Best Sports Biographies

griffin100 · 25-07-2018 09:07PM

Two cycling ones.

- Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage. You don't have to be a cycling fan to appreciate it. Great read about his struggles with the sport and the drugs.

- Domestique by Charlie Wegulus. Probably more for cycling fans but a really interesting. It's about his career, a career in which like most cyclists he never won a pro race despite being a top amateur. He spent his career looking after his team leaders.

ablelocks · 05-02-2019 09:30PM

andy lee's book is supposed to be very good, and currently reduced on amazon kindle to £1.49

JohnnyFlash · 05-02-2019 09:40PM

Dunphy’s ‘Only a Game’ is a great book. Not just about soccer, but his life an as Irishman in England in the 60’s and 70’s. Very well written by the man himself.

whiskeyman · 05-02-2019 09:40PM

Another nod to the Agassi book.
Engrossing read.

Benny Biscotti · 05-02-2019 09:44PM

Andre Agassi biography is brilliant. Not even a tennis fan but it's fascinating.

edit- Didn't read the above post before writing.

smilerf · 05-02-2019 09:47PM

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Not a 'real' sport, but Mick Foleys book, 'have a nice day' is a must read, hes a former pro wrestler , but tells some epic stories in his own words, from his time starting out jumping off the roof of his own house, to the time his ear got ripped off in a match in germany.

Genuinely funny, and a real honest look at the behind the scenes side of the business.

have you read Bob Holly's and Kamalas. Really good too. I recently read Bret harts. It was diabolical.
The whole book was about how he was better than everyone else and how many women he shagged

Doc07 · 05-02-2019 10:05PM

‘The Death of Marco Pantani’ by Matt Randell.
I’ve read over 100 sports biographies, this the only one I’ve read twice and will read again I’m sure. Brilliant

Niall Quinn’s is actually not bad

Beasty · 05-02-2019 10:07PM

Not written mine yet, but I reckon it will be a blockbuster when I spill the beans on the Irish cycling scene....

:pac:

DEFTLEFTHAND · 05-02-2019 10:41PM

JohnnyFlash wrote: »

Dunphy’s ‘Only a Game’ is a great book. Not just about soccer, but his life an as Irishman in England in the 60’s and 70’s. Very well written by the man himself.

His latest one, 'The Rocky Road' is also very good.

Pauliedragon · 05-02-2019 11:36PM

Peter Crouchs book while its not a biography is a very funny light hearted read. I read Jason Mcateers book recently. There's nothing in there that's mind blowing but there's a few interesting bits about the ins and outs about professional soccer players. The chapter on Hillsborough is well worth a read. It really shows how technology has changed our lives when it comes to disasters.

06-02-2019 12:14AM

smilerf wrote: »

have you read Bob Holly's and Kamalas. Really good too. I recently read Bret harts. It was diabolical.
The whole book was about how he was better than everyone else and how many women he shagged

I like Bret, but he did come off as a whingy Bytch, but that's seemingly how he is now, and I kinda feel sorry for all the tragedy's in his life in the last 20 or so years

Bob Holly's is very good imho and JR's too (a 2nd one is on the way too)

Stay away from Justin Roberts as its one whinge fest and he seems to have an inflated opinion of himself, Simlar to Chris Jericho (but at least he's done something in the business)

On the soccer front, Paul Lake is a very good read, Keegan's was enjoyable and seems honest, Peter Crouch was good, and Gazza's was a fascinating read and his childhood seemed Fecked up...Keano's two were good imho

dirtyden · 06-02-2019 12:21AM

ablelocks wrote: »

andy lee's book is supposed to be very good, and currently reduced on amazon kindle to £1.49

Read it, and it is very good.

JohnnyFlash · 06-02-2019 08:23AM

Another nod for Paul McGrath’s book. I follow the gentleman on twitter, and it’s extraordinary to see how rich and fulfilling a simple life can be once a person has found long-term sobriety. The book shows how much his addiction consumed him, so it’s a good news story, and genuinely couldn’t happen to a nicer person.

Ciaran_B · 06-02-2019 09:38AM

I reread Tony Cascarinos book Full Time last week and it's really good. I'd not read it since it came out. It's really honest and open about his life as a footballer and how boring that existence can be.

weldoninhio · 06-02-2019 10:05AM

Alessia Bewildered Stagehand wrote: »

I like Bret, but he did come off as a whingy Bytch, but that's seemingly how he is now, and I kinda feel sorry for all the tragedy's in his life in the last 20 or so years

Bob Holly's is very good imho and JR's too (a 2nd one is on the way too)

Stay away from Justin Roberts as its one whinge fest and he seems to have an inflated opinion of himself, Simlar to Chris Jericho (but at least he's done something in the business)

On the soccer front, Paul Lake is a very good read, Keegan's was enjoyable and seems honest, Peter Crouch was good, and Gazza's was a fascinating read and his childhood seemed Fecked up...Keano's two were good imho

This is a brilliant book. Think it's called "I'm not really here".

I'll also add "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. About ultra-running, but not as boring as it sounds.

ToBeFrank123 · 06-02-2019 10:30AM

Cantona: The Rebel who would be King by Philippe Auclair.

Regardless of what team you support its a great book.

smilerf · 06-02-2019 11:29AM

Paul Merson and Ray Parlour books are good. Ian wright's is not great but still decent

branie2 · 06-02-2019 04:05PM

Dalo by Anthony Daly

Mysterypunter · 06-02-2019 04:39PM

The Rest of the Iceberg, about former NFL running back Robert Smith. He retired early as he was concerned about the prospect of physical and mental injuries. Looks like he was right, a brilliant read.

Best Sports Biographies

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