NFL Book Recommendations

enfant terrible

Brother is a big NFL fan and am looking for some advice on books.

Would NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football be a good choice?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NFL-Confidential-Confessions-Gutter-Football/dp/006242243X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481109541&sr=1-2&keywords=nfl

Or Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Friday-Night-Lights-Town-Dream/dp/0224076744/ref=sr_1_23?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481109882&sr=1-23&keywords=nfl

Although he's watched the tv series.

Thanks

eagle eye

If you hear him talkiing about scouting and the draft a lot then I'd suggest you buy him Football Scouting Methods by Steve Belichick.

The book I want myself right now is Gunslinger which is Brett Favre's autobiography. I think most fans of the NFL will want to read that.

When Pride Still Matters is an excellent read about Vince Lombardi.

The Blind Side is a great book, a must read for any American football fan. Even if he has seen the movie this is a great book.

John Grisham wrote two fiction books about American football, one set in a small town in the US and one set in Italy. The first one is Bleachers and is a good read but I think Playing for Pizza is even better.

enfant terrible

eagle eye wrote: »

If you hear him talkiing about scouting and the draft a lot then I'd suggest you buy him Football Scouting Methods by Steve Belichick.

The book I want myself right now is Gunslinger which is Brett Favre's autobiography. I think most fans of the NFL will want to read that.

When Pride Still Matters is an excellent read about Vince Lombardi.

The Blind Side is a great book, a must read for any American football fan. Even if he has seen the movie this is a great book.

John Grisham wrote two fiction books about American football, one set in a small town in the US and one set in Italy. The first one is Bleachers and is a good read but I think Playing for Pizza is even better.

Cheers good advice.

baby and crumble

I second the recommendation for The Blind Side. Really good book.

Bateman

I didn’t know about those John Grisham books, I must hunt them down…

I’ve recently finished this, the writing style and chapter structure is pure class, and for topical reasons it’s great that the author is a Penn State fan
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Season-Saturdays-History-College-Football/dp/1451627823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481116764&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Season+of+Saturdays

Also read this in the last year and was very enjoyable, although drags slightly in parts
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Rains-Tiger-Stadium/dp/1933060670/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481116848&sr=8-1&keywords=it+never+rains+in+tiger+stadium

Not big into autobiographies myself, the storylines and mythology surrounding college football is infinitely more interesting IMO but that’s just personal preference. I guess a lot of the pro autobiographies will have a large chunk of college football, at least that was the case with the Manning one I read a few years back, although it might be out of date now.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manning-Peyton/dp/0061020249/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1481116970&sr=8-7&keywords=peyton+manning

There’s one on Brady v Manning, which should be a decent read.

Buttros

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Game-Ever-Giants-Modern-ebook/dp/B0089EHQYC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481116849&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=nfl+greatest+game+ever+played

I read this last year and found it very good. Goes back to before the first superbowl and the AFC final. Exciting game with contrasting teams that drew an unprecedented viewership and is credited with moving the game forward. Goes into the background of the main protagonists in the game.

Ive also read and seen Friday Night Lights (although not the movie for some reason) and there is enough of a difference there to make it enjoyable. Remember the book is a true story following one season with the high school team. Its as much about the racism at the time in Texas than about on the field stuff. Very good also.

TOss Sweep

eagle eye wrote: »

The book I want myself right now is Gunslinger which is Brett Favre's autobiography. I think most fans of the NFL will want to read that.
.

Bought it and read it and a fantastic read. Got mine signed by the author also. Really is a great insight into Favre. Highly recommend to any fan.

JaMarcusHustle

Buttros wrote:

I read this last year and found it very good. Goes back to before the first superbowl and the AFC final. Exciting game with contrasting teams that drew an unprecedented viewership and is credited with moving the game forward. Goes into the background of the main protagonists in the game.

This is the best book I've read by far. Mark Bowden wrote it, he's a very successful writer (same guy who wrote Black Hawk Down) so it's not just some sports journalist churning out a book. It's properly built, the characters are expertly fleshed out and it keeps you hooked even if you know how the game finished.

Does an absolutely fantastic job of making you care about the characters too. It really is a great read.

The_Dave

I really enjoyed Boys Will be Boys about the Cowboys and their shenanigans (not for wallflowers)!

