what are the best sports biographies

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

The Best Sports Memoirs, According to Sports Journalists

Whether you’re a sports fan or just a history buff, looking back at sporting events has produced some of the world’s finest journalism. But it could be argued that no outside observers’ perspective can compare to being inside the heads of those who scored that game-winning point, series-winning run, or tournament-winning goal (or coached any teams that did). Which is why, with so many of our favorite sports still on pause as their leagues figure out how to resume competition, we realized getting lost in a good sports memoir could be the next best thing to spending hours watching a game itself. But with so many sports memoirs ghostwritten or scribbled in a hurry as a valedictory rite of passage, which ones are actually up to snuff?

To find out, we asked 17 experts — including sportswriters, broadcasters, and professors — for their recommendations. While their responses included memoirs written by many athletes who are household names, we also learned about stories told by others that the spotlight may have missed, and a few written by coaches or superfans with perspectives that are just as gripping as those of athletes who actually took the field. Read on for their picks, which we’ve organized by sport. In the tradition of our other reading lists, we’ve named any books with two or more recommendations as best overall. But we’ve also included titles emphatically recommended by just one person, for those who may want to dive further into any category.

Best tennis memoirs

Best overall tennis memoir.

Three people raved about this memoir, which journalist Jonathan Eig, the author of Ali: A Life , says “may be the all-time best-written memoir by a major athlete.” All who recommended it praised the book’s “shockingly” candid nature, pointing out Agassi’s honesty is especially rare for an athlete who was one of the most popular of his generation. “Few autobiographies have dared to show athletes so naked,” writer Sam Diss, the head of content at London-based soccer magazine Mundial , says, adding that Agassi is “not writing this book to stick the boot into old foes or people who screwed him out of money.” Instead, Diss says he’s “passed over, gone clear, and reveals his trauma and grudges with equal parts pain and catharsis, in a way that doesn’t feel point-scoring, but freeing.”

More recommended tennis memoirs

According to Dr. Amira Rose Davis, a Penn State professor of history and African-American studies who also co-hosts the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down , “the long history of black women in sport” is often obscured in sportswriting. But memoirs by black female athletes, which allow them to “narrate their own careers,” can “push us all to consider whose voices we are missing when we tell sports stories.” One of those women is tennis champion Althea Gibson, who wrote two memoirs that Davis recommends. “Gibson broke the color line at Wimbledon and was the first African-American Grand Slam champion,” she tells us. The first, I Always Wanted to Be Somebody, chronicles Gibson’s journey from childhood to the majors, while the follow-up, So Much to Live For, chronicles Gibson’s transition from the game to a golf career and beyond. Davis considers both essential reading, but notes that the details of Gibson’s post-career struggles in the latter work are especially poignant, and “serve as a reminder that being the queen of the tennis court is all well is good” but, as Gibson writes, “you can’t eat a crown.”

Editor’s note: These two books are now out of print and therefore priced higher than others on this list.

Another historic player, Arthur Ashe, remains the only black male tennis player to win Wimbledon (among other major titles). Marshall Jon Fisher, author of A Terrible Splendor says Ashe’s memoir has been one of his favorites since he was 12 years old. “Ashe told his life story in the context of a diary of one year on the tennis tour — Wimbledon 1973 to Wimbledon 1974,” Fisher tells us. “If only he’d known he would finally win the hallowed tournament in ’75, he might have waited a year. But then we wouldn’t have the same searching, melancholy masterpiece.”

This 1978 memoir of playing the world tennis circuit in the late 1950s and early 1960s is a “hilarious and poignant gem,” Fisher tells us. “In those days, the tour was more collegial, as well as more attainable for a cast of colorful characters more interested in seeking life experience than in becoming multimillion-dollar ground-stroke machines.” And lucky for readers, Forbes jotted down observations while he toured that “should entertain tennis fans forever,” according to Fisher.

Best baseball memoirs

Best overall baseball memoirs.

Three people told us about pitcher Jim Bouton’s book about his career with the New York Yankees and other teams in the ’60s. According to writer Daniel Okrent (who is credited with inventing the scoring system for fantasy baseball), it is “the memoir that broke the mold, earning Bouton the enmity of his fellow players and the applause of generations of fans” for its honest details of legendary players’ drunkenness, womanizing, and prodigious drug use (including some tales that, Okrent admits, “are less hilarious today”). Mark Kram, Jr., the author most recently of Smokin’ Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier , calls it a “bawdy tell-all” and an “instant sports literary classic.” Bouton was known for his wild knuckleballs, and Eig says that he “tossed the perfect knuckleball with this.”

This memoir by the one-time owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, and Chicago White Sox was recommended to us by both Kram and former Grantland editor Rafe Bartholomew . “Baseball owners were a hidebound and altogether humorless bunch until Bill Veeck crashed the party,” according to Kram, who tells us that, “with a wooden leg, Veeck lugged home from the South Pacific in World War II, sent a dwarf to the plate, gave us the exploding scoreboard, and cooked up countless other promotional stunts that imbued a gray game with jump and color.” Kram says that Veeck’s memoir is “full of colorful tales and big ideas,” adding that he was fortunate enough to spend time with Veeck on a few occasions and that he “emerges in his book just as he was in person. One can almost hear his gravelly chuckle.”

More recommended baseball memoirs

Pitcher Jim Brosnan’s memoir focuses on his time playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds in 1959. Okrent says that the memoir about Brosnan’s “unexceptional season with two unexceptional teams remains the most honest — and, I suspect, most accurate — account of the daily life of a ballplayer that we’ve ever seen.” It wasn’t meant to be a book filled with shocking revelations, according to Okrent, but is now thought of as one thanks to Brosnan’s inclusion of the Cardinals’ trainer “distributing an early form of steroids and amphetamines to the players.”

This bittersweet memoir tells the story of Pat Jordan’s promising, yet unfulfilled career as a pitcher. According to Kram, it’s a “hall-of-fame, lyrical memoir of youth ascendant and the hard luck that spares only the fortunate few.” Jordan began his career as a highly regarded schoolboy pitcher in 1950s Connecticut before, as Kram tells it, “signing with the Milwaukee Braves and spending three years toiling in bush league outposts such as McCook, Davenport, Waycross, Eau Claire and Palatka.” Then, 13 years after the Braves handed him his unconditional release, he revisited that period to write this — and later become “one of our preeminent sports journalists.”

Dirk Hayhurst succeeded where Pat Jordan did not, according to Kram, who notes he actually pitched in the big leagues (albeit briefly). Kram calls this, his second memoir, a “small gem,” noting it unfolds around and during his 2008 season with the San Diego Padres and offers a “candid account of the obstacles that he faced during his climb to the highest league, including conflicts with his eccentric grandmother, alliances and tensions with teammates, and the jitters he overcame when he finally got the call and discovered he was indeed out of his league.”

Best basketball memoirs

Best overall basketball memoirs.

Seven people recommended basketball memoirs, with two directing us to this one by NBA great and former U.S. senator from New Jersey, Bill Bradley. Both Bartholomew and Mike Tollin , an executive producer of ESPN’s The Last Dance , recommend the 240-page book that chronicles just 20 days in the life of Bradley’s time as a professional basketball player. Tollin, who told us he first learned about Bradley’s prowess by reading John McPhee’s famous 1965 profile of Bradley’s college basketball career at Princeton, says that reading the memoir “gave me an even greater appreciation for his humanity, and rare insight.”

