We’re counting down my ten most dog-eared, beaten-up, food-stained sports books — not necessarily the best or most important, just the ones I’ve gone back to again and again. Each day until September 10 (when I will be announcing my new book), I’ll share one of these beloved books (and, because why not, I’m also pairing each with a fountain pen from my collection).
Reminder: During the countdown, we’re offering 10% off at the JoeBlogs Store. Simply enter PENNANT10 as your discount code at checkout.
No. 7: The City Game and Heaven is a Playground
Authors: Pete Axhelm and Rick Telander
Signs of wear: The City Game is really beaten up, brittle pages, stains everywhere. Heaven is a Playground is in a little bit better shape, but is still dog-earned.
Just beat out: Breaks of the Game, David Halbertam and Loose Balls, Terry Pluto.
I was surprised, when looking through my book collection, by how many good basketball books have been written. I mean, in addition to the ones listed (and the one to come), there’s John McPhee’s profile of Bill Bradley at Princeton (A Sense of Where You Are), and Alex Wolff’s wonderful Big Game, Small World, and Bill Simmons’ Basketball and quite a few others.
I’ve never written a basketball book. I’ve thought about it a few times. I seriously considered writing a Wilt Chamberlain book a few years ago, but it didn’t quite work out. I less seriously considered doing a Basketball 100. I was approached some years ago by a prominent college basketball coach to co-write his biography. I do believe basketball is a wonderful writing sport. Maybe it will come together someday.
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