First up, may I recommend Gary Sutherland's "Hunting Grounds":

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/3370157/Hunting-Grounds/Product.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Grounds-Gary-Sutherland/dp/1841585866/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198166624&sr=8-1

 

Its an excellent journey round all 42 Scottish fitba grounds in one season.  Detailing transport, pre-match venues for a pint, the quality of the pies at the ground, and a review of the performance of both the players and the fans.  He goes into some depth in his report for each ground.  Its rather witty too!

 

He obviously visits Pittodrie (2-2 cup game with Hibs last season), and also a Falkirk v Aberdeen SPL game where the away fans are praised.

Anybody read any of Oliver James's work? I'm awaiting delivery of 'The Selfish Capitalist - the origins of Affluenza' on the back of seeing him interviewed. He seems to talk a fair bit of sense.

Just finished reading Willie Miller - "The Don" and I thought it was an excellent read.

 

As you would expect there is plenty of reminiscing about the "glory days" but he is critical about certain people, including Ian Donald, Ebbe, Zoltan Varga and Keith Wyness which was interesting.  He is certainly no fan of Ian Donald and makes it clear he would not have returned to the club unless Donald was moved out of a decision making role at the club.  You can't beat a bit of Ian Donald bashing!!! 

 

On his famous incident with Alan Hansen in the world cup, WM was remarkably even-handed when accepting partial blame for it.

 

There was at least one error in the book - seemingly Montrose play at Glebe Park! 

 

Nowhere does it say (as reported by somebody on The Hat) that he said he would never allow a Gothenburg great to manage the Dons while he was still director. 

Just got my hands on Sir Alex's Biography.  I'll post a report.

Sir Alex's Biography

 

a.k.a The Bible

 

Thought I'd ressurect this thread to see if anyone's read anything of note recently.

 

I'm still struggling on with Catch-22 which really is quite funny but very, very difficult to read for some reason.  About a chapter at a time is about all I can manage.

 

Thought about picking up other books in the meantime but I'm stubborn, so I'm going to persevere with it until it's finished.

 

Just about to start 'Dear Green Place'.

Thought I'd ressurect this thread to see if anyone's read anything of note recently.

 

I'm still struggling on with Catch-22 which really is quite funny but very, very difficult to read for some reason.  About a chapter at a time is about all I can manage.

 

Thought about picking up other books in the meantime but I'm stubborn, so I'm going to persevere with it until it's finished.

 

 

I was the same withe Catch-22 - it's a really good book, and like you say, very funny in places - however, i don't think it's the kind of book you can read in big chunks.  I don't know the reason behind that as it's not one of those that loads you with detail until you feel exhausted from reading at the end of a chapter, nor is it anything to do with it being written badly as well, it's written very cleverly.  Weird.

 

I've read all three Stuart Macbride books and loved them all - I think I read each one in the space of a week and had difficulty putting them down.

 

I'm now back onto Brilliant Orange by David Winner http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Orange-Neurotic-Genius-Football/dp/0747553106 - bought it ages ago (via a reccommendation on a similar thread elsewhere ) prior to getting into the Stuart Macbride books.   

 

It got put on the backburner as a result - I've only just started reading it a week or so ago and it's superb thus far.  Good insights into the "Total Football" culture and an interesting block about the Dutch hatred of the Germans all coming to a head after losing to them in the 1974 World Cup.

 

Definitely worth a look.

I'm now back onto Brilliant Orange by David Winner http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brilliant-Orange-Neurotic-Genius-Football/dp/0747553106 - bought it ages ago (via a reccommendation on a similar thread elsewhere ) prior to getting into the Stuart Macbride books.   

 

It got put on the backburner as a result - I've only just started reading it a week or so ago and it's superb thus far.  Good insights into the "Total Football" culture and an interesting block about the Dutch hatred of the Germans all coming to a head after losing to them in the 1974 World Cup.

