Football Books

Barry Krauss' memoir captured and held my attention throughout. I wouldn't compare Krauss in either the areas of memoir writing or sports writing to Mitch Albom, but I doubt Mr. Albom could participate head-on in a goal line stand and live to tell about it--much less write a book about it. So, after we take the likes of Mitch Albom out of the equation and look at Ain't Nothin' But a Winner on its own merit, I can easily say that I found it to be a well-written, compelling memoir. After all, it's not every football player (turned writer) who can come up with descriptions such as "Alabama again came within one single puff of Coach Bryant's unfiltered Chesterfield cigarette of winning two national championships...." That's nice imagery. That's writing that keeps me reading.

Beyond looking at the book from a literary standpoint, the story and the message within the story make this book stand out. Krauss recounts his career in football with humor, with touching sensitivity, and with frank honesty. From high school through his years in professional football, Krauss gives the reader a rare inside view of that world. As he says, he lived the life many dream about and he's appreciative of the experience.

I'm not an avid football fan, but this book pulled me into this life devoted to the team and the game. I felt the tug of the ups and downs players and fans rejoice in and suffer from. The highlight of the book, of course, is Krauss' recounting of his years playing for Paul "Bear" Bryant on the University of Alabama football team. The climax is the one play-- the Goal Line Stand, on January 1, 1979, in the Sugar Bowl game against Penn State--where Krauss stopped Penn State's Mike Gunman from scoring. Football enthusiasts will enjoy Krauss' description of the play that stopped time. While reading that section, I felt the crack of helmets and came away with a better understanding of football fanatics.... (reviewed by Lou Belcher, freelance writer and editor)

I am satisfied with the the book order process and delivery. I fing it that the book itself (most of the books from Holland) are rather expensive.

Ajax, Barcelona, Cruyff is one of my favourite football books. It's fascinating to read Cruijff's opinions on football. They're so clear - he gets across in a sentence more than you'll ever hear from most footballers. Some of it is so simple, but it really makes sense. Just as an example, he says that the real indication of a good footballer isn't what he can do when he's got lots of space, it's what he can do with none. When I read that, Jack Charlton's "put 'em under pressure" tactics with Ireland, and images of Denis Bergkamp doing things with his first touch that most footballers can't in three come to mind. He says that a good footballer needs just two things - first touch and passing. Everything else is finesse. Think of how the Dutch at their best, or the Brazilians, or Barcelona play - they can all pass a team to death.

The book is written by a couple of Dutch journalists. Cruyff wasn't too generous with interviews - he would charge for them when he did them at all. He trusted the guys who wrote the book though, and they had more access to him than any other journalists. The material in the book comes from interviews with Cruijff over the years, and it makes for fascinating reading.

Absolutely wonderful, simple, introduction to this dynamic Irish sport. Perfect for those of us who have seen the game played, but really don't know the game and its rules & traditions.

As someone who follows football (soccer) on every continent, this has been the most complete source of information for world football to date. It is packed with statistics, national team peformances, national leagues for every FIFA member and club/cup competitions from every continent. As someone who lived in the Virgin Islands for three years, I was surprised to see the facts for the local leagues, including some of the association officials I knew personally. It was the first time I ever saw any information on the Virgin Islands' leagues. The only things I didn't like about the book were the font (which is really small) and the fact that the whole book is in black and white. I understand both drawbacks. The small font is a space saver and to produce a book with this much information in color would make it cost much more than the $30 I paid. Overall, I think this is a solid book for the serious football fan.

This book is BO-dacious! It's full of stories and facts about everyone's favorite superstar "BO" Jackson. This book is perfect for anyone suffering from Bo-Mania... I know I am! My favorite chapter? Bo-Lieve it or not! This may very well be the best book ever written.

The Amazing Bo Jackson is a modern classic.

Randi Hacker should win a freaking nobel prize... Seriously, Bo Jackson is a God worthy of mass worship and devotion. Randi Hacker is a prophet. I find it sacraligous that despite such landmark novels as, "What Every Teenager Wants to Know About Sex: With Startling New Information Every Parent Should Read", "Totally Amazing Dinosaurs (Full-Color Activity Book)" and, "Pony Pals Cookbook" Randi Hacker has still not been awarded a Pulitzer or Nobel Prize.

It is rare, and in this case, medium rare, that a youth market book hits the target so perfectly as does "America's Greatest Game". From the dazzling cover illustration to the last page, this brilliantly designed and intelligently written book for kids provides an insightful, original look at the NFL and football. The content is well-organized, the layouts are reader-friendly, and the action photography is the best in the world. Of course, one would expect nothing less than the best from the legends at NFL Properties Publishing Group in L.A., creators of the industry's best football books and magazines. Previous NFLP titles include "75 Seasons" and "Football America"--more evidence of their hard-earned reputation for publishing excellence. This information-packed, entertaining book belongs on the shelf of every kid, boy or girl, who ever wondered about real story behind the NFL, and how the game of football has grown to become America's greatest game.

Liverpool are one of the most famous football clubs in the world. They are the most successful club in the history of the English football league. This encyclopedia of Liverpool F.C. contains details on everything from the players (heroes like Dalglish, Keegan, Thompson, Lee, Rush and the current King, Robbie Fowler) to legendary managers (like Shankley and Paisley). It also covers every Anfield fact from the Kop to the Cup, from the biggest win to the worst defeat. A must have for all fans of this great club.

The author followed Utd in their 93/4 double winning season. Written from a fan's point of view but loads of great background stuff on the Cantona era at Old Trafford.

Good digs at Liverpool too as the title suggests.

It shows that not all people forget where they come from and thats rare now days. It was refreshing to read about how he grew up with little and shared his success with his family after he made it big. Loved it