As far as the best sports books, two to me are head and shoulders above the rest.
The first is John Feinstein’s “A Season on the Brink,” his fascinating look inside the Indiana basketball program and, in particular, coach Bobby Knight, a unique and polarizing personality. Feinstein was given tremendous access, which Knight probably regrets. The result is an utterly absorbing book.
The second is H.G. Bissinger’s “Friday Night Lights,” in which he tells the story of the 1988 Permian High School football team in Odessa Texas. The book was made into a decent movie and an outstanding television show — the best currently on the air in my opinion. The book is equal parts inside-sports look and sociological study, and it stays with the reader long after the final page has been closed.
Thanks, Dave, for reminding me about “Friday Night Lights.” I’ve been meaning to read that book forever, especially since I read Bissinger’s book about Ed Rendell’s first term in office as mayor of Philadelphia, “A Prayer for the City.” I went to school just outside Philly and it has a special place in my heart. The book is fantastic regardless of your love for the brotherly city, and is a must read for anyone interested in urban growth and governance, politics, or journalism.
Comment by Monica Potts — June 19th, 2009 @ 10:05 am
I like those recommendations too, Dave. I’m definitely going to add them to my beach reads this summer. I’ve wanted to read Friday Night Lights ever since I watched a few episodes of the show, which depicts a rural community in a more believable way than I’ve ever seen on television.
My last sports book was Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. For a city girl that grew up with a disdain for horse racing, the book really managed to draw me into that world. So much so that I follow the sport on occasion now and I’m always fascinated when a horse–most recently Barbaro–manages to rise to national attention.
Comment by Elizabeth Kim — June 20th, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Two works of excellent sports fiction are by F.X. Toole. They are the only things he ever published and both are about boxing — Toole was a former cut man.
The first is a collection of boxing short stories called “Rope Burns” — which contains the story “Million Dollar Baby” that was made into the movie. Another story in the book was incorporated into the movie as well
Then there’s his boxing novel, “Pound for Pound.’ Genuinely moving and a very fast read.
Even if you’re not a boxing fan, he takes you in to very interesting – albeit seedy – worlds.
Comment by Tom Mellana — June 24th, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
I found Friday Night Lights SO dull. (I really wanted to like it because I adore the TV series.)
I loved, however, Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, by Michael Lewis. It’s about the role of the left tackle in protecting the quarterback, and I woke up at 530am to read it before work because I could not put it down. Lewis also wrote Moneyball. I hate baseball- well, I don’t like it- but I enjoyed Moneyball.
Maybe I’ll try the Seabiscuit book!
Comment by Stamford Talk — June 25th, 2009 @ 8:11 pm