by Rob Fleder
First published 2017
Rob Fleder opens with a simple premise: every serious sports fan needs a roadmap to the world's greatest athletic spectacles. Drawing from over two decades at Sports Illustrated, Fleder and co-author Steve Hoffman present 101 carefully selected games, venues, and competitions that define sporting excellence. Their selections span continents and centuries, from Barcelona's heated clashes with Real Madrid to the mountain stages of the Tour de France. They guide readers to witness massive waves at The Eddie surfing competition in Oahu, experience the intensity of Caribbean World Series baseball, and feel the thunderous energy during halftime performances at Florida A&M. The authors transport you to Scotland's Highland games at Dunoon, Olympic ski jumping's legendary moments, and football games at West Point's historic Michie Stadium. Each entry combines vivid photography with practical visiting advice, historical context, and insider knowledge about optimal timing. This curated collection serves both as an unconventional travel guide and a comprehensive handbook for understanding sports culture across the globe.
Genres: travel, adventure, sports, non-fiction
Vibes: informative, inspirational, thought-provoking
Tropes: sports-enthusiast, travel-guide
Setting: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Tour de France, Oahu, Caribbean, Florida A&M, Scotland, Dunoon, West Point, Michie Stadium
Period: 21st Century
224 pages · Hardcover · Harper