25 replies to this topic

[Hutskizzle]

Grandma got me a $50 gift certificate to barnes&nobles for Xmas. was wondering what are some good books to get? id like to get soccer related but anythings goes. already read soccernomics and getting the book on FIFA corruption

[juberish]

Grandma got me a $50 gift certificate to barnes&nobles for Xmas. was wondering what are some good books to get? id like to get soccer related but anythings goes. already read soccernomics and getting the book on FIFA corruption

well, you've read this one right?

http://search.barnes...e/9780060731427

[Hutskizzle]

well, you've read this one right?

http://search.barnes...e/9780060731427

nope, ill add that to the cart thanks

[JayDelight729]

Try "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro"....

about an American author who follows around a Serie C team for a full season. Good read... and really helps you understand the personalities of players as opposed to just the superstars.

[DHatch]

The beckham experiment? - Grant wahl

[Eleazar]

Castel di Sangro was all right.

A Season with Verona by Tim Parks was much better.

Still have yet to read Soccernomics.

[Hutskizzle]

Try "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro"....

about an American author who follows around a Serie C team for a full season. Good read... and really helps you understand the personalities of players as opposed to just the superstars.

that sounds good, added that

The beckham experiment? - Grant wahl

yea read that already

[Hutskizzle]

A Season with Verona by Tim Parks was much better.

not available online or at my local BN

[Thomas A Fina]

I'd start with this :

http://search.barnes...oldblatt soccer

This is also an excellent book (required reading, really)of why US soccer lagged behind the other sports, if a bit dry and starting to date slightly

http://search.barnes...arkovits soccer


Also starting to date, but excellent as well :

http://search.barnes...RI=kuper soccer


Castel (it was Serie B) was good for about 90% of the book

Tim Parks relates the "hardcore" ecperience well

[JayDelight729]

Unfortunately, most soccer books aren't available at your local book store. Have to order them special from England.

Fina... I've read the Simon Kuper book as well. It's a solid read... you're right that it is a bit dated, but the stories told are fascinating for the most part.

I need to get a copy of The Ball is Round. Several people have recommended it to me over the past couple years. If I remember correctly, there's an entire chapter on the Kearny, Harrison, and Newark triad.

[Thomas A Fina]

Jay - not really (about needing to go overseas).



Amazon is a very useful source for soccer books.

As (if you are willing to put in some work/how good your particular system is) is your local library.



As an aside - the number and scale of soccer books has increased greatly since I really started following the sport in the late 80s

[MikeV]

http://search.barnes..._-9781597975094


Awesome book about the history of MLS mostly focusing on off the field stuff.

[Thomas A Fina]

http://search.barnes..._-9781597975094


Awesome book about the history of MLS mostly focusing on off the field stuff.

Ah yes forgot about this - actually haven't gotten around to it but very much looking forward to it

I'm

A) Hoping it is good enough to place in the "required reading" for US Soccer fans.

b) Figuring it will make me punch a wall at least once.

[JerseyFan]

How Soccer Explains the World is a good one. I'll have to look for Long Range Goals, it sounds like a good read.

[MetroSquard]

How Soccer Explains the World is a good one. I'll have to look for Long Range Goals, it sounds like a good read.

"How Soccer Explains the World" was an excellent read. I can't recommend it enough.
"Beckham Experiment" was also really good. A little tabloid, but good insight on the Galaxy-Beckham situation. It inspired me to drop fake dollars on Becks when he returned to Giants Stadium.
"Long-Range Goals" failed my 60 page test. After 60 pages I was bored & already skipping through parts. Had to put it down.

You can always save that card for other things at B&N and loan the books from your library. If they don't have what you're looking for, they can order it for you. Married a librarian, what can I say?