“This classic deserves a much wider audience,” Eig tells us (Bartholomew is also a fan, as is Barack Obama, who called it the “best basketball book I’ve ever read.”) At the time he wrote it, Rick Telander was a faded football prospect who spent his time freelance writing and playing pickup basketball games in New York City. The memoir tracks his time observing and playing games at Flatbush’s Foster Park in the mid-1970s, and Telander rotates between observer, player, and team coach, reflecting throughout on the darker reality his fellow players from low-income neighborhoods would return to once the sun went down. “I remember Telander’s beautiful sentences, which feature his keen eye for detail, and his effortless blend of sociology and sport,” Eig says.

More recommended basketball memoirs

New York Times basketball and culture writer Sopan Deb recommends this 1980 memoir by legendary Boston Celtics center Bill Russell (who is regarded as the NBA’s first black superstar). “ Second Wind , in which he famously refers to Boston as a ‘flea market’ of racism, is an honest accounting by one of the most important athletes in the history of mankind,” Deb says.

Editor’s note: Due to this book’s recent popularity and the fact that it hasn’t been reissued (yet), we’re seeing it priced higher than others on this list.

Northwestern University’s director of sports journalism , J.A. Adande (who also appears on ESPN as a contributor), told us this is not only his favorite sports memoir, but that Abdul-Jabbar’s “fascinating perspectives” on race, religion, love, and America itself from the 1950s through the 1980s make it one of his favorite books ever. According to Adande, even though Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players of all time, “basketball feels almost like an afterthought” in this book, or “something he pursued because he was tall and suited for it, but not something he felt as passionately about as, say, jazz.” Adande notes that Abdul-Jabbar has gone on to write dozens of books and essays on timely topics, and that “you can see the genesis of those in Giant Steps .”

Sports journalist and broadcaster Taylor Rooks told us about this memoir written by Tim Grover, a basketball trainer. But she assures he’s not just any trainer: “Tim Grover is the legendary trainer to athletes like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Dwyane Wade.” The book, according to Rooks, focuses on the mental practices Grover taught these athletes (and others) to ensure they didn’t just have good seasons, but good careers. “It’s full of anecdotes and stories that make you feel closer to the players we all grew up watching,” she says, adding that it includes a favorite quote: “The only difference between feedback and criticism is the way you hear it.”

“My sports life has been consumed by two seminal NBA dynasties: the Michael Jordan Bulls and the Kobe-Shaq-Gasol Lakers,” sports and culture writer Dave Schilling says, adding that “those teams have one thing in common: head coach Phil Jackson.” According to him, anything Jackson wrote would have been a must-read given his shepherding of some of the greatest basketball players of all time, but Eleven Rings , which Schilling describes as memoir–cum–self-help book, goes the extra mile. “It gives an insight into how Jackson motivated his teams, which included a collection of massive egos, some of whom were not prone to taking orders,” he says. “It’s sort of a classic ‘Dad Lit’ book where the author delivers meme-able motivational insights.”

Best football memoirs

Best overall football memoir.

Four folks recommended books about American football, with three specifically highlighting George Plimpton’s memoir of his weeks-long athletic career (Plimpton, of course, is best known for helping to start the Paris Review). Diss describes the book as “the perfect encapsulation of a classic conversation starter: How long could you last in a match at professional level?” Spoiler alert: The answer, Diss points out (without giving the story away), is not long. “But Plimpton’s eloquence and brio propels this dive into American football in a way that’s both very funny and dredges up a newfound respect for even the lowliest pro athlete,” he explains. Okrent is also a fan, telling us “Plimpton’s weeks in uniform in the Detroit Lions’ training camp may have been a stunt, but the book is a gem. However bad Plimpton was as an NFL quarterback, he was that good as a writer — a truly winning combination.”

Another recommended football memoir

According to Rooks, this memoir, written by “one of the more polarizing figures in sports, forces us to ask many questions, especially ‘When does a person who did bad things qualify for the public’s forgiveness?’” Finally Free , Rooks says, tackles Vick’s search for that answer as he goes through his many controversies. “It stuck with me,” she says, “because it speaks to the idea that the bad things that happen to us shape us just as much as the good.”

Best soccer memoirs

Best overall soccer memoir.

While High Fidelity author Nick Hornby spent even less time playing professional sports than George Plimpton (a.k.a. no time at all), Fever Pitch was recommended to us as the ultimate fan’s memoir by three people, two of whom say they weren’t really fans of soccer before picking it up. The book “reads like a letter from a friend,” according to Diss, who describes the plot as “a fan in conversation with himself, in a doomed romance with his club, and asking what it all means to have those men chasing after a ball and those people standing there in the freezing cold and rain watching them do so.” Schilling says Fever Pitch was his entrée into the world of obsessive soccer fandom, telling us the prose “played right into my young-adult-male belief in intellectual and emotional purity. If you are going to love something — Arsenal, the Smiths, comic books, sketch comedy — you better love it to the point that it damages your ability to function in society or hold a job.” Sports journalist Sarah Baicker adds that you “probably don’t even have to care about sports to love the book, but if you do, as I do, you’ll recognize yourself in Hornby’s fandom.”

Another recommended soccer memoir

Wambach’s autobiography came recommended to us by sports reporter and commentator Kate Fagan . According to Fagan, the former star forward of the U.S. women’s national team “isn’t here to build her brand or make you love her, she’s here to be honest about her life, about her drinking, and about the inside workings about the peaks and valleys of being a professional athlete.” For that reason, she says that “if you want to really understand the grind of an athlete — read this.”

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural anxiety remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

• the strategist
• good for dads
• reading lists

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Deal of the Day

Micro sales, greatest hits, most viewed stories.

• It’s My Third Year Covering Sephora Black Friday. Here Are My Favorite Deals.
• 42 Actually Good White-Elephant Gifts
• The Best Gifts for Teenage Boys, According to Teenage Boys
• What Neko Case Can’t Live Without
• 189 Best Early Black Friday Deals From Amazon, Best Buy, and More
• The Best Gifts for Tween Girls, According to Tween Girls
• 68 Teeny-Tiny Gifts

Holiday Popular Products from Kahlúa

What is your email?

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

21 of the Greatest Sports Books of All Time You Need to Read

1. barbarian days.

William Finnegan's "Barbarian Days" is not just a tale about surfing but an introspective odyssey into the heart of adventure and the sea's hypnotic embrace. Winning the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Autobiography and making its mark on President Obama’s 2016 Summer Reading List, this memoir transports readers from the bustling coasts of New York and San Francisco to the quiet shores of Samoa. Finnegan shares personal stories set against the backdrop of the 1960s societal upheaval, capturing the thrilling euphoria and danger of surfing with great lucidity.

2. The Boys in the Boat

In "The Boys in the Boat," Daniel James Brown crafts an enthralling narrative about the University of Washington's rowing team, composed predominantly of sons of loggers and farmers, who defied expectations at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This #1 New York Times bestseller uncovers the team's resilience and unity amid the odds of the Great Depression and the looming threat of Nazi Germany, painting a rich portrait of an era steeped in the pursuit of dreams against towering adversities.

3. Born to Run

Christopher McDougall's "Born to Run" is an exploration of ultra-running and the incredible endurance of the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico’s Copper Canyons. Known for running long distances without injury, they become the focal point for McDougall’s journey that pits America's top ultra-runners against these world-class athletes. This adventure churns invigorating tales that challenge preconceived notions about running's personal and universal potential.

4. Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael Lewis’s seminal "Moneyball" is not just a baseball book but a narrative that challenges traditional business and sports practices using innovative statistical analysis. Centering on Billy Beane's Oakland Athletics, this gripping read explores the profound changes that analytics brought to the game, revolutionizing the way success is measured in a sport where Big Money once dictated terms.

5. The Last Boy

Jane Leavy's profound biography "The Last Boy" sheds light on Mickey Mantle's extraordinary life on and off the diamond. Known for his heroic athleticism and flaws, Mantle is examined through a lens capturing the spirit of an era, unfolding the complexities behind his public persona and the legacy of his prowess and downfalls in America's favorite pastime.

6. King of the World

"King of the World" by David Remnick is a meticulously crafted biography of Muhammad Ali that examines his rise to become one of the most distinguished figures in sports and culture. The narrative vividly brings to life the iconic fights, his charismatic persona, and his transformative influence on racial politics in America, rendering an indelible account of the legend and the epoch he shaped.

7. Into Thin Air

Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" delivers a chilling account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, capturing the harrowing experience and aftermath. Through Krakauer’s penetrating personal narrative, readers encounter the deceptive beauty and innate peril of Everest, exploring the tragedy's intricate human dimensions and the psychological aftermath of survival.

8. Brothers on Three

Abe Streep's "Brothers on Three" transcends a mere story about basketball, delving into community, identity, and the transitional nature of youth. Set on Montana's Flathead Indian Reservation, Streep captures the journey of the Arlee Warriors high school basketball team, threading the narrative of Indigenous challenges and aspirations in the American landscape.

9. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game

Michael Lewis unravels the compelling journey of Michael Oher in "The Blind Side," exploring themes of family, sports, and transformation. This narrative invites readers into the evolving world of football alongside Oher's personal and athletic growth, intersecting the familial love that propelled him past socio-economic trials to the NFL's doorstep.

10. Friday Night Lights

"Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger chronicles the unyielding passion of high school football in Odessa, Texas. Amidst an interweaving of sports, dreams, and societal division, Bissinger articulates the profound impact football has on the lives of the young athletes and the town, immortalizing the fierce realities and bittersweet joys of their journey.

11. The Boys of Winter

Wayne Coffey's "The Boys of Winter" revisits the Miracle on Ice, weaving a compelling narrative about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's triumph. Coffey goes beyond the rink to highlight the socio-political backdrop and personal stories of the players, commemorating an event that became an emblem of hope and unity against the tension of the Cold War.

12. Luckiest Man

Jonathan Eig presents an intimate look into the life of Lou Gehrig in "Luckiest Man," charting his legendary career and the poignant battle with ALS that dismantled his baseball legacy. With an unyielding spirit, Gehrig’s life story resonates with courage, making him an enduring symbol of strength in the face of immense challenges.

13. Playing for Keeps

In "Playing for Keeps," David Halberstam expertly navigates Michael Jordan's monumental influence on basketball, exploring his legacy as a driving force behind the NBA’s global ascent. Through comprehensive research, Halberstam illustrates Jordan’s impact on sports history and media, crafting a detailed chronicle of the man who became a transcendent figure in sports culture.

14. Soccer in Sun and Shadow

Eduardo Galeano’s "Soccer in Sun and Shadow" is an evocative embrace of football's art and culture. This immersive narrative weaves personal reflections with historical snapshots, offering a rich tapestry depicting the game’s significance across continents, distilling the complex blend of emotion, politics, and culture enmeshed with the beautiful game.

15. Touching My Father's Soul

Jamling Tenzing Norgay’s "Touching My Father's Soul" provides a profound insight into the Sherpa culture through a retelling of his own and his father’s ascent of Mount Everest. Navigating the perilous journey, Jamling offers a unique perspective on the spiritual and physical challenges faced by the Sherpas, grounding the narrative in both history and personal reconciliation.

16. The Teammates

David Halberstam returns with "The Teammates," chronicling the poignant journey of Red Sox teammates who stood as heroes in the field and navigated life's vicissitudes together. Centered around a road trip made in the autumn of their lives, Halberstam delves into themes of friendship, legacy, and the enduring bonds forged through time and baseball.

17. The Girls

Abigail Pesta's "The Girls" acts as a monumental testament to courage, documenting the harrowing abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar and the resilience of the survivors. Honoring the voices of countless victims, this narrative empowers and educates audiences, shining a light on the intricacies of betrayal and the indomitable spirit of justice.

18. Shadow Divers

Robert Kurson's "Shadow Divers" is a gripping account of two divers uncovering a sunken WWII German U-boat off the coast of New Jersey, spinning a tale that blends intrigue with historical mystery. The book captures the extreme dangers of wreck diving and the relentless quest for truth, where the past converges vividly with the present.

19. Basketball: A Love Story

Crafted from interviews with hundreds of basketball legends, "Basketball: A Love Story" is a nuanced exploration of the sport's rich history and far-reaching cultural impact. It stands as a love letter to the game, immortalizing the stories and figures who revolutionized basketball, offering a comprehensive narrative that echoes with authenticity and affection.

20. One Goal

"One Goal" by Amy Bass tells the inspiring story of how soccer brought together a diverse community amidst tension in Lewiston, Maine. This timely narrative follows a high school soccer team comprising Somali refugees and multi-generational Mainers, illustrating the unifying power of sport in fostering empathy and breaking down barriers.

21. The Last Hero

Howard Bryant’s "The Last Hero" chronicles Hank Aaron's monumental career and his dignified resistance against racism, setting a new paradigm for athletes. Through Aaron's story, Bryant addresses significant societal shifts and the athlete's critical role in challenging racial inequality, rendering Aaron not just a baseball icon but a pivotal figure in America’s civil rights landscape.

From tales of personal triumph existing within societal cross-currents to explorations of sports as social catalysts, these books span across multiple disciplines and offer insightful narratives that transcend sports. Each title delves deeply into the joy, pain, and ultimate transformation that sports render both for those who participate and observe. Whether you are drawn by tales of endurance, explorations of historical feats, or narratives that defy the odds, these greatest sports books ever written will captivate and inspire you.

Subscribe to the Likewise newsletter!

13 Of The Best Sports Biographies Ever Written

Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig

Muhammad Ali needs no introduction. This book draws on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, including friends, family members and mentors. Thanks to some specially commissioned research, it paints a vivid picture of one of the most significant personalities of the 20th century. Readers are taken inside the ring for some of the most famous bouts in boxing history, before learning about Ali’s activism, conversion to Islam, personal life – which included several affairs and controversies – and his decline from Parkinson’s disease. 

Available here

Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough by Duncan Hamilton

Brian Clough made a name for himself as the outspoken non-nonsense manager of Nottingham Forest during the mid-70s. Those who knew him say he was unpredictable and volatile, relying on alcohol to deal with failure and success on and off the pitch. Duncan Hamilton was a young journalist in the middle of Clough’s empire who saw it all. In this book, he paints a vivid portrait of Clough, from Nottingham Forest's double European Cup triumph to his descent into alcoholism.

The Death of Pantani by Matt Rendell

Italian cyclist Marco Pantani is widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest. His unrivalled stamina and climbing abilities led to historic wins at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1998 – becoming one of only seven men to win both in the same year. Just six years later, Pantani was found dead in a cheap hotel. The autopsy revealed he had cerebral edema and heart failure as a result of cocaine poisoning. It transpired that he’d been addicted to coke for 15 years. This account includes exclusive interviews with his psychoanalysts, family and friends, who paint an indelible picture of an extremely talented – and flawed – athlete. 

