Recommended Reading
The Sport and the British – A Modern History
Richard Holt
First published in 1989
Richard Holt’s historical record is a brilliantly researched, yet concise book details how sport grew from small beginnings into what has become a professional and heavily televised event. He shows us how sports developed across the United Kingdom, defined by imperialism, education and economics, as well as the battles to do with class and gender. It is a wonderful look back at how British sport was, is and developed into a set of national pass times. An important look back at how the mother of sports behaves how it does, thinks the way it does and reacts the way it does, within the context of society and lifestyle.
Muhammed Ali – His Life and Times
Thomas Hauser
First Published in 1991
There is a variety of literature dedicated to boxing and in particular to Muhammed Ali. This biography, however, is amongst the best, winning the William Hill Sports Book Award in 1991, as well as being nominated for the National Book Award, in the author’s native USA. It is easy to know why, as it is an absolute tome, with plenty of information inside, which is what you would expect when done in co-operation from his family and those friends closest to him. It’s not just that, though, as his literary skill is articulate and clear, allowing Ali’s story to tell itself. This official biography is a must read for all boxing fans everywhere.
King of the World – Muhammed Ali and the Rise of an American Hero
David Remnick
First Published in 1998
Described by the Sunday Times as ‘One of the best sports books of the 1990s’, it was written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Remnick. It focuses on Muhammed Ali’s rise to prominence and his rivalry with Sonny Liston and deals with race and the social issues engulfing the USA at the time, as well as being a historical record for boxing fans. Read it, savour it, learn from it.
Seabiscuit – Three Men and a Horse
Laura Hillenbrand
First Published in 2001
Another winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, Hillenbrand’s book was adapted into a Hollywood movie in 2003. It is the true story of an American racehorse, called Seabiscuit, and the team behind him; the owner, the trainer and the jockey. These three men all came from different backgrounds and meant something different within the American way of life as the country dealt with the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash. Like all great sports stories that come from the USA this one deals with how the featured characters follow the American Dream is an overriding theme, but also how the county at large is going through a period of change in the early part of the twentieth century. A beautiful book about second chances and getting on in life, this book is for everybody, not just sports fans.
Le Tour – A History of the Tour De France
Geoffrey Wheatcroft
First Published in 2003
Geoffrey Wheatcroft is a British journalist, with a fascination of the Tour de France. In 2003 he published his history of the legendary cycling event with a passion for the sport and for history that comes through in his writing. HIs book is as much a collection of stories and a portrait of the country of France, as it is a historical record. If you’re interested in the Tour and have an interest in how it has become intertwined with French culture then this might be of interest for you.
All-Round Genius
Mick Collins
First Published in 2006
The book aims to enlighten us about the ‘unknown story of Britain’s greatest sportsman’. It is a biography of Max Woosnam and offers an interesting snapshot of how an elite level British sportsman could be developed in the first half of the twentieth century. Woosnam was an interesting character and quite a successful athlete. Having played for the legendary Corinthian Football Club, captained Manchester City FC and represented England in football, he became an Olympic Gold Medalist in the tennis doubles, as well as a mixed doubles champion at Wimbledon and captained Great Britain at the Davis Cup.
Invictus
(First Published as Playing the Enemy)
John Carlin
First Published in 2008
Originally titled Playing the Enemy, the book now takes its name from the movie based on this story and the William Earnest Henley poem that provided inspiration to Nelson Mandela whilst he was in prison. It recounts the story of Mandela and his colleagues overcoming the scars of racism within South Africa after the fall of apartheid and the dream of bringing together ‘the Rainbow Nation’. The culmination of the story takes the 1995 South African Rugby World Cup, which the host nation won, and uses it as an example of how forgiveness, compromise and reconciliation within a nation of deep divisions can bring people together.
What Sport Tells Us About Life
Ed Smith
First Published in 2008
Ed Smith, is a former England cricket international and captain of Middlesex County Cricket Club. He is also a journalist and author of four books, with this being his third. In it he uses examples from the world of sport to articulate lessons for wider aspects of life. It is an interesting look at human nature and how we, as people, act and react in different situations.
Bounce
Matthew Syed
First Published in 2010
Bounce is Matthew Syed’s theory on how to make a champion. A former Olympic level table tennis player for Great Britain, he is now an articulate and thoughtful sports journalist who has worked for Eurosport, the BBC and The Times. He has written several books, this one being his first – and my personal favourite – is a thoroughly researched and well thought out. Syed’s theory, pretty much, is that anybody can find success in something through thorough and specific practice. He breaks this down in a solid, thought out and constructive manner.
The Sports Gene – Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
David Epstein
First Published in 2013
Generally considered to be the counterweight to Matthew Syed’s book, Bounce, David Epstein rails against the 10,000 hours worth of practice argument when discussing the development towards elite athleticism. As one might be able to take from the title, the author puts a great emphasis on an athlete’s genetic aptitude when moving towards the top level. An interesting additional to the debate on nature versus nurture.
Floodlights and Touchlines – A History of Spectator Sport
Rob Steen
First Published in 2014
Shortlisted for the 2014 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, Rob Steen joins the dots up between so many different sports, it’s borders on being rather impressive. An obvious sports nut and an accomplished journalist, his well researched salute to watching such energetic spectacles is highly entertaining. The book deals with issues as broad and as complex as class prejudice, nationality, discrimination and politics, but with a competence of a well rounded intellectual and an ease of your mate down the pub. If you’re interested in learning about something other than the recent football transfer rumours then this could be for you.
Knowing the Score – How Sport teaches us about Philosophy (and Philosophy about Sport)
David Papineau
First Published in 2017
David Papineau is a philosopher. He is also a sports fan. In this book, he looks to relate questions of morality and ethics, the concept of fair play, behaviour as an individual and in a team setting, as well as how people are afforded different opportunities and how all these things can change depending on a specific culture. A good book to have in your back pocket when debating sports down the pub.