20 Best Books About Football (2023 Update)

Are you ready for some football? new stadiums have been built, new stars have been born, and records have been broken since the last edition of football for dummies. this new edition is the fan's ultimate, up-to-date guide to all things pigskin. perfect for new and veteran fans of the sport alike, it covers everything you need to be the most knowledgeable spectator in the stadium. with deep explanations of every position, analysis of offense and defense, and detailed strategies for play, football legend howie long and established analyst john czarnecki present the nuts and bolts of football for fans of all ages and experiences. tackle football basics and enjoy america’s favorite sport grasp the rules and regulations, positions, plays, and penalties appreciate the different aspects of the game at the professional and college levels learn about the latest nfl stadium technologies football for dummies has something to offer fans of all ages, from peewees to the pros and everything between.

Who is the greatest running back of all time? how about the most dominant team in nfl history? what was the best play ever? sports illustrated has polled its experts, asking them to list their top 10 answers to these and other questions that pro football fans have been debating ever since the pigskin starting flying. football's greatest will rank the best of the best, explaining the methodology while paying tribute to those chosen with material from si's rich historical archive. fans will not only be able to see how our experts rate, for example, johnny unitas against brett favre against tom brady, but they will also be able to sample classic coverage of those superstars. this book is sure to spark debate around the country as fans compare their rankings to those determined by peter king, tim layden, damon hack and the rest of si's nfl insiders. which player will rate highest among linebackers-lawrence taylor or dick butkus or ray lewis? how about franchises-which is the greatest of all, the packers, the steelers or the cowboys? what better way to celebrate the best of america's most popular sport than with the greatest stories and photographs from america's favorite sports magazine?

Dive into the world of football with this mega book of everything to do with the beautiful game. learn all the lingo; meet the greatest players, managers and teams from both the men's and women's games; take masterclasses with the pros; wander through the haircut hall of fame; learn the most iconic goal celebrations and more.

Dan marino: my life in football takes fans into the private life of arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. in addition to his own personal reflections, stories, and anecdotes from his playing days at the university of pittsburgh and the miami dolphins, marino shares some of his most private moments with his family, friends, and behind-the-scenes of some of the more exciting and unusual moments that he has enjoyed. the exclusive dvd that contains never-before-seen footage of marino's high school and college playing days in addition to interviews with former teammates and coaches that aims to explain the genesis of marino's amazing talent. with unprecedented access to the hall of fame quarterback's life—from hearing stories directly from marino to seeing how the quarterback lives with his family and friends—no other book offers the insight into marino's life that this one does.

The nfl's best players, all in one action-packed volume. over a century after the formation of the american professional football conference, the precursor to the national football league, pro football continues to excite and captivate millions of fans across the globe. at the core of the nfl is its legendary players — the incredible athletes who have thrown, caught, run, tackled and kicked their way into the annals of sports history. nfl heroes presents the best of the best in pro football. from the pioneers, to the current stars, to the all-time legends that occupy the hall of fame in canton, ohio, they're all here, including: tom brady jim brown jerry rice dick butkus johnny unitas deacon jones reggie white joe montana antonio brown walter payton bronko nagurski aaron donald dan marino terry bradshaw emmitt smith brett favre roger staubach rob gronkowski ladainian tomlinson deion sanders. featuring 100 riveting stories and over 120 photos of the game's best, this updated, second edition of nfl heroes is a must-read for any fan of america's favorite sport.