Proud by Gareth Thomas

In 2009, Gareth Thomas made headlines around the world when he announced he was gay. One of the few top athletes to have come out, Thomas made news again a decade later when he revealed he was HIV positive. For years, he’d been hiding who he really was, but on the pitch, he had it all – national hero, sporting icon, leader of men, and captain of Wales and the British Lions. For Thomas, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, but his secret was slowing killing him, and he was scared what would happen to his wife and family if news got out. Thomas’ inspiring and moving story has given him – and his readers – a fresh perspective on what masculinity really means. 

Open. An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. But, as talented as anyone, he quickly came to hate the game. Coaxed to swing a racket while still in the crib, forced to hit hundreds of balls a day by his violent father, Agassi resented the constant pressure, even as he drove himself to become a prodigy. After winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1992, he became a fan favourite. What makes this book so captivating is Agassi’s near-photographic memory – every pivotal match is described as if it took place yesterday, while personal highlights (like his brief fling with Barbra Streisand) are colourfully recounted. 

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

This book won the Pulitzer Prize for biography and made its way onto Obama’s summer reading list back in 2016. For many, surfing is an adrenalated hobby, but for some it’s more than that. New Yorker writer William Finnegan started surfing as a young boy in California and Hawaii. Barbarian Days takes readers on a journey through a life spent chasing waves across the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa and beyond. Describing the intense relationship between himself, the board and the water, Finnegan details his most dangerous surfs and razor-sharp survival instincts in the water. A fascinating and compelling read from a man battling a “beautiful addiction”.

Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

His career wasn’t always plain sailing, but Sir Alex Ferguson eventually became the greatest football manager of his generation. A player back in the 60s and 70s, Ferguson went on to manage a string of Scottish teams before taking charge of Manchester United for nearly 30 years. Here, he reflects on a managerial career that included unprecedented European success for Aberdeen and many triumphant seasons with United, and reveals how he stayed sane at the peak of his profession. An entertaining, insight-filled must-read for all football fans. 

Put Me Back On My Bike by William Fotheringham

Tom Simpson was one of Britain’s most successful cyclists until his tragic death on the barren moonscape of the Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France – aged just 30 years old.  A man of contradictions, Simpson was one of the first cyclists to admit to using banned drugs, and was accused of fixing races, but he still managed to inspired awe and affection. Put Me Back on My Bike revisits the places and people associated with Simpson to show how he became a sporting legend in just a few short years.

Coming Back To Me by Marcus Trescothick

England cricketer Marcus Trescothick surprised fans and teammates when he prematurely ended his international career. At 29, Trescothick was widely regarded as one of the batting greats. With more than 5,000 Test runs to his name and eternal status as a 2005 Ashes hero, he’d already achieved more than he’d set out to. On Saturday 25th February 2006, four days before leading England into the first Test against India, Trescothick walked from the field in the midst of a mental breakdown. In the dressing room, he broke down in tears, overwhelmed by a blur of anguish, uncertainty and sadness he had been keeping at bay for longer than he knew. His account of performing at the top highlights an important conversation about the unique pressures and mental struggles many athletes face.

Undisputed Truth by Mike Tyson

No doubt Mike Tyson was a phenomenal boxer. But some of his antics in and outside the ring are much more questionable. There’s the rape conviction early in his career, the biting off of Evander Holyfield’s ear, and the cocaine addiction which led to his bankruptcy in the early noughties. In his own words, Tyson’s talks openly and movingly about a troubled childhood (he was arrested 38 times before he was 13), his financial ruin, and playing up to his ‘bad boy’ persona on a world stage.

The Accident Footballer by Pat Nevin

Pat Nevin never wanted to be a professional footballer, but went on to captivate audiences around the world with his quick footwork in the wing. Growing up in Glasgow's East End, he loved playing football, but he also loved reading classic literature, nights out with his mates, and listening to indie music until the early hours. With spells at Chelsea and Everton, Nevin became a household name, but here he discusses the joys of professional football alongside its contradictions and conflicts – and what it means to be defined by your job.

Lewis Hamilton: The Biography by Frank Worrall

Sir Lewis Hamilton has redefined British racing, and what it means to be a Black athlete at the top of the game. In this new biography, Frank Worrall charts his rise to stardom, starting with Hamilton's debut season in 2007, which won him fans around the world. Hamilton’s performance on the track has led to legendary status, but his personal life has also landed him on the front pages of the tabloids time and again. Then in 2021 he received a knighthood, making his unexpected journey to the top even more unbelievable. 

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

American basketball great Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the LA Lakers. Then, in January 2020 he tragically died alongside his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash in California. Known as ‘Black Mamba’, he was a master of mental preparation and using a unique game plan to win time and again. Written before his untimely death, this book takes readers inside the mind of one of the most intelligent, analytical and creative sportsmen ever.

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected] .

The SLMan Edit

Everything You Need For Stylish Living

12 Game-Changing Sports Biographies and Memoirs

These winning reads smash the competition.

A great sports story gets everyone on their feet — whether you just finished your 10th marathon or you prefer to race through your TBR stack. The following sports biographies and memoirs are packed with athletic drama that every reader will enjoy, from underdog wins and buzzer-beater finishes to the off-court scandals and triumphant personal comebacks of the greatest athletes of our time.

Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson

By roland lazenby.

From Roland Lazenby, the renowned biographer of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry West, comes Magic, the definitive sports biography of basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Johnson reached dazzling new heights over the course of his career on the court, transforming American basketball into top-tier entertainment with his exciting playing style and leading the Los Angeles Lakers to greatness during the team’s Showtime era. Yet Johnson also faced his share of scandals and controversies, including his extravagant lifestyle and shock retirement from basketball in the wake of his HIV diagnosis. Lazenby draws on hundreds of interviews with teammates, coaches, rivals, and more to capture every facet of this complex figure, offering a gripping and comprehensive account of the renowned player and his extraordinary career.

By Andre Agassi

A striking story about the double-edged sword of success, Open by Andre Agassi tracks the tennis star’s astounding triumphs, failures, and battles both on and off the court. Agassi went pro at the age of 16; by his early 20s, he was a tennis legend. Yet with worldwide success came pain, doubt, and relentless media scrutiny. Agassi opens up about it all in this candid and bestselling sports memoir, delivering a fascinating read for fans and newcomers alike. And if that isn’t enough to draw you in, note that Open is cowritten by J. R. Moehringer, one of the all-time ghostwriting greats, whose success with this narrative paved the way for his teaming up with Prince Harry on his recent smash memoir . 

Michael Jordan: The Life

Michael Jordan transcends the sports world. You know him even if you know nothing about basketball — and if you grew up in the ’90s, he was practically everywhere you looked. In Michael Jordan: The Life, Roland Lazenby tracks Jordan’s career from college kid to NBA superstar and beyond. Along the way, Lazenby complicates our collective understanding of the sports icon, countering Jordan’s on-court image with the darker sides of his character, his rocky relationships, and his merciless ambition.

By Abby Wambach

In Forward, soccer luminary and two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach shares her journey from being put on the boys’ soccer team at the age of seven to becoming one of the all-time greatest soccer players in the history of the sport. Wambach’s compelling account is suffused with grit and determination, and it speaks to the unique challenges women face in their quest for athletic greatness. It’s a must-read for sports fans and indeed anyone in need of inspiration. For a double dose of empowerment, check out Wolfpack , Wambach’s #1 New York Times bestseller from 2019 that encourages women to join together and unleash their inner potential.

