Latest member reviews from the Word of Sport website. http://www.wordofsport.com/ Word of Sport en-gb http://www.wordofsport.com/img/logo.gif http://www.wordofsport.com/ Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:33:03 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Fotheringham writes with authority and passion on an emotive subject; Simpson can be a divisive figure, with his death from a drug overdose on Mont Ventoux a tragedy at the same time as being largely self inflicted.

I was sceptical of Simpson before reading this book. Now though, I can see how bright a star he was and how sad his passing was. The part of the book that deals with his death on the road is brilliantly written and very emotional.

Whether you're old enough to remember Major Tom's career first hand, or like me, too young to remember him as anything other than a legend, this is a great book and highly recommended. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224080180_put_me_back_on_my_bike#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224080180_put_me_back_on_my_bike#memreviews Tue, 1 Dec 2009 20:22:49 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) A very interesting, if a little depressing read. It seems there's a lot of milage in writing about the doping problems in the pro peloton, so you can find myriad books on the subject at present.

This stands out, however, as it's well researched, well written and has a real air of authority. I found it hard to read, but not because of anything negative to do with the writing. Rather, the hard part is accepting that much of the detail in Bad Blood is true. It is never easy to look at a sport you love with cold hard facts about it being less than pure before you, but this is a good read and recommended. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224080229_bad_blood#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224080229_bad_blood#memreviews Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:32:48 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) Martin Offiah’s 50 of The Best is an unusual sports book. It’s not a biography or a memoir. It slings no mud and calls no names. Neither does the author spend most of the book promoting himself. What interests Martin Offiah is try-scoring. That’s not a surprise, because he was the most successful try-scorer in modern rugby league. 50 Of The Best is Martin Offiah’s personal selection of the best scores in the game’s recent history. In the book, the ultimate try-scorer discusses and analyses the try-scorer’s art, celebrates the game’s skills and offers a little discussion on how things have changed over the last 30 years. It will interest all rugby fans, of whatever code. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:58:45 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) Sports books are rarely just about the technicalities of the sport they describe. In all sports it’s the personalities, the teams, the settings, the occasions and the competitions that provide the interest. And so Martin Offiah’s 50 of The Best concentrates on specific players and the tries they scored in particular games. Most of the featured games were big occasions, but not all of them. The scores in the book are almost all from the last 30 years of rugby league and together they illustrate how the game has developed into SuperLeague. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:08:32 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) I'm not normally a big Rugby League fan, preferring to watch the men from the frozen north in black n white stripes knocking the blown up pigs bladder into the onion bag. However, as soon as I began my first journey into a RL book I knew I would be reading long into the night. As a sports fan the book was enthralling, incredibly well written and if you are RL fan I'm sure it must rank as the number one stocking filler on your wish list. What's even better about this book is the fact you can play back each try on a specially commissioned website detailed in the book, cutting edge stuff and surely the way to go with all good sports book. I cant wait for the football version of this type of book to come out. In the meantime I'll take a leisurely day out and read through (and view the website) once again. That should tell you how good this book is. Real value for money, like a book and DVD rolled into one. :) http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1905988818_50_of_the_best#memreviews Tue, 8 Jul 2008 14:34:50 GMT service@wordofsport.com (John Dupear) ;)excellant mag everything you need to no about the up coming nfl season team by team stats are great http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00085_pro_football_weekly_2008_nfl_preview#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00085_pro_football_weekly_2008_nfl_preview#memreviews Sun, 6 Jul 2008 17:47:49 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Colin Mehigan) This is the ultimate in College Football reviews. A team by team breakdown and in depth analysis. As an avid College Football fan I always get Phil Steele every year. A College Football bible.
Colin Mehigan, Dublin http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00081_phil_steeles_college_football_preview_2008#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00081_phil_steeles_college_football_preview_2008#memreviews Sun, 6 Jul 2008 17:46:04 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Colin Mehigan) This is a total joy. A great trip down memory lane when football was a more innocent affair. The artwork was truely stunning and the storylines captivating.

