Want to know what books Dave Cousins recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Dave Cousins's favorite book recommendations of all time.
1
WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
A poignant and moving account of the author’s search for the man his father was and the life he led as a well-known footballer, blending the personal and the historical into an unforgettable story
Stewart Imlach was an ordinary neighbourhood soccer star of his time.
A brilliant winger who thrilled the crowd on Saturdays, then worked alongside them in the off-season; who represented Scotland in the 1958 World Cup and never received a cap for his efforts; who was Man of... more
WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
A poignant and moving account of the author’s search for the man his father was and the life he led as a well-known footballer, blending the personal and the historical into an unforgettable story
Stewart Imlach was an ordinary neighbourhood soccer star of his time.
A brilliant winger who thrilled the crowd on Saturdays, then worked alongside them in the off-season; who represented Scotland in the 1958 World Cup and never received a cap for his efforts; who was Man of the Match for Nottingham Forest in the 1959 FA Cup Final, and was rewarded with the standard offer - £20 a week, take it or leave it.
Gary Imlach grew up a privileged insider at Goodison Park when Stewart moved into coaching. He knew the highlights of his father's career by heart. But when his dad died he realised they were all he knew. He began to realise, too, that he'd lost the passion for football that his father had passed down to him. In this book he faces his growing alienation from the game he was born into, as he revisits key periods in his father's career to build up a picture of his football life - and through him a whole era.
‘The most emotionally charged and moving sports book I've ever read’ Daily Mail less
Dave CousinsIt harks back to a time before six figure salaries, when players travelled to matches on the same bus as the fans. (Source)
See more recommendations for this book...
2
Nika and her family have settled into the UK. She is happy being part of the football team and can't wait for the summer trip to Sherburn Sands. A 7-a-side World Cup Tournament!
But when the Parrs are selected as Ukraine, things turn sour between her and JJ, who wanted to be England. Then Nika's uncle tells her about a special match that took place during World War Two... more Nika and her family have settled into the UK. She is happy being part of the football team and can't wait for the summer trip to Sherburn Sands. A 7-a-side World Cup Tournament!
But when the Parrs are selected as Ukraine, things turn sour between her and JJ, who wanted to be England. Then Nika's uncle tells her about a special match that took place during World War Two... less See more recommendations for this book...
3
Walter Tull (Tully) is one of Britain's unsung heroes.This fascinating biography tells of his life as an orphan, as a Premier League football player and finally, as an army officer during the First World War. An incredible and moving story that describes how a poor orphan became the first black officer in the British army. Non-fiction Interest age: 12+ Reading age: 7 more Walter Tull (Tully) is one of Britain's unsung heroes.This fascinating biography tells of his life as an orphan, as a Premier League football player and finally, as an army officer during the First World War. An incredible and moving story that describes how a poor orphan became the first black officer in the British army. Non-fiction Interest age: 12+ Reading age: 7 less Dave CousinsI chose it because as a football fan the Walter Tull story is a really important one. (Source)
See more recommendations for this book...
4
Revered as a national hero ...married to the desirable Desmerelda ...cherished by the media ...soccer star, Otello, has it all. But a sensational club transfer sparks a media frenzy, and when he is wrongly implicated in a scandal, the footballer's life turns into a tragic spiral of destruction. South America's top sports journalist, Paul Faustino, witnesses the power of the media in making and breaking people's lives. more Revered as a national hero ...married to the desirable Desmerelda ...cherished by the media ...soccer star, Otello, has it all. But a sensational club transfer sparks a media frenzy, and when he is wrongly implicated in a scandal, the footballer's life turns into a tragic spiral of destruction. South America's top sports journalist, Paul Faustino, witnesses the power of the media in making and breaking people's lives. less Dave CousinsIt’s a story about a professional footballer who’s black and marries a white pop singer. (Source)
See more recommendations for this book...
5
New York Times
Bestseller ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ ILA-CBC Children's Choice List ∙ ALA Notable Children’s Book ∙ Book Links’ Lasting Connections ∙ Kirkus Best Book ∙ San Francisco Chronicle Best Book
∙
Washington Post Best Book∙ BookPage Best Book
"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " — The Chicago Tribune
Can’t nobody... more
New York Times
Bestseller ∙ National Book Award Longlist ∙ ILA-CBC Children's Choice List ∙ ALA Notable Children’s Book ∙ Book Links’ Lasting Connections ∙ Kirkus Best Book ∙ San Francisco Chronicle Best Book
∙
Washington Post Best Book∙ BookPage Best Book
"A novel about a soccer-obsessed tween boy written entirely in verse? In a word, yes. Kwame Alexander has the magic to pull off this unlikely feat, both as a poet and as a storyteller. " — The Chicago Tribune
Can’t nobody stop you
Can’t nobody cop you…
In this follow-up to Newbery-winner The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage. Twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.
This electric and heartfelt novel-in-verse by poet Kwame Alexander bends and breaks as it captures all the thrills and setbacks, action and emotion of a World Cup match! Now in paperback. less Dave CousinsWritten in free-verse, there’s some great bits of humour in there, and again this isn’t just a story about football. (Source)
See more recommendations for this book...
Don't have time to read Dave Cousins's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.
Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:
- Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
- Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
- Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
