This eagerly awaited lavishly illustrated book, written by acclaimed Manchester author Gary James, is the definitive volume on Manchester's Blues, detailing the exploits of the Club from its 19th Century birth through to the end of the 2011-12 season when they won the Premier League title in dramatic style. Manchester The City Years provides an in-depth study of the highs and lows that have shaped the Blues' destiny from its birth as a church team to its modern day ownership by Sheikh Mansour. Relive the successes from the Club's first major trophy win in 1904 under Tom Maley through to glory in the Roberto Mancini era. Enjoy reading the stories of success in Europe, five FA Cup wins, two League Cups and, of course, the Blues' three Championship successes. This book covers it all and brings the City story right up to the end of the 2011-12 season when Sergio Aguero's goal in added time brought the Premiership title to Manchester's Blues. The definitive story of the Blues. If anyone ever says City has 'no history' show them this book!
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"James exhaustive history" Ian Herbert, Independent 18 August 2012 "Gary James has produced the definitive history of Manchester City from our earliest days up to May 13th 2012. Mind you, Gary would probably recoil in horror at his book being described a 'definitive' as he's always searching for (& finding) new sources about the club he's written so exhaustively about. His new book has been out just a few days and covers our history over 600 pages. I'm sure there will be a review of the book shortly but don't wait until then. Get hold of a copy." Colin Savage, King of the Kippax fanzine, Issue 199. "This is a comprehensive 608 page history of Manchester City from its birth as a church team through to the day in May when they were crowned Premier League champions. Football historian Gary James relates how the Citizens actually lifted a major trophy before neighbours United, and fact that 1904 FA Cup triumph came 26 years before Arsenal celebrated their initial major trophy and more than half a century before Chelsea collected their first senior silverware. The author spent around 25 years researching and gathering material for this greatly informative book, during which time he has carried out over 100 in-depth interviews with players, managers, officials and supporters whose association with City ranges back to the First World War. Elegantly written and beautifully illustrated, this polished tome is one that every City fan will want on their bookshelves. And wheneve anybody says 'City has no history', they'll be able to show them the book!" David Powter, Football Trader (September 2012). "God Knows how many hours Gary James spent in the Central Library poring over microfilm or thumbing through old books, newspapers and magazines. Or time in the company of veteran Blues recounting their stories." Respected journalist Richard Bott commenting on Gary's research. "Gary James' fantastic new book - Manchester The City Years" Dave Wallace, King of the Kippax fanzine issue 199 "Manchester City once made a GBP30m bid for Argentine star Lionel Messi - by accident! The extraordinary episode has been revealed in a new book detailing the history of the Premier League Champions." Simon Mullock, Sunday Mirror, 19 August 2012
About the Author
Gary James has been researching and writing about Manchester City since the mid-1980s and has become recognised as the authoritative voice on Manchester's Blues. He has written several landmark publications and articles on the sport's history, clubs, players and personalities. In recent years these articles have appeared in publications as diverse as The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, The FA Cup Final Programme, Community Shield Programme, The Times, When Saturday Comes, and the match programmes of both Manchester clubs. He has also lectured on the game. Gary cares deeply about football and wants to see the history and development of the game accurately recorded. For more information on Gary's work visit: www.manchesterfootball.org or facebook.com/garyjames4
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Dave
Format:Hardcover
Marks and Spencer do top quality food, Germans do everything efficiently and anything with 'Author: Gary James' on the cover just implies a top quality publication, and this book doesn't fail to meet the high expectations we've all come to expect from Gary.
Another superb book, quite simply a must-have on any bookshelf if you're a Man City fan, or simply interested in football history.
Thoroughly detailed as if his life depended on it, with the facts and details laid out in an easy to read manner, this book educates and entertains all in one.
In a time when books about Manchester City seem to be appearing in every bookshop shelf, you may wonder why this book should stand out above the plethora of other books and histories about Manchester City. I can only compare this book to a Willy Wonka chocolate bar sitting on a shelf surrounded by drab imitations from other chocolatiers. Whilst the Arthur Slugworths of the world are trying to imitate the master, the true genius simply churns out masterpiece after masterpiece. Indeed, you may wonder if Gary has an army of Oompa-Loompas in the background, feverishly researching on his behalf, because it is almost beyond the abilities of one single man to do this much research and be able to regurgitate it into such an easy form to read and still be amused and entertained.
