Six Picks...Books for Sports Lovers

For all those redblooded sportsmen, ex-jocks, and weekend warriors - a selection of great reads that thoughtfully, entertainingly, and intelligently reflect on our national passtimes and athlete-heros.

All of these titles are available though our amazon store. Click the titles to purchase! hohoho...

1.
BORN TO RUN: A HIDDEN TRIBE, SUPERATHLETES, AND THE GREATEST RACE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
by Christopher McDougall

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and most of all, pure inspiration, this book is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: "Why does my foot hurt?" In search of an answer, McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process, shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.
2.

OPEN
by Andre Agassi

Bracingly devoid of triumphant homily, Agassi's is one of the most passionately anti-sports books ever written by a superstar athlete.

3.  

THE BOOK OF BASKETBALL
by Bill Simmons

Amazon Best of the Month, October 2009: The Book of Basketball is a 700-page work of hoops genius that would make Dr. James Naismith beam proudly - and probably blush. Author Bill Simmons, best known as ESPN.com's "The Sports Guy," explores the NBA with hilarious insight, brilliant analysis, and a bevy of irreverent footnotes. Simmons is a fan first - a fact best explained in an entertaining foreword by Malcolm Gladwell - and writes from the stands, not the press room. His knowledge and passion for the game provide him with few peers, yet his voice represents those who stick by their teams through thick and thin. As a result, The Book of Basketball is not just a tribute to hardwood heroes, but also a celebration of yelling at TV sets, revering lucky jerseys, and holding our breath until the final buzzer sounds. Throw in pages of nearly-insane statistical breakdowns (including a projected boxscore from the movie Teen Wolf), and it's easy to see why fans of all levels should clear shelf space for this instant classic. --Dave Callanan

4.

THE BLIND SIDE
by Michael Lewis

Starred Review.... The book works on three levels. First as a shrewd analysis of the NFL; second, as an expose of the insanity of big-time college football recruiting; and, third, as a moving portrait of the positive effect that love, family, and education can have in reversing the path of a life that was destined to be lived unhappily and, most likely, end badly. (Booklist )


5.

HARD WORK
by Roy Williams

Written by the men's basketball coach at the University of Kansas (1988-2003) and at the University of North Carolina (2003-present), Williams describes his personal and professional path to a Hall of Fame coaching career and two national championships.

6.

WHEN THE GAME WAS OURS
by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson

Two great basketball players discuss their careers, their long rivalry, and their eventual friendship.