 

Definitely worth a look.

 

Wonderful book. I've just started "Ajax Barcelona Cruyff", which appears to be a series of articles on Cruyff throughout his career. David Winner translated it into English although he's not actually written any of it. If it's worth a read I'll let you know and i'll send it on to you.

Wonderful book. I've just started "Ajax Barcelona Cruyff", which appears to be a series of articles on Cruyff throughout his career. David Winner translated it into English although he's not actually written any of it. If it's worth a read I'll let you know and i'll send it on to you.

 

Fantastic - cheers loon. 

 

I must admit i never appreciated just how much of a legend Cruyff was / is over in Holland.  Certainly ahead of his time in terms of asking questions of the establishment and making people think differently about things.

 

It's a very clever book - the crossovers between the likes of Dutch art and architecture, and they football they play is not something i've ever heard of before.  Plus, it's really well written.

Just started one that i was given as a Xmas pressie, Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know by Ranulph Fiennes, Bit early to pass comment, but somehow suspect it ain't going to be dull

Watched 'A Guide To Recognising Your Saints' at the weekend.  The guy who wrote the book actually directed the film, which I quite enjoyed.

 

Nothing mind blowing, just a nice little tale of a guy growing up in a tough neighbourhood in New York.  Starred Robert Downey Jr and a young Scottish actor from Greenock.

 

Both worth filing in the  "worth a look" pile.   

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/area_eccentric_reads_entire_book

Just finished the last Harry Potter Book.

 

Brilliant stuff

Finally finished Catch-22.

 

Good book but by Zeus' beard, what a fucking struggle!

 

Managed to pick up about a dozen books in the time I was reading that one so I've a stock to get through but I'm going to start with something really, really, really easy!

Just finished "Blood River" by Tim Butcher. Thoroughly good read and recommended.

 

Away to have a scout about on Amazon for my next read

If yer into boxing al get nigel benns biography

 

 

Just finished the Willie Miller book and since I'm doing fuck all else today, I finished the book I was reading whilst I commute to work - Night Fall by Nelson Demille.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Fall-Nelson-DeMille/dp/0751531804/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204488819&sr=8-1

 

A good wee read and I'm pleased to hear the main character (a New York detective turned counter-terrorist squad agent) appears in a few of his other books.  Probably pick them up the next time I'm buying some more books.

Reading 'Are You Dave Gorman?' which is quite entertaining, as well as reading 'Lanark'.

Just finished the Willie Miller book and since I'm doing fuck all else today, I finished the book I was reading whilst I commute to work - Night Fall by Nelson Demille.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Fall-Nelson-DeMille/dp/0751531804/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204488819&sr=8-1

 

A good wee read and I'm pleased to hear the main character (a New York detective turned counter-terrorist squad agent) appears in a few of his other books.  Probably pick them up the next time I'm buying some more books.

 

ST, can recommend Nelson Demille books as I've read them all.

Currently working my way through "The Ball Is Round. A Global History of Football".

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ball-Round-Global-History-Football/dp/0670914800/ref=pd_sbs_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1204502140&sr=8-1

 

Onto the last 200 or so pages and we are into the 90s and the global change in football driven by money and the break up of communist europe.

Has been an excellent read, although at times you feel you want a bit more detail and a bit less stuff about england but covers in reasonable detail the game throughout europe, africa and south america, with a little less about North America and Asia.

 

 

ST, can recommend Nelson Demille books as I've read them all.

 

Cheers BigAl.

 

Liked the sharp tongue on Corey and his dislike for authority, so I'll definitely pick up the rest.

 

Not Dead Enough by Peter James

 

Severed by Steve Krasnik, both better than decent reads.

Severed by Steve Krasnik

 

Is it about your leg?

Is it about your leg?

 

Mixing me up with fatjim!

Not Dead Enough by Peter James

 

 

Was given that one at Xmas from the bairn, but nae started reading it yet