With the BBC's Big Read asking the nation to vote for their favourite work of fiction, it seems only right and proper that sport gets a look in too.
What's the best or the worst sports book you have read?
Norman Mailer's "The Fight" about Muhammad Ali's and George Foreman's Rumble in the Jungle bout in 1973 has proved to be very popular.
But at the other end of the scale, few of the numerous autobiographies released by footballers have picked up any literary awards.
Have you read a particularly bad or good sports book?
'How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won the FA Cup' by James Lloyd Carr. I read it as a kid and loved it. It's funny and has the classic underdog story. It's heart-warming and life-affirming.
Max, UK
Jimmy Hill's autobiography is a cracking read - what a life!
Ben, UK
The best sporting book I have read is 'Sea Biscuit - The Story of Three Men and a Racehorse'. It is currently being made into a film so I'm not the only one who thinks it worthy. Fantastic true tale and would highly recommend to all horse enthusiast.
Victoria Wright, UK
Wow, someone else has read Cec's book. Probably someone else who was taught by him, yes, it's a great book, he was a cool bloke. Another sports book about a maverick genius is 'ABC' - Ajax, Barcelona, Cruyff, and an excellent read about an amazing man.
Chris, UK
'Only a Game' by Eammon Dunphy was the first of its kind. A warts and all book about professional football written by the author rather than some fawning Grub Street hack. It's funny and irreverent - all subsequent player biographies have been, in my view, pale imitations.
Adam Battle,
London, UK
Hunter Davies' 'The Glory Game' is surely the forerunner of all great football literature
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'This Bloody Mary Is The Last Thing I own' by Jonathan Randall is a look at the tragedy of the forgotten men of boxing; guys who had their moment and were tossed aside and men who would never taste glory but who fought on gamely all the same.
Condemning and affectionate in equal measure, it shows the positives and negatives of the sport in contrast and attempts to explain just why, as heartbreaking as it can be, boxing is still loved and honoured by so many in the game.
Jack, UK
I am amazed there are so few books about rugby union listed... the greatest sport of them all! The book that best captures its spirit, for me, is 'The Great Number Tens' by the incomparable Frank Keating.
Wherever in the world I may be, however far from the nearest fellow rugby fan or TV showing a match, that book lifts my spirits -- particularly his description of a great Barry John try in New Zealand in 1970 as an example of heights to which sport can raise a person.
Iqbal Siddiqui, UK
Hunter Davies' 'The Glory Game' is surely the forerunner of all great football literature as he tracks his beloved Tottenham Hotspur through a season.
David Wilkerson,
England
'Wisden', with its mustard coloured cover and unique size makes it stand out on the bookshelf. It's always interesting to read and lookup old games.
However, Shane Warne's autobiography was bland, not at all revealing and did not do justice to a wonderful player.
Andrew Coate, England
Jim Bouton's 'Ball Four' is regarded by many in the USA to be the best sports book of all time
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I concur with Ian Clavering. Armstrong's book is pure inspiration. Truly incredible. One genre of sports writing that should be mentioned is climbing. Books such as Paul Pritchard's 'Deep Play' and Joe Simpson's 'Touching the Void' are remarkable achievements.
Jamie Pembroke, England
'All Played Out' by Pete Davies still brings a tear to my eye. The guy should be ambassador for English football as he's the only journalist who actually bothered to find out the facts with an open mind. His interaction with the squad Gazza/Waddle et al is legendary.
Ben Humphrey, Portsmouth, England
Jim Bouton's 'Ball Four' is regarded by many in the USA to be the best sports book of all time. His diary of a year playing baseball for the Seattle Pilots offers surprising insights into American culture, and is also very funny! On the other hand, Ed Smith's 'playing hardball', which compares cricket and baseball, is rubbish.
Matt Gold, Cambridge, UK
If it's a rugby union book you're after then two are standout - 'Winter Colours' by Don MacRae (for the insight and access to the players) and 'Midnight Rugby' by Stephen Jones (for a no-holds barred account of where a great sport is going wrong).
Simon King, England
All Played Out' by Pete Davies is the best book ever written about football.
Paul Sheehan, Coventry, England
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'Rough Ride' by Paul Kimmage is without doubt the best sports book I have read. It is a warts and all guide to the world of professional cycling and beats Lance Armstrong's book hands down in my opinion. His vivid descriptions of single tortuous Tour De France stages takes some beating. Kimmage's book on Tony Cascarino is also well worth a read.
