The Best Sports Books to Buy for the Holidays

With the leaves gently falling, the temperature dropping and the snow approaching, now is a perfect time to get set for the holiday season.

As fans search for the ideal gifts, riveting sports books stand tall.

From intriguing autobiographies to engaging collections of stellar works, these books will entertain youths and please adults.

Here are the best sports books for the holidays.

Enjoy.

10. Back from the Brink: The Autobiography by Paul McGrath

The illustrious retired Irish defender may have appeared at the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 1988, but it was his complex lifestyle off the field that garnered attention.

An icon and a hero, Paul McGrath wrote this autobiography to be more than just a soccer tale.

It speaks of humanity and tells the story of his life beyond soccer.

The former No. 1 bestseller is a must-read for all sports fans.

9. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis

While he's now a highly-paid offensive tackle for the potent Baltimore Ravens, Michael Oher was once a beleaguered youth at the center of a family led by a crack-addicted mother.

With no schooling, no father and no idea of his real name, Oher seemingly hits the jackpot after meeting a rich, religious family who takes him off the streets.

He is then introduced to football for the first time, adopted by the family and eventually taught that only one thing matters on the football field.

Protect the quarterback's blind side. 

8. Shunt: The Story of James Hunt by Tom Rubython

Remembered for his racing exploits, this British racer brought may have won the Formula One World Championship in 1976, but it was his charm and charisma that brought fans to the sport.

His playboy aura and baffling eccentricities are finally understood in this Tom Rubython book. 

7. Soccernomics by Simon Kuper

Many Americans may question why their nation doesn't dominate international soccer, while also wondering about the robotic style of play shown by the Germans.

These questions, and more, are answered using economics, statistics, psychology and business to present a new perspective into the sport. 

A new, creative way to look at soccer. 

6. Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity by Drew Brees

While they are now cemented in the upper echelon of the NFC, the New Orleans Saints still hold one of the most inspirational stories in NFL history.

Teams wondered whether former Chargers signal caller Drew Brees could return to a team after a detrimental shoulder injury, whether the Saints could compete after playing all their 2005 games on the road following Hurricane Katrina and whether the city could stay afloat considering 80 percent was under water.

All signs pointed to no, but with determination and inspiration, Brees and his team made magic happen.

And they came back stronger than ever.

5. Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

While he is remembered for his eight Grand Slam singles championships and his iconic hair, Andre Agassi is now taking fans deeper into the life of a star.

Sculpted from an early age to be a tennis star by his ruthless father, Agassi eventually won his first grand slam at 22 years old and found himself with money, fame and athletic respect.

But off the court he dealt with confusion and unhappiness, as well as an uncomfortable feeling about his accomplishments and resentment for his sport.

This 2010 publication gives fans perspective into life behind the fame, as it was far from smooth sailing.

4. Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story by Jim Piersall

While he was a solid center fielder on the field, Jim Piersall found himself struggling away from it.

This book details his battle with bipolar disorder, the support he garnered from friends, family and teammates and his eventual comeback.

It may have been published in 1999, but this will always present an inspirational tale.

3. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

While he may not be known for his running, Christopher McDougall does a unique job of taking the reader on a search to find the world's greatest runners and eventually prove common knowledge wrong.

The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's treacherous Copper Canyons are known for their techniques and ability to run for hundreds of miles without rest while chasing down animals.

McDougall sits down with Caballo Blanco, a man in the tribe, and finds out that the pack is immune to modern diseases and even learns their methods to train for his own fifty-mile race through their territory.

He'll quickly find out that everyone was born to run. 

2. The Breaks of the Game by David Halberstam

Focusing on the 1979-1980 Portland Trail Blazers, renowned author David Halberstam takes readers into the life of a the players' lives, the environment of the late '70s (increased media coverage) and the merger.

Halberstam reveals the human nature of the players, rather than depicting them as fictional heroes with charismatic personalities, as they all have their own stories to tell.

He uniquely covers a team that won the NBA Championship three years earlier and found themselves in a slow decline, struggling to regain that promise.

From start to finish, readers are eagerly waiting for more.

1. Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis

The film starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill may have garnered the most media attention, but it was the book that started it all.

A must read for all ages, this 2003 publication focuses on the Oakland Athletics and their now-illustrious general manager Billy Beane.

Michael Lewis details Beane's unique methods, featuring his studying of baseball statistics that measure in-game activity to build a competitive team with limited finances. 

His efforts seemingly changed baseball, as this book will undoubtedly improve fans' understanding.