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Post by Stew on Mar 17, 2018 10:37:38 GMT
I’m not sure if there was a thread about this previously but I thought I’d start a new one.
I’ve just finished Jonathan Wilson’s book ‘The anatomy of Manchester United- a history in 10 matches.’ It’s brilliant, he takes a key game and bases a certain section of our history around it, ie Juve away in 99, Oldham semi final in 1990. Wilson is a brilliant writer and this really works. If you haven’t read his ‘Inverting the pyramid’ you really should.
Apart from the usual suspects, any decent ones? Obviously Sir Bob’s, Keane’s, Fergie’s biogs are good (though I’d avoid Fergie’s recent one, it’s oddly spiteful. Leadership is worth a look). I particularly enjoyed the book about Duncan Edwards. ‘A season in the red’ about the post Fergie years is interesting, if painful reading.
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Post by DiegoRed on Mar 17, 2018 14:07:59 GMT
Just finished a book called Among the Thugs. Although it is not specifically about United and more focused on crowd violence in the 80’s, the writer does travel for United away ties and gets in with some of the top boys of their day. Good read.
There is a terrific section about the away leg in Turin in 83 I think it was. Had me rolling.
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Post by Stew on Mar 17, 2018 18:45:26 GMT
Just finished a book called Among the Thugs. Although it is not specifically about United and more focused on crowd violence in the 80’s, the writer does travel for United away ties and gets in with some of the top boys of their day. Good read. There is a terrific section about the away leg in Turin in 83 I think it was. Had me rolling. I think I read that about 20 years ago |
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Post by WhatsTheMata on Mar 17, 2018 18:55:35 GMT
I posted on a recent thread (I think it was about United Books too although I can't find it) about the new Clayton Blackmore book named "Red, White and Blackmore" written with Wayne Barton. Definitely recommend.
Want to prepare a list of United Books I've read through the years later, why don't people do the same? This way we can all get suggestion and update the thread when there's a new book incoming or not recommended yet!
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Post by Stew on Mar 17, 2018 19:21:46 GMT
I posted on a recent thread (I think it was about United Books too although I can't find it) about the new Clayton Blackmore book named "Red, White and Blackmore" written with Wayne Barton. Definitely recommend. Want to prepare a list of United Books I've read through the years later, why don't people do the same? This way we can all get suggestion and update the thread when there's a new book incoming or not recommended yet! Excellent idea. Will start doing this tomorrow! |
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Post by Karma on Mar 17, 2018 19:29:40 GMT
I’m not sure if there was a thread about this previously but I thought I’d start a new one. I’ve just finished Jonathan Wilson’s book ‘The anatomy of Manchester United- a history in 10 matches.’ It’s brilliant, he takes a key game and bases a certain section of our history around it, ie Juve away in 99, Oldham semi final in 1990. Wilson is a brilliant writer and this really works. If you haven’t read his ‘Inverting the pyramid’ you really should. Apart from the usual suspects, any decent ones? Obviously Sir Bob’s, Keane’s, Fergie’s biogs are good (though I’d avoid Fergie’s recent one, it’s oddly spiteful. Leadership is worth a look). I particularly enjoyed the book about Duncan Edwards. ‘A season in the red’ about the post Fergie years is interesting, if painful reading. Who's he being Spiteful about? Keane? |
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Post by WhatsTheMata on Mar 17, 2018 19:35:49 GMT
I posted on a recent thread (I think it was about United Books too although I can't find it) about the new Clayton Blackmore book named "Red, White and Blackmore" written with Wayne Barton. Definitely recommend. Want to prepare a list of United Books I've read through the years later, why don't people do the same? This way we can all get suggestion and update the thread when there's a new book incoming or not recommended yet! Excellent idea. Will start doing this tomorrow! I will do mine as well, looking forward to see yours! |
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Post by Stew on Mar 17, 2018 19:58:20 GMT
