Reviews (10)

Beyond the Game of Football
As both an avid sports fan and reader of sports literature I found this to be by far the most outstanding sports related book I've ever read. (I've read lots of them)
Notfootball's Moneyball, but a great read nonetheless..
If you are looking for the football version of Moneyball you might be a bit disppointed by Blind Side. It's not really that kind of book. (Indeed, there are few books that completely alter one's view of a subject the way Moneyball did)There are some interesting chapters about Bill Walsh and the innovations he brought to the offensive side of football, but Blind Side is much more of a human interest story. It's a highly readable and engaging story and it will surely make you pay more attention next time an Ole Miss game is on TV. I highly recommend it.

You Will Enjoy It Even If You Don't Love Football
Of course, I do love football, and my young son plays on offensive and defensive lines, so the description of the book and its high ranking on the Top 100 list motivated me to purchase and read.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. College sports    5. Football - General    6. Football - Professional    7. Football players    8. Oher, Michael    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. United States    12. Soccer (Association football)    13. Social history    14. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Editorial Review

In the States, Nick Hornby is best know as the author of Read more

Reviews (119)

A great look at sports and life
Let me begin by noting that I find soccer/football incredibly dull.Dull, dull, dull!But Hornby's book is a great read.
Amusing, but mostly average
I'll admit, its probably just me.Maybe its just that I dont understand British culture all that much, nor the culture of football or the mind of the obsessive sports fan...but aside from a few amusing passages (between LONG spells of really dull ones) I really wasnt all that impressed with this book.It had a few moments that made me chuckle, but it certainly wasnt as drop-dead funny to me as all the reviews led me to believe.It was long, drawn-out, and filled with names and places of people I've neither heard of nor cared about.But again, its just a clash of culture; this would be like someone from England reading a book about the Dawg Pound in Cleveland or the fans with terrible towels in Pittsburgh.Basically, if you're not a sports fan or if you dont know anything about soccer or its culture, I'd pass on this one.While it did give some interesting insight into the mind of the obsessive sports fan and a glimpse of a true English soccer fan I just wasnt entertained.Then again, I'm probably not the type of person to whom this book was intended...I really should have read High Fidelity!

The Mind of The Hardcore Sports Fan
Hornby takes the reader into the mind and obsessions of the hardcore sports fan in "Fever Pitch", a tale of the author's obsessive relationship with Arsenal, one of London's main football (soccer) clubs.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, English    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. English authors    8. Great Britain    9. Historical - British    10. Hornby, Nick    11. Literary    12. Soccer    13. Sports - General    14. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (2)

A great read -- more than a sports book
I picked up this book expecting to read a sports biography and discovered alot more.It profiles Anson Dorrance, the most famous women's soccer coach in the world and arguably the originator of the whole women's soccer phenomenon. The book also offers insight into what it takes to be a leader, how leadership is born, how it is developed and maintained over time.The author reveals, through anecdotes and direct quotes, what drives Dorrance and what has made him so successful.The book is a primer and a workbook on how to coach any sport at any level as well as a leadership guide.

Highly recommended
This book is a must-read for anyone who wishes to be inspired.In detailed prose, through literary excerpts, game-day speeches, letters, quotes, and humorous anecdotes, Tim Crothers has unlocked the hidden treasures of Anson Dorrance's extraordinary coaching and its force in directing young lives to greatness.More than a simple biography, THE MAN WATCHING brings the dramatic and riveting story of Dorrance building the UNC women's soccer legacy to life.This real-life story reads like a novel but it is all the more compelling because it is true--phenomenal! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography & Autobiography - General    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    7. Coaching - Soccer    8. Soccer    9. Soccer coaches    10. Soccer for women    11. Sports - General    12. United States   

Reviews (59)

I agree with another reader
Bill Buford does go analytical about half way into the book, this is a good book, 4 stars imho but not a great book and I would take a few things he says with a grain of salt; so in other words, I don't always believe what Bill says but it may be so. It is a candidate for one of those books that spurs on reading more books on the topic to see, "what in the world is going on here" and truly, when other reviewers mention other books to read, that is helpful.
Fascinating
Whether you are a fan of soccer or not, Among the Thugs is a very interesting insight into the minds and motivations of hooligans. An American now residing in England for years, Bill Buford recounts time spent in an attempt to understand the culture of violence that attracts so many young fans. Less about the game, and more about a seedy and fascinating sub-culture of the more belligerent fans of the sport. An excellent read.

