Almanac Book Reviews: Two Fine Music Biographies

Ian Wilson shares his thoughts about the biographies of contrasting musicians Lucinda Williams and Tony Cohen.

Almanac Book Review: Clogball

Historian and writer Roy Hay reviews Adam Muyt’s new book, ‘Clogball’, the story of Dutch soccer in Australia. Sounds like an interesting read.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Celestial Footy’ – Patrick Skene

‘Celestial Footy’ by Patrick Skene is a newly released book that traces the history of Chinese involvement in Aussie rules footy. Citrus Bob Utber presents his review of this intriguing book.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Matilda Effect’ – Fiona Crawford

Roy Hay reviews the recently released soccer book ‘The Matilda Effect’ by Fiona Crawford. According to Roy, ‘this is a brilliant introduction to a history and analysis of the recent history of the women’s game in this country’.

Almanac Book Review: ‘Bush to Buckingham Palace: Crazy adventures of fun-loving cricketer’ by Rick Darling

Rick Darling’s anecdotal recall of his life in first class cricket, ‘Bush to Buckingham Palace’, makes for enjoyable reading, says our reviewer Ian Hauser.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ – Passion personified

Citrus Bob Utber reviews the recently released ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ book, a history of a club that reflects passion personified and an outstanding memorial to the families, players, and supporters who have followed the club according to Bob.

Almanac Books: ‘The Footy Jumper Book’ – Some unique jumpers

Tim Rath provides some information about the unique jumpers he highlighted at the recent Footy Almanac lunch to promote ‘The Footy Jumper Book’.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’ by William Westerman

In this review of William Westerman’s ‘Merger’, Jonathan Pilbrow shares how affecting and emotional he found the book’s subjects and their portrayals while offering lessons for the future and hope through community. [Couldn’t agree more – Ed]

Almanac Book Review: ‘Come In Spinner – A History Of Two-Up And Its Language’

Roger Lowrey presents his fascinating and insightful review of ‘Come In Spinner’, by Bruce Moore, a truly Australian book that traces the history of two-up and the associated terminology surrounding the game.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Bodyline Fix – How Women Saved Cricket’ by Marion Stell

Citrus Bob Utber reviews Marion Stell’s ‘The BodyLine Fix: How Woman Saved Cricket’, a book full of wonderful stories about the Australian women cricketers who toured England after the infamous Bodyline series and helped restore the credibility of the game.

Almanac Basketball: Bill Russell Biography Review

Braham Dabscheck profiles Bill Russell, one of the legends of American basketball who revolutionised the game with his focus on defence, rebounding and the fast break.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Sawdust House’ – David Whish-Wilson

Braham Dabscheck reviews David Whish-Wilson’s recent release, ‘The Sawdust House’ a work of historical fiction which examines the life and times of Yankee Sullivan a champion bare-knuckle fighter, while using the novelist’s tools to make big picture statements on the human condition. [Outstanding review of what must be a top-rate work of historical fiction – JTH]

Almanac Books: A Delightful Trilogy

Ian Wilson introduces readers to a delightful trilogy of books by Richard Osman called ‘The Thursday Murder Club series.

Almanac Awards: Roy Hay winner – Australian Society for Sport History Book Award 2022

The Footy Almanac community congratulates esteemed member Roy Hay for his well deserved win of the ‘Australian Society for Sport History Book Award 2022’.

Almanac Books: A Life Well Fed

Ian Wilson reflects on life growing up, initially the influence of persons he wished to emulate, then secondly, the influence of books and their profound effect as he explains.

Almanac Book Review: Athletes and Near Death Experiences – The Case of Triathlete Emma Carney

Braham Dabscheck summarises Emma Carney’s experiences of hardship, politics, injuries, mental and physical abuse. Highlighting what it took for her to reach the elite level of a Triathlete throughout the 90’s. Her story as Dabschek reviews, uncovers the incompetence and inadequate support for athletes such as Emma Carney that nearly cost her life, signifying the much needed attention for change in management structure and policies for future Australian athletes to not have to endure the experience Carney had suffered throughout her career.

Almanac Book Review: ‘Citrus Bob’s Ashes Diary 2021-22’

Citrus Bob Utber’s new book ‘Citrus Bob’s Ashes Diary 2021-22’ is a comprehensive, day by day account of play throughout the series and is reviewed by Col Ritchie.

Almanac Book Review: Joan Beaumont – Australia’s Great Depression

Roy Hay reviews Joan Beaumont’s book on Australia’s Great Depression where the book seeks to explain why there was not the kind of breakdown in society that occurred in other countries during and as a consequence of the depression. Although a very informative book, Roy Hay has his take on the recurring pattern of history leaving sport absent from the picture.

Almanac Book Review – ‘The Boy from Birdum’: Bill Dempsey’s magnificent story of humility

He may not be well known outside Western Australia or the Northern Territory but Bill Dempsey was a prominent Indigenous footballer in the 1960s and a strong contributor to Indigenous affairs after he retired from the game. Dennis Gedling reviews Dempsey’s story, ‘The Boy from Birdum’.

Almanac Books: ‘Making Australian History’ – Anna Clark

Roy Hay reviews Anna Clark’s brilliant new book, ‘Making Australian History’.