I’m not sure if there was a thread about this previously but I thought I’d start a new one. I’ve just finished Jonathan Wilson’s book ‘The anatomy of Manchester United- a history in 10 matches.’ It’s brilliant, he takes a key game and bases a certain section of our history around it, ie Juve away in 99, Oldham semi final in 1990. Wilson is a brilliant writer and this really works. If you haven’t read his ‘Inverting the pyramid’ you really should. Apart from the usual suspects, any decent ones? Obviously Sir Bob’s, Keane’s, Fergie’s biogs are good (though I’d avoid Fergie’s recent one, it’s oddly spiteful. Leadership is worth a look). I particularly enjoyed the book about Duncan Edwards. ‘A season in the red’ about the post Fergie years is interesting, if painful reading. Who's he being Spiteful about? Keane? Keane, Bosnich, Ruud, Hargreaves the list is extensive |
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Post by DiegoRed on Mar 17, 2018 21:55:38 GMT
Just finished a book called Among the Thugs. Although it is not specifically about United and more focused on crowd violence in the 80’s, the writer does travel for United away ties and gets in with some of the top boys of their day. Good read. There is a terrific section about the away leg in Turin in 83 I think it was. Had me rolling. I think I read that about 20 years ago Yeah, it’s rather old I think, published in the early 90’s. Buddy of mind gave it to me, thought I would like it. Glad he did. |
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Post by WhatsTheMata on Mar 18, 2018 3:34:15 GMT
My list of recent read United Books, leaving them as a suggestion.
Kicking Through The Troubles by John White.
The Northern Ireland supporters will love this one. It's sort of an autobiography by the author where he narrates his life difficulties and the political/religious trouble on growing up in Belfast in the 60s and the escalation of the violence in the 70s. Then it comes football, and, of course, George Best. He proceeds to narrate his trips to Old Trafford in the 80s, how he formed the Carryduff Manchester United Supporters Club, how he organised trips for the members and trips to the province. There's a bit about NI's football team too. I'd understand if it's not a cup of tea for some, but I enjoyed it.
Red, White and Blackmore by Wayne Barton
What I love the most about Wayne's books is that as a fan he really gets it. He's also a humble fellow, send him an interaction and he will reply. Anyways, it's a funny, captivating book that's been released in November that tells about Blackmore's playing style such as the versatility of filling squad gaps and shifting between defender and midfielder. From his personal background on footballing, his spell at the United Youth System, the first team debut under Atkinson and the faith he put on Sir Alex, you can see the making of a player, one that was a part of the 1990 FA Cup, the player that scored vs the scousers on the community shield, the European Cup Winners' Cup winner and, of course, his exit in 1994. The book doesn't end there, and talks about his spell in other clubs and coaching career.
Sir Matt Busby: The Definitive Biography by Patrick Barclay
Hats off to this book. Seriously. As Sir Matt doesn't need any introductions, I'll go straight to the point of what I like the most - the author covers the pre-Munich era with care, as well as the financial implications of the disaster, a brief part on the Real Madrid-Manchester United relationship, and that Sir Matt had to buy talent instead of grooming it the way he liked it. But then you have Denis Law, Crerand, Dunne, Quixall, Cantwell and Herd on their way to win the 1963 FA Cup. However, what I like the most about this book is that it is not only about his achievements, it's also about getting to know private parts of his life. To me, this created a bigger connection to a mythical figure as I got to know about his family, his social life, the places he liked to go and that like me he carried on with his Catholic principles.
The Manager by Ron Atkinson
The book is about his experience as a manager. He's succinct in his words but exciting when speaking about matches. You can see his character in the book by the insights he has such as his views on football itself, a contest that should entertain.
It's Mick, Not Mike by Wayne Barton and Mick Duxbury
One of my favourites. Duxbury is a humble guy, hard-working fellow that even had his days as a sports professor in Bolton. In one of the chapters, he talks about how hard you have to work to break into Manchester United, and what it means to play for the club, emphasising that there was no reason not to improve yourself when you're guided by Frank Blunstone and Jimmy Murphy. Anyways, as it is an autobiography, he speaks about how his dad was a Burnley supporter, just like himself. As he progressed on his sporting career, we were pretty much the last ones to offer him a contract, but he pencilled it before the 1976 FA Cup Final. The learnt to value the FA Youth Cup and the Blue Stars tournament in Switzerland, played in the central league under Docherty and was given his debut by Sexton. Then he proceeds to give on very strong opinions on characters such as Atkinson and Bailey. This book is on Scribd for free by the way.
