Essential Soccer Books

Discussion in 'Books' started by Jose L. Couso, Jan 15, 2006.

  1. yossarian

    yossarian Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 16, 1999
    Big City Blinking
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ....and despite being an Arsenal supporter.....I agree. It's a very good read.
     
  2. Red&Black

    Red&Black Member+

    Aug 30, 2001
    Lot 8
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Burkina Faso
    i like "deep in the forest" too, but then i'm partisan :D
     
  3. Glenwood Lane United

    Apr 28, 2001
    Hanover Park, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    I thought that was just ok, and "Staying Up", about a season with Coventry, was much better.

    I can get you the author and the season he followed when I get home if you like, I just don't know it off the top of my head.
     
  4. prk166

    prk166 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 8, 2000
    Med City
  5. prk166

    prk166 BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 8, 2000
    Med City
    No, Nick Hornby's a two-bit hack. It has nothing to do with Arsenal. He's just a mediocre writer.

    * runs and hides before Hornby fans kick my hind-end *
     
  6. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    That looks great. Time to start dropping hints to the wife about what would be a good birthday present.
     
  7. Red&Black

    Red&Black Member+

    Aug 30, 2001
    Lot 8
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Burkina Faso
    thanks
     
  8. Thomas A Fina

    Thomas A Fina Member

    Mar 29, 1999
    Hell
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
     
  9. Glenwood Lane United

    Apr 28, 2001
    Hanover Park, IL
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Author is Rick Gekoski, and the season is 1997-8.
     
  10. PsychedelicCeltic

    PsychedelicCeltic New Member

    Dec 10, 2003
    San Francisco/London
     
  11. Dead Run

    Dead Run New Member

    Mar 28, 2005
    Portland
    Be interested to hear which coachng and tactical books you like most.

    The Buford book is a first hand account of events in from his own life. Not sure when autobiography needed independent confirmation. In any event it was a great read, disagreeable though it may be to English football fans. It was more about the mentality of the mob, than about England anyway. I still recommend it as a fun page-turning read.

    The book about the Japanese A league looks fascinating. The Japanese experience in the development of soccer is very similar to the US . Japan has improved very rapidly as an international side because of that league.
     
  12. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
  13. Michael K.

    Michael K. Member

    Mar 3, 1999
    There or Thereabouts
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    [​IMG]

    You really think there's external fact-checking going on? Pah.
     
  14. Michael K.

    Michael K. Member

    Mar 3, 1999
    There or Thereabouts
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, but Japanese sporting culture, and the (apparent) collective desires to imitate European soccer traditions, are nothing like what you find here.
     
  15. MRod

    MRod Member

    Jun 30, 2005
    Bakersfield, Ca
    For anyone who's interested, the book "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" can be found at your local dollar tree if you have one. I ordered my copy off of ebay for 10$, then saw it for a dollar a week later while buying some batteries.
     
  16. andygus

    andygus Member

    Dec 13, 2001
    No. Va.
    I am shocked and surprised that my book, 23 Days in Korea: An American at the World Cup has yet to be listed;) For US fans wanting to relive that great Cup run, check it out, or anyone else interested in an Americans perspective. http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/view-item?item=3331&36191504-6283aaa

    As for me, I loved the Miracle of Castel di Sangro--actually cried near the end I was so upset. Football Against the Enemy is probably the most important book for a soccer fan, I often carry it to no soccer fans homes and try to get them to read a chapter or two.

    Left Foot Forward was fine, but certainly not essential. Glory Game was a good read for someone who knows nothing about that era. I enjoyed FeverPitch (and hate Arsenal--it had me wondering, if I didn't know better, if I should support them). Managing My Life by Sir Alex Ferguson was a very good and informative read.
     
  17. afgrijselijkheid

    Dec 29, 2002
    mokum
    Club:
    AFC Ajax
    a must have, especially now that it is on sale at amazon UK

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jose L. Couso

    Jose L. Couso New Member

    Jul 31, 2000
    Arlington, VA
    I recently got a hold of a friend's copy (I wanted to read it to get ready for this year's World Cup).

    It was a good read, especially for US Soccer fans.
     
  19. Jayfil

    Jayfil Member

    Feb 24, 2000
    South Burlington, Vermont
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Hey, how'd they get my #7 shirt for that cover!

    I'll second the positive opinions of "The Glory Game" and Eduardo Galeano. Not so keen on "Fever Pitch" (could have been _way_ more compelling) or "Miracle of Castel di Sangro". I liked the story well enough (how could you not?), but Joe McGinness perfectly embodies the ugly, arrogant American stereotype, which makes it a difficult read for me.
     
  20. Excape Goat

    Excape Goat Member+

    Mar 18, 1999
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Good book.
     
  21. Thomas A Fina

    Thomas A Fina Member

    Mar 29, 1999
    Hell
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I meant stateside.

    May have to just buy about 6 or 7 books - the idea of paying about 7 bucks shipping on a 14 book is almost as abhorrent as those ticketmaster fees they tack on tickets

    Anyway, the end of Castel di Sangro mad em not like the book despite the fact I enjoyed the previous pages

    A Season with Verona and Futebol was excellent, as was Fever Pitch, which should be a must read for any fan.

    I didn't really enjoy Galeano's book as much as I should have, but pretty much everyone else who has read it likes it.
     
  22. leg_breaker

    leg_breaker Member

    Dec 23, 2005
    Anything by Dougie Brimson.
     
  23. bostonsoccermdl

    bostonsoccermdl Moderator
    Staff Member

    Apr 3, 2002
    Denver, CO
    [​IMG]

    My Scottish buddy recommended this to me and it was great.

    He actually "knew" the author!! :eek:
     
  24. sangreazul

    sangreazul Member

    Nov 17, 2003
    Belmont, CA
    Club:
    Club América
    Nat'l Team:
    Mexico

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