Tim Price, England
'All Played Out' by Pete Davies is the best book ever written about football. Published in 1990, it analyses football at the start of the nineties, set against the backdrop of the Italian World Cup of 1990. It is a superbly written and gripping book, I have read it twice, and will do so again.
Paul Sheehan, Coventry, England
My two favourite sports books of all time would have to be 'The Forbidden Game' by Mike Rylance and "The Petition" by Ray Gent. Both tell of rugby league's fight against the odds.
Al, Australia
Choreographed or not, I have a few wrestling books, and the best one I have ever read is the autobiography of Bobby Heenan, who gives a tale of many, many decades of wrestling through the ages with humour and interest. He started in the 1950s and was still going up until very recently, and has a great story to tell.
Chris Dalton, UK
'Football Against the Enemy' by Simon Kuper - quite simply a rollicking good read about the best and worst of footballing rivalry. The author travels the world and digs up some real diamonds. A hugely entertaining and informative read.
Ed French, Ireland
My favourite sports book is definitely Garry Nelson's 'Left Foot In the Grave'. It is a hilarious account of football in the lower divisions, as he helps Torquay avoid relegation to the Nationwide Conference. By the end you find yourself willing him on to do it and loving Torquay FC!
Nick,
England
'Rain Men' by Marcus Berkmann is the best cricket book ever
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How could you leave out the most influential athlete (and human) of the last century - Muhammad Ali? I only saw a couple of references to him in your readers' opinions.
'The Greatest' is a very good read, and David Remnick's 'King of the World' captures vividly the pre-eminent personality of the last century. Especially touching is Ali's view expressed in Remnick's book that he wouldn't change a thing about his life, despite his current affliction.
Lance Armstrong's story is a great one (as is Armstrong himself), but he didn't take on the most powerful government in the world and eventually triumph over it.
Ali also invented rap music, and listening to him on video recite in how many rounds he was going to flatten his opponent is a lot better than the grating sounds of many current rap stars! Ali all the way!
Chris Goss,
Australia
Worst is Fever Pitch - written by a plastic born-again football fan.
Paul Hewson, England
'Rain Men' by Marcus Berkmann is the best cricket book ever, accurately describing the rivalries, bickering and feuding that goes on in village cricket.
At times tear-inducingly funny, anyone who has played club or village cricket will recognise all the characters Berkmann describes, whilst hoping that they don't recognise themselves. Buy it!
Hugh Saunders, UK
Harry Pearson's "The Far Corner" is a superb read
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"Good Walk Spoiled", the Gary Nelson, Tony Adams and Tony Cascarino books are all very good, though my favourite is the Nick Hornby collection "My Favourite Year" about various fans' favourite seasons with their clubs, both large and small.
The worst? Easy - Dickie Bird's autobiography! By a distance the most dismal, obvious, bland, one-eyed writing I have ever read (sport or otherwise). Runner-up? Any cricket book associated with Ian Botham.
Paul, Twyford, UK
There's no doubt in my mind - it has to be "Serious" by John McEnroe. What a genius (if not a little flawed!).
Arianrhod, Wales
Harry Pearson's "The Far Corner" is a superb read, even for someone like me who is not part of the Geordie (or Mackem or Northumbrian or north Yorkshire) nation.
Pearson captures the passion for sport in the north east (witness his local Sunderland-supporting shopkeeper's reaction to Keegan's takeover at St. James' Park) and his digressions on to topics such as the mating habits of the Geordie youth are hilarious.
Anyone who preserves a romantic notion of football as "the people's game" should read and be safe in the knowledge that such a thing exists.
Gareth Nicholson, Northern Ireland
It has to be "Samba in the Smethwick End" by Dave Bowler and Jas Bains, which documents WBA's three very talented black footballers in the late 1970s.
Charles Allen, USA
Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike" is by far the best sports book and autobiography ever written. One man's fight against all the odds to become the world number in probably the toughest race on the sporting calendar.
Strong, UK
'The Miracle of Castel di Sangro' by Joe Maginnis is a magnificently documented story of a truly remarkable season
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I'm surprised to not see it previously mentioned, but "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton, telling the tale of the 1969 debut season (and indeed their only season) of the Seattle Pilots is absolutely the best sports book I've ever read.
I realise that baseball isn't a very popular sport on this side of the Atlantic, but it's just a wonderful, wonderful read.
Andy McGeady,
Ireland
'The Miracle of Castel di Sangro' by Joe Maginnis is undoubtedly the greatest sports book I've read. Not only because it is written by an American who is both knowledgeable and passionate about soccer (rare enough!), but because it is the magnificently documented story of a truly remarkable season experienced by this tiny Italian side.
