Re: Re: Suggested Reading List If you want to read a hilarious, football (related) book... "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis" by Tony Hawks is great. On a bet, he must play and beat the entire Moldovan National Football Team in a series of tennis matches. Not really a serious discussion of soccer, but cmon, we've gotta think about something else sometime. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...9864909/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-3741442-8470362
I'll second the emotions on both Garry Nelson books, The Glory Game, Full Time, and 22 Foreigners in Funny Shorts. Let me add these: "Only a Game?" by Eamon Dunphy. Yes, the same man who co-wrote Roy Keane's new biography. It's a diary of Dunphy's time with Millwall in 73-74. It's been reprinted at least twice and should be available online. "The Mavericks" by Rob Steen. It's about early 70s flair players who were snubbed by the English national team: Charlie George, Alan Hudson, Rodney Marsh, Tony Currie, Frank Worthington & Stan Bowles. (Actually, all but Bowles played in the US. All but Currie in the NASL, he was with a Toronto team in a Canadian league IIRC.) Makes me wish I'd gone to more Kicks games that summer Charlie George played in Minnesota. If www.amazon.co.uk doesn't work...try www.sportsbooksdirect.co.uk. I've used both and been quite pleased.
Congratulations. You just gave me the new inspiration for the next book on my reading list. On the related subject of the NASL, there's an old book (long out of print, I'm certain) about the 1975 San Jose Earthquakes, written in a "diary" type of manner, with a countless number of in-depth player profiles and interviews. Can't remember the title or the author of the book off-hand-- I'll have to ring Momma back home tomorrow-- only that I have read it over and over again in years gone by, and it's a wonderful trip down memory lane of the first team I remember following in my youth. Cheers, William
Stan the Man - autobiography of Stan Bowles. Fantastic stuff - from THE QPR legend. If you can find it - you'll love it.
I read "Miracle" a couple of years ago and came away very impressed. Was there any fallout over the allegations made in the last couple of chapters of the book?
This might be an interesting question to pose on the Italy Forum, since a few of the fans over there are quite knowledgable when it comes to calcio. My (uninformed) guess is that, no, there wasn't much fallout, because the average Italian fan has grown accustomed to a wee bit of corruption at the lower levels of the sport. And because the number of fans affected were relatively small, compared to the fan base of more established, bigger sides.
I would be remiss if I didn't chime in and recommend The Games That Rate. It's available at most on-line book stores but the best deal is at www.1stbooks.com. It includes extended recounting of the two greatest soccer games from WWII to 2000; the book recounts the greatest games in that period in the other major team sports as well.
William: The book you mention is called "Soccer Fever" and is, as you say, a diary style book of the 1975 San Jose Earthquakes (NASL). I found it at a used book store in Berkeley for two dollars. The author's name slips my tongue, but I did start a thread about it over on the earthquakes boards here on bs. This is a terrific thread. Go Quakes Tony
Thanks, Tony!! Now I remember... The author's name is Richard Lyttle, I believe-- that just "came to me in a flaming pie", to rip off a great John Lennon-ism. And now that you mention it, I do recall that thread you started, long before the Great Crash of '02. In fact, I remember posting on that thread; may have been one of my first posts on BigSoccer, in fact. My momma MUST ship that book out here ASAP. Momma, if you're reading this thread, the book should be on the lower shelf in my old bedroom... No kidding. Keep 'em coming... Another book that I'm going to get, hopefully today, is "Sheilas, Wogs, and Poofters", by SBS soccer commentator Johnny Warren, who also was once a Socceroos captain back in the 1970s. It details the "unofficial history" of soccer in Australia, and I'll read it first before I make any recommendations, of course. Cheers, William
I absolutely loved that book, but then I'm a pinko liberal soccer fan who doesn't mind a little "under the breath" mutterings about politics and such mixed in with my soccer. Perhaps the anecdotal format might turn some people off, but for me it was like listening to an old man who had a lifetime of wonderful stories to tell about soccer. I highly recommend it.
