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Editors’ Picks: Sports & Recreation
These books are our editors’ top draft picks.
Published on May 26, 2021
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play
Kobe BryantOne of 2020’s first tragedies was the death of legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna. In his 2018 book, Bryant’s legacy lives on as he shares his understanding of the game with fans and players. It’s a look into the inner workings of Bryant, from how he analyzed opponents to playing through injuries, and specific plays and match-ups from his career. The book includes epic photographs from Hall of Fame photographer Andrew D. Bernstein, who chronicled the superstar’s career over 20 years, from his first NBA photo in 1996 to his last in 2016. It's a roadmap to success for NBA hopefuls, but an inspiring read for anyone looking for a win.
Soccer in Sun and Shadow
Eduardo GaleanoA lyrical look into one of the world’s most popular sports. Galeano constantly weaves historical retelling with his own personal narratives, creating a potent mix of beautiful musings about the state of soccer.
The Game: 30th Anniversary Edition
Ken DrydenIce hockey’s one true classic from six-time Stanley Cup–winning goaltender Ken Dryden. His words glide seamlessly from one topic to the next — from linguistics to pre-game anxiety to hockey fights — in a wonderful way.
Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream
H.G. BissingerNo list of great sports books would be complete without Buzz Bissinger’s classic “Friday Night Lights” (yes, it’s the basis for that NBC show of the same name you loved to death). Decades later, the story of high school kids living out their glory days on the field in a small town still speaks to football’s reign in America.
Rome 1960: The Olympics That Changed the World
David MaranissAt the intersection of sports, politics and history are the mid-century Olympics, the stage that catapulted various athletes to superstardom and the story that inspired the world.