The moment this book lands on your doorstep with a hefty thud (it contains half a million words, so it will indeed thud on your doormat) and you start looking through the pages within, you'll realise that this was one of the wisest purchases you will have ever made.
Take a bow Gary, and get those Oompa-Loompas started on whatever book you're going to grace us with next.
Another superb book, quite simply a must-have on any bookshelf if you're a Man City fan, or simply interested in football history.
Thoroughly detailed as if his life depended on it, with the facts and details laid out in an easy to read manner, this book educates and entertains all in one.
In a time when books about Manchester City seem to be appearing in every bookshop shelf, you may wonder why this book should stand out above the plethora of other books and histories about Manchester City. I can only compare this book to a Willy Wonka chocolate bar sitting on a shelf surrounded by drab imitations from other chocolatiers. Whilst the Arthur Slugworths of the world are trying to imitate the master, the true genius simply churns out masterpiece after masterpiece. Indeed, you may wonder if Gary has an army of Oompa-Loompas in the background, feverishly researching on his behalf, because it is almost beyond the abilities of one single man to do this much research and be able to regurgitate it into such an easy form to read and still be amused and entertained.
The moment this book lands on your doorstep with a hefty thud (it contains half a million words, so it will indeed thud on your doormat) and you start looking through the pages within, you'll realise that this was one of the wisest purchases you will have ever made.
Take a bow Gary, and get those Oompa-Loompas started on whatever book you're going to grace us with next.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Russell
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book through a subscription service before it was printed,all organised by the author himself via bluemoon.
It really is an immense thorough book,there's a saying " if you're tired of London then you're tired of life" ,the same could apply to this fantastic book,if you ever get tired of reading this book you're tired of being a blue
Iv got several of Gary's previous books,all top notch,BUT this one is his best yet,a real "must have " for any blue,take my advice fellow blues,buy it before its out of print,you won't regret it.
Ctid and after.
It really is an immense thorough book,there's a saying " if you're tired of London then you're tired of life" ,the same could apply to this fantastic book,if you ever get tired of reading this book you're tired of being a blue
Iv got several of Gary's previous books,all top notch,BUT this one is his best yet,a real "must have " for any blue,take my advice fellow blues,buy it before its out of print,you won't regret it.
Ctid and after.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a City fan I heard about this book through the Blue Moon forum and became a subscriber. I've had the book for a few weeks now and I love it. The attention to detail and the obvious meticulous research behind the text have produced an excellent piece of work. The book starts from the beginning and takes the reader through a journey from the clubs roots going right through to last seasons triumph - it's detailed but at the same time it's very readable (unlike a few other football reference books I could name). It's also a book that can be read from cover to cover or the reader can dip into any particular era - there's a lot of reading here. I also think the book is worth buying in hard cover because it is a book you can return to time and time again.
It's clear that for Gary James this was a labour of love but for anyone interested in football (not just MCFC) this is an excellent book.
It's clear that for Gary James this was a labour of love but for anyone interested in football (not just MCFC) this is an excellent book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Bartley
Format:Hardcover
Gary James is without a doubt City's foremost historian. The book is simply a masterpiece, meticulously researched and the author's love for the subject simply shines through.
Over 600 pages tells the history of City - yes City do have a history and as the back cover says "If anyone ever says City has 'no history' show them this book". All the major events good and bad are covered as are the countless players, administrators and even supporters who have helped to make City what they are today. Champions!
Gary can be rightly proud of his work, this is one of a number he has written on City's history and each one stands the test of time. A book fitting for the current Premier League Champions.
Over 600 pages tells the history of City - yes City do have a history and as the back cover says "If anyone ever says City has 'no history' show them this book". All the major events good and bad are covered as are the countless players, administrators and even supporters who have helped to make City what they are today. Champions!