Colin Mehigan, Dublin http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1845769481_the_best_of_roy_of_the_rovers_the_1980s#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1845769481_the_best_of_roy_of_the_rovers_the_1980s#memreviews Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:52:57 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Brian Hardisty Longstaff) Got quite a few football previews last year, but this year with only limited funds I didn't even hesitate in selecting Lindy's as my no.1 pick. It has a great mixture of articles and stats - including a four page look at each team and a nine page look at the draft. Predictions, previews and a six page fantasy football primer are a must, and if you need a break there's always the six page sidelines section of cheerleaders. w00t! http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00082_lindys_pro_football_preview_2008#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00082_lindys_pro_football_preview_2008#memreviews Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:34:35 GMT service@wordofsport.com (John Dupear) :D this was a excellant mag with everything you needed for the nfl draft http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00078_sporting_news_draft_2008#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/spamftball00078_sporting_news_draft_2008#memreviews Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:42:32 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) As a fan of the sport I was very keen to read this, to see what insight Lewis has in the world of American football after reading his excellent Moneyball.

I wasn't disappointed; The Blind Side is firstly an excellent analysis of how American football has evolved from the old "three yards and a cloud of dust" era where running dominated the game, to the modern day pass dominated incarnation. Lewis documents in detail the players and coaches that helped transform the game (with some subtle, often moving references within these sections) in an easily accessible way. Although I play and coach the sport, I thought the content in this part was written well enough for the layman to understand and enjoy it.

Secondly, this book is a human interest story about a phenomenally talented young athlete and his incredible route to recognition and the opportunity it provides. This isn't a simple feel good story, it really is a one in a million tale and the athlete at the centre of the story, Michael Oher, really is as good as written. I've since been onto NFL Scouting websites and researched him and the consensus is he is already a stunningly gifted college player and has the potential to be one of the best ever at his position in the NFL if his good fortune continues. After reading the book, you'll be rooting for this fortune to remain good!

The Blind Side highlights aspects of the sport that even dedicated fans miss, or ignore. The players who toil away from the limelight but are as integral to a team's success or failure as the megastars in the media spotlight. It is an engaging, well researched and very well written book that is well worth reading. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0393330478_the_blind_side#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0393330478_the_blind_side#memreviews Mon, 7 Apr 2008 07:45:36 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) An excellent behind the scenes book about the realities of coaching in the NFL. Next Man Up follows the Baltimore Ravens through highs and lows, with detailed accounts of the problems faced by the caching staff as they struggle to be competitive.
Whether you're a Ravens fan or not, this book is engaging and well worth reading. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0316013285_next_man_up#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0316013285_next_man_up#memreviews Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:41:43 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) As a lifelong Rangers' supporter I am extremely disappointed in the content, structure and style of this book.

Having read the first 3 or 4 chapters I have put the book down and I will not be picking it up again.

The only reason I have rated it as "1 star" is that there is not a "0 star" option. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1845962249_blue#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1845962249_blue#memreviews Sun, 2 Dec 2007 22:19:27 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) This is a different kind of biography, one that tells George Best's story from his fans' points of view by using George Best memorabilia, and people's memories and tributes to the late, great man himself; it tells the story behind the tabloid headlines. It unfolds what a really nice man he was; it doesn't veneer over his faults and failings but shows through people's experiences of meeting him just what a kind and generous person George Best was.

It's a book that is very readable, full of really interesting individual stories that are cleverly linked together to tell the multi-coloured life journey of George. Its a good read for any age with loads of photographs - many not seen before.

A definate for George Best and Man U fans - in fact for anyone - even if you're not keen on footy.