Good read.
Interesting read. I grew up watching the games in England in the 80's and was unaware of quite the extent of violence that went on. This would be an ideal book for someone studying about crowd violence or football thugs. I did however find that the book was difficult to read in parts and did it not seem to flow. I thought some of the detailed analysis of crowds was un-necessary and would have preferred more detail on the thugs and violence. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Great Britain    3. Hoodlums    4. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    5. Soccer    6. Soccer fans    7. Social aspects    8. Sociology    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Biography: general    11. Soccer (Association football)    12. Sports & Recreation / Soccer    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Biography: sport    2. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (12)

O Rei Pele!
I read this book as a kid in Nigeria...Pele's legend cannot be imitated or duplicated...his feats are simply majestic...very humble, classy superstar who never let the accolades get to him..97 goals for Brazil and 1283 club goals is ridiculous! People dont even score 300 goals anymore..You would think that by playing 1300 games, he'd break down at some point...the book was a great read...get his new one "PELE" (autobio)!

The Best Player Ever.
This is an exceptionally detailed biography. The statistical chart at the back of all the games he played in was a very pleasant surprise. The only things missing was some tactical diagrams and a map of Brazil. Every chapter added colorful insight into his life-Ch's-2,6,8-facts of life, 9-Pele in love and 17. He also gave the reader the fine nuances of the "beautiful game." Chapters-1,3-5,10,12,14-1,000 goal,15-16,18,19-20-Cosmos years. I found chapters 7-race relations in Brazil,11-the trainor, and 13-Santos years to be the most interesting. Lastly, I could not agree more with Pele's distaste for defensive Football on 310-11.

REQUIRED READING
This book was required reading back in the day. We were all playing high school soccer, catching Pele and the rest of the superstars of the Cosmos a couple of times a year at RFK (thrashing the Diplomats as usual), and prepping for college soccer. While we all had our heroes on the Cosmos (and the Dips), we all idolized Pele. This book is an excellent introduction to one of the greatest athletes of all time. It follows him from childhood through the Brazilian World Cup championships and beyond. Required reading for any fan of the game or sports in general. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Nascimento, Edson Arantes do    5. Pele,    6. Pelâe,    7. Soccer    8. Soccer players    9. Pelé   

Reviews (4)

Fun Review
Very good review of a current sports star.Easy for my 7 year old daughter to understand and keep her interested.

Mia Hamm and How She Started
I would recommend this book not only to people who love soccer, but to everyone who enjoys a true story about a great athlete and role model.The story of Mia Hamm is basically about how she was introduced to soccer and how she follows her dream to be the best women's soccer player in the world.

The book is really better than it looks like!
On teh field with Mia Hamm by Matt Christopher was a very goodbook.I didn't have a very good idea who Mia Hamm really was though.The only thing I know is a professional soccer player.I aw the book and it looked pretty interesting.I'm about a quarter of the way through the book and I'm liking it so far.Usually I don't read books , let alone a whole book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1972-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    4. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Hamm, Mia,    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Soccer players    11. Sports & Recreation - Soccer    12. United States    13. Women    14. Women soccer players    15. Biography: sport    16. Hamm, Mia    17. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation    18. Sports & Outdoor Recreation   

Reviews (4)

Inspirational
This book is a must for anyone dealing with either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.I put off buying this book because I have Crohn's disease, but I must tell you it was one of my biggest mistakes.If you, or someone you love, is dealing with IBD get this book.So many of Rolf's feelings and thoughts were the same thing I was thinking when I first had to deal with this disease.Rolf is an inspiration, he proves that you can live your life with these diseases and live it to the fullest.

Inspiring Book
As a young woman with an ostomy, I was very inspired by the personal account in this book.Rolf showed me that I could go on with my life and go back to a normal exercise pattern.The personal photographs that he shares helped me explain what happened to me to my children.I would recommend this book for anyone who is having a hard time coping with their ostomy.It turned my whole point of view around!

