Sven-Göran Eriksson’s struggle
The football manager’s posthumous memoir A Beautiful Game reveals his battle to make England’s golden generation shine.
BySport books
How to fix English cricket
This year’s Wisden almanack describes a game in desperate pursuit of both profit and purpose.
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Golf’s wealth wars
The influx of cash that came with the breakaway LIV series exposed the fault lines that run through all professional…
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The football club that data built
Brentford FC couldn’t outspend their Premier League rivals, so they decided to out-think them.
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In search of the meaning of sport
A new book shows how sport has shaped British history and society – but cannot explain why it matters as…
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Sarina Wiegman’s mystery playbook
In her book the Lionesses coach shows composure and compassion – but the art of football management remains a puzzle.
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From Duncan Hamilton to Lydia Kiesling: new books reviewed in short
Also featuring The Story of Scandinavia by Stein Ringen and Big Meg by Tim and Emma Flannery.
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From Clive Myrie to Danny Cipriani: new books reviewed in short
Also featuring The View From Down Here by Lucy Webster and So To Speak by Terrance Hayes.
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The cruelty of cricket
Nick Compton had talent and a famous name, but the unforgiving sport both hid and exacerbated his insecurities.
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The myth of England’s “fair play” fetish
In sport and politics, the English boast that they always play by the rules – but history tells a different…
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The meaning of Tyson Fury
He survived addiction and a suicide attempt to return to victory in the ring. Now the philosopher-fighter considers the “void”…
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Books of the year 2022
New Statesman writers and guests choose their favourite reading of the year.
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The tragedy of English football
The miracle of 1966 aside, Paul Hayward’s “biography” of England’s national team is a story of sorry failure.
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Football’s data delusion
A new book by Rory Smith looks at why the English Premier League is still searching for its Moneyball moment.
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Ed Smith and the courage of conviction
In his new book, the former England cricket team selector recalls what he has learned about doubt and decisions.
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The politics of working out
Two books explore how exercise has been shaped by science, culture and the quest for autonomy. But does keeping fit…
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The dark side of our age of fitness
What is the link between neoliberalism and working out?
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Sport and the English identity
From fox hunters to football hooligans, sport is England’s way of showing what it thinks it is.
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