Guest YANKEEBLEEDSMAGPIE Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Looked around and to my surprise, couldn't find a thread with book recommendations. Got a Kindle coming in the mail ( ) and was hoping to be able to pre-load it with some good stuff. Anyway, here's what I've read that's worth mentioning. Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by David Winner [glow=red,2,300]Recommended[/glow] - Classic, very fun read about the history of voetball The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro by Joe McGinness [glow=red,2,300]Recommended[/glow] - Really fantastic book by an American author spending a year with a team from a tiny town in Italy during a year in Serie B. Edit: Holy Crap, it's the Joe McGinness who wrote the book about Sarah Palin. Who knew? How Football Explains the World by Franklin Foer - Sort of pop science-y and not really as deep as the title would have you believe, but there are some really cool stories in here, particularly the ones about Red Star Belgrade. Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski - Thought this was mostly BS, but some parts were pretty enjoyable, particularly the transfer policy of Lyon, which would be of particular interest to those wanting to know more about what might be happening at SJP these days. What have y'all got? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 OCK, What are the top books you recommend? I've got a bit of money to spend in the bank Could you do it in the order you think is best as well? Just i'm pretty skint, so won't be able to purchase all at once What kind of book you looking for? Coaching or general football ones? Suppose I could do both! -- #1 Inverting the Pyramid - (Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Inverting-Pyramid-History-Football-Tactics/dp/0752889958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282070394&sr=8-1) (Play: http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/8292680/Inverting-The-Pyramid/Product.html). Fantastic look at the history and development of tactics and the roles of players from the beginning of football to the modern era. Well worth the read, a good starting insight into the whole 'Zonalmarking.net' tactics truck craze. #2 How To Coach A Soccer Team - (Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Coach-Soccer-Team-Professional/dp/0600610799/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282070474&sr=1-1) (Play: http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/657539/How-to-Coach-a-Soccer-Team/Product.html) Not very insightful in regards to coaching methods, but a fantastic starting resource for coaching ideas and plans. I use it a fair bit for ideas, so while it might not expand your knowledge of 'why', it'll add a lot more training ideas to your program and 'how'. Bought a few books: FA Learning: Psychology for Footballhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Guide-Psychology-Football-Association/dp/0340816015 - decent introduction to coaching youngsters, and how best to challenge them mentally. How to Coach a Soccer Team: Professional Advice on Building a Winning Team http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Coach-Soccer-Team-Professional/dp/0600610799/ref=pd_sim_b_1 - great book full of coaching drills, with progressions. Perhaps a little too complex for U11s, but a good source for ideas and a starting point. Those Feet http://www.amazon.co.uk/Those-Feet-Sensual-History-Football/dp/0747579148/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279863150&sr=1-2 - not a coaching book, but a book similar to Calcio/Brilliant Orjange, only it looks into the history and development of football in England. Does a decent job of explaining why we play the style we do (direct kick and chase). A good book to read beside this would be Inverting the Pyramid, which covers the developing of tactics as a whole. Bought a few books: FA Learning: Psychology for Footballhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Guide-Psychology-Football-Association/dp/0340816015 - decent introduction to coaching youngsters, and how best to challenge them mentally. How to Coach a Soccer Team: Professional Advice on Building a Winning Team http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Coach-Soccer-Team-Professional/dp/0600610799/ref=pd_sim_b_1 - great book full of coaching drills, with progressions. Perhaps a little too complex for U11s, but a good source for ideas and a starting point. Those Feet http://www.amazon.co.uk/Those-Feet-Sensual-History-Football/dp/0747579148/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279863150&sr=1-2 - not a coaching book, but a book similar to Calcio/Brilliant Orjange, only it looks into the history and development of football in England. Does a decent job of explaining why we play the style we do (direct kick and chase). A good book to read beside this would be Inverting the Pyramid, which covers the developing of tactics as a whole. Tell me if you recommend any after reading them Chris if that's okay? Been using the How to Coach a Soccer Team: Professional Advice on Building a Winning Team over the last few weeks with my team. Not entirely just ripping the idea from the page, but looking at it and thinking how I could use it/change it to benefit the team. There's around 100+ coaching sessions in there, all of which if you have the time you can modify/link up with each other to last a very long time. It doesn't go into the detail behind the coaching too much, which is a shame, though I personally like it as it challenges me as a coach to think 'How will this benefit/teach the team', 'What am I looking for to get out of this?'. If I can work that out by myself, I'm more likely to remember it and get the point across to the team. (Mini Rant ahead): The one thing I've noticed between when I was playing and coaching, is that when I was a playing my coaching was 15 minutes running, then 45 minutes on a game. My coach's coaching style was 'GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT!', not once did he ever explain the theory behind it. So, I'm personally trying to make sure I do that whenever I think its possible without strangling the natural development from making mistakes. 1st mistake - let it go 2nd mistake - looks like an issue 3rd mistake repeated - stop the game and coach FA Learning: Psychology for Football I've enjoyed it. Its very light and won't hold the attention of anyone who did Sports Pyschology, or even Psychology, but for a reminder/pointer in the right direction its a good start. Helped me set up my coaching book. Will you be purchasing this, Chris? Just put my order down, I'll let you know when I get it. Also where can I get one of those wipe boards? http://www.1st4sport.com/p-794-1st4sportcom-perspex-coaching-board.aspx --- Anyone used this: http://www.gameplanner.co.uk/products.asp?productid=1 seems expensive for what it does. Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski - Thought this was mostly BS, but some parts were pretty enjoyable, particularly the transfer policy of Lyon, which would be of particular interest to those wanting to know more about what might be happening at SJP these days. Pretty sure that's called 'Why England Always Lose' over here. