters on Barca and Red Star Belgrade being particularly interesting.

[usscouse]

I've had this copy of "My Soccer Story" By Billy Liddell, follow me through 4 countries and four states.

I had a book called (I think) Real Madrid. It was a gift in the 60's but someone borrowed it....buggers!

They'd won the European Cup four times by then. With the likes of Puskas, DiStefano, Jento and the rest of the greats.

[Twenty26Six]

Has anyone read (or heard of) a book called Winning Orange? I sort of want to acquaint myself with the whole Dutch System and the idea of Total Football. I guess the one reccomended by 26 would be worth reading, no?

The Dutch Coaching Handbook is a good book for coaches. Outlines more coaching philosophy than tactics. Although it does have tactical insight.

You might want to look up a book by Rinus Michels. I _believe_ it was called "Team Building". Rinus was the old Ajax coach when they won the European Cup 3 years running and he also coached the Dutch National Teams at different points, IIRC.

Also, search out BS member Bertje on the forums here. He has a lot to say on the subject, I'm sure he could give you a few suggestions.

[edlova]

I recently read A Season With Verona and The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro, both well done, each one following a team for one season...also gives you some more background into how bad Italians are with the corruption of their leagues

[sarabella]

Has anyone read (or heard of) a book called Winning Orange? I sort of want to acquaint myself with the whole Dutch System and the idea of Total Football. I guess the one reccomended by 26 would be worth reading, no?
It's called Brilliant Orange (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0747553106/sr=8-1/qid=1153209159/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6410017-8195259?ie=UTF8) and it's a fantastic book.

[quentinc]

It's called Brilliant Orange (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0747553106/sr=8-1/qid=1153209159/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6410017-8195259?ie=UTF8) and it's a fantastic book.
Yeah, I realized that a while after I posted, and never corrected myself. I ordered it on Amazon a while ago, but it still hasn't come, so I don't know what the deal is.

[revelationx]

Some great football books I have read are

A Season on the Brink: Rafael Benitez, Liverpool and the Path to European Glory by Guillem Balague

Barca: A People's Passion by Jimmy Burns

Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football by Phil Ball

Futebol: Soccer - The Brazilian Way by Alex Bellos

Check them out. You'll thank me later :)

[Twenty26Six]

Yeah, I realized that a while after I posted, and never corrected myself. I ordered it on Amazon a while ago, but it still hasn't come, so I don't know what the deal is.

So what is up did ya order any books or no? I ended up breaking down and buying Rinus Michels book.

Re:RevelationX, how was the Phil Ball book on Spanish Football? I have always liked his articles, and was thinking about purchasing his book.

[revelationx]

I thought Morbo was excellent.

The book has chapters talking about all the major clubs in Spain and some of the minor lower division ones. It also talks about some of the quirky customs and rituals in Spanish society that have developed around Football. It is interesting to read about how a particular club started and why they play in a certain colour kit. Also it details the careers of some of the past greats in Spanish football.

If you are interested in La Liga then this book will flesh out your background knowledge of the Spanish football landscape.

I believe Phil Ball has also now written a book focussing on Real Madrid called White Storm. I have not yet got around to reading this new(ish) book but I will in the future.

[mbrossetti]

I thought Morbo was excellent.

The book has chapters talking about all the major clubs in Spain and some of the minor lower division ones. It also talks about some of the quirky customs and rituals in Spanish society that have developed around Football. It is interesting to read about how a particular club started and why they play in a certain colour kit. Also it details the careers of some of the past greats in Spanish football.

If you are interested in La Liga then this book will flesh out your background knowledge of the Spanish football landscape.

I believe Phil Ball has also now written a book focussing on Real Madrid called White Storm. I have not yet got around to reading this new(ish) book but I will in the future.

Ditto on morbo, excellent read. Read it in sequence with the foer book and football against the enemy ?

[Russian Scouser]

It's called Brilliant Orange (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0747553106/sr=8-1/qid=1153209159/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6410017-8195259?ie=UTF8) and it's a fantastic book.
A tad self-indulgent, that one.
Another superb insight is "Ajax, the Dutch, the War" by Simon Kuper - goes further back into history of Dutch footy.

[Russian Scouser]

A Season on the Brink: Rafael Benitez, Liverpool and the Path to European Glory by Guillem Balague



I like Balague but didn't think much of this one - waaaaaaaaaaaay too cheesy.

[Russian Scouser]

"Behind the Curtain" by Jonathan Wilson - about footy in Eastern Europe is very good.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Just got done reading:

How Soccer Explains the World

Football Against the Enemy

Soccer in Sun and Shadow

I would recommend all of those.

[dragback]

McGuigan, Paul (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McGuigan_%28musician%29) and Hewitt, Paolo (1997) The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw (ISBN 1-85158-909-0 (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Booksources&isbn=1851589090))

I love the way little opinion is offered by the authors, just people who met/knew the guy. Can read more like a 60's rock biography.

[dragback]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Other-Working-Football-Heroes/dp/0224072684

I'm on chapter 5, great read so far