Favourite Sport-Related Books

As a diversion from endless race reports, I thought I'd kick off another thread to the blog, so here goes...

These are a few of the best sports-related books I've read, in no particular order. Clicking the titles will take you to Amazon where you can read some proper reviews, or buy the book. Does anyone else have any recommendations?

Can You Make a Living Doing That?: The True-life Adventures of a Professional Triathlete

This book is written by ex-pro triathlete Brad Kearns. It's an account of his career from joining the pro-ranks through to throwing in the towel at the end. Brad is a real character, and the book is both funny and enlightening. His unconventional views on training really struck a chord with me, and some of the stories had me laughing out loud.

Rough Ride

This book is written by Irish ex-pro cyclist Paul Kimmage (I believe he has a column in one of the broadsheets now), and he tells the warts-and-all story of what it's like to be a pro cyclist at the middle to back end of the professional peloton, exposing the pressure cyclists are under from management and sponsors alike to succumb to taking drugs. I defy anyone to read this book without concluding that pro cycling is the toughest sport out there!

Feet in the Clouds: A Story of Fell Running and Obsession<

The only book I know about Fell Running, and as such an obligatory read for fell runners. It'a about one mans obsession with the Bob Graham round. It gives a lot of information about the history of Fell Running in this country, and about the top runners past and present. The author, Richard Askwith, would probably describe himself as a middle-of-the-pack standard, although I've seen his name in the results in a few races, and I'd say he was better than that. I know Steve Moss has competed in the same races as the author and they were not far apart in the result I saw.

It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Lance Armstrong's story about his fight against cancer. It's totally inspirational, the guy is absolutely driven. I came away from reading this book with a huge respect for Lance, although he never came across as being particularly likeable character in my eyes. Still, if you have any doubts about what can be achieved in the face of adversity, then this is bound to make you think again. The sequel to this book (every second counts) was pretty dismal reading.

Touching the Void

Sheffield climber Joe Simpsons book about how he survived a climbing disaster in the Peruvian Andes. To call this a near death experience would be doing it an injustice, he was a hairs breadth away from death. It's a really moving story, and one that has since been made into a documentary style film. The film was good, but the book is better.

Survival of the Fittest: Anatomy of Peak Physical Performance

Dr Mike Stroud, probably best known now for his 7 Marathons on 7 continents in 7 days with Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Examines the effect on the human body whilst taking part in extreme events. He switches between an account of the event (in which he is himself is taking part) and the medical parts. The evnts themselves include such things as the Marathon de Sables, Antarctic Crossings, Adventure races in South America, and even the London Marathon. Really interesting stuff.

The Escape Artist: Life from the Saddle

A very moving, human story about a passionate amateur cyclist, who's world is turned upside down when his wife develops a terminal illness. I like this book, because the author is very much an amateur, like all of us, with the same training obsessions etc. and it shows how fragile we all are. A bit glum, but a great read.

The Flying Scotsman: The Graeme Obree Story

The now well known story of the maveric Scottish cyclist, and manic depressive Graeme Obree, and how he because world pursuit champion, and twice holder of "the hour" record, which used to be the holy grail of cycling. The story is a mix of tragedy and comedy in equal measures, and has now been made into a film, but again, the book is better.

the rider

This is a bit different, it's actually a short novel written from the perspective of a cyclist taking part in a cycle race. It's complete fiction, but captures the sort of thoughts that go through your mind when racing. A bit hard to describe really, but I did like it a lot.

More are cycling related than running, but running books seem to be thin on the ground, and have a tendency to be rubbish when you do find one (yes I have read Paula Radcliffe's biography).
.