Unless you are stranded at sea or living on a different planet, chances are you know it’s a football season.
More than any other game in world, football is a sport that is all about stories. The football shelves are packed with tales of fierce rivalries, game-changing moments, and incredible success stories. So instead of reading latest John Green novel or breaking down and reading Harry Potter with your son this Thanksgiving, the folks at Sporticos.com have decided to give you 5 of the best football books to read.
Some of these books are emotional roller coasters, some funny, and others fueled with motivation. One thing is for sure; they will be thoroughly enjoyable, entirely worth your time, and you will learn lots of stuff as well. So, grab these books, read them, and bedazzle your buddies with your football knowledge at the bar next Sunday.
The Damned United by David Peace
Probably the best novel written about sport, The Damned Utd is the story of 44 days in 1974 that Brian Clough spent as manager of country’s most successful club, Leeds United. David Peace’s masterpiece is an excellent read that will leave the reader drained by its relentless brilliance.
I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic by Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swedish superstar striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is one of the most compelling characters in world football. His autobiography, published in 2011, is the snapshot of his journey from the humble settings in downtrodden Malmo to becoming one of the most explosive strikers on the planet.
Inverting the Pyramid by Jonathon Wilson
Published in 2008, Inverting the Pyramid is a modern classic of football literature that aficionados of the game will dip into again and again.
In this book, Jonathon Wilson chronicles the evolution of football tactics that has encouraged the revitalization of great teams into legendary sides. The secrets and history of WM formation, the famous Catenaccio counter attack, and Barcelona’s infamous tiki-taka passing system are all revealed here.
A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke – Ronald Reng
A Life Too Short is a tragic tale of German goalkeeper, Robert Enke, who committed suicide by stepping in front of a passing train in 2009. Enke had played for top-notch European clubs, including Barcelona and Benfica, and was destined to become his country’s first choice between the sticks. But beneath the thin veil of success, Enke fought with crushing pressures and bouts of depressions. Written by award-winning author Ronald Reng, this is a book that will change the way you think about the game you’ve been following for years.
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby is an autobiographical account of what it means to eat, sleep and breathe football. First published in 1992, Hornby’s Fever Pitch tells the gripping tale of growing up as an obsessive Arsenal fan in North London when drawing the line between the fate of his team and his own life seemed hardly possible.