Miracle of.... is an absolute stonker of a book. I also recommend : The story of the World Cup by Brain Glanville. Brillant Orange by David Winner, the story of dutch football for the more sophisticated fan. The Cassell Soccer Companion by David Pickering, is useful and entertaining. You also can't beat a bit of Rothmans. Ooo yes, a bit of Rothmans.
That was my first question as well. As I metioned earlier, there was fallout from Miracle of Castel. . . The book is not printed there. I was just wondering if any of these books have been made into movies? I'm an avid reader, but my list is now 32 books long and with that whole job thing that I have, I can't imagine getting through them all. Any chance anyone knows? Also, maybe someone with knowledge about soccer movies could start a thread (unless there is already one and I've missed it). Just a thought.
on the subject of the NASL I found this in a cardboard box at a gargage sale. "The Making of an American Soccer Player" by Shep Messing. Interesting look at the early years of the NASL and his experiences with Pele. Messing really is outspoken in the book, some interesting stuff.
This has to be one of the best threads on BS. I'll have more books to read than I know what to do with not to mention I'd like to read non-soccer books as well. Not enough time in the day. I'd also like to know about soccer movies. If you haven't seen Mean Machine with Vinnie Jones, get it NOW!
"Among the Thugs" is one of the best pieces of non-fiction writing I've ever read on any subject. But it more about the violent culture surrounding football than the game itself.(My favorite scene is when Dougie the skinhead has the author, Bill Buford, pinned against a lamppost outside a National Front rally.) "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro" has an amazing underdog's story, that is when Joe McGinniss gets his big fat gozzle head and amazing ego out of the way. Now, am I crazy or has someone written a book on the 1950 U.S. team that upset England? If so, has anyone here read it?
Wow! I'm going to have to come back to this thread and jot everything down later to add to my "to be read eventually list". Also giving me an idea of what's marketable in regards to soccer "fiction". If you are located in Stateside, try looking into Http://www.half.com for your books. You'll save money over buying new. Or perhaps a trading club amoung the posters to this list could be started. . . a separate email group list ??? Just a thought. Kirsten
Check out the "The Way it Was," Stanley Matthews' autobiography. Matthews is of course a legend of English football, played from the 30's to the 60's or so in the old English First Division and for England. This was only put out in 2000 or so and it's in paperback in the States. Not the usual autobio, Mathhew's seems to written this himself. Mathhew's is a great storyteller, and he had me actually on edge to see how these fifty-year old games turned out. Some interesting history in there too, especially the early World Cups and the international teams. Fantastic read.
All right, new guy here. Longtime SAG user (just "kevin") but as it's dying out, I decided to lurk here and am making my first post today because: 1. It's my birthday -- what better time to start up? 2. While I've read and loved many of the books here ("Fever Pitch" "My Favourite Year" "Manchester United Ruined my Life" -- sucker -- and "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro"), an important one was left out: "The Day a Team Died" by Frank Taylor Written by a journalist who was on the Manchester United flight that crashed in Munich in 1958, it concentrates less on the sport than the people involved. Provides a good view of what the sport went through that day and in the intervening weeks and years. Absolutely gut-wrenching at times when you think of what was lost -- whether you love Manchester United or hate them.
Re: Re: Miracle of Castel di Sangro Ughh! Nothing can make being a DC fan this year a bit more bearable for me.
You're not crazy. Read some of the earlier posts. It's a good book but of course no in the same vein as Miracle.
Just wanted to throw a few other titles out there. Dynamo: The story of Dynamo Kiev during WWII. I really enjoyed this one, and the history behind it makes a great read. West Ham till I die: Robert Banks - pretty funny book and gives the insights into being a fan of the greatest club in the world (poetic license) American professor Charles Korr wrote a great book about the history of West Ham, this is a must read. Also for those who like coaching "The coaching philosophies of Louis van Gaal". Easy read, and my 13 year old read it and loved it. A great place to get books is sportspages.co.uk. Now a question: There was a book written about USL football by some English guy, anybody know this one?
Well since we're talking about the world's greatest club I've got "Fortune's Always Hiding" by Kirk Blows and it's a pretty decent description of the Hammers during the Redknapp era.
That's another great one. Probably better than "West Ham till I Die". Can't go wrong with Claret and Blue literature.