The Top 100 Sports Books Every Fan Should Read

Welcome to "The Top 100 Sports Books Every Fan Should Read," a literary journey through the captivating world of sports literature. Within this exclusive list, we present a collection of remarkable books that offer profound insights, gripping narratives, and powerful stories that resonate with fans across the globe.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the pages of these extraordinary books, each one a window into the exhilarating and inspiring world of sports. From riveting accounts of iconic events to intimate portraits of legendary athletes, these books provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the games we love and the individuals who have left an indelible mark on sporting history.

Experience the groundbreaking analysis of "Moneyball" by Michael Lewis, a revolutionary exploration of baseball's data-driven revolution that forever changed the way the game is played and understood. Feel the triumphant spirit of "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, a tale of determination and teamwork as a crew team from the University of Washington overcomes incredible odds to win gold at the 1936 Olympics.

Transport yourself to the gridiron with "Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger, a vivid portrayal of the passionate high school football culture in a small Texas town. Explore the highs and lows of tennis superstar Andre Agassi's life and career in the deeply personal memoir "Open."

Discover the resilience and triumph in the true story of "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand, a captivating account of an undersized racehorse that captured the hearts of a nation during the Great Depression. Immerse yourself in the gritty and often controversial world of professional basketball with "The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam.

From the classic coming-of-age tale "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger to the exploration of the human spirit in Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," this list offers a diverse range of narratives that extend beyond the playing field and touch upon universal themes of ambition, triumph, failure, and perseverance.

Each book on this list invites you to witness the drama, emotion, and complexity that lie at the heart of sports. Through the power of storytelling, these authors have captured the essence of athletic competition, shedding light on the profound impact sports have on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

So, grab a seat in the literary bleachers and get ready to embark on a literary journey like no other. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or simply appreciate the power of a well-told story, these books are sure to engage, inspire, and deepen your appreciation for the world of sports.

1"Moneyball" by Michael Lewis


2"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown


3"Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger


4"Open" by Andre Agassi


5"The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro" by Joe McGinniss


6"Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand


7"The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis


8"The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach


9"The Game" by Ken Dryden


10"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer


11"The Natural" by Bernard Malamud


12"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger


13"The Fight" by Norman Mailer


14"The Damned Utd" by David Peace


15"Ball Four" by Jim Bouton


16"When Pride Still Mattered" by David Maraniss


17"A Fan's Notes" by Frederick Exley


18"The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam


19"End Zone" by Don DeLillo


20"The Sweet Science" by A.J. Liebling


21"The Game" by Jack London


22"The Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn


23"The Miracle on Ice" by Michael Burgan


24"The Greatest Game Ever Played" by Mark Frost


25"The Boys of Winter" by Wayne Coffey


26"The Longest Race" by Ed Ayres


27"The Glory Game" by Hunter Davies


28"When the Game Was Ours" by Larry Bird, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and Jackie MacMullan


29"Out of My League" by Dirk Hayhurst


30"The Soul of Baseball" by Joe Posnanski


31"The Last Shot" by Darcy Frey


32"Men at Work" by George F. Will


33"The Bronx Is Burning" by Jonathan Mahler


34"The Boys in the Bunkhouse" by Dan Barry


35"The Yankee Years" by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci


36"Friday Night Heroes" by H.G. Bissinger


37"The Greatest Game" by Richard Bradley


38"Men of Sunday" by Curtis Eichelberger


39"Crazy '08" by Cait Murphy


40"A Season on the Brink" by John Feinstein


41"The Games" by David Goldblatt


42"The Cost of These Dreams" by Wright Thompson


43"American Pharoah" by Joe Drape


44"The Breakaway" by Nicole Cooke


45"The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Edition)" by Daniel James Brown


46"The Games That Changed the Game" by Ron Jaworski


47"The Best American Sports Writing" edited by Glenn Stout


48"The Sports Gene" by David Epstein


49"The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks" by Bruce Feldman


50"Astroball" by Ben Reiter


51"The Big Miss" by Hank Haney


52"The Art of Learning" by Josh Waitzkin


53"The Art of Running Faster" by Julian Goater and Don Melvin


54"Bounce" by Matthew Syed


55"The Boys in the Boat (Adapted for Young Readers)" by Daniel James Brown


56"The Sports Book" by DK


57"The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach


58"The System" by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian


59"The Fighter's Mind" by Sam Sheridan


60"The Secret Race" by Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle


61"The Captain Class" by Sam Walker


62"The Game" by Ken Dryden


63"Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger


64"The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro" by Joe McGinniss


65"Moneyball" by Michael Lewis


66"Open" by Andre Agassi


67"The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis


68"Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand


69"When Pride Still Mattered" by David Maraniss


70"Ball Four" by Jim Bouton


71"The Breaks of the Game" by David Halberstam


72"The Sweet Science" by A.J. Liebling


73"The Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn


74"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown


75"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger


76"The Natural" by Bernard Malamud


77"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer


78"The Game" by Jack London


79"The Glory Game" by Hunter Davies


80"The Damned Utd" by David Peace


81"End Zone" by Don DeLillo


82"The Longest Race" by Ed Ayres


83"The Fight" by Norman Mailer


84"The Miracle on Ice" by Michael Burgan


85"The Greatest Game Ever Played" by Mark Frost


86"The Bronx Is Burning" by Jonathan Mahler


87"Friday Night Heroes" by H.G. Bissinger


88"The Greatest Game" by Richard Bradley


89"Out of My League" by Dirk Hayhurst


90"The Soul of Baseball" by Joe Posnanski


91"The Last Shot" by Darcy Frey


92"Men at Work" by George F. Will


93"The Cost of These Dreams" by Wright Thompson


94"American Pharoah" by Joe Drape


95"The Breakaway" by Nicole Cooke


96"The Boys in the Bunkhouse" by Dan Barry


97"The Yankee Years" by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci


98"The Games That Changed the Game" by Ron Jaworski


99"The Sports Gene" by David Epstein


100"The Best American Sports Writing" edited by Glenn Stout