Do you want to learn more about the popular backyard sport of bocce? You might want to check out my picks for the best books about bocce below.
When I think about my favorite sports to play with friends, one of the first things that pop into my mind is bocce. I love how easy it is for almost anyone to play, and yet there are near-endless opportunities to really perfect your game. That is why I was inspired to read about the sport to learn more about the history of the game and advanced techniques.
This article will talk about the best books about bocce ball. I will include a brief summary of each book to give you an idea about the topics and overall vibe of the story.
If you’re a bocce lover like me, I think you’ll enjoy the books below.
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6 Best Books About Bocce
Here are my top picks for the best bocce ball books on the market today. Each one talks about bocce in some way so that you can learn more about this fun backyard sport.
1. The Joy of Bocce, 4th Edition – Editor’s Pick
The Joy of Bocce, 4th Edition is the first product on this list of the best books about bocce ball.
It features hundreds of informative photographs and diagrams. These illustrations give you essential insight into the many forms of bocce played around the world. They also depict the different ways that your family and friends can enjoy bocce.
Additionally, this book about bocce talks about the history of the game. It teaches you the origins of the sport and how ancient civilizations played it back in the day.
Furthermore, the Joy of Bocce touches on the different techniques and strategies to use during play. This section in the book can help you win the game, whether in family cookouts, get togethers, or corporate outings.
There is even a part in the book that discusses various bocce court surfaces. So if you are planning to install your own bocce court in your backyard, you might find this piece of information valuable.
Finally, the Joy of Bocce book aims to dispel the many misconceptions about bocce ball. Hence, it can help you better appreciate the backyard sport.
Most readers found this book helpful. However, there are still a few downsides to consider before finalizing your purchasing decision. First, the information on bocce ball strategies was lacking, according to some users. Second, a few readers also complained about the author’s personal exaggerations.
The pros far outweigh the cons, though.
For this reason, I chose The Joy of Bocce as the best book about bocce ball.
Pros:
- The illustrated book gives you insight into how bocce is played around the world
- It discusses the rich history of bocce
- The book shares some playing techniques and strategies to win the game
- It effectively dispels the misconceptions about the joy of bocce
Cons:
- It lacks information on bocce ball strategies and focuses more on history
- A few users said that there were too many personal exaggerations on the part of the author
2. Pétanque: The Greatest Game You Never Heard Of: Beyond Bocce, The Elegant & Intelligent French Game of Boules
The Pétanque: The Greatest Game You Never Heard Of is another informative book about bocce and other sports using balls.
It mostly talks about the pétanque, the national game of the French. The author of this book seeks to introduce this sport to Americans and other people around the world.
At the same time, the book tells us the differences between pétanque and bocce. It treats both sports respectfully to allow the readers to choose which is the ideal recreational activity for you.
Furthermore, this best book about bocce includes over 100 diagrams and photos with substantial text descriptions for each one. It is especially ideal for visual learners.
There is also no need to worry if you do not know anything about bocce and pétanque. The book starts at the absolute novice level, so you do not feel intimidated.
Most importantly, it teaches you techniques and strategies that can help you win the game. It is handy if you want to join an official event, such as bocce tournaments and special Olympics.
However, it is essential to know the downsides of this bocce book. First, some readers who want to learn more about bocce might be disappointed because the book mainly covers pétanque. Second, a few users did not like the tone that the author used.
Nevertheless, Pétanque: The Greatest Game You Never Heard Of is still among the best books about bocce ball.
Pros:
- It gives you insight into the French national sport of pétanque, which is one of the many assorted recreational rivals of bocce
- It features over 100 diagrams and photos, which makes it ideal for visual learners
- The book discusses the differences between bocce and pétanque
- It starts at the novice level, so beginners do not feel intimidated
Cons:
- It mostly covers petanque instead of an actual bocce ball game
- A few readers did not like the tone that the author used
3. A Bocce Ferme
Those who want to read about a different version of bocce might want to consider an Italian novel entitled A Bocce Ferme.
It is a murder-mystery novel that starts with the re-opening of an old murder case, which was never solved.
It concerns the death of Alberto Corradi, an owner of a pharmaceutical company, who left a will upon death. Unfortunately, Alberto’s son and universal heir, Matteo Corradi, cannot inherit the company because it was obtained through crime.
The rest of the plot follows the investigation