Rebels for the Cause: The Alternative History of Arsenal Football Club

As relatively new Arsenal fan in America, I felt obligated to look more deeply into the club partially due to the fact I knew very little about the beautiful game, but mostly because I was becoming more and more interested in the Arsenal. I figured reading into the history would hold me over until match days and in turn give me a better knowledge of the club who were provoking my interest into the world of football. After finishing and thoroughly enjoying Fever Pitch and Arsènal: The Making of a Modern Superclub, my recommendations suggested Rebels for the Cause by Jon Spurling, and after reading I have to say is quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read about not only football, but also in the genre of sports. The book reads part world, part club history, highly detailing the eras in which the chapters take place, shining a light into pop culture and the struggles of living at the time. In doing this it explains how the team and players coincided with these aspects, and how some arsenal players not only played a part in the the progress of England during the 20th century but also to the evolution of the FA and international football. The reading at times is hysterical and at sometimes sad, giving insight and detailed accounts into Arsenals prolific players such as Charlie George and Tony Adams, not only highlighting their rise to fame and the ridiculous stories woven into it but also their downfalls and eventually their redemptions. Along with emphasis on specific players and managers, Spurling takes us into the locker room and gives a comprehension of the overall feelings of the different teams over time, including hilarious accounts of post match pub gatherings, but also a more in depth look of the struggling relationship of the players and managers especially in the 70s , which justifies why the word rebel is in the title. The book also possesses a look into the politics of the founding of club, beginning with Herbert Chapman, the terrifying Henry Norris and later revolutionaries George Graham and David Dein, not at all forgetting to include all the controversies surrounding the boardroom men. In all Rebels for the Cause is an excellent, well thought out and provocative look into the history of the club and it's players, almost possessing a "behind the music" kind of feel. Each chapter leaves you wanting for more, as you follow the progress of the arms factory lunch break squad of the early 1900s, to the song and dance teams of the 70s, and eventually to the modern superclub Arsenal is today. Personally I enjoyed this book more than the other books I have read about the team and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of The Arsenal.

I can think of no better 'colloquial' history of the Arsenal than this gem by Jon Spurling. In each chapter Jon takes different pivotal characters from Arsenal's history and discusses each such character's role in the larger arc of Arsenal history. Wonderfully written!

Came quickly. Still in the process of reading it, enjoying it. Condition good but not great.

If you are an Arsenal fan, why haven't you read this yet?!? A crazy in depth, engaging, and Gooner loyalty building book. Each chapter hones in on a specific historical human facet of the club-sometimes a coach and sometimes a player or small group of players-all in chronological order. The stories range from brutal to heroic to downright tragic, yet it all is written with a deep love for The Arsenal. Highly recommend.

got this book used, but it was in such great condition you cant tell. I got it for my bf who is an arsenal fan, just hoping he'll actually read it unlike other books ive given him. book was received in 2 days and als good.

:)

Bought as a gift for a hardcore Arsenal fan. He enjoyed it.

Great!

This book is an absolute master piece. One of the most engrossing entertaining and in places funny books I've ever read about Arsenal and its illustrious history. As the cover says it's an alternate history and one that perhaps the club would rather was not written ha. All the more reason to read it them hee hee. Spurling just brings the whole thing to life. Written in an unfussy humorous but obviously passionate way. The chapters on my childhood heroes such as Charlie George , Big Willy Young. Supermac etc are just wonderful. It's an interesting un put downable read from cover to cover. I'd like to shake Jon Spurlings hand. All his Arsenal books are well worth your time. Possibly the best Arsenal book ever as far as i'm concerned. I love a rebel me.......

Very good

Brilliant book about the first king of Highbury. Charlie will always be one of our own and great to read his story

I'm relieved that some of the gaps in my knowledge about some key events involving Arsenal have been largely cleared up with this book. The book is fascinating from start to finish and illustrates the triumphant work from senior Arsenal figures like Herbert Chapman that turned Arsenal in the superclub it is today.Personally I LOVED the story about the Parrot! A must read for any Gooner! COYG!

I think you'd have to be an Arsenal supporter to enjoy this book. I've been attending their matches since 1962, and whilst the early part of the book gives the background to the club, its only when I started recognising the players I'd actually seen that I became engrossed. It opened my eyes to some of the relationships. So if you love Arsenal I recommend it. If you are a Chelsea supporter however...........