Nfl running back warrick dunn is truly one of the good guys in the world of sports. and in this revealing autobiography, written with new york times bestselling author don yaeger, dunn tells his incredibly moving, inspirational story of courage and determination in the face of devastating loss, a story that makes his achievements on the football field that much more amazing. – warrick dunn and his five brothers and sisters all idolized their mother, baton rouge police officer betty smothers. as the oldest, dunn was the closest to her, and the man of the house. on january 7, 1993, while the single mother worked a second job as a supermarket security guard, betty smothers was ambushed, shot, and killed while making a bank deposit. dunn—then a high school senior just weeks away from choosing among his college football scholarship offers—was devastated. – dunn was only eighteen when circumstances changed and he had to look after his five siblings, but somehow he managed to enroll at florida state and, in only his freshman year, help their team quarterback, heisman trophy winner and roommate charlie ward, win the national championship for the 1993–94 season. and this was just the beginning of dunn's successful career as a student athlete, which resulted in his selection to the fsu hall of fame. despite his modest size, dunn's athleticism, incomparable drive, and personality convinced tampa bay buccaneers coach tony dungy to select dunn in the first round of the 1997 draft with the twelth overall pick. during his career with the bucs and, subsequently, the atlanta falcons, dunn amassed five 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was selected to the nfl pro bowl three times, and became one of only twenty-three running backs to exceed the 10,000-yard career rushing mark. in 2008, he returned to the bucs seeking to continue his success. but perhaps his greatest achievement during his time as an nfl player came off the field when he started a foundation called homes for the holidays, a charity that helps single parents become homeowners. to date, he has placed 74 single parents and their 192 dependents in fully furnished and outfitted homes in tampa, tallahassee, baton rouge, and atlanta. – but there was one person dunn neglected in his drive to help others—himself. he spent all of his emotional energy on his siblings and their pain, and never focused on his own. his only solace was the football field, where he truly was running for his life. it wasn't until a falcons teammate suggested psychological counseling that dunn began to battle the demons still haunting him from his mother's death. – uplifting and thought-provoking, running for my life is the story of an athlete's drive to help his family and ensure that his mother's legacy and values continue—the story of what it really takes to be a man.

'i love tifo' ian wright 'tifo are great' alan shearer 'tifo have changed the game when it comes to football analysis' elis james rule #1: don't watch the ball yes, football is about stars, goals and glory. but it's also about the intense calculations and movements being made by the twenty-one other players on the pitch. it's about the ticking clock, and the bellowing fans, and their impact on player psychology. it's about the coach, the club owner, and the director of football, who are watching, scouting and scheming from the side-lines. it's about money and data, about geopolitics and architecture, and even about climate change. football is the most popular sport in the world, and tifo football is one of the world's most popular football channels. in this short, illustrated guide, its creators share fifty-two simple 'rules' for understanding and enjoying the beautiful game-both on and off the pitch. covering the key concepts, tactics and philosophies that are shaping the sport today, how to watch football reveals surprising new perspectives on familiar elements of gameplay, while highlighting lesser-known aspects of the industry and its history. whether you're a casual fan or a football obsessive, the fifty-two golden rules in this pocket-size guide will deepen your delight in the world's favourite sport.

‘a fresh look at the beautiful game’ – nmewelcome back to the inimitable work of illustrator david squires.most football fans can only dream of pulling on the shirt of their favourite team and running out in front of thousands of adoring fans. pitch invaders aside, few of us get to experience that adrenalin rush. of those who do make it as a professional footballer, even fewer realise the giddy heights of success. in the illustrated history of football: hall of fame, cartoonist david squires returns to celebrate those who straddle the game like giants; those talented, determined souls who were juggling tennis balls in the back streets before they could talk. there’s more than one way to attain football immortality though, and squires also turns his comic eye to the mavericks, the pioneers, the forgotten legends and the anti-heroes. from pele to meazza, maradona to socrates, you will be taken on an unforgettable journey through the good, the bad and the hagi.

The future of football is now. football's data revolution has only just begun. the arrival of advanced metrics and detailed analysis is already reshaping the modern game. there is no turning back. now the race is on between football's wealthiest clubs and a group of outsiders, nerds and rule-breakers, who are turning the game on its head with their staggering innovations. winning is no longer just about what happens out on the pitch, it's now a battle taking place in boardrooms and on screens across international borders with the world's brightest minds driving for an edge over their fiercest rivals. christoph biermann has moved in the midst of these disruptive upheavals, talking to scientists, coaches, managers, scouts and psychologists in the world's major clubs, traveling across europe and the us and revealing the hidden – and often jaw-dropping – truths behind the beautiful game. 'a book full of exciting ideas and inside views on modern football. the most exciting book in an exciting time for football.' thomas hitzlsperger

Why is a football field sometimes called a gridiron? who are some of the best left-handed quarterbacks ever? who was the first black quarterback to win a super bowl? why do players form a huddle when plays are called? when did quarterback sacks become an official statistic? what is the record for the most passes thrown by a quarterback in a game? this book provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of pro football (and more). from the early days of football to the hugely popular game seen today, wayne stewart answers questions even the most knowledgeable fan may have pondered. whether the topic is quarterbacks or coaches, famous "firsts" or memorable moments, if a who, what, when, where, why, or how? question is on your mind, this is the book for you.

