Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Cultural Analysis of Manchester United by Søren Frank stands out as a great Manchester United book. Yes, Man U’s global popularity has led to dozens of books every year, but this one is just a bit different.
First things first, you don’t have to be a Manchester United supporter to enjoy this one. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but this is a football book for football fans.
Second, it covers the entire history of the club from humble beginnings to global supremacy. You will hear about the legends of Billy Meredith and Matt Busby, but you will also hear about modern stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
You will learn about Manchester United as a phoenix club, one that overcame bankruptcy in the early 1900s and the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958. We’re talking resilience in a big way, rebuilding and getting stronger at the same time.
The book helps the reader understand the decisions made in the big moments: why David Moyes was the right pick to replace Sir Alex, why the team has been relevant for 100+ years, and why the club continues to grow and evolve.
It is an effortless and enjoyable read, a title that is worth taking a look at. We enjoyed it considerably and that is saying something as we review several soccer titles each and every week.
