Author:Amy Lawrence,Arsène Wenger
In 2003-04, Arsenal overcame every conceivable challenge to complete a 38-game league without a single loss. It was a feat unequalled in modern football. But for Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles', a team including legends Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Dennis Bergkamp, it was a challenge that went far beyond sport.
Based on exclusive players interviews, this definitive book relives the pivotal games and moments, and allows the Invincibles to tell their own story. It takes readers inside the locker room, to reveal the teamwork, the psychology and the struggle behind one of the greatest teams in history.
Delightful . . . a football book that takes the team not the stars as its starting point
—— David Goldblatt , GuardianThis book is so full of exclusive interviews you'll soon feel like part of the squad. A worthy tribute to one of English football's best ever teams, it makes you long for one more game at Highbury
—— ShortlistUnbeatable insight. The inside story of one of English football's greatest teams
Perceptive and well-wrought . . . Provides all-areas access to the inner workings and passions of a top club and a famous team
—— Sunday Times, Books of the YearThe story of an amazing season wonderfully told through the eyes of the men who made it happen. I can't recommend it highly enough
—— Andrew Mangan , ArseblogFascinating for any sports fan and truly a gold mine for Arsenal supporters
—— Alan DaviesA fascinating and engrossing read from start to finish. Provides wonderful insight and anecdotes as well as revealing the dynamics and determination from within the dressing room
—— John Cross , Daily MirrorI picked it up and couldn't put it down. Brilliantly depicts a piece of football history
—— David Dein, Arsenal Vice-Chairman (1983-2007)This is research at its riveting best. My only complaint about the book is that it had to end
—— Patrick Barclay, author of The Life and Times of Herbert ChapmanIf you were there in 71 and/or 2004, buy the book. If only now do you appreciate that we probably had four of the six best payers on the planet back then, buy the book and read their words. Let me make it simple. If you are an Arsenal supporter, buy the book
—— GoonerholicThis is a book that contains some of the most evocative prose I have encountered in a book about football and without doubt solidifies Lawrence's place in the very top tier of sports writing in English. The story and characters are fascinating enough, but it is how they come to life and dance in Lawrence's writing that makes this book such a wonderful telling of an incredible tale
—— Huffington PostLawrence is a writer who will help the reader to appreciate the football on the pitch with an understanding of how the game is played few can match. At the same time she never fails to appreciate the passion that makes us fans
—— Morning StarA gripping account of Arsenal's undefeated title winning season of 2003/4
—— Owen Gibson , GuardianHooked: from opening lob to final shot
—— Kevin Mitchell , ObserverSkidelsky explores the evolution of modern tennis, the role of beauty in sport and the psychology of fandom, weaving his own past into the story
—— GransnetExcellent
—— Andy Bull , ObserverOne of the areas in which Lister really does a fantastic job is balance of opinion. The author has his own views, some more common sense than others, but he gives column inches to all sides of a story and allows everyone a chance to state their case… here's an excellent balance between sport and life. It gives great insight into some fascinating individuals and doesn't shirk the big issues. It's comprehensive, an easy read and never overstays its welcome… This book is a must read for the cricket fan out there, full of interesting stories, tales from the tour and a really close look at one of the best sporting outfits of all-time.
—— Wexford PeopleCowen is without doubt one of our best current writers on landscape, on a par with Roger Deakin, Richard Mabey and Robert MacFarlane
—— Solitary Walker blogWonderful … An eerie haunting book … rendered with hair-raising, almost hallucinogenic, lyricism. Cowen moves on through the seasons of the year and the creatures of the edge land, feeling, more than observing, how the improving circumstances of animal life mirror his own climb out of darkness.
—— Brian Bethune , Maclean'sBlending natural history with a novelistic approach, Cowen revives his connection to the evocative, mysterious power of the natural world.
—— Sunday ExpressA luminous nature book
—— Arminta Wallace , Irish TimesVery beautiful indeed... [Cowen] has all the alliterative grace and fresh metaphors of a poet
—— Rebecca Foster , New Books[A] poetic memoir... This apparently scrappy and overlooked piece of wasteland - a tangle of wood, meadow, field and river - proves to be, under [Cowen's] forensic and magnifying gaze, brimming with riches.
—— Ruth Campbell , Northern EchoHe is engrossed by his landscape, enthralled by the minutiae and evokes the same fascination in the reader
—— Daily Mail