Path Lit by Lightning

By david maraniss.

Written by David Maraniss, a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and the biographer of such figures as Barack Obama and Roberto Clemente, Path Lit by Lightning tells the fascinating story of Jim Thorpe, a renaissance athlete whose rise and fall took on mythic proportions. Thorpe was one of the best all-around athletes the world had ever seen; he won medals in the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics, was an All-American football player, and played baseball for the New York Giants. Yet as a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, he also faced intense racism and discrimination that hobbled his career and ultimately led to a life of hardship. Maraniss movingly chronicles Thorpe’s life in this landmark sports biography, breaking down the myth to reveal the man at its core.

The Mamba Mentality

By kobe bryant.

Kobe Bryant’s presence on the court was legendary — and it belied a complicated and often troubled life off the court. In The Mamba Mentality, Bryant shares his outlook on life and basketball and delves into his famous “Mamba Mentality” philosophy, an approach to playing that’s built on passion, tenacity, and the singular pursuit of athletic excellence. It’s a fascinating look at the gone-too-soon powerhouse player and his thorny relationship with success, fame, and sports.

By Billie Jean King, Johnette Howard, and Maryanne Vollers

The world of sports would not be the same without Billie Jean King, a legend both in tennis and for her work breaking down barriers for women athletes. All In chronicles King’s career from her formative years through the 1973 Battle of the Sexes exhibition match against Bobby Riggs and the creation of the women’s pro tennis circuit to King’s acknowledgment of her sexual identity and coming out at the age of 51. At once a story of one person’s impact on tennis and a cultural revolution in the sports world, this winning memoir offers insight and guidance on issues from political activism and personal relationships to finding your true self.

Tiger Woods

By jeff benedict and armen keteyian.

In Tiger Woods, sportswriters Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian deliver a fully realized portrait of the eponymous golf titan. The bestselling sports biography draws on interviews with more than 250 people to chronicle Woods’s meteoric rise, scandalous fall, and triumphant return to world-class athletics. The unsparing narrative also shines a light on the damage parents can do in their single-minded quest to turn their children into star athletes, drawing connections between Woods’s unparalleled achievements on the golf course and his parents’ obsession with success. 

The Last Folk Hero

By jeff pearlman.

Bo Jackson was a one-man sports phenomenon in the 1980s and ’90s, excelling in football and baseball, and starring in one of the most successful ad campaigns in Nike history. In addition to his athletic triumphs, wild tales about Jackson leaping over parked cars and helping land a plane in distress elevated the sports star to mythical levels, like a modern-day Paul Bunyan. In The Last Folk Hero, sportswriter Jeff Pearlman tells the story of the man behind the myth. Drawing on more than 700 interviews, this fascinating sports biography is a must-read for Jackson superfans and for those eager to find out more about this larger-than-life American sports icon.

Good for a Girl

By lauren fleshman.

In the bestselling Good for a Girl, elite runner Lauren Fleshman draws on her own story and the work of psychologists and physiologists to advocate for a radical transformation of sports for young women. Competing in institutions that aren’t built for them, women athletes are held back from the beginning and plagued by sexism, eating disorders, and physical and mental injuries. Many would-be elites drop out before they can truly achieve greatness. Fleshman argues that we’re long overdue for a change. Readers will find plenty to love in Fleshman’s rousing narrative, which blends sports memoir with a manifesto and demonstrates a passion for personal success as well as creating a world in which all women athletes are allowed to thrive.

Ali: A Life

By jonathan eig.

Jonathan Eig’s bestselling and award-winning biography of Muhammed Ali turns the facts of Ali’s life and career into a harrowing story of courage, activism, and athletic excellence. The storied heavyweight boxer was not just an accomplished athlete but a natural performer, civil rights activist, and political protester. Drawing on interviews, FBI files, and archival recordings, Eig weaves a gripping tale of Ali’s boxing career, his political victories and personal triumphs, and his lasting impact on American culture.

By Jeff Benedict

We round out our list with a living legend who’s playing at the top of his game. In LeBron, Jeff Benedict chronicles LeBron James’s layered and inspirational story, from his early years of struggle as the son of a young mother to becoming the No.1 overall draft pick in the NBA straight out of high school and his transformation into the greatest basketball player of the 21 st century. Based on three years of research and more than 250 interviews, Benedict’s sweeping narrative goes well beyond James’s success on the court, exploring his relationship to fame and his dual identity as a celebrity and an activist fighting for social justice .

Share with your friends

Related articles.

11 Delightful Comfort Food Cookbooks

Must-Read Sequels We Loved as Much as the First Book

11 Must-Read Books for Fans of Daisy Jones & The Six

Celadon delivered.

Subscribe to get articles about writing, adding to your TBR pile, and simply content we feel is worth sharing. And yes, also sign up to be the first to hear about giveaways, our acquisitions, and exclusives!

" * " indicates required fields

Step 1 of 8

Connect with

Sign up for our newsletter to see book giveaways, news, and more, get our newsletter.

50 Great Sports Biographies

There is something about a great sports story that transcends audiences. Perhaps it’s because we are seemingly hardwired to root for an underdog, or fight to overcome the adversity in our own lives. Whatever the reason, inspiring sports stories — and inspiring sports biographies, in particular — are some of the most successfully sold books on the market. These fifty sports biographies, all of which are ranked by Amazon as the highest rated and bestselling of their kind, represent the very best that sports has to offer. From baseball to horse racing, the books on this list are a showcase of true stories that are bound to move and inspire readers of all ages, backgrounds, and athletic ability.

I Never Had It Made

Jackie robinson.

Ben Bradlee, Jr.

Undoubtedly one of the best baseball players in history, Ted Williams was the last man to hit .400 in a season. He was also insecure, a flawed husband and father, a raging hothead, and aggressive towards the press. But Bradlee’s ambitious biography accounts for both the heroics and the darker side of a man Bradlee admits in the first pages to be his hero. Bradlee spent over ten years investigating the details of Williams’s 83 years, and even includes some disturbing tidbits about Williams’s death in 2002, such as when his head was severed and cryogenically frozen after his death. Link to Amazon

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael lewis.

Michael Lewis’s bestseller is a biography of the 2002 and 2003 Oakland Athletics team and management staff. With a much smaller team budget than that of other teams, manager Billy Beane used a series of numbers and statistics to build a winning team. Among his recruits were an overweight college athlete, previously ignored triple A players, a tired catcher-turned-first baseman, and a number of older athletes discarded by bigger teams. Lewis’s account of these fascinating characters is considered one of the best books ever written about baseball, and inspired the film starring Brad Pitt as Beane. Link to Amazon

Babe: The Legend Comes to Life

Robert creamer.

Sportswriter Robert Creamer’s extensive biography of Babe Ruth follows baseball’s most famous figure from his early childhood to his abrupt end. Originally published in 1974, a time when many of Ruth’s contemporaries were still living, Creamer’s book is a fascinating look into both baseball and life in the early twentieth century. The hardcore baseball fan will appreciate the stats and vivid descriptions of some of Ruth’s most important games, while the casual baseball fan will get caught up in the Bambino’s celebrity and sometimes surprising character. Link to Amazon

Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life

Richard ben cramer.

