1. Football Against The Enemy Simon Kuper
Written when he was in his early twenties, Simon Kupers Football Against the Enemy is a truly exceptional football book. Kuper travelled the world to document the effect football has on people, cultures and politics. Among the highlights are the opening chapter, where Kuper (who is of Dutch descent) looks at the often intense rivalry between Holland and Germany, the chapter about an East Berliner who was persecuted by the Stasi for supporting Hertha Berlin who were on the other side of the Berlin wall and an Argentine general with his own distinctive views on football tactics. The main thrust of Kupers book is to examine how football in different nations can reflect the countrys culture, and in this, he succeeds admirably. There are 22 countries covered in the book and each one is unique and given their own voice. The book was released in 1994 and, of course, the world and football have changed dramatically in the 21 years that have passed. However, such is the quality of writing that this book will still be relevant in 50 years.