Author:David Squires
Stunningly illustrated by David Squires (as featured in the Guardian), The Illustrated History of Football is a wry look at the highs and lows of the beautiful game. Laugh-out- loud and occasionally moving, it's the perfect gift for anyone who loves football.
'Squires is the master of the football comic strip and this collection is recommended reading for enlightened football fans everywhere' -- Late Tackle
'No one captures the absurdities and ugliness of football better than him ... hilarious' -- Coach Magazine
'[Illustrated History of Football] is the funniest football tome since Viz's Billy the Fish Football Yearbook, published 26 years earlier' -- Esquire
'Simply brilliant - my favourite football book' -- ***** Reader review
'Completely amazing cartoons with beautiful insight as to the how, why, when & wow' -- ***** Reader review
'Simply wonderful' -- ***** Reader review
'One of the funniest books I've read in a very long time. A must for anyone who loves football' -- ***** Reader review
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Football and comics. Once a hearty Saturday combination to match cartoons and cereal, in recent years they've drifted apart. Thankfully for us, illustrator Squires is here to change all that.
In The Illustrated History of Football, his first book, Squires relives some of football's most glorious moments and meets its greatest figures. In a sport full of handsome paycheques and corporate sponsors, he also casts a critical eye over corrupt backroom workings and helps pierce football's overblown balloon.
Funny, good-looking and preternaturally astute, this book is everything Sepp Blatter wishes he could be.
More than the archetypal loo book, this is a satirical look at the highs and lows of football and the perfect gift for all fans...
A ruddy good artist
—— The TelegraphSquires exhibits his personal knowledge of the game in a way that is thoughtful and, as with all comic satirists, really very funny . . . On the face of it this may look like a perfect lavatory book for dad for Christmas. But it is a lot more than that and well worth the read.
—— Daily ExpressDavid is unparalleled in his ability to highlight how ridiculous modern football can often be with his unique brand of caustic satire.
—— Mike Hytner , The GuardianYou will really want to buy it
—— Football365Squires is the master of the football comic strip and this collection is recommended reading for enlightened football fans everywhere.
—— Late TackleBrilliant
—— The Set PiecesIf you’re not familiar with the work of David Squires, then you really have been deprived up to now
—— The Final ThirdNo one captures the absurdities and ugliness of football better than him … hilarious
—— Coach MagazineA bloody funny read
—— Adam Peacock, Fox SportsSquires’ opening lines sets the tone for a lively, tongue-in-cheek history of the beautiful game, accompanied by some excellent illustrations.
—— Dorset EchoThis is an absolute landmark of football literature – worthy of the same status as Football Grounds of Europe , Inverting the Pyramid and All Played Out . This is not least because of the mind boggling amount of work involved – all the more prodigious given that Squires is a regular provider of comic strips for The Guardian . . . this is a genuinely funny book
—— The Two Unfortunates[Illustrated History of Football] is the funniest football tome since Viz's Billy the Fish Football Yearbook, published 26 years earlier.
—— EsquireA thoughtful paean…to a beautiful game.
—— Claire Allfree , Metro, Book of the YearCalling it a 'proven formula' is not to take anything away from Moore's achievements, both in completing an incredible cycling journey, and then writing another entertaining book about it: to have done both three times is impressive. To keep to the successful formula, Moore first needs another ridiculous challenge as the theme of his journey: check. Then he must use wholly inappropriate equipment: check. Try to avoid any fitness training before the journey: check. Make sure that there are numerous challenges and obstacles to overcome along the way to provide amusing anecdotes: check. Finally, make sure that you can write in an engaging and humorous style: check… Tim Moore does it again, enhancing his reputation as one of the best exponents of the cycling travelogue
—— Richard Peploe , Road.ccTim Moore is a serial cyclist who loves to do things the hard way… His blackly comic account of his adventures will convince you that extreme cycling is best appreciated in anecdotal form
—— Jane Shilling , Daily MailFilled with laugh-out-loud scenes and witty comments, alongside serious reflections on the consequences of the Communist dream and reminders of how disparate Europe still remains, this book was difficult to put down
—— Rhiannon Roy , Time & LeisureHe is quite, quite bonkers - and very funny
—— The BooksellerBrilliant, bruising
—— Donal Ryan , Sunday IndependentThis is so much more than the story of their journey – it’s a superbly written, endlessly fascinating book encompassing history, geology, landscape, family memories, wars experienced and lives well lived.
—— Choice MagazineOne of the most unexpected and enjoyable reads of 2016… The book fizzes erudition and is delightfully leavened by the companionship of his aged and doughty father.
—— Guardian, Readers' Book of the YearA very funny book - not jovial in the post-Wodehouse Boris mode but something more taught and Caledonian... The politician in Stewart never had a chance against the writer, a reliable adversary of consensus and cant.
—— Minoo Dinshaw , OldieBeautiful, evocative, and wise.
—— Malcolm Forbes , Star TribuneThe Marches is a transporting work from a powerful and original writer.
—— Harvard PressThis beautifully written account is a moving memoir of tales from along the route but also reflections on life and relationships – father and son on this their last journey together.
—— ProspectRory Stewart is one of the most talented men of our era. The Marches takes us from Rory’s constituency to his family house is an attempt to understand the bloody history of the Scottish borders… The quest is fascinating even if the answers are elusive.
—— Bruce Anderson , SpectatorAs the book unfurls, the march along the marches turns into a eulogy to his father, part memoir, part biography, always a love story. It also contains one of the most unflinching, moving descriptions of death I have read.
—— Melanie Reid , The TimesThis beautifully written book is a haunting reflection of identity and our relationships with the people and places we love.
—— Jane Shilling , Daily MailStewart provides much food for thought about how we value our past history
—— Susannah Law , Scottish Field