The football code outlines an innovative, ground-breaking philosophy that will change the way you watch the beautiful game. the football code teaches how a more scientific approach can eradicate the damaging effects of chance, leaving a clearer image of what is actually happening on the field of play. only then can managers sign better players. only then can pundits offer better judgements. only then can fans compile better fantasy football teams. this book addresses the intrinsic errors and inefficiencies which plague the sport, whilst at the same time revealing the top secret methods that professional gambling syndicates use to predict future outcomes. above all, it discloses the top secret, data-driven system that one football mastermind has used to make millions in the betting markets, and that has allowed the championship team he owns to punch spectacularly above its financial weight. football has finally found it's answer to baseball's 'moneyball'. "any fan who doesn't read this book will be left behind." – william lund. "unveils a revolutionary approach to the transfer market. truly exceptional." – footballnow. "a masterclass. the sport of football will never be the same again" – levi janssen.

Please note, the image is for illustrative purposes only, actual book cover, binding and edition may vary.

Football rising stars dives into the incredible journeys of ten of the world’s best young football players.

"from the bestselling co-author of soccernomics comes the story of how fc barcelona became the most successful football club in the world – and how that envied position now hangs in the balance. barça is not just the world's most popular sports club, it is simply one of the most influential organisations on the planet. with almost 250 million followers on social media and 4 million visitors to its camp nou stadium each year, there's little wonder its motto is 'more than a club'. but it was not always so. in the past three decades, barcelona has transformed from regional team to global powerhouse, becoming a model of sporting excellence and a consistent winner of silverware. simon kuper unravels exactly how these transformations took place. he outlines the organisational structure behind the club's business decisions, and details the work of its coaches, medics, data analysts and nutritionists who have revolutionised the sporting world. and, of course, he studies the towering influence of the club's two greatest legends, johan cruyff and lionel messi. like many leading global businesses, fc barcelona closely guards its secrets, granting few outsiders a view behind the scenes. but, after decades of writing about the sport and the club, kuper was given unprecedented access to the inner sanctum and to the people who strive daily to keep barcelona at the top. erudite, personal, and capturing all the latest successes and upheavals, his portrait of this incredible institution goes beyond football to understand bar a as a unique social, cultural, and political phenomenon"–publisher's description.

The frankie's magic football top of the league series 20 books collection box set description the frankies magic frank lampard is a footballer; father and author of the 'frankie's magic football' series! to date; frank remains chelsea football club's all-time leading goal scorer; where he was awarded three times chelsea player of the year. in 2014 frank was the vice captain on the england football squad at the world cup in brazil; and then went on to play for manchester city in 2014 in the uk before signing with new york city fc to play as part of the major league soccer side; starting july 2015. frank was awarded an obe in the 2015 queen's birthday honours list for his services to football. frank enjoys reading with his two daughters; and when they requested stories about football frank decided to create his own characters and adventures to entertain them. these tales provided the inspiration for 'frankie's magic football'. frank is passionate about promoting child literacy and is an ambassador of the national literacy trust; he hopes to inspire both young girls and boys to read with the 'frankie's magic football' series.

How football became football traces football's evolution from a version of rugby played before a handful of friends to a spectacle played in packed stadiums before television audiences of 100 million or more. organized by era, how football became football shows how football's rules, tactics, and equipment shifted over time, as did its coaching, officiating, and fan behavior. richly illustrated and written in a fun, engaging manner, readers learn why maul-ins, puntouts and quarterback kicks disappeared from the game, as well as how helmets, end zones, hash marks, and penalty flags became part of football. walter camp, paul brown, and sid gillman receive their due, while revealing the roles played by frank birch, john lockney, and other lesser-known men who impacted the game.