The author documents the joy but also tragedy of the season in a way which invokes all the appropriate emotions, allowing the reader to feel almost a part of the experience...truly astonishing story, and brilliantly presented.
John Toller, Scotland
'The Death of Ayrton Senna' by Richard Williams is easily the best of the many books written in tribute to the late, great F1 driver. Well researched and superbly written, it gives far more insights about Senna than the other books put together.
Tim Allen, England
The two best sporting books I've ever read are Lance Armstrong's 'It's Not About the Bike' which is truly inspiring, and the posthumous biography on Gilles Villeneuve by Nigel Roebuck, who really captured the spirit of the man.
Matthew Maclean, USA (Ex Pat)
'Lot of Hard Yakka' by Simon Hughes is a great book
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I would have to agree with everybody who's written about Garry Nelson's 'Left Foot Forward'. A great book that shows it's not all purple thrones, and hiring cinema's for your kids' birthday. I've also just acquired a copy of 'It's Not About the Bike', which I'm looking forward to reading.
Stephen Turner, England
'The Glory Game' by Hunter Davies. All about the Spurs team of the sixties. It was a real eye opener! Until I read it I didn't know that lager was a training aid!
Joe Field, England
'Penthouse and Pavement' by Bill Leckie is a great book that goes some way to illustrating the fans obsession with a smaller football club, as well as how the media portray life outside the top clubs. As a Southampton fan I spotted a great deal of me in the book.
Jim, UK
'Lot of Hard Yakka' by Simon Hughes is a great book. Entertaining, interesting, and written by a sportsman who is eloquent. It's a damn good read!
Nige, UK
Two great cricket books are 'A Thirst for Life' by Henry Blofeld and 'Opening Up' by Mike Atherton. They both offer fascinating insights into cricket and the media from two men who I believe were underrated during their careers.
Dan Musson,
England
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Nick Hornby's 'Fever Pitch'. For those who remember the games that he describes, it brings back a whole host of memories. For those who have little or no interest in football, it gives a great insight into the mind of a football fan and why they behave as they do.
Michael Parker, Cambridge, UK
If you want to know why the Australian cricket team is so great, read Justin Langer's 'The Power of Passion'
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The best sports book I have ever read is Simon Kuper's 'Football Against the Enemy'. I could talk forever about the book and the stories in it. It's nearly 10 years old now but is still a fantastic read.
Gareth Evans, Wales
'Breaking the Surface' by the diver Greg Louganis and 'My Sergei' by the skater Ekaterina Gordeeva are good examples of "human interest" stories beyond the usual autobigraphy.
Both were sporting prodigies who won Olympic golds when young (and had further success). Gordeeva's account of growing up in the USSR's sport system is particularly informative.
Both also tell how they overcame adversity. Louganis found that he had HIV shortly before the Seoul Olympics, whilst Gordeeva unexpectedly lost her skating partner husband (the Sergei of the title) aged 28 soon after their second Olympic title.
Vicky Bainbridge,
UK
I'll second Stephen Crisp's recommendation (below) of the excellent Cascarino autobiography 'Full Time'. A breathtakingly honest account by the most un-Irish player, even under Jackie Charlton's tenure!
An even better book in my opinion, though, is Sir Stanley Matthews' 'The Way It Was', with Les Scott. Finished just weeks before he died, this book is a monument to a lost era in football; a gripping, honest and surprisingly emotional read.
Some of the many highlights (and lowlights) include the infamous England team Nazi salute, the 'comb' incident, his return to Stoke, his European Footballer of the Year award (at 41!!), his father's dying words, and too many amusing anecdotes to mention.
The pig-headedness and arrogance of the clubs and FA towards the players are recounted without a trace of bitterness, and would make shocking reading for the players of today. A beautifully told, witty and touching story.
All in all, a fitting testament to a great man. It should be read by anyone with even a passing interest in the Beautiful Game.
Ed Duffy, UK
Hugh McIlvanney on boxing and its equivalent football tome represent two of the most literate and evocative books ever written about sport. It is easy to see why McIlvanney is the only sports journalist to win Journalist of the Year.
Edward Darroch, Scotland
If you want to know why the Australian cricket team is so great, read Justin Langer's 'The Power of Passion'. It's an excellent read for any cricket fan.