In this book, Richard Ben Cramer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, brings to life one of the twentieth century’s biggest American heroes. Joe DiMaggio was an immigrant kid who achieved the American Dream, a New York Yankee who helped to usher the team into its current dynasty, and the sometime husband of the beautiful Marilyn Monroe. Upon its initial publication, however, Cramer’s book stirred up plenty of controversy. This is perhaps because Cramer does not hesitate to include the darker moments in DiMaggio’s life: his troubled marriage to Marilyn Monroe, his self-inflicted isolation, and living up to the impossible expectations set for him by America. Link to Amazon

Pete Rose: An American Dilemma

Kostya kennedy.

More than twenty-five years after Pete Rose’s banishment from baseball for gambling, the question of whether or not he belongs in the Hall of Fame is still as controversial as ever. Kostya Kennedy, an editor at Sports Illustrated, examines Rose’s life, from his early childhood to the baseball career in which he hit more base hits than any other player in history. Throughout the biography, Kennedy compares Rose’s talents — and mistakes — to others who have been found worthy of Cooperstown. Link to Amazon

Nolan Ryan: The Making of a Pitcher

Rob goldman.

During his 27 years as a major league pitcher, Nolan Ryan was named an All-Star eight times, pitched seven no-hitters, and threw more than 5,700 strikeouts. Ron Goldman’s comprehensive biography follows Ryan from the start of his professional career in 1965 to his retirement in 1993. Goldman also includes anecdotes and personal recollections from various coaches, stadium workers, fans, trainers, and players in an attempt to fully discover and illustrate what makes Ryan one of history’s most beloved and respected ball players. Link to Amazon

They Called Me God: The Best Umpire Who Ever Lived

Doug harvey.

While there are hundreds of biographies written about baseball players, there are far fewer about those behind the scenes. Doug Harvey was a California farm boy and minor league umpire before hard work and dedication helped him break into the big leagues in 1962. They Called Me God is Harvey’s account of the things he saw from his spot behind the plate. Some of the book’s more memorable stories include Roberto Clemente’s three-thousandth hit, the contentious 1968 World Series, and laying down the law with legendary managers like Tommy Lasorda and Joe Torre. Link to Amazon

Mariano Rivera

When he was recruited by the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera did not own a glove, had never flown in an airplane, could not speak English, and had never heard of Babe Ruth. Rivera’s bestselling autobiography tells the story of his evolution from the son of a poor fisherman in Panama to one of the greatest relief pitchers of all time. In addition to stories about the Yankees, the discovery of his iconic fastball, and the 2001 World Series, Rivera very honestly describes the challenges that come with being both a latino and a Christian in the world of professional baseball in the United States. Link to Amazon

The Catcher Was a Spy: The Mysterious Life of Moe Berg

Nicholas dawidoff.

Moe Berg’s baseball card is the only one of its kind on display at CIA headquarters. This is because in addition to his 15-year career as a catcher for the New York Robins and Chicago White Sox, Berg served as a spy for the OSS (the CIA’s predecessor) during World War II. Though there are not many known, definitive facts about Berg’s life, Nicholas Dawidoff follows Berg’s career from pitcher, to law professor at Columbia University, to OSS spy investigating Nazi Germany’s atomic bomb program. Link to Amazon

The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter

Ian o’connor.

In this bestselling book about one of our most beloved sports figures, author Ian O’Connor investigates Derek Jeter’s early life as a biracial kid in Michigan, to his struggles as a minor leaguer. Reflecting more than fifteen years of unique access to Jeter, O’Connor records the Yankee superstar’s journey to becoming the Prince of New York, while faithfully offering a glimpse into Jeter’s hidden struggles and complexities. Included in the book are Jeter’s tense battles with former best friend Alex Rodriguez, and the contentious final contract negotiations with the only team for which Jeter ever cared to play. Link to Amazon

Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball

R.a. dickey.

As an English Lit graduate of the University of Tennessee, pitcher R.A. Dickey was the number one draft pick by the Texas Rangers — only to be sidelined by an unlucky x-ray discovery. Nearly ten years later, Dickey had climbed his way back onto the pitcher’s mound only to give up a record six home runs in only three innings. Still Dickey persevered and became one of the premier pitchers in Major League baseball during the 2010 season. Wherever I Wind Up is Dickey’s story of redemption, beating his demons, overcoming odds, and keeping his faith in the face of adversity. Link to Amazon

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero

David maraniss.

Roberto Clemente had over 3,000 hits during his 17-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He won four batting titles, led his team to two championships, and was one of only two players to have the five-year waiting period waived before his induction into the Hall of Fame. In this acclaimed biography, bestselling author David Maraniss passionately details the life of both Clemente the Man and Clemente the Myth, beginning with Clemente’s entrance into baseball as one of the first Puerto Rican players, to his untimely death in a plane crash. Link to Amazon

Imperfect: An Improbable Life

Jim abbott, tim brown.

Pitcher Jim Abbott was an ace pitcher at the University of Michigan, won the gold medal game at the 1988 Olympics, and cracked the Major League starting rotation without ever playing in the minor leagues — all without a right hand. In his memoir, Abbott offers honest insight into the countless challenges he faced on his path to the Major Leagues, the insecurities he dealt with, and his many meaningful encounters with disabled children. Abbott also includes a pitch-by-pitch account of his famous no-hitter. Link to Amazon

Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back

Josh hamilton.

Eleven Rings

Phil jackson.

Wooden: A Coach’s Life

There is no college basketball coach more famous than John Wooden. The UCLA coach led his team to an 88-game winning streak that included ten NCAA championships in twelve seasons. Seth Davis, a journalist for Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports, conducted more than two hundred interviews with players, opponents, coaches, and even Wooden himself, to write this detailed and inspiring account of Wooden’s long and successful career. Also included in Wooden’s story are anecdotes and memories from some of Wooden’s players, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Walt Hazzard, among others. Link to Amazon

Michael Jordan: The Life

Roland lazenby.

Hailed as the definitive biography of basketball’s most legendary player, Michael Jordan: The Life follows Jordan’s career from college to the pros, and beyond. To piece together this account of Jordan’s career from college to the pros, author Roland Lazenby interviewed coaches, friends, teammates, family members, and even Jordan himself. Though Lazenby faithfully recreates Jordan’s most spectacular moments and games, he also rightfully sheds light on Jordan’s mentality of ruthless competition and affinity with gambling. Link to Amazon

In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court

Brittney griner.

Arguably the world’s most famous female basketball player, Brittney Griner was the number one draft pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, has become known as a dunking phenom and national sensation, and was recently referred to by Sports Illustrated as “the sport’s most transformative figure.” But In My Skin is the painfully honest account of Griner’s life as both the star of the Phoenix Mercury, and the long-time target of vicious bullying. By reflecting upon her most painful experiences, Griner sends a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself. Link to Amazon

Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich

Mark kriegal.

As a college player at Louisiana State University, Pete Maravich scored an average of 44.2 points per game. Setting records unlikely to ever be beat, “Pistol Pete” was a basketball icon for people of all ages. In Pistol, author Mark Kriegal illuminates the much darker parts of the Maravich family, from Pete’s demanding, basketball-obsessed father to the hundreds of contradictions exhibited by Maravich himself. Kriegal’s Maravich family history doubles as a history of basketball and a narrative on American fathers and sons. Link to Amazon

Larry Bird has been called the greatest all-around player in the history of basketball, but very little is really known about the famously private superstar. In his honest and insightful memoir, Bird reveals the rarely-seen side of himself. Among the things he discusses are his famous transfer from Bobby Knight’s Indiana University, his father’s suicide, the Isaiah Thomas controversy, and the intense Celtic-Laker rivalry. Bird also includes his feelings about players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Dominique Wilkins, among others. Link to Amazon

Muhammad Ali

Thomas hauser.