You can even go to a new web site linked to the book www.georgebestacelebration.com that will give you 'More of the Best', and I understand, coming soon will be information on buying George Best memorabilia; or if you have some already finding out its value. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1844544559_george_best#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1844544559_george_best#memreviews Tue, 3 Jul 2007 02:10:57 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Gail Mrs Gray) :)I have this book i strongly recommend it to any michael schumacher or ferrari fan,its a kind of book you read it and dont wont to put it down,i have quite a few books on michael schumacher and i have found some to understand and others not a problem. i am looking forward to buy michael schumacher autobiography, the books on michael and michael himself have inspired me to write a book in which i have done it has taken me 5 years to put it together but at last its complete i finished it last year the same day when michael had his last race of the year. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0091894352_michael_schumacher#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0091894352_michael_schumacher#memreviews Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:24:47 GMT service@wordofsport.com ( ) A basic re-write of the last round of alegations some with merit and most heresay.
Lance has never been proven to have raced while dopped.
Floyd's levels taken at the Tour de France are so extreme and as of yet unproven to be legit
The one question Lance has not to my knowledge been asked is did he ever use
a performance enhancing drug.
He has answered correctly that he never has tested positive nor raced while on performance boosting drugs.
Stop beating a dead horse Mr. Walsh http://www.wordofsport.com/books/034549962x_from_lance_to_landis#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/034549962x_from_lance_to_landis#memreviews Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:20:38 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Jacques Claw) The position of left offensive tackle doesn't automatically suggest itself as prime subject material for a book on the development of American football strategy. But as Michael Lewis proved in his dissection of baseball statistics, Moneyball, seemingly obscure subject matter is no bar to a fascinating read.

The havoc wreaked by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor on the blind side of opposing quarterbacks in the early 1980s caused such consternation in NFL locker rooms that a specific technique was needed just to combat him. The architect of this new strategy was Bill Walsh. Lewis examines how first with the Bengals and more famously with the 49ers how Walsh developed an offensive gameplan which aimed to eliminate as much unnecessary risk as possible. By using short, sharp passes Walsh's quarterbacks could make more completions, throw fewer interceptions and most importantly negate the potential chaos caused by the likes of LT. The results speak for themselves. 5 Superbowls and 2 Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Joe Montana and Steve Young. Former Walsh assistants such as Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren have taken his West Coast Offense to further greatness. It's the closest thing the NFL has seen to Billy Beane's Moneyball system and crucial to the strategy is the player at left tackle, the one charged with protecting the quarterback's blind side. Which brings us to the 2nd part of the book, the amazing story of Michael Oher, a poor black student trying to make his way in a very white, very rich and very Christian school.

Taken in by the family of good old boy made good Sean Touhy, Lewis examines the difficulties faced by Oher in his new lily white environment. With his gargantuan size and amazing speed opportunity eventually comes on the sports field and Oher soon has college scouts knocking on the Tuohy's door desperate for him to join their programme. Needless to say he fits the bill for the archetypal left tackle but the lengths that Colleges go to and the pressures put on impressionable boys seem amazing to observers this side of the pond. At times the story seems almost too good to be true but it does give a real insight into the obsessional nature of high school and college football in the American South.

Lewis hit a home run with Moneyball(or perhaps that should read he hit for a high On Base Percentage). He hasn't quite reached those heights with The Blind Side but it's a highly entertaining and insightful book all the same. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/039306123x_the_blind_side#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/039306123x_the_blind_side#memreviews Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:07:22 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Spider Saintz) The story of two icons of the twentieth century, who scaled heights previously forbidden to black athletes and who were exploited thereafter.
Accounts the friendship and shared circumstances of very different men in an era that is ripe for enlightenment. As much social history as sport - a very informative read. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0743207610_in_black_and_white#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0743207610_in_black_and_white#memreviews Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:58:29 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Spider Saintz) While a Haynes manual may provide every snippet of info you're ever likely to need for any type of bike repair, this book is a lot easier to digest for your average commuter type repair problem, and thorough at that.
Provides a great background to this greatest and simplest of modern inventions and stresses the longevity and (relatively) slow changing dynamic of bike development. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1844421716_the_complete_bike_book_illustrated_manual#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/1844421716_the_complete_bike_book_illustrated_manual#memreviews Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:51:54 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Spider Saintz) Great 1990s overview of the world game, taking in the likes of Roger Milla, samba South American, and teams on either side of the Berlin Wall.
The best place to start if you want to get into decent football writing - less a sociological analysis than an indulgence of the randomness, beauty and hybridity of the modern game. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0752848771_football_against_the_enemy#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0752848771_football_against_the_enemy#memreviews