September Highlights
Details of new autobiographies including Bobby Charlton, Seve Ballesteros, Graham Le Saux, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.
Headline Releases
September sees the release of two potentially enormous sports titles - Bobby Charlton's My Manchester United Years and Seve. Few would deny that Seve is the more charismatic of the two but Charlton is in the most unusual position (certainly in today's publishing world) of having kept his council throughout his career and I confidently expect that Charlton's book is destined to be the biggest selling sports title of the year. Don't forget that we'll have signed copies of the book very shortly.
What to expect from Seve? Who knows, perhaps it'll mirror his game - seemingly all over the place but somehow managing to come together....
Football Autobiographies
An England international of more recent vintage, Graham Le Saux also releases his autobiography entitled Left Field. I was initially sceptical about this book, wondering whether it had a natural audience and my concerns were reinforced by my conversations with others in the trade who were also unsure about it. However, I've read the first few chapters and have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. He writes movingly about the homophobia that followed him throughout his career and, unusually, he breaks the vow of silence that affects so many players' autobiographies. It's worth a look.
Peter Crouch, current England international (albeit part time Liverpool player) also releases his autobiography, Walking Tall. I'm just astonished by this release - I don't see the demand, the need and I just can't imagine that it will perform well. For me he's destined to join the ranks of the England players who released their books last year to universal derision. Based on my comments above, I don't suppose we'll be getting signed copies of this one...
Another Premiership player who has a book out is Marcus Hahnemann. His Premiership Diary will have obvious appeal to Reading fans (the benefits of being a cult hero) but for this to work beyond the confines of Reading fans, he'll need to adopt a bold and honest assessment of last year's incidents. Perhaps the infamous Chelsea match will be the litmus test. We'll have signed copies available of this title shortly.
Ian Holloway also releases his autobiography, Ollie. If he replicates the interest that Let's Have Coffee generated, he'll be doing very nicely and it would seem to indicate Holloway is a character who has plenty of appeal to fans. This is a title which could have wide appeal but it will benefit immeasurably with some solid editing - it has the potential to be just a long series of anedoctes.
Other Football Releases
The famed Non League Directory gets its annual outing. It's as comprehensive (and weighty) as ever. A must for Non League aficionados. At the other end of the football spectrum, The Almanack of World Football is released. I'm pleased to see the continuation of this comprehensive annual. It deserves to succeed.
A few other football titles to mention. The Aerofilms Football Grounds From the Air: Then and Now. A photographic demonstration of the changing nature of football grounds in the country. Excellent. Whilst we talking about grounds, why not take a look at Hunting Grounds, a groundhopping journey through Scotland. Ultras takes a look at Torino's hooligan following. I'm not completely sure whether it's written as a sober assessment of hooliganism in Italy or lurid tales of an ex-hooligan but regardless, there'll be devotees of either genre.
Rugby
The Rugby World Cup is upon us but it's a sign of the low level of expectation that publishers seem to have forgotten about it. A notable exception is Alison Kervin's Thirty Bullies, an irreverent history of the history of the World Cup. Some of the stories from the England players in the early World Cups are particularly illuminating/depressing (delete according to taste).
It should be said that both Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt have autobiographies scheduled for release after the tournament. Expect them to be joined by a host of other titles if England pull off an unlikely victory.
Motor Sport
Two drivers at contrasting ends of the experience spectrum are Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. Fans are holding out for Schumacher's autobiography but this biography, from ITV's main Formula 1 commentator, should still have significant appeal. The first of the unofficial books on Hamilton have already started to be released - despite the fact that the most important part of his debut season is still to come. Unfortunately for them, the announcement of his authorised book, will leave most of them gathering dust on the shelves.
Boxing
There's a couple of interesting looking boxing books out this month. There's Master of the Ring, a portrait of Jem Mace, one of the forefathers or modern boxing and Inside The Ropes, an autobiography from Arthur Mercante, a referee who has officiated in more championship fights than any other.
Other Original Releases
As you'd expect with the start of the American Football season, there's plenty of new releases. Particular highlights include The GM, War Without Death, Brand NFL and I Dream in Blue. If you prefer Hoops then The NBA Register should get you in the mood for the season's start and if Ice Hockey is your favourite, then The NHL Yearbook 2008 is available too.
And finally.....
Snooker's dark underbelly? Well if drama and conspiracy are your thing, follow Clive Everton on his romp through the history of the game in Black Farce and Cue Balls Wizards.
About This Entry
‘September Highlights’ was posted by Liam Doyle on Wed, 5th September 2007 at 16:35:06 BST and filed under book reviews.