Second Best: My Dad and Me by Callum Best
This is a hard one both because of my father's drinking problem and mine previous to the Lupus diagnosis. It's always complicated to talk about George Best's personal life - you can't simply pinpoint a moral superiority on an addict. However, as any addict, you inflict misery upon you and those around you and you can see that on the heartbreaking narratives made by Callum on this book. To me, the most touching parts of the book are prior and after Best's death London's Cromwell Hospital.
Manchester United 1907-1911: the first Halcyon years
This is a brilliant book for those who are starting to know about the origins of United. In those four years, we've won the league twice (1907/08 and 1910/11), as well as the 1909 FA Cup. There's also a part of the book where it narrates the reallocation of the club from north-east Manchester over to the west. There's a very brief description of two pages of our overseas tour. Another good thing for beginners is that the author describes some characters at the club such as Sandy Turnbull and his death at WWI.
Hold On To Your Name by Roy Canavagh
This is a book about Liam Whelan that starts with a mistake where the author states right at the beginning that he was purchased from the Home Farm Club when he was in fact, as far as I know, purchased from St. James's Gate. Also, there's not much on his previous life before United, jumping right to the part where we needed someone to replace an injured Doherty on the 1953 FA Youth Cup. And oh, there are loads of images there from match programs so anyone can read it in a day. Expected more.
Ok I'm a bit tired so I will progressively adding books to the list.
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Post by Stew on Mar 18, 2018 8:52:09 GMT
Red
Gary Neville’s biog is tremendous. Really honest, very modest and enough stories to let you feel like you’d gotten some secrets about those great teams.
Cantona
Auclair is a great writer and he gets a deserving subject with this one. Highly recommended.
Aside from his mixed bag of biogs, Fergie has some excellent ‘managers year in the life’ books. Dig them out if you can, very illuminating.
I liked were Robbo’s and Giggs’ books (with Joe Lovejoy for Giggs) Kanchelskis’ one was ok, nothing special, same with Scholes one unfortunately.
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Post by WhatsTheMata on Mar 18, 2018 10:17:45 GMT
Red Gary Neville’s biog is tremendous. Really honest, very modest and enough stories to let you feel like you’d gotten some secrets about those great teams. Cantona Auclair is a great writer and he gets a deserving subject with this one. Highly recommended. Aside from his mixed bag of biogs, Fergie has some excellent managers year in the life books. Dig them out if you can, very illuminating. I liked were Robbo’s and Giggs books (with Joe Lovejoy for Giggs) Kanchelskis’ one was ok, nothing special, same with Scholes one unfortunately. I didn't read Kanchelskis' one. Why is it just okay? Do you have the purchase link for the Cantona book? |
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Post by Stew on Mar 18, 2018 10:19:41 GMT
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Post by Stew on Mar 18, 2018 10:21:24 GMT
That’s Cantonas one.
Andrei’s book, I don’t know. It felt like he was holding stuff back particularly the Utd section. I’d heard it was great so felt a wee bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine but I expected more.
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Post by WhatsTheMata on Mar 18, 2018 10:23:10 GMT
That’s Cantonas one. Andrei’s book, I don’t know. It felt like he was holding stuff back particularly the Utd section. I’d heard it was great so felt a wee bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine but I expected more. I will give it a read. Thanks for the link Stew. If Amazon stop losing my books, my plan is to read 2 United books per month. Also to finish my list here. |
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"United’s flag is deepest red, it shrouded all our Munich dead. Before their limbs grew stiff and cold, their heart’s blood dyed it’s ev’ry fold. Then raise United’s banner high, beneath it’s shade we’ll live and die. So keep the faith and never fear." 