Martin Granville,
UK
Lance Armstrong's book 'It's not about the bike' must be the greatest account of a period in a sportsman's life that has ever been written
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Richard Williams' 'The Death of Ayrton Senna' must be included as one of the best analyses both of Senna in life and the controversy that followed his death.
R Connolly, Ireland
'Addicted' by Tony Adams is the best sports book I have read to date.
Flookie, England
'The Game' by Ken Dryden may not be well known in the UK but is probably THE definitive work on life at the top of any professional team sport.
Dryden's sport is ice hockey; he was the goalie for the Montreal Canadiens during their 1970s glory years. The book is a detailed account of the last of seven championship seasons that Dryden played in. Think of someone with the sporting pedigree of Ray Clemence and the literary ability of Norman Mailer and you will get the idea.
Brian Mackie,
Canada
I loved the series of golf and life books by James Dodson ('Final Rounds' and 'The Dewsweepers'). Fantastically written, informative and interesting even to those for whom sport really doesn't matter. After that, 'Tilting at Windmills' - one of the few books on the great sport of mini golf!!
Matthew Wassell, England
Lance Armstrong's book 'It's Not About the Bike' must be the greatest account of a period in a sportsman's life that has ever been written. It is by no means a great literary work, but the message it sends is so powerful you actually feel that you are in direct contact with Armstrong while reading about the tremendously difficult battle with cancer and his confrontation with his own mortality.
A truly outstanding and inspiring book without ever appearing sympathetic, I would urge everyone to read this, cycling fans or not, to give you an understanding of the extraordinary physical and mental strength that a true sporting champion needs.
Ian Clavering, England
Three really superb books about rugby league, 'At The George' by Geoffrey Moorhouse, 'This Sporting Life' by David Storey (superb film as well!) and 'The Forbidden Game' by Mike Rylance. Read these three books and you will be entertained and enlightened!
Dave Carter, England
'Left Foot Forward' by Garry Nelson. Fabulous diary of a season with Charlton by a long in the tooth journeyman forward. Funny, touching, full of humanity and full of a love for a sport that plays him so many tricks, not least the realisation that he will never play in the top flight.
Andy Woodward, Egypt
'Born on the Wrong Side' by Cec Thompson. Cec was the first black man to represent GB at Rugby League in the 1950s. He went from being orphaned at a young age and having few prospects for the future, to represent his country on the sporting field, gain a Masters degree and go on become a successful teacher and businessman. One of the most inspiring books I've ever read!
Ian Jones,
UK
'Full Time', the Cascarino biography, written with Paul Kimmage, is the best football book I have read
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The best book I've read was Ronnie O'Sullivan's autobiography. My husband is a decent amateur snooker player and he had a copy of the book.
I don't care for the game that much, but picked it up for a read one lazy afternoon. And it was fascinating, a real treat. Never mind David Beckham and football, but how much does Ronnie O'Sullivan need snooker and how much does snooker need Ronnie O'Sullivan?
Mimi Tanimoto,
USA
"A Lot of Hard Yakka" is not the greatest literary achievement in sport's writing but stands out from the crowd as a book by, and about a man, who was there and almost made it to the top.
Simon Hughes' reverence for the great players of his era during the 1980s in English County cricket gives the book a fan's-eye feel, but also makes it deeply insightful into the qualities that go to make a really top class sportsman. Norman Mailer's "The Fight" is jaw dropping and is something the makers of the recent film "Ali" clearly failed to read.
One of the worst is Richie Benaud's, 'Anything But an Autobiography' which is a tragedy as he's one of my heroes.
He writes just as he speaks which should be a good thing. In fact it means that every match he ever seems to have seen or played in contains, "one of the finest innings I ever saw" which after the 10th time starts to lose its impact.
Richard, UK
'It's Not About the Bike' by Lance Armstrong. What a man, what a sportsman, untouchable.
Guto, Wales
'All Played Out' by Pete Davis. This is sports journalism at its best
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'Full Time', the Cascarino biography, written with Paul Kimmage, is the best football book I have read. It's honesty is extraordinary as you are dragged around the professional football circuit.
Cascarino's level of self realisation is what really grabs you and for me two pieces stand out in the lows and highs: When he goes hysterical on the treatment table as the imaginary fans cheer his career ending, and when he has a bust up with Jackie Charlton on the training ground.
Stephen Crisp, UK
'All Played Out' by Pete Davis. This is sports journalism at its best. Worth reading for the chapter entitled 'The Trouble with Barnesy' alone. It is an incredible insight into the English national team. You'll struggle to find a book whose author enjoyed complete access to an entire football team these days.
