The high 10 books you could purchase your sport-obsessed liked one this Christmas
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Christmas is around the corner and there are plenty of people up and down the country yet to find the right present for their nearest and dearest.
If they’re a lover of sports, then do not fear as Daily Mail has some ideal recommendations for you.
The recommendations in questions? Some good old fashioned books, 10 precisely.
Here are 10 books we think any sports-buff would like to read (in no particular order).
The Miracle of Castel di Sangro
Are there many better football fairytales than the one that happened in Italy during the 1990s. Forget Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan – the story of Castel Di Sangro that saw it rise up to Serie B against the odds. What makes it even more remarkable is that the population of this quiet town is just 5,000 – essentially Dartmouth reaching the Championship.
Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing
Widely-heralded as one of the best books in boxing, this is a illuminating novel that covers five years of boxing – providing a real insight into the minds of a professional boxer with Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr among those providing detail. It delves deeper than boxing in that it sees how race and violence beat at the heart of American and British society and what it is that drives men to take up this sport.
Shoe Dog
If you have seen the 2023 movie Air then you will have a slight insight into what this book entails. When you think of the biggest sports-brand manufacturer Nike would be at the forefront. However, the American-brand was once struggling and Shoe Dog depicts that and its rise as a memoir by co-founder Phil Knight.
CLICK HERE to buy the book on Amazon.
Provided You Don’t Kiss Me
When you think of Nottingham Forest, you think of Brian Clough. He put the club on the map and is still revered to this day, as should be the case. His 20 years in charge included the highest of highs – winning the First Division title and two European Cups among the plethora of trophies at the City Ground. Despite those good times, there were some lows as he had fallouts (namely Peter Taylor) as well as battled alcoholism and relegation. This book covers it all.
CLICK HERE to buy the book on Amazon.
Born to Run
Feeling like a Couch to 5k run in the New Year? This may be the perfect bit of motivation. Born to Run is a story about the secrets of a Mexican tribe known for being world-class ultra runners. In 1993, one of them, aged 57, came first in a prestigious 100-mile race wearing a toga and sandals.
Bodyline Autopsy
This Ashes tour is not one to remember for England fans at present (this may need tweaking) but the 1932 tour is still talked about now. This tour of Australia is known as the Bodyline tour when England bowled at the body of Australian batters in the hope to get them out. This intimidatory tactic was to counteract the brilliance of Don Bradman, and a reminder that no helmets or protection was worn during this time.
Running: The Autobiography
Ronnie O’Sullivan is the pre-eminent snooker player of his era but there is so much more to him than the sport. In this autobiography, he provided an honest and candid account of growing up around the sport, dealing with his father being sent to prison for life, spending time in the Priory clinic and battling the inner urges to quit the sport at just 28.
All That Matters
A poignant read this autobiography details how Sir Chris Hoy is dealing with terminal cancer diagnosis. He reflects on the challenges he has faced so far and what is to come with his wife Sarra and their three children by his side.
Undefeated: The Story of the Lions of 1974
This summer saw the Lions make history as they won in the same country in back-to-back tours when they defeated Australia. However, in 1974 that iteration of the Lions made history when the British and Irish Lions came home unbeaten after a 22-match, four-Test tour of South Africa. If that gruelling feat wasn’t impressive enough, it was against a backdrop of political turmoil, controversy and ostracism at home, as battle lines were drawn against apartheid.
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play
Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on and this book encapsulates that. This book is a lowdown on how he succeeded and how he applied his iconic ‘Mamba Mentality’. The Los Angeles Lakers legend details how he studied an opponent, how he channelled his passion for the game and how he played through injuries.