What a Guy - what a book!
In this inspirational story, the former placekicker for the San Diego Chargers tells of his own journey with IBD and subsequent surgery.His bravery and humanity come through crystal clear although its obvious Rolfis simply trying to help others via his experience and not blow his ownhorn.Nevertheless, no reader can help but admire the perserverance, bothpersonal and professional, of this fine human being. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports & Recreation    3. Adoption    4. Biography    5. National Football League    6. Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease and Ostomy Surgery   

Subjects:  1. Biography: sport    2. Soccer (Association football)   

Editorial Review

Mia Hamm, star of the U.S. National Soccer Team, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup champion, and five-time National Player of the Year, has a simple take on her talents that also explains her success: "Many people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday I just might be." That's what's so appealing about Hamm as a role model, and it's the inspirational message at the heart of her autobiography. But Read more

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Reviews (43)

Best book ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is great for anyone who likes soccer and Mia Hamm. It has training tips, drills, and it tells a lot about Mia Hamm. I can't put the book down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you love women's soccer, this is the book for you.
i love women's soccer and mia hamm takes the cake. this book makes you feel like you're part of the game. the narrative is good and mia has put some personal and important photos in the book that you'll cherish as well.
super
super.
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Subjects:  1. 1972-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. General    4. Hamm, Mia,    5. Motivational & Inspirational    6. Psychological aspects    7. Soccer    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Success    12. Training    13. Hamm, Mia    14. Sports & Recreation / Soccer    15. Bargain   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Football - General    2. General    3. Soccer    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Biography: sport    7. FOOTBALL_BIOGRAPHY    8. GREAT BRITAIN_BIOGRAPHY    9. Soccer (Association football)    10. Sports & Recreation / Football   

Reviews (13)

A homeschoolers review
This is a true and exciting story that will make you never want to give up on your dreams.I really liked this book and recommend that you read it.

Classroom Book
I have used Wilman Unlimited in my classroom for the past few years.It is a fantastic book to use any time during the year, but good for Black History Month also.I use it with fourth graders to teach sequencing and analyzing character.I highly recommend this book.

Running just as fast as she can
Inspirational stories fill hundreds of picture books every year. Most are simply awful. They either tell tales that are loose plots barely supported by facts or they paste together a slapdash concoction of truth and fiction with as little thought as possible. The truly beautiful bio-picture books out there are as rare as hummingbirds in autumn. So it was with great joy that I located "Wilma Unlimited" and found it to be not only inspirational but also a darned good read. Written by Kathleen Krull (the woman who could make long dead musicians fascinating in "Lives of the Musicians" and bring Cesar Chavez to life in the recent "Harvesting Hope") and illustrated by David Diaz the book is the best possible way to introduce kids to one of the world's greatest athletes.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Juvenile literature    7. Runners (Sports)    8. Sports & Recreation - Soccer    9. Track and field athletes    10. United States    11. Women runners    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Sports & Recreation / Track & Field    13. Track & field sports, athletics    14. USA   

Reviews (14)

Elegant, compelling prose
Kapuscinski is the master of international journalism. Often he prefaces his accounts by saying something to the affect of, "Everyone told me that trying to get into the Congo was suicide. I had to do it." The result is a perspective that no one else is able to give, a sometimes brutal but eye-opening account of the effects of war.
World View Changing
It's almost impossible to process the news with the same perspective after reading this book...what was true in the 60s still rings true today. I picked up this book while simultaneously reading articles in Esquire and The New Yorker about people (Bill Gates, Bill Clinton...) trying to make a difference in Africa. While I was made hopeful by the observations in today's mainstream press, I grew increasingly frustrated when confronted with the dark reality that Kapuscinski exposes.

