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, 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 Sat, 27 Jan 2007 19:36:13 GMT service@wordofsport.com (paul harvey) Motor racing in the 1950s..Ahhh! A golden age when men in plus-fours drove fire-breathing monsters capable of 170mph around the twisty street circuits of a Europe just recovering ftom WW2. Richard Williams has produced an engaging book which describes many of the key races and characters of the time. Surviving competitors like Stirling Moss are also interviewed for the book which really captures the devil-may-care attitude of these racing greats. The 1957 Pecara Grand Prix is the main topic - a race which in many ways saw the end of the road racing era. Highly recommended. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0753818515_the_last_road_race#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0753818515_the_last_road_race#memreviews Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:36:25 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) This is a fantastic book! It's a very detailed account of boxing through the stories of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and of course, Ali.

It's well written, insightful and will make you rethink the established wisdom on boxing. For example; Liston has long been portrayed as a demonic figure - it's popular (and easy) to focus on his brutishness and ties with the Mafia. King of the World reveals that Liston longed for acceptance and that he wanted to set a good example for Black Americans in the Civil Rights era.

Highly recommended! http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0330371894_king_of_the_world#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0330371894_king_of_the_world#memreviews Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:27:53 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Mailer's acclaimed account of the Rumble in the Jungle - the Heavyweight title showdown between Muhammad Ali and George Forman. Mailer's language sometimes detracts from the story, and he gets a little too diverted in trying to capture a concept of African spirituality and Black male sexuality. Still, The Fight is an engaging read; with a look inside Ali's training camp during the build up to the fight.
Although other boxing authors (noteably Ferdie Pacheco, the "fight doctor" who was in Ali's corner for most of his career) have rubbished much of Mailer's opinions on boxing, The Fight is certainly worth reading! There is a genuine build up of tension and excitement as the fight draws near. Mailer manages to put down much of Ali's charisma and charm. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0141184140_the_fight#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0141184140_the_fight#memreviews Mon, 18 Dec 2006 09:02:36 GMT service@wordofsport.com (Matthew ) Let's look back at the summer when we beat the Windies rather than worry about events in Australia - C&G Yearbook has excellent coverage of the whole season, with excellent commentary and stunning photographs. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0713679727_cheltenham_and_gloucester_cricket_year_2006#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0713679727_cheltenham_and_gloucester_cricket_year_2006#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:36:23 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Enjoyable look at the world of football through the eyes of a team doc. Some emotional parts (Lyle Alzado's decline and eventual death) and some humour. Well worth reading for an honest insight into pro-football http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312136277_youre_okay_its_just_a_bruise#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312136277_youre_okay_its_just_a_bruise#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:33:10 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Junction Boys is brilliant! Bear Bryant achieved legendary status as Head Coach of Alabama, but he first turned around the A&M Aggies. How he did it would inspire lawsuits in today's America, but makes for an inspirational read. Running players into the ground, with one so scared of letting Bryant down that he played with a broken back...
Well worth a read. Recommended! http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312192932_the_junction_boys#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312192932_the_junction_boys#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:29:52 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Fantastic! Bowden showcases his considerable journalistic skills (he wrote Blackhawk Down, later made into a film) in this cracking look at life inside the Eagles. There is no whitewashing of the fact that football is a tough game, and that those who play it can be equally tough. Whether you are an Eagles fan or not, this book is a great book on football. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0871137720_bringing_the_heat#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0871137720_bringing_the_heat#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:26:20 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) I really enjoyed this look at NFL Europe. To many Americans, the league is an afterthought where no name players go as a last chance to make it to the NFL. Europe has developed its fair share of stars, including Super Bowl winning Quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brad Jonson, and this book follows the Claymores through their attempt to capture the World Bowl. In parts funny, with some good writting, it's an excellent insider's view. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312269757_the_proving_ground#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0312269757_the_proving_ground#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:16:23 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Gent played for the Cowboys so has a real insight into the tough heart of the game, which his book certainly reflects. It's a dark tale of ruthless football owners and management, using players until their bodies break down whilst rooting out anyone who doesn't conform to the their imposed ideal. A good read, but I prefered th efilm starring Nick Nolte! The book and film have different endings (with the film's much more positive!) http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0973144335_north_dallas_forty#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0973144335_north_dallas_forty#memreviews Fri, 15 Dec 2006 23:10:34 GMT service@wordofsport.com (James ) Perhaps the most famous book ever written about the sport, Friday Night Lights is a book about dreams, passion and the hard realities of Football. Briliantly written by Bissinger, this book takes the reader right into the sometimes maddening world of Texas High School Football. It has even more impact because it's true. Read it!

The film starring Billy Bob Thornton is an excellent adaptation, with a few interesting cameos; Boobie Miles plays an assistant coach and can be seen standing next to actor derek Luke (playing Boobie) in the half time locker room scene. http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224076744_friday_night_lights#memreviews http://www.wordofsport.com/books/0224076744_friday_night_lights#memreviews