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-England-Lose-phenomena-explained/dp/0007301111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318517028&sr=8-1 Currently reading: The Ball is Round. Should probably have read that first, as its THE football book. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGupter Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Jonathan Wilson - Inverting the Pyramid Shortlisted for the 2008 William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, Wilson documents the evolution of football tactics and formations from the sport's foundations to the modern 4-5-1 formation and its variants. Along the way Wilson explains the evolution and rationale behind the Italian Catenaccio style, Dutch Total football, the individual skills of South American football players, and the tactical innovations within the Soviet Union. Wilson repeatedly suggests that the failure to innovate tactically has played a role in the under-achievement of recent English international teams, who have struggled in recent competitions despite the presence of numerous exceptionally talented players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocho Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I bought the first issue of the Blizzard (http://www.theblizzard.co.uk/) but haven't had the chance to read it yet. It's a collection of the 'top' football writers out there at the moment. You can pay to download electronic copies or buy paper copies and you pay what you like - so you could pay as little as 1p if you wanted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Tim Parks - A Season With Verona Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Haris Vuckic Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Inverting The Pyramid - (Jonathan Wilson) Brilliant Orange – The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football (David Winner) Calcio: A History of Italian Football (John Foot) Provided you don't kiss me (Duncan Hamilton) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Aye I got 'The Ball is Round' a few years ago and I've really tried - but theres a lot there. I kinda just stopped reading. When it gets past WW2 it might get more interesting. 'Why England Lose' is a fun read though. Agree about the Lyon section....basically saying that using 'the wisdom of crowds' to sign players has done wonders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameritoon Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Brilliant Orange is fantastic, As well as How Football Explains the World. I've had The Ball is Round on my shelf for a while now, I need to start that. Bloody Confused by Chuck Culpepper is pretty interesting, but mainly for American readers (I think it has a different name in the UK), and I'll always love The Damned Utd. Foul! by Andrew Jennings is a must, although slightly outdated as this point. And there's a Robert Enke book out I'd like to check out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 'Why England Lose' is a fun read though. Agree about the Lyon section....basically saying that using 'the wisdom of crowds' to sign players has done wonders. How much of that section mirrors what Newcastle are doing now... Calcio: A History of Italian Football (John Foot) Possibly best Football book I've read so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilky Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I did History as an undergraduate and nineteenth century social history was one of the modules. It is a serious text but James Walvin's 'the people's game' is possibly the most interesting book I have ever read. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sifu Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 'Why England Lose' is a fun read though. Agree about the Lyon section....basically saying that using 'the wisdom of crowds' to sign players has done wonders. Can you still buy that in the shops or is it an online job? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Read 'Brilliant Orange' this summer. Thoroughly recommend it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Only one I've ever read was "Fifty Years of Hurt" a few years back. Helped fill in the gaps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest je85 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Jonathan Wilson's book is good. Plus he has the added novelty of being a Mackem that can write. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 'Why England Lose' is a fun read though. Agree about the Lyon section....basically saying that using 'the wisdom of crowds' to sign players has done wonders. Can you still buy that in the shops or is it an online job? Not sure because I bought it online. I'm sure it'll be in a shop somewhere, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NobbyOhNobby Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 El Diego is class Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leffe186 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 The Glory Game (well I would say that, wouldn't I?). Anyone on here over, say, 35, who hasn't read The Damned United needs to buy it now. Scintillating. I rather liked Garrincha too. Football Against the Enemy is a little dated now, but still excellent. There's a little-known book called Fever Pitch that you might want to check out too. Despite the annoying fact that it's about the Arse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Did we not have a thread like this previously? Bookmarked anyway like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I thought we did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Kevin Keegan by Ian Ridley I end up disappointed by most football books, but exceptions are - The Glory Game - Hunter Davies Fever Pitch - Nick Hornby Only A Game - Eamon Dunphy The Football Man - Arthur Hopcraft Hopcraft's book was written in the mid-60s, and I dare say is very difficult to get hold of now. A lot has changed, but he writes so well about the personalities and the issues around the game that it's still of interest. It was hailed at the time as the best book on football ever written and arguably still is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaltimoreBasedMag Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I read Fever Pitch on my honeymoon this Summer and it was a decent enough read as others mentioned. I would love it if there was something like this book from a Newcastle point of view.....ahem aspiring writers out there reading this space. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ObiChrisKenobi Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Gan on Nixon, sort it out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoSelecta Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Terrace legends Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzzieMandias Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2011/10/writing-the-beautiful-game.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 The first two Billy Furious books are really good reads. I haven't read his other one yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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