In Time For Christmas - Sports Publications Reviews

With Christmas just around the corner, West Cork People columnist Ger McCarthy looks at three recent sports related publications as the perfect stocking-filler for any sports-mad enthusiast this season. Most of the books mentioned in this article are available to purchase online at www.waterstones.ie but each title should be in stock in all good bookstores in the West Cork area.


Title: ROUGH RIDE
Author: Paul Kimmage
Sport: Cycling
Publisher: Yellow Jersey Press

Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year as far back in 1990, the new and updated edition of Rough Ride stands the test of time as one of the finest sports publications ever produced by an Irish author. Paul Kimmage is still by far the best Sports Journalist writing in Ireland today. He graphically recounts his introduction into the world of professional cycling with vivid detail and incredible honesty. His outspokenness makes the book a compelling read for anyone interested in how the cancer of drugs continues to decimate not just cycling but sport in general.

Kimmage made many enemies and lost a host of friends (including Stephen Roche) with his honest account of the drug-fuelled world of professional cycling and the Tour de France in particular. Rough Ride's account of the wide spread use of performance-enhancing stimulants has since been proven to be completely correct with countless doping scandals that continue to blight the world of pro-cycling. One of the most poignant and shocking descriptions in the book describes Kimmage's initial failed attempts to inject a performance-enhancing substance (whilst in a toilet) and the subsequent influence it had on his life.



Title: FORZA ITALIA - A Journey in Search of Italy and Its Football
Author: Paddy Agnew
Sport: Soccer
Publisher: Ebury Press

Paddy Agnew and his family left Ireland in 1985 and began a new life in Italy as a Vatican correspondent. From there he wrote a weekly column on Italian football for the Irish Times. The book contains a vivid account of how he and his family adjusted to life in Italy and also paints a fascinating picture of how football is woven into the fabric of everyday Italian life. The book is a superb read throughout and analyses the dark world of the Camorra and Maradonna coming together to bring success to poverty-stricken Napoli. Agnew’s dissection of Berlusconi and his huge impact at both AC Milan and Italian politics is one of the highlights of an excellent read. Agnew’s interview with Sven Goran Eriksson – then manager of Lazio – gives an insight into his reign as a successful club manager before his torrid time as head coach of the English National team.



Title: Football Against The Enemy
Author: Simon Kuper
Sport: Soccer
Publisher: Orion Mass Market

Simon Kuper’s excellent account of travelling the world to find out just how and why well known soccer nations play football in the style they do. Kuper interviews a wide range of characters from South America, Europe and Africa in search of why football has become such a massive part of their country’s culture. His account of the background to the organisation of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, complete with military junta involvement is compelling reading. The book explores the remarkable and intricate history of politics and football in countries such as East Germany where spying and government propaganda went hand in hand.

The best chapter in the book is the opening one where Simon Kuper recounts the history of the intense rivalry between Germany and Holland. The recounting of the infamous Italia 90’ spitting incident between Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voller splendidly highlights the deep animosity that still exists between two of Europe’s most decorated soccer-playing countries.