Book of the Year

I'll throw this out there, and see if it flies: Favorite sports book of this year. Had to be released in 2009, but could be in the U.S. or England or wherever. Just...whatever you think is the best, and why.


My pick: "The Beckham Experiment" by Grant Wahl. This is the best -- and likely only -- look inside the running of a modern sports franchise we're going to get for some time, if ever. Incredibly well-reported, revealing of both the Beckham and Galaxy camps, and, I think, it actually had an impact on the Galaxy's season.

 

Chris Ballard's "The Art of a Beautiful Game."

Donaghy's book wasn't horrible, either. It could be very damaging for the NBA if anyone decides to follow-up. I have a feeling a lot of what he said about the game's refs is true.

 

Krakauer's Pat Tillman book. A heart-wrenching tale, and one that serves as an indictment of a military bureaucracy that sold us not just one but two bullshit war stories.

 

I forgot to mention S.L. Price's book on Mike Coolbaugh, "Heart of the Game." Outstanding read.

 

Sirs, Madames,

The Damned Utd.

My favorite didn't come out this year, but I never saw it in a North American bookstore until the release of the critically acclaimed film adapted from it. Not non-fiction but more truth (and research) in it than many straight bios.

If you count canoeing as sport, Zeitoun.

o-<

 

Only 6 posts speaks volumes to the fact that it was a bad year for sports books.

 

The Satchel Paige bio by Larry Tye was outstanding.

 

Den:
Your feeling and his book have been completely debunked by statistics. Donaghy is full of crap. Why do people assume that just because Jose Canseco was proven to be correct that Donaghy must be. He's one criminal and that's it. I will be STUNNED beyond all belief if there is ever any more smoke from that fire.

 

It was lovely work.

 

Yes it is. And his origin story in the beginning is genuine and well-written and an overlooked part of the book.