Top 10 sports books named for Christmas gifts, Daily Mail suggests

A Daily Mail Christmas gift guide released on Dec. 21, 2025, highlights 10 books for sport-obsessed loved ones. The list, compiled by the paper’s sports desk, features biographies, histories and memoirs spanning football, boxing, running and more, with prices starting at about £3.90.

From awe-inspiring football fairy tales to behind-the-scenes portraits of athletes, the collection aims to offer accessible picks for readers of all ages. The lineup includes The Miracle of Castel di Sangro; Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing; Shoe Dog; Provided You Don't Kiss Me; Born to Run; Bodyline Autopsy; Running: The Autobiography; All That Matters; Undefeated: The Story of the Lions of 1974; and The Mamba Mentality: How I Play.

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro recounts how a small Italian town, with a population of about 5,000, defied expectations to reach Serie B, capturing the drama of football on the margins and the community’s investment in a club that seemed an unlikely ascent. The narrative is celebrated for its saga of grit, locality and the improbability of sport’s fairy tale moments.

Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing is presented as a penetrating look at a sport commonly described as brutal and unforgiving. The book surveys five years in boxing, combining inside accounts of fighters such as Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank Sr. with broader commentary on race, violence and the culture surrounding boxing in both the United States and Britain. Readers gain a deeper sense of the pressures, traps and personalities that shape the ring.

Shoe Dog, a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, offers a candid chronicle of the brand’s early years, the risks taken and the perseverance required to turn a modest startup into a global emblem of athletic performance. The book provides a business odyssey set against the backdrop of competitive sports and consumer culture, and it gained renewed attention after the 2023 film Air popularized the early Nike story.

Provided You Don’t Kiss Me centers on Brian Clough’s transformative tenure at Nottingham Forest, detailing the highs of league titles and European glory as well as the lows, including clashes with associates and battles with alcohol. The work offers a candid look at leadership, ambition and the human side of football management.

Born to Run explores the lore of a people famed for running, inspired by stories of ultrarunners from a Mexican tribe and the era-defining moments of endurance racing. The book connects athletic prowess with cultural anthropology and motivation, offering readers a unique perspective on what drives people to push their limits on extreme terrains.

Bodyline Autopsy revisits the 1932-33 Ashes tour, a pivotal moment in cricket history marked by a controversial Bodyline bowling tactic. The account reflects on the tactics, the era’s lack of protective gear, and the lasting impact on the sport’s approach to fast bowling and sportsmanship.

Running: The Autobiography presents Ronnie O’Sullivan’s self-portrait as one of snooker’s defining figures, detailing the highs, lows and inner struggles that accompany a career at the top level. The book illuminates not only technique and competition but also personal resilience and mental discipline.

All That Matters collects the late Sir Chris Hoy’s reflections on fame, sport and a cancer diagnosis, offering insight into dealing with terminal illness while balancing family life and the demands of high-performance sport. The narrative emphasizes courage, connection and endurance beyond the track and fields.

Undefeated: The Story of the Lions of 1974 recounts a historic British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, notable for its return home unbeaten amid political turmoil and controversy. The book situates the athletic achievement within a broader social and historical context, underscoring sport’s role in moments of national reflection.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play delves into Kobe Bryant’s famed approach to competition, outlining the mental and technical practices that sustained a career marked by meticulous preparation and relentless pursuit of excellence. Readers gain perspective on how preparation, focus and resilience translate into performance under pressure.

The gift guide’s inclusion of these titles reflects a broader trend in sports literature that values accessible storytelling alongside deeper examinations of culture, identity and competition. The Daily Mail notes that the recommendations are curated by its sports desk, and that affiliate links may earn commissions for purchases made through the site. The list is positioned as a practical and diverse slate for holiday gifting, with options that appeal to readers across ages and athletic interests.