In this bestselling biography, Thomas Hauser tells the incredible story of Muhammad Ali — from his childhood, to his gold medal fight at the Rome Olympics, to his epic battles against Joe Frazier, and beyond. Using the words of more than 200 of Ali’s friends, family members, opponents, world leaders, and others, Hauser composites a portrait of a religious, mercurial, generous, competitive, and extraordinary man. Hauser is an unapologetic admirer of Ali, though spins both his admiration and facts into a cohesive and faithful account of Ali’s life and career. Link to Amazon

Undisputed Truth

Mike tyson and larry sloman.

There many be no other athlete in all of sports who has defied convention the way Mike Tyson has. In addition to being one of the most ferocious boxers of all time, Tyson is a philosopher, broadway performer, film star, and felon. In Undisputed Truth, Tyson opens up about his childhood in one of the toughest, poorest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and the experiences that led to the highs and lows of his thrilling career. Link to Amazon

Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx, Cycling’s Greatest Champion

William fotheringham.

Though his name may not be as universally known, Eddy Merckx is the best cyclist in the history of the sport. Over the course of his career, Merckx amassed 445 victories — nearly five times the number of victories claimed by Lance Armstrong. This British bestseller tells the incredible story of Merckx’s extreme competitive nature and fear of failure, which carried him through a terrible injury, a doping controversy, and the highest pinnacles of success before ultimately destroying him. Link to Amazon

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game

Though he is now one of the highest paid athletes in the National Football League, left tackle Michael Oher was all too recently a neglected child of a crack addicted mother, who did not know his real name, his father, his birthday, or how to read or white. When a rich, white family takes him into their home and introduces him to football, Oher blossoms into a name on the wish list of every college coach in the country. Link to Amazon

When Pride Still Mattered: The Life of Vince Lombardi

Vince Lombardi is undoubtedly a football legend. First given the chance to coach a professional team at age forty-six, Lombardi led the Green Bay Packers to five world championships in nine seasons. Lombardi’s famous principals of leadership, discipline, and teamwork made him a living legend and a name synonymous with modern football. Also included in this bestselling biography is Lombardi’s early childhood as the son of an Italian immigrant butcher and his many years as a high school football coach. Link to Amazon

Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity

Coming Back Stronger is the personal account of a quarterback and football team that most people had all but given up on. As New Orleans began the daunting task of recovering from Hurricane Katrina, NFL quarterback Drew Brees began a seemingly impossible comeback of his own. Left without a team after a serious shoulder injury, Brees became the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Though the team was forced to play their entire 2005 season on the road, Brees achieved the impossible and turned adversity into success. His memoir aims to prove that faith and determination is enough to overcome any obstacle. Link to Amazon

Through My Eyes

Tim tebow and nathan whitaker.

From his first week of Pop Warner practice to his rookie year as quarterback for the Denver Broncos, Through My Eyes is the story of a determined Tim Tebow’s unlikely rise to the NFL. Included in this bestselling memoir are stories from his childhood in the Philippines, his unwavering faith in God’s plan, the challenges he faced as a young quarterback, his record-setting college years, and his draft in the first round of the NFL Draft. Link to Amazon

Arnold Palmer

Over the course of his career, Arnold Palmer won 92 tournaments, was the first golfer to earn more than one million dollars in winnings, and was the first four-time winner of the prestigious Masters championship. Surprisingly, the same man who became the first athlete to capitalize on endorsement opportunities remained largely private and unknown. Through interviews with Palmer, his family, friends, opponents, and business associates, bestselling author Thomas Hauser paints an intimate portrait of the golf legend. Link to Amazon

Grace, Gold, and Glory

Gabrielle douglas and michelle burford.

Olympian gymnast Gabrielle Douglas was Virginia State Champion at only eight years old, and the first U.S. gymnast in history to win both a team and individual gold medal at a single Olympic games. In her bestselling memoir, Douglas describes her early dedication to gymnastics and what it was like leaving her family in Virginia to train with a coach in Des Moines, Iowa. She chronicles her years of hard work, dedication, and faith to illustrate her powerful message that anything can be achieved through hard work. Link to Amazon

Orr: My Story

No other defensive player has changed the course of more games, received as many trophies, or set as many records as Bobby Orr did during his decade-long career. Painfully shy, the superstar always remained a mystery to fans and journalists. In his bestselling biography, Orr finally reveals what drove him to excellence and success. Included are stories about his small-town childhood, his sudden thrust into the media limelight, and the betrayal of the manager he thought of as a brother. Link to Amazon

Hailed by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 10 Best Sports Books of All Time, The Game follows the Montreal Canadiens of the 1970s through the eyes of its goalie, Ken Dryden. Dryden discusses his life and the early experiences that led up to his time with what many refer to as one of the greatest hockey teams in history. Also included are anecdotes of legendary players such as Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard, and coach Scotty Bowman. Link to Amazon

Horse Racing

Seabiscuit: an american legend, laura hillenbrand.

In 1938, a scrappy little Thoroughbred named Seabiscuit received more press coverage than Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Adolph Hitler, or Benito Mussolini. Laura Hillenbrand’s meticulously researched bestseller tells the story of the crooked-legged little horse and the three men who made him a champion: Charles Howard, the millionaire who introduced America to the automobile; Tom Smith, a mysterious Mustang breaker turned trainer of racehorses; and Red Pollard, a half-crippled, partly blind jockey. Link to Amazon

The Horse That God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World’s Greatest Racehorse

Lawrence scanlan.

You don’t have to be a fan of horse racing to know the name Secretariat. The only two-year old to ever win Horse of the Year, “Big Red” graced covers of magazines like Time and Newsweek, and won the 1973 Triple Crown races in record times. In The Horse That God Built, Equestrian writer Lawrence Scanlan offers a groom’s eye view to horse racing, and details the struggles and successes of the world’s greatest racehorse and his unlikely team. Link to Amazon

Ice Skating

A skating life: my story, dorothy hamill and deborah amelon.

At age 19, “America’s Sweetheart” Dorothy Hamill won Olympic Gold in ice skating. But her life was far from the picture of perfection it appeared to be. In A Skating Life, Hamill opens up about the painful depression that plagued her from the time was young, and recreates her demanding training schedule with competitions that took her away from home for weeks and months at a time. Her bestselling memoir is Hamill’s discovery of true happiness both on and off the ice. Link to Amazon

Martial Arts

A fighter’s heart: one man’s journey through the world of fighting, sam sheridan.

In 1999, Sam Sheridan was given the opportunity to focus on a long-dormant passion: fighting. Less than a year later, he was learning from a top coach in Bangkok and facing Olympic boxers, Brazilian jiu-jitsu masters, and Ultimate Fighting champions. A Fighter’s Heart chronicles Sheridan’s discoveries of what it’s like to hit and be hit. In addition to his incredible stories, Sheridan offers a behind-the-scenes look at both the violence and pageantry of fighting sports. Link to Amazon

Mountaineering

Touching the void: the true story of one man’s miraculous survival, joe simpson.

