Book Review: The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal

First published in 1986 to celebrate our Club's Centenary it can now be found in its 10th. version. Essentially the text remains the same or at least very similar but with additional sections added as both time and trophies demand. Essentially the Club's full story is covered in this single volume and takes the reader through from Dial Square to the third Double

If you don't already own one of the previous editions this book it is a must. In fact I'd recommend it as ideal for any Gooner wanting to discover more about the illustrious history of Arsenal, whether they be young or old. With over 200 photos, the majority of which are in colour it is certainly a very well illustrated work and includes some classic photos such as Alex James leaving Matt Busby and others for dead, as well as pictures of some classic milestone goals.

Should an earlier edition already be sitting on your bookshelves you might well want to check this one out anyway. This particular volume is a different shape to previous editions and it's been neatly revamped in both text style and page layout. Different photographs have been used in a number of instances although this means they've dropped one of my favourites, McLintock squaring up to Osgood, it does mean however there's room for at least one of Freddie complete with his famous red hair.

The statistical records contained within each section are comprehensive and cover all the domestic and European competitive matches including goal scorers, subs and end of season appearance totals.

Despite the fact that so far as I'm aware neither Phil Soar nor Martin Tyler, better known as the Sky Sports commentator, are Arsenal fans the text is a well researched and a reasonably honest assessment of Arsenal Football Club's history to date. I'm quite sure that as with any history it's possible to be picky and suggest some minor omissions but through all the years I've referred to this book in all it's various guises I have yet to find any major errors.

Some day someone will come along and write the definitive Arsenal history, but until that time comes this title will remain the number one comprehensive history of our Club.

The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal – Phil Soar and Martin Tyler
Priced £20.00 Published by Hamlyn September 2002

Any decent bookseller will order it in for you if you quote the following reference ISBN 0 600 60613 9, or you can order on the web from Sportspages or Amazon