Also, its analogies with the state of "Thatcher's Britain" at the time make it a fascinating reminder of how we all lived during England's greatest hour in recent years.
Chris Baxendale, Spain
I'm afraid I disagree about 'Playgrounds of the Gods'. Whilst a fantastic idea for a book and certainly well written, I became increasingly bored with Ian Stafford over-selling his achievements.
In virtually every 'story' he claims to have 'earned their respect' despite being clearly useless at most things he tried: Pinscent and Redgrave laughed at him before chucking him in the Thames and Roy Jones Jnr nearly killed him in the boxing ring after virtually ignoring him for his entire visit - such was the level of respect he had for him!
My favourite book is by the ten-times world darts champion, Phil Taylor
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My favourite books happen to be about American sports: 'When Pride Still Mattered' - the biography of Vince Lombardi; 'Civil War' about the Army v Navy annual football clash (this puts precious prim Donna sportsmen firmly in their place; and if you want an idea of how high passions run for high school football in small town America, read 'Friday Night Lights' and be blown away. And Lance Armstrong? A God.
Paul, England
My favourite book is by the ten-times world darts champion, Phil Taylor. He's an inspiration; eschewing drink and advocating fitness to improve performance. Not many people know he Taylor covers around 500,000 miles a year competing around the world and his first job him earning £75 a week in a factory making ceramic toilet handles.
He also recalls vivid stories featuring the likes Cliff Lazerenko (who once had 20 cans of lager before a match). It's also a human story of a man having to come to terms with unparalleled success in his professional career - determined to win his eleventh world title in 2003 - yet taunted by shame and tragedy in his private life.
David Wilson
The best book that I read recently, which out-did all the hype associated with it, was Roy Keane's autobiography. Single-minded, driven and focused. The book gives you the complete picture of Man Utd greatest ever. What a man mountain, captain inspiration!
Tom Bennett, UK
It has to be Gary Nelson's 'Left Foot in the Grave'
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Phil must have been on acid when he read the 'Falcons and Lions'. I'd rather watch 50 consecutive episodes of Robert Kilroy-Silk than endure a page of Wilko. Great player - boring life.
Dom Wright, Bristol
'A People's Game' by Geoffrey Moorhouse. Fantastic book for every sports fan, especially those from the rugby league world.
Graham Littler, UK
It has to be Gary Nelson's 'Left Foot in the Grave'. It's an extremely interesting and funny insight into what it is like to be a professional footballer outside of the Premier League.
Steve Sanders,
England
I'm female footie fan and Scottish - not the kind of person who'd read a book on cricket - but Simon Hughes' 'A Lot of Hard Yakka' was a great piece of writing and hilarious too. I do wonder if English cricket has changed that much since Simon was playing - a scary thought.
Gail, Edinburgh, Scotland
Growing up, there was only one real sports icon I followed religiously - Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. So it came as no surprise to my teachers when I chose Alex Higgins 'Through the Looking Glass' as my autobiographical choice. The comments appended to the Nugget were priceless and from the heart!
Derek Murray, Scotland
'Taking on the World' by Ellen MacArthur. Deservedly mentioned in pretty much every list of books of the year for 2002, it's an amazingly inspirational book, and in contrast to a lot of sports autobiographies, actually written by Ellen herself. The prologue alone knocks most sports books into a cocked hat.
Martin, UK
My favourite book is by the ten-times world darts champion, Phil Taylor
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Geoff Boycott's book about batting. If you flicked through the pages you could see Sir Geoffrey taking you through all his strokes. Just like the great man himself, they don't make them like that anymore!
Justin Goodrich, UK
Lance Armstrong. 'It's Not About the Bike is an incredible book, it offers a unique insight into the power of the human spirit and what we can all achieve if one man can get off his death bed and win the Tour de France four times.
Greg, UK
My favourite book is by the ten-times world darts champion, Phil Taylor. He's an
inspiration; eschewing drink and advocating fitness to improve performance.
Not many people know that Taylor covers around 500,000 miles a year competing around the world, and his first job him earned £75 a week in a factory making ceramic toilet handles.
He also recalls vivid stories featuring the likes Cliff Lazerenko (who once had 20 cans of lager before a match). It's also a human story of a man having to come to terms with unparalleled success in his professional career - determined to win his eleventh world title in 2003 - yet taunted by shame and tragedy in his private life.
David Wilson, CA, USA
Jonny Wilkinson's 'Falcons and Lions' autobiography (ghost written) is a memorable and insightful read!