Gary can be rightly proud of his work, this is one of a number he has written on City's history and each one stands the test of time. A book fitting for the current Premier League Champions.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Ric Turner
Format:Hardcover
The City Years is a worthy successor to the critically acclaimed (and sadly out of print) The Greatest City, having been significantly updated to reflect the incredible events of the last decade since the latter was first published in 2002.
It is immediately apparent just how in-depth and thorough a study the book is, weighing in at over 600 pages. The research is meticulous and exhaustive, chronicling every season in the club's history from the formation as St Mark's (West Gorton) in the late nineteenth century, through to the climactic end of the 2011/12 Premiership campaign.
The book immediately dispels the absurd notion, usually repeated ad nauseum by less educated fans of certain other clubs, that City "have no history". City, after all, were the first Mancunian club to win a major honour, lifting the F.A. Cup in 1904, four years before United's first trophy. This was 26 years before Arsenal won a major honour, and 51 years before Chelsea. I could also mention the fact that we won both the F.A. Cup and a European trophy before Liverpool managed the same feat, but hopefully you get the point.
As you would expect, all the key moments in the club's development are covered in great detail, including the name changes and moves to various stadiums, as well as scandals such as the 1906 F.A. investigation that saw practically the entire first team banned.
There are, of course, also many examples of the "typical City" tag that the club are still unable to shake off, such as winning the First Division title for the first time in 1937, only to be relegated the following season, despite scoring more goals than any other team in the division.... Read more ›
It is immediately apparent just how in-depth and thorough a study the book is, weighing in at over 600 pages. The research is meticulous and exhaustive, chronicling every season in the club's history from the formation as St Mark's (West Gorton) in the late nineteenth century, through to the climactic end of the 2011/12 Premiership campaign.
The book immediately dispels the absurd notion, usually repeated ad nauseum by less educated fans of certain other clubs, that City "have no history". City, after all, were the first Mancunian club to win a major honour, lifting the F.A. Cup in 1904, four years before United's first trophy. This was 26 years before Arsenal won a major honour, and 51 years before Chelsea. I could also mention the fact that we won both the F.A. Cup and a European trophy before Liverpool managed the same feat, but hopefully you get the point.
As you would expect, all the key moments in the club's development are covered in great detail, including the name changes and moves to various stadiums, as well as scandals such as the 1906 F.A. investigation that saw practically the entire first team banned.
There are, of course, also many examples of the "typical City" tag that the club are still unable to shake off, such as winning the First Division title for the first time in 1937, only to be relegated the following season, despite scoring more goals than any other team in the division.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
This was bought for my manchester city life long fan husband so of course he thought the book was excellent
Published 2 months ago by Mrs t Swanson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hit the jackpot again
Gary James' research is beyond fantastic, he fully deserves all the accolades that come his way. Once again he has come up with a fantastic book about the greatest club of all.
Published 2 months ago by Darren Sutcliffe
5.0 out of 5 stars
History in your hands
My farther in law uncle used to play for man city in the 40's and you can never find anything about him in the books, but you could this one, my dad in law was so happy
Published 5 months ago by Trudie Cattermole
5.0 out of 5 stars
M.C.F.C
Best book on sport i have ever read. Just a wonderful insight into this great club.A must read for all blues.
Published 5 months ago by john saxon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb detail and insight
This was the most detailed and interesting book I have read about City. Made many memories long past and nearly forgotten, seem like yesterday.
Published 5 months ago by Forseti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Born Blue, Live Blue, Die Blue - MCFC 4 Life
Let's just get one thing clear from the start...
This is the best book ever written. EVER. Read more
This is the best book ever written. EVER. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. A. R. Cawley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book fit for Champions
Having ordered this book as a subscriber, I have this morning finished reading it cover to cover. On the authors advise, I avoided diving in at the last chapter and started "in the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mark James
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Painstaking forensic analysis of MCFC
This book, over 600 pages of small print, is an achievement that I have never seen equalled in any sports book I have ever read. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anthony Nolan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent - So Far
As this book is so extensive (just over 600 pages) I have so far only managed to get through about 15% of it. It is incredibly detailed and wonderfully illustrated. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Godthelad2
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Gary James has done it again. Comprehensive account of everything man city. Very readable and enjoyable. Highly recommended, you won't be disappointed!!
Published 8 months ago by pete
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