Books for Xmas: Sport

By DAVID LEGGAT sports editor

Men in Black: Commemorative 20th Century Edition by Rod Chester, Ron Palenski, Neville McMillan (Hodder Moa Beckett $69.95)

The definitive book on the history of All Blacks test rugby. This fifth edition takes in every test up to the end of 1999 - that is, ending with the third-fourth playoff loss to South Africa at last year's World Cup. A grim note to end on, but this is an outstanding work which will be regarded as a must for the bookshelf of every serious All Black fan.

Includes statistics of every All Black test, player and record.

Mene Confessions: Tall Tales from Netball's Inner Circle by Bernice Mene (Hodder Moa Beckett $24.95)

The Silver Ferns captain runs through her sporting life, from her early days and concluding with the shattering world championship final defeat by Australia last year. Mene runs the rule over her team-mates and coaches, selects her best New Zealand and World teams and gives an insight into life as one of the country's highest-profile sportswomen. A light, bright read, written in a chatty style.

2000 New Zealand Cricket Almanack edited by Francis Payne and Ian Smith (Hodder Moa Beckett $39.95)

The latest edition of one of the best annual sporting publications around. A comprehensive run through New Zealand's past cricket year, from the Black Caps to provincial and women's cricket, along with a full statistical record.

The tribute on the front cover, from Robert Booke, of the Association of Cricket Statisticians, says it all: "It is difficult to offer suggestions or to suggest reasonable or reasoned improvements ... a superb annual publication."

Famous Cricketing Families, From Graces and Headleys to Cairns' and Hadlees by Kersi Meher-Homji (Reed $39.95)

An interesting look at the great families of international cricket. New Zealand contributes the Hadlees, Crowes and Cairns, but the usual suspects are all here. Australia's Chappell brothers - along with uncle Victor Richardson, an Australian captain in the 1930s - Pakistan's Khan dynasty, which produced five test players, including three captains; and the three Mohammad brothers, who produced the remarkable statistic of having at least one representative appear in 100 of the first 101 Pakistan tests spread over 27 years; South Africa's influential Rowan and Pollock brothers; and running through to the modern era with Australia's Waugh twins and Zimbabwe's Flower brothers.

Champions, New Zealand Sports Greats of the 20th Century by Ron Palenski and Joseph Romanos (Hodder Moa Beckett $49.95)

This book is built around the Halberg Trust award winners and provides a complete rundown of New Zealand's outstanding sports performers, dating back to Anthony Wilding, three times the Wimbledon champion early in the century, and the 1905 Original All Blacks, through to Olympic and world champion sculler Rob Waddell.

One of the pleasing aspects of this book is it revives the notable achievements of some of the forgotten names who were heroes of their time, including boxer Barry Brown, swimmer Philippa Gould and cyclist Harry Kent.

Interesting reading, complemented by a fine selection of photographs.