Soccer Book Reviews


Soccer books represent the highpoint of Western literature. OK, that might be a slight exaggeration. If you're unfortunate enough (at least from a soccer standpoint) to live in the United States, a trip to the local book store will undoubtedly reveal some title like "Soccer Made Easy" or "The Mia Hamm Story". You might argue that soccer is easy, and no doubt Mia's story is inspirational, but if that's the type of book you're looking for, leave this website and never return!

This list reflects my own personal tastes and bias (like this whole website, duh!). I actually have read all the books on the list, or use them as reference. Virtually all the books on the list are actually worth reading, even the ones with low ratings.

Ratings:
5 stars = A superb work. You must own a copy and cherish it's existence.
4 stars = Excellent. Must read. Valuable addition to library.
3 stars = Good. Worth reading.
2 stars = Lame for the most part
1 stars = Crap. Probably found on shelf at US bookstore. An insult.

Rating Title Author
* * * * * 35 Jahre Bundesliga:
Die Gründerjahre 1963-75
Matthias Weinreich
* * * * * 35 Jahre Bundesliga:
Tore, Krisen und ein Erfolgstrio 1975-87
Matthias Weinreich
* * * * * 35 Jahre Bundesliga:
Boomjahre, Geld und Stars 1987-Heute
Matthias Weinreich, Hardy Grüne
* * 40 Jahre Bundesliga DVD
* * * * 50 Jahre Wuppertaler SV Peter Keller and Otto Krschak
* * * 90 Jahre deutscher Ligafußball Hardy Grüne
* Among the Thugs Bill Buford
* * * * A Season with Verona Tim Parks
* * * Cantona on Cantona Eric Cantona
* * * * * Das große Buch der deutschen Fußballstadien Werner Skrentny
* * * * * Deutsche Pokalgeschichte seit 1935 Hardy Grüne, Matthias Weinreich
* * * * * Die Geschichte der DDR Oberliga Andreas Baingo, Michael Horn
* * * Encyclopedia of World Soccer Keir Radnedge (editor)
* * * * * English Football: A Fan's Handbook The Rough Guide, Dan Goldstein (ed)
* * * * * Enzyklopädie der europäischen Fußballvereine Hardy Grüne
* * * * * European Football: A Fan's Handbook The Rough Guide, Peterjon Cresswell (ed)
* * Eurotrashed Dougie Brimson
* * * * Fever Pitch Nick Hornby
* * * * Football against the Enemy Simon Kuper
* * * * Fußball für Millionen:
Die Geschichte der deutschen Nationalmannschaft
Hardy Grüne, Werner Skrentny, Hubert Dahlkampf, Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling
* * * * Futebol Alex Bellos
* * * How Soccer explains the World Franklin Foer
* * * * Leyton Orient Football Club Neil Kaufman
* * * * * London Fields Charlie Connelly
* * * * * Milliardenliga zwischen Boom und Pleite Hardy Grüne, Matthias Weinreich
* * * * Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football Phil Ball
* * * * My Favorite Year Nick Hornby (ed)
* * * * Rothman's Football Yearbook (Annual) Glenda Rollins, Jack Rollins (ed)
* Soccer in Sun and Shadow Eduardo Galeano
* * * Spirit High and Passion Pure Charlie Connelly
* * * * * Stamping Grounds:
Liechtenstein's Quest for the World Cup
Charlie Connelly
* * * The Miracle of Castel di Sangro Joe McGinniss
* * * * * Tor! The Story of German Football Ulrich Hesse-Lichtenberger
* * * Die Untoten vom Millerntor:
Der Selbstmord des FC St.Pauli und dessen lebendige Fans
Christoph Ruf (editor)
* * * * We fear no foe ... a decade of following Millwall Colin Johnson
* * * * * Vereinslexikon Hardy Grüne
* * * * * Von Kronprinzen bis zur Bundesliga Hardy Grüne
* * * * Who's who des deutschen Fußballs Hardy Grüne
* * * * * WM-Enzyklopädie 1930-2006 Hardy Grüne
* * * * Wuppertaler SV Otto Krschak and Peter Keller