Best Sports History Books of 2026

Got Your Number: The Greatest Sports Legends and the Numbers They Own is a book that settles once and for all which sports legends own which numbers. Mike Greenberg uses his lifetime of sports knowledge to spin yarns of the legends among the legends and tell readers why some have claimed their spot in the top 100 of all time. Greeny's book is sure to provoke debate and entertain readers with its short essays. This book is a must-read for all sports enthusiasts looking to discover the most visceral parts of any sports legend’s identity.

The Ball in the Air by Michael Bamberger is a heartfelt tribute to the amateur game of golf. Bamberger, renowned for his writing on professional golf, turns his attention to the rest of us and why the game casts such a spell. The book celebrates the love and passion for the game that we all share, from the fortunate to the not-so-fortunate. The stories of the golfers featured in the book are inspiring and moving, capturing the essence of the game's enduring appeal. Bamberger's intimate reporting style and attention to detail make this book a must-read for any golf enthusiast.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown is an inspiring and heart-warming story of the University of Washington's eight-oar crew team, composed of nine working-class boys from the American West, who beat the odds and won the gold medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The book focuses on the story of Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who finds hope and a real place for himself in the world through rowing. Brown's writing masterfully weaves the individual stories of each team member into a compelling narrative of triumph over adversity. Overall, The Boys in the Boat is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.

Power Players: Sports, Politics, and the American Presidency is an insightful book that explores the relationship between modern presidents and sports. The book sheds light on how presidents have used sports to relate to the public and how sports have, in turn, shaped their presidencies. From Dwight Eisenhower's love for golf to Donald Trump's involvement in professional wrestling, the book covers it all. The author's love for sports is evident throughout the book, making it a must-read for sports and politics enthusiasts alike.

The twentieth anniversary edition of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons And Teachings From A Lifetime In Golf, is the bestselling golf instruction book of all time. This classic book is named for the red notebook Harvey Penick always kept, which contains his simple, direct, and practical wisdom on how to improve one's golf game. The book features a treasure trove of rare images from the Penick family archives, and a new introduction by prominent golfer Davis Love III. This book is a must-read for all players and fans of the game, from beginners to seasoned pros.

Inverting The Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics is a must-read for any soccer fan, coach, or player who wants to understand the evolution of soccer tactics. Jonathan Wilson's historical detective work takes readers through the development of the game from the Scottish passing game to Dutch "Total Football," and how it influenced modern-day Barcelona's style of play. The book also sheds light on the lives of coaching geniuses who have spread their distinctive styles across the globe. Overall, this book is an outstanding work that provides a definitive understanding of soccer tactics and is essential for any fan of the beautiful game.

The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is a thrilling true story of the fastest boat ride ever, down the entire length of the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon, during the legendary flood of 1983. The book recounts the journey of Kenton Grua, who intended to use the flood as a kind of hydraulic sling-shot to nail the all-time record for the fastest boat ever propelled. The author's flowing prose makes you feel like you are lurching along with the characters on wooden boats, beneath cobalt skies, into the frenzied thrashings of the Colorado river. Overall, The Emerald Mile is an engrossing meditation on the eternal struggle between man and nature and is a must-read for adventure lovers.

Fred Segal's "Freezing Cold Takes" is a captivating book that chronicles ill-fated sports predictions in NFL history. The book features a vast collection of poorly aged predictions and analysis from NFL media members and personalities about some of the most famous teams and players in the league’s history. Segal goes beyond just listing quotes and provides essential context surrounding each featured mistake to explain why the prediction was made and why the personality who made it is eating their words. This book is a must-read for sports fans who love to hold media "experts" accountable for their bad predictions.

The League: How Five Rivals Created the NFL and Launched a Sports Empire by John Eisenberg is a fascinating account of the pioneering sportsmen who kept the NFL alive in its early years. The book focuses on the sacrifices made by Art Rooney, George Halas, Tim Mara, George Preston Marshall, and Bert Bell, who believed in pro football when few others did, and ultimately succeeded in building the most popular sport in America. Eisenberg's deeply researched and surprise-on-every-page book is an essential read for any fan of the NFL and a remarkable story of business ingenuity. Overall, this is a compelling history of a sport and an exemplary chapter in American capitalism and popular culture.

Formula One 2023 is the ultimate guide for any F1 enthusiast. With detailed examinations of all the teams, drivers, and tracks for the upcoming season, this book provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect. It also includes race-by-race reports and statistics from the 2022 season, changes to the rules and regulations for 2023, and major talking points in F1. The fill-in guide for 2023 allows readers to personalize their book and keep track of the season's progress. Bruce Jones's insightful text is complemented by dozens of color photographs, detailed circuit maps, and a statistics section containing major records from over 70 years of F1 history.