People forget Michelle Wie is only 19-years-old. The golfer has endured a father’s greed, numerous ailments, and the scorn of her peers throughout her career. Author Eric Adelson chronicles her rise and fall in “The Sure Thing: The Making and Unmaking of Golf Phenom Michelle Wie,” a book that leaves open the possibility for a happier and more successful future chapter in Wie’s still young life.

In his book “Lance”, John Wilcockson provides impressive behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s most accomplished athletes. However, as the book unfolds it is apparent that Wilcockson’s portrait of Armstrong’s character is too often written from the perspective of a friend, rather than unbiased observer.

Federer vs. Nadal in last summer’s Wimbledon final was one of those matches where the debate isn’t whether or not it was the best of the tournament, or even of the year. No, the Wimbledon final was so spectacular that the argument was of the “best ever” variety. Author L. Jon Wertheim makes the case that the match was indeed unsurpassed in tennis history in his book “Strokes of Genius.”

Author John Feinstein delves deep into the background of golfers Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods in his book “Are You Kidding Me? The Story of Rocco Mediate’s Extraordinary Battle with Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open.” As the title suggests, the book is laden with specific details, but also weaves in interesting anecdotes about Mediate and Woods.

Sports history is littered with cases of athletes whose gregarious personalities off the field far outshine their talents on it. But every once in a while a special personality arrives that is paired with an equally impressive skill set. Such is the case with Satchel Paige. Author Larry Tye captures the essence of Paige beautifully in his book, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.”

There are many rare combinations of descriptors that can used for author Lance Allred. He’s nearly 7-foot tall, partially deaf, a Mormon who grew up in a polygamist community, and he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. But perhaps the title “former NBA player” is the most improbable description of all. The autobiographical book, “Longshot: The Adventures of a Deaf Fundamentalist Mormon Kid and His Journey to the NBA,” is the tale of someone who overcame seemingly limitless hurdles to make a career out of basketball.

In his book George: The Poor Little Rich Boy Who Built the Yankee Empire, author Peter Golenbock examines arguably the most famous (and hated) owner in sports history. George Steinbrenner has endured suspension, scandal, and mediocrity throughout his tenure as Yankee owner to emerge, at least in Golenbock’s eyes, as a baseball Hall of Famer.

Caroline Seebohm’s book “Little Pancho” details the life of underappreciated tennis star Pancho Segura. Although Segura is far from a household name, Bill Littlefield believes the tale of this player, teacher, and ambassador is worth hearing.

Angus Bell’s book, Batting on the Bosphorus: A Liquor Fueled Cricket Tour through Eastern Europe, might not teach you much about the game of cricket. But, Bill Littlefield says, it will keep you laughing.

John Christgau’s book “Kokomo Joe: The Story of the First Japanese American Jockey in the United States” details the sad story of one man whose career was derailed by policies that unjustly imprisoned citizens and confiscated their property. Japanese-American jockey Yoshio Kobuki burst onto the US horse racing scene in 1941 winning nearly every race he competed in, only to be put into an internment camp for three years during World War II. Bill reviews Christgau’s “Kokomo Joe.”