Itssoeasy

I'd second the when pride still matters the book on Vince Lombardi. It goes into huge detail about his life and his life.

TOss Sweep

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

This is the best book I've read by far. Mark Bowden wrote it, he's a very successful writer (same guy who wrote Black Hawk Down) so it's not just some sports journalist churning out a book. It's properly built, the characters are expertly fleshed out and it keeps you hooked even if you know how the game finished.

Does an absolutely fantastic job of making you care about the characters too. It really is a great read.

I would agree I bought it under your recommendation and one of the best I have read.

TOss Sweep

Itssoeasy wrote: »

I'd second the when pride still matters the book on Vince Lombardi. It goes into huge detail about his life and his life.

I have to buy this one again. Ironically I left my copy sitting on a plane flying into Wisconsin and I was have way through it

JaMarcusHustle

TOss Sweep wrote: »

I would agree I bought it under your recommendation and one of the best I have read.

I only found out recently that he has another football book about the 1992 Eagles team, which is supposed to be another good read. I must pick that up too.

MrKingsley

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

I only found out recently that he has another football book about the 1992 Eagles team, which is supposed to be another good read. I must pick that up too.

Ive heard thats a great read alright.

The around the NFL podcast did an episode on american football books last sunmmer. Heres the link

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000667003/article/10-football-books-you-must-read

has anyone hear ever read, or even put their hands on, Bill Walsh's and Brian Billick's coaching book? Ive heard its unbelievable but its in the 300 $ range on amazon

TOss Sweep

MrKingsley wrote: »

has anyone hear ever read, or even put their hands on, Bill Walsh's and Brian Billick's coaching book? Ive heard its unbelievable but its in the 300 $ range on amazon

Fantastic read and you can find pdf versions of it all over the place.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/125465715/Finding-the-Winning-Edge-by-Bill-Walsh

Paully D

One of my favourites is "Next Man Up", by John Feinstein.

He spends a season with the Ravens (2004) and documents it all. Luck would have it it was a great season to write about as the Ravens failed to make the playoffs with a winning record while the Steelers were steamrolling teams, they moved to their new facility during the season, Biscotti had only recently taken full control and was still finding is feet, Jamaal Lewis is in serious off field trouble, there's lots of struggles within the organisation etc.

You don't have to be a Ravens fan to enjoy it. It'd be a great read for any fan of the sport and details things we rarely get to hear about on the outside.

Bateman

His “A Season on the Brink” about the legendary Bob Knight and his Indiana Hoosier college basketball team is well worth a read. Great writer.

I’d also second the recommendation for Boys Will be Boys about Aiken, Irvin and those madmen on the 90s Cowboys

SHOVELLER

Boys Will Be Boys is a very entertaining read about the rollercoaster that was the Cowboys and the huge egos when they were collecting Superbowls.

Slow Getting Up by ex Bronco Nate Jackson is worth a read as it gives the inside account of an NFL player who is just earning a living.

T.O. is the autobiography of one of the most naturally gifted wide receivers in the game. Famous for celebrating a TD on the Cowboys logo who he later signed for! His comeback to play in the Super Bowl was extraordinary as was the continuing amounts of controversy that followed him around!

Have started Gunslinger and am enjoying it hugely as Favre is my all time favourite player. Unusually the author never met the subject but it is very detailed.

Grisham's two football books are very atmospheric and particularly the novel based in Italy is very memorable.

I've always been a fan of Bowden and will get his two football books. Met him a few months ago and he was engaging, courteous and friendly.

Great thread.

dave13

Yep, Bowden'ss book on he Eagles(Bringing the Heat) is fantastic, he got amazing access and it's also the period of  free agency beginning so covers that as well.
Collision low crossers is a similar style of book about the 2011 jets, author spent the season with them. Learn a lot about Rex Ryan in this, and a great insight into how a team actually functions.

Bateman

Joe Buck has a book out - Lucky Bastard.
The book would probably be a decent read, he became a very senior commentator at a very young age.

limerickfc

Any tips on books regarding scouting draft prospects and general GM behind the scences work.?

Bateman

https://www.amazon.com/Draft-Year-Inside-Search-Talent/dp/0312354398/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1484301152&sr=8-10&keywords=the+draft

I read this one and it was very enjoyable without being too much hard going. Richie Incognito gets a mention – he was known as a bad egg from a very early stage.