Phil Drake, England
Glad to see Simon Hughes on your list
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Paolo Di Canio's autobiography is fantastic. If the subject matter is as interesting as Paolo it can only ever be a good read. People who haven't read the book think he's a nutter but once you read it you begin to understand where he is coming from. The worst has to be Roy Keane's... as boring as Eamon Dunphy himself.
Dave, UK
'Rough Ride' by Paul Kimmage, a former professional cyclist, is by far the best sports book I have read in years. It was the first book to open the lid on performance-enhancing drug abuse in the world of international cycling and the Tour de France.
Published by an Irishman, and former team-mate of the great Irish rider and Tour de France winner Stephen Roche, it bought vilification down on the author, who was crucified by the Irish and world media. But everything he wrote about eventually came out into the open, with the high profile arrests and suspensions of cyclists and team doctors alike.
He writes candidly about the tough decision that 'every' top amateur professional cyclist, himself included, makes sooner or later - whether to take a pill which will effectively ensure you finish the Tour de France - and of the destruction of a sport which he loved.
Steve Lowe, Ireland
Glad to see Simon Hughes on your list - 'A Lot of Hard Yakka' is superb. Two golf books that are worth a mention: 'The Majors' and 'A Good Walk Spoiled' by John Feinstein - well written, information and funny and "so thorough you can see the spike marks on each page".
Stuart Marriott, UK
David Storey's 'This Sporting Life' mixes kitchen sink realism with the mud, sweat and tears of rugby league.
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Gideon Haigh's 'Mystery Spinner' and David Winner's 'Brilliant Orange - the Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football' are the most intelligent sports books I have read recently, both setting their subject firmly in a wider context outside sport.
Steve, UK
I would nominate Ian Stafford's 'Playgrounds of the Gods' as one of my top sporting books of all time. To see a mere mortal training and competing with some of the World's greatest athletes of the era is truly eye opening. A 'must read' for all fans of sport.
Ross Moody, UK
David Storey's 'This Sporting Life' mixes kitchen sink realism with the mud, sweat and tears of rugby league. Does Allan Sillitoe's 'Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner' also count?
Martin Akers, Italy
Bill Bradley's 'Life On The Run' is a classic of the sporting genre. The author, now a big name in American politics, is a Hall of Fame basketball star. His book, written with rare candour and great insight, focuses on 20 days in the life of the New York Knicks team he was a part of in the early 1970s.
The honesty with which he delves into all aspects of the game he clearly loves - its strengths and weaknesses, as well as his own - is incredibly refreshing and highly readable (even for someone with no interest in a game that is no more than glorified netball).
This is especially noticeable when that insight is brought to bear on the culture and society that surrounded the game at that time. Brilliant.
Jamie Kirkaldy, UK
George Plimpton's 'Paper Tiger' remains the best non-fiction sports book I have ever read. Even now loads of years after I first read it the Detroit Lions remain the team that I watch for when I see the NFL scorers.
David Regan, England
Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About the Bike"
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I'm definately in agreement with Jon from the UK. I've just finished reading Lance Armstrong's 'It's Not About the Bike' and it's one of the best books I think I've ever read.
Another good one is Raging Bull about Jake La Motta, the middleweight from the '40s/'50s who was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the film of the same name.
Pete, UK
Lance Armstrong's 'It's Not About the Bike'. I defy anyone to read this book and not be moved. It underlines the fragility of life, and makes you realise that every day should be used and lived as if it were your last. It's also a testament to a remarkable man, who despite his flaws is an inspiration to us all.
Jon Bielby, UK
'It's Not About the Bike', by Lance Armstrong is by far the best sports book I have ever read. It is an incredible story and Lance Armstrong is now one of my sporting heroes, even though I couldn't care less about cycling.
After that:
2. Seabiscuit.
3. The Art of Captaincy, by Mike Brearly.
4. A Good Walk Spoiled, by John Feinstein.
5. King of the World, by David Remnick.
6. A Lot of Hard Yakka, by Simon Hughes.
7. Midnight in the Garden of Evil Knievel, by Giles Smith.
8. The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro, by Joe McGinniss.
9. Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, by Tony Hawks.
10. The Majors, also by John Feinstein.
Dave Grounds,
UK
I think the worst book ever is Mike Brearly's 'The Art of Captaincy'. What complete and utter nonsense! You just get out on the park and tell them what to do.
I don't have any time for this man management psycho-analytical clap-trap. I firmly believe in the no nonsense approach that Brian Close and Geoff Boycott would have approved of.
Andrew Hudson, UK
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