From jerry rice to peyton manning, tom brady to joe montana, football legends alphabet boasts a stunning line up of legendary players who have shaped the greatest game ever played. strikingly- illustrated, this book is sure to score with young up-and-coming stars and football-fanatic families alike!

Brought to you by penguin. what are the greatest football games ever played? debated in every pub, stadium and dressing room up and down the country, everyone has their own opinion and their own memories of the beautiful game.sharing his views on the greatest matches he has played in or enjoyed as a fan, jamie carragher takes readers into the dressing room, on to the tour bus and out on to the pitch as he relives the defining moments of his playing career and the games that have shaped his relationship with the sport.' i want to look back at those special games that, as a kid, made me fall in love with the game; tell some of the untold stories about the big games i was lucky enough to play in and reflect on the great matches that, since retiring, i've been privileged to witness as a pundit and a fan.' told with the same wit, humour, intelligence and passion behind his hit podcast and his punditry, the greatest games sees jamie speak to teammates, rivals, managers and legends of the game – from steven gerrard to paolo maldini, wayne rooney to rafa benitez, xabi alonso to gary neville. with their help, jamie shines a fresh light on a selection of the beautiful game's greatest matches: title deciders, cup finals, against all odds comebacks, underdog tales, old school classics, tactical masterclasses and end to end thrillers.packed full of hilariously stories, exclusive anecdotes and revealing insights, these are jamie carragher's greatest games. jamie carragher 2020 (p) penguin audio 2020

Total football ii offers in a single volume the complete history of professional football.here are the most complete statistics for each of the nearly 18,000 players who’ve played in even a single nfl game. you'll find essays on the history of the game, its championship teams, most significant games, and greatest players–along with the legend, lore and mystique of football. the official encyclopedia of the national football league, total football ii includes:articles on the evolution of strategy through the years histories of every team past and present biographies of the nfl's 300 greatest players football families the most complete lists ever published of team rosters, awards, and the nfl draft and more. new to this completely revised and updated edition are a host of new articles, covering an eclectic range of football-related topics, from offensive formations to football at the movies.this nearly inexhaustible wealth of gridiron material was provided by the nfl staff, the pro football hall of fame, and the pro football researchers association, as well as by the game's foremost writers and historians. the heart of total football is the player register with statistics provided by the elias sports bureau, the nfl's official statistician since 1961, bob carroll and david neft. for more than 30 years, carroll and neft have collected information on players, birthdates and places, high schools, and colleges attended. for total football they supplemented their research by contacting hundreds of former players and more than 400 colleges and universities.if it's about football, you'll find it within these pages, the book that pro football weekly and other experts have called "the best football book ever"

Brought to you by penguin. what are the greatest football games ever played? debated in every pub, stadium and dressing room up and down the country, everyone has their own opinion and their own memories of the beautiful game.sharing his views on the greatest matches he has played in or enjoyed as a fan, jamie carragher takes readers into the dressing room, on to the tour bus and out on to the pitch as he relives the defining moments of his playing career and the games that have shaped his relationship with the sport.' i want to look back at those special games that, as a kid, made me fall in love with the game; tell some of the untold stories about the big games i was lucky enough to play in and reflect on the great matches that, since retiring, i've been privileged to witness as a pundit and a fan.' told with the same wit, humour, intelligence and passion behind his hit podcast and his punditry, the greatest games sees jamie speak to teammates, rivals, managers and legends of the game – from steven gerrard to paolo maldini, wayne rooney to rafa benitez, xabi alonso to gary neville. with their help, jamie shines a fresh light on a selection of the beautiful game's greatest matches: title deciders, cup finals, against all odds comebacks, underdog tales, old school classics, tactical masterclasses and end to end thrillers.packed full of hilariously stories, exclusive anecdotes and revealing insights, these are jamie carragher's greatest games. jamie carragher 2020 (p) penguin audio 2020