Joe Simpson had just reached the top of a 21,000-foot peak in the Andes when he fell off the vertical face of a ledge and broke his leg. Though his climbing partner, Simon Yates, attempted to lower Simpson to safety, a raging blizzard forced him to cut Simpson’s rope in order to save his own life. What followed were three terrifying days in which both men thought the other was dead. Touching the Void is Simpson’s account of harrowing journey of fear, suffering, survival, friendship, and longtime love of mountain climbing. Link to Amazon

Pelé: The Autobiography

As one of the greatest soccer players to run on a soccer pitch, Pelé has won countless league victories and three World Cup Championships while playing for his home country of Brazil. He is also an avid proponent of soccer’s universal power and influence. In his bestselling autobiography, Pelé traces his meteoric rise to fame from his poverty-stricken start in the streets of Sao Paulo to his more recent role of UN Ambassador and human rights activist. Link to Amazon

Red Men: Liverpool Football Club: The Biography

John williams.

John William’s biography of the Liverpool Football Club traces soccer’s inseparable roots with those of Liverpool, England. First founded in 1892, the Liverpool Football Club has played a large role in the social, cultural, political, and economical development of its city. Through extensive research, William narrates the entire history of the Club, and profiles the men responsible for its many successes. The result is a bestselling team portrait that seeks to understand how the features and character of a team can shape an entire city and its people. Link to Amazon

Gerrard: My Autobiography

Steven gerrard.

Steven Gerrard is a name synonymous with English football (soccer). The inspirational captain of the Liverpool Football Club, Gerrard also proved himself as a key player on the England team. In this autobiography, Gerrard recreates his childhood obsession with the sport, and chronicles his career from the early days with Liverpool through his career high moment of winning in Istanbul, and beyond. Also included is a blow-by-blow account of England’s 2006 World Cup Campaign in rival country Germany. Link to Amazon

Hope Solo: My Story

After bursting onto the national stage during the 2011 Women’s World Cup, Hope Solo became an Olympic gold medalist, was declared America’s sexiest athlete, and even competed on the hit television show Dancing With the Stars. Now an idol and role model to thousands of young soccer players, Solo writes candidly about her early life of family, loss, and reconciliation. Included are stories about growing up on a defunct nuclear testing site, her rocky relationship with her con-man father, and her unlikely rise to extreme success. Link to Amazon

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany hamilton.

Bethany Hamilton was a thirteen-year old surfer girl living in Kauai, Hawaii when she lost her left arm to a tiger shark. But when Hamilton woke up from her surgery, the first thing she asked was when she would be able to surf again. Soul Surfer is Hamilton’s moving account of her life as a young surfer, her memories of the attack, and her amazing recovery that resulted in a top showing at the World Surfing Championships. Link to Amazon

Making Mavericks: The Memoir of a Surfing Legend

Frosty hesson.

Richard “Frosty” Hesson was one of the first surfers to conquer Mavericks — the huge waves that form off of the Northern California coast. Today, he’s known as one of the greatest wave riders to ever live. In Making Mavericks, Hesson recalls his difficult childhood, early passion for water, and the experiences that led to the development of his unique teaching philosophy. Hesson also discusses Jay Moriarty, one of his best students, who followed Hesson’s philosophy and became a surfing legend in his own right. Link to Amazon

Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi is one of the best tennis players to ever live. By age twenty-two, he had won his first of eight eventual grand slams, securing in a single victory a lifetime’s worth of wealth and celebrity. But Agassi spent most of his life unhappy and confused. Open chronicles the highs and lows of Agassi’s career, from his early childhood with his demanding father, to his rapid ascension into stardom, to his doomed marriage to Brooke Shields, and beyond. Link to Amazon

Days of Grace

Arthur ashe and arnold rampersad.

If African-American tennis star Arthur Ashe’s bestselling memoir were only about his entrance into the all-white world of tennis in the 1960s, it would be interesting enough. But most of Ashe’s Days of Grace focuses on the 1980s, during which time he contracted the AIDS virus through a post-heart surgery blood transfusion. Though Ashe was not a homosexual, his experiences living with AIDS made him a sympathetic activist for the gay community. Ashe also writes about growing up with his demanding father, battling players like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, and his rise to success in the sport he loved. Link to Amazon

Rafael Nadal and John Carlin

Currently ranked #1 in the world, Rafael Nadal has won nine Grand Slam titles, a career “Golden Slam,” and an Olympic medal. In his best selling autobiography, Nadal takes readers through his childhood and early career to reveal what he believes to be the secret to his success: supportive parents and family, who taught him humility, candor, and the value of hard work. Nadal also provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at his Wimbledon win in 2008, and discusses the injuries that have continuously threatened his career. Link to Amazon

Track & Running

Unbroken: a world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption.

Like many athletes of the 1930s, track and field star Louis Zamperini went from winning titles and medals to serving the United States in the second world war. In Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand chronicles Zamperini’s incredible life — from his delinquent childhood, to the discovery of his talent for running, to his success at the Berlin Olympics, and finally, to his harrowing years as a pilot in the war. Through Zamperini’s varied life experiences, Hillenbrand illustrates the power of the human body, mind, and spirit. Link to Amazon

Born to Run

Christopher mcdougall.

Returning from a run one day, runner Christopher McDougall asked himself why his foot was hurting. His answer led him to Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons, where the Tarahumara Indians have perfected their ability to run hundreds of miles without rest of injury. While reflecting upon his own life experiences and love of running, McDougall follows his fascination with the Tarahumara to a Harvard science lab, various North American hotspots for “ultra-runners,” and finally, back to the Copper Canyons to watch America’s best ultra-runners race against the tribe. The story of his research culminates with McDougall’s realization that we were all born to run. Link to Amazon

Run to Overcome: The Inspiring Story of an American Champion’s Long-Distance Quest to Achieve a Big Dream

Meb keflezighi.

A living example of the American Dream, Eritrean-born Meb Keflezighi represented the United States in two Olympic games and several World Championships, and was the first American in 27 years to win the New York City marathon. In Run to Overcome, Keflezighi chronicles his life of hardships. He documents his family’s escape to America from poverty and a violent war, the devastating injury in which he broke his pelvis, and the sudden death of his close friend and fellow runner. He also describes the freedom that comes with running, and his discovery of the real meaning of victory. Link to Amazon

Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics

Jeremy schaap.

Ironically, the star of the 1936 Berlin Olympics — Hitler’s propaganda-fueled entry onto the national stage — was an African-American named Jesse Owens. With four gold medal wins, Owens single-handedly demolished Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy. In Triumph, Jeremy Schaap exhausted archival research to tell the story of the talented son of Cleveland sharecroppers and the many challenges in his young life that ultimately led to triumph at the “Nazi Olympics.” Link to Amazon

Other Articles of Interest:

• 50 Best Bachelor’s in Sports Science Degree Programs (Campus)
• Top 6 Online PhD in Sport Management
• Best Bachelor’s in Sport Management Degree Programs
• Best Online Sports Management Programs (Bachelor’s)
• Best Affordable Online Master’s in Sports Management
• Best Master’s in Sports Management Programs
• Affordable Selective Colleges
• Affordable Urban Colleges
• Small Colleges (Bachelor’s)
• Affordable Small Colleges (South)
• Best Associates Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals
• Best Bachelor’s Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals
• Top 10 PhD Programs in Sport Management
• Top 20 Sport Law Programs
• What Does a Sports Agent Do?
• 20 Affordable Bachelor’s in Sports Communications
• What Can I Do with a Golf Course Management Degree?

Copyright © 2024 | Sports Management Degrees