so my best friend is in jail, possibly for awhile. he can get up to three paperback books per week (as long as they are "non-sexual and non-violent"). he doesn't read books all that often, but he loves classic rock (stones, zep, etc) and sports (particularly college football and basketball, kentucky being his favorite team). i'm calling on the collective wisdom of obner to keep my friend entertained--what are some of the best books on these subjects?

Old Gods Almost Dead - The 40 Year Odyssey of the Rolling Stones


Written by the same dude who wrote the Zep and Aerosmith books.

It is essential reading for any Stones fan. So good.


Best friend? HA. If you were his best friend you'd be in there with him.


A friend will help you move, a TRUE friend will help you move a body.

yeah, i agree in general, but he lives in michigan, and he's in on a probation violation. thanks for the recommendation, i'll check it out.

Paper Lion: Confessions of a Third String Quarterback - George Plimpton

these are both subjects squarely outside my interest or experience, but i am interested in how your friend got probation in the first place.

classic case of the criminal justice system being completely inadequate to deal with substance abuse problems.
originally, he got a dui about a year ago. he had been doing fine on his probation until he showed up at a probation meeting a little hung over (one of his conditions was that he couldn't drink alcohol). he failed breathalyzer, and was put on an intensive program where he has to take a breathalyzer every morning. he went out celebrating the last day of finals last night, and blew dirty this morning, so he's now sitting in county jail for a week or so until his sentencing. he hasn't even tried to drive drunk since the original incident, and is about the most harmless, nice guy you'd ever meet. he definitely has a problem with the sauce, but he needs rehab, not jail.

Old Gods
True Adventures of the Rolling Stones
Up and Down with the Rolling Stones

There are tons of good sports bios out there, but one of my faves I have read recently was by the Raiders' team doctor from the Alzado years, and is, I believe called "It's Only a Scratch"

When I get back home, I will look through my books, and Bloor should be able to help some as well.

I've heard good things about "Hammer of the Gods" the Led Zepplin book but I haven't read it myself.

sweet, thanks for all the recs, hopefully this will keep him occupied.

just hit up the nick hornby catalog. you get a bit of both. High Fidelity and then Fever Pitch for instance.

i'm going to embroider this on a pillow.

It's Only A Bruise - Rob Huizenga
The Odds - Chad Millman
Positively Fifth Street - James McManus
Bogey Man - George Plimpton
North Dallas Forty - Peter Gent
A Journey Through America With The Rolling Stones - Robert Greenfield
The Dark Stuff - Nick Kent
The Dirt - Motley Crue
Down The Highway, The Life of Bob Dylan - Howard Sounes

Edit: just noticed you mentioned that he likes college football and hoops so I'll add:

The Conquering Heroes - Peter Gent
Horns, Hogs, And Nixon's Coming - Terry Frei