Mankind kicks endless own goals
As somebody who once lived in Honduras before the infamous soccer war of 1969, I long had Kapuscinski's book on my "must read" list.Though I bought it five years ago, I didn't get around to reading it till just now.I'm glad I did.THE SOCCER WAR is another sterling volume from this master of description.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Africa    3. Asia, Central    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Description and travel    6. General    7. History    8. Latin America    9. Military - Other    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Revolutions    12. History / Military / Other    13. Journeys    14. Kapuscinski, Ryszard   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Biography: sport    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Individual Photographer    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Photography Of Specific Subjects    6. Soccer    7. Sports - General    8. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    9. Subjects & Themes - Sports    10. BG-COOKBKS - BG - COOKBOOKS    11. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    12. Biography: sport    13. Soccer (Association football)   

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Reviews (3)

Interesting Insight
I have been very interested in the 'hooligan' culture that pervaded English football not long ago.As all of the former brawlers are now out of the fight scene, many of them have turned to writing about their exploits.After reading about how notoriously tough the West Ham firm were, it was time to hear about them from the source.
Stop Havin' A Larf!
If Cass Pennant came up against 500 people with just him and his mate the 500 people would come off worse,well that's if your to believe this book.It's a good read but he does exagerate and it should be in the fiction section.Those Cockney's do like to bend the truth.

The real thing
Never mind all the other books about Football Hooligans, this is the real thing, from real known faces - excellent - can't wait for "Want some aggro" the early years before the ICF. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Espionage    3. General    4. Popular Culture - General    5. True Crime    6. True Crime / Espionage    7. Biography: general    8. British & Irish history: postwar, from c 1945 -    9. CRIME AND CRIMINALS    10. England    11. London, Greater London    12. Soccer (Association football)    13. Social Science / Criminology    14. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (24)

Great first book!
If you're a girl who dreams of writing books, check out this cool one by a 12-year-old. Read it from cover to cover. Look at the photos. See how it's organized. You'll not only get inspired and get a feeling for what it takes, you'll also learn alot about soccer. Good job, Leah!--Catherine Dee, author of The Girls' Book of Wisdom and The Girls' Guide to Life

A True Story Well Told
When I got ready to read Soccer Dreams, I wasn't sure if it was something that would interest me.I'm not much of a sports person and know almost nothing about soccer.I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I didn't need to know anything about sports at all to enjoy the book.
Excellent Reporting, Brilliant Book!
As an author, I meet many, many people who tell me, "Oh, I'd love to write a book!" But they never do it. They need to take lessons from Leah Lauber. She wrote a book chronicling her amazing journey following the extraordinary accomplishments of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Passionate about soccer, Leah attended many of the history-making soccer matches not just as a fan, but also as a reporter. She interviewed her role models: Mia Hamm, Lorrie Fair, Cindy Parlow, Briana Scurry, and many other team members. Leah incorporated these interviews and game coverage into articles she wrote for Florida's largest newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays    3. FIFA Women's World Cup    4. General    5. History    6. Pictorial works    7. Soccer    8. Soccer for women    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports & Recreation / Essays    11. Sports & Recreation / History    12. Sports & Recreation / Soccer    13. Sports journalism    14. Women athletes   

Reviews (3)

It is about the Bra
The only person in the world who has been trying to make a big deal of Brandi Chastain's Bra is Brandi Chastain

Good!
I was impressed with the book. It was a good read - I read it in one night. There was good life advice in it - but what I probably liked more were the stories about things that had happened to Brandi or to her teammates and the other anecdotes. I also liked the pictures and wished there were more. The guest essays by Mia, Lily, Shannon Boxx etc. were great.

learning about the game and life
Its Not About the Bra: How to Play Hard, Play Fair and Put the Fun Back into Competitive Sports by Brandi Chastain.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Family & Relationships    4. General    5. Moral and ethical aspects    6. Parenting - General    7. Soccer    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports Psychology    10. Sports for children    11. Sportsmanship    12. United States    13. Women soccer players    14. Sports & Recreation / General   

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• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Sports - General    5. Biography & Autobiography / Sports    6. Biography: sport    7. SOCCER_BIOGRAPHY    8. Soccer (Association football)    9. Sports & Recreation / Soccer   

Reviews (1)

A Great Beginning Chapter Soccer Book
Does your soccer child want to do a book report or read about today's soccer stars?Well look no further.This beginning chapter book is well written and filled with full color action photographs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1975-    2. Beckham, David,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Biography & Autobiography - Sports & Recreation    6. Children's 9-12    7. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. Children: Grades 3-4    10. England    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Soccer players    14. Sports & Recreation - Track & Field