| The Celtic Wiki Book of the Year 2010 | Media | Celtic Books |
Details
Title: The Pocket Book Of Celtic
Author: Douglas Beattie
Published: October 2010
What They Say
One of four new titles in VSP's best-selling football Pocket Books range, The Pocket Book of Celtic is the essential book for all fans of one of football's most famous clubs.
Learn about Celtic's glorious history, from the very first team back in 1887, to the first British European Cup winners of 1967, to the centenary Double winners in 1988. Take a trip down memory lane with classic matches such as the 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in 1957 or the title-clinching win over their Old Firm rivals on the final day of the 1979 season. Savour the skills of a host of club legends, be it McGrain and McGrory or McNeill and McStay.
Packed with original pictures, hand-drawn illustrations and genuine Celtic memorabilia, this beautifully packaged book salutes the greatest goals (who can forget Henrik Larsson's chip in Martin O'Neill's first Old Firm match in 2000?), legendary managers and tactics of the club's most successful teams, as well as the most memorable kits worn over the years including the first time the iconic hoops appeared in 1903. On top of all that, there is also a club directory, a detailed diagram of Celtic Park, honours, records and stats, plus a foreword by club favourite John Hartson.
Review
Douglas Beattie burst onto the Celtic book scene last year with ‘Happy Birthday Dear Celtic’ – a wonderfully insightful and evocative look back on Celtic’s double-winning Centenary season.
Despite the deserved success and praise of that book, Beattie – an award-winning BBC journalist – stated it was highly unlikely that he would be returning to the subject of the Bhoys anytime soon.
But the lure of his beloved Hoops has proved too strong. Less than 12 months on from 'Happy Birthday…' Beattie has returned with his latest project – A Pocket Book of Celtic.
As the title suggests 'A Pocket…' is not the weightiest tome dedicated to the history of the Bhoys. What it is however is a fantastically colourful and inventive look at the highs and lows of more than 120 years of Celtic.
The structure of the book doesn’t follow a strictly straight chronological retelling of the Celtic story. Instead chapters on the great games, managers, goals, players etc are scattered throughout the pages alongside sections on the club’s origins, tactics, history of the Celtic kit, the club’s badge and Celtic Park. Everything you’d expect is crammed in there, but Beattie also finds room for some of the more quirky and lively moments and characters from the club’s history.
These chapters are complemented with a fine selection of photographs, cartoon drawings of key Celtic characters and colourful Comic-strip recreations of some memorable Bhoys’ moments. Packed with colour the end result is a hugely engaging romp through Celtic history.
Part of a series of books – there are also editions dedicated to Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Rangers etc – 'A Pocket…' could quite easily have been a bland generic affair. It is anything but. There’s a pleasantly retro quality to the whole product. From the robust hardback cover to the Roy of the Rovers style recreation of great goals and comic strips, this is a book which is there to be enjoyed by readers from all generations. The substance of Beattie’s writing and knowledge, coupled with the publishers style, ensures a vivid, enjoyable and informative read. While younger fans in particular will relish this fun-sized gem of a book, A Pocket is a truly charming introduction to the colourful history of Celtic for supporters of all ages.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: Vision Sports Publishing (4 Oct 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1905326971
- ISBN-13: 978-1905326976
- Product Dimensions: 16 x 12.4 x 2 cm
Links
- Books – Happy Birthday Dear Celtic