Top Ten Football books from Chris Lee
FBR continues its quest for the ‘Top Ten Football books’ with a list from author, podcaster and blogger, Chris Lee. Not only should you check out his excellent website Outside Write which looks as its tagline says, to explore the off-pitch story of football, as the curious fan’s football blog, but his two (to date) highly recommended books, Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World and The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism. In addition FBR were honoured to feature as guests on the OW’s podcast looking at The Greatest Football Books Check it out and subscribe to listen to the fascinating range of podcasts available from Outside Write.
Back to Chris Lee’s list, which is an interesting ‘Top Ten’ with some familiar titles and some unknown to FBR. Enjoy!
1) A Season with Verona, Tim Parks
I read this when it first came out (2002) and it set the benchmark for me as a groundhopping tome. Twenty plus years on and it’s not been bettered, in my opinion.
2) The Miracle of Castel di Sangro, Joe McGinniss
In a similar vein and coming out around the same time (1999) as Parks’ book, this is a brilliant account of a niche topic. Written by an American, too – which isn’t meant to sound dismissive; just surprising to be into such a niche football topic
3) Calcio: The History of Italian Football, John Foot
Seminal work. The best of the country-specific books. Great guy too, I interviewed him for The Defiant and he was very generous with his time and knowledge.
4) My Father and Other Working Class Footballers, Gary Imlach
Engagingly told inside story of what it was like to grow up in a footballing household long before the money…
5) Provided You Don’t Kiss Me: 20 years with Brian Clough, Duncan Hamilton
So much written about Clough; this is the best, IMO.
6) Matchdays: The Hidden Story of the Bundesliga, Ronald Reng
The story of the Bundesliga told through the life of one man. A magnificent read.
7) Football Against the Enemy, Simon Kuper
The original ‘football and politics’ book – an inspiration.
8) Angels with Dirty Faces: The Footballing History of Argentina, Jonathan Wilson
One of the finest in the business tackles one of the best (and complex) footballing cultures. Incredibly well-researched.
9) ¡Golazo!:A History of Latin American Football, Andrés Campomar
The abridged history of Latin American soccer in all its complexity.
10) Football in Sun and Shadow, Eduardo Galeano
A must on anyone’s shelf – Galeano makes football sound almost romantic.
From the bestselling co-author of Soccernomics comes the story of how FC Barcelona became the most successful football club in the world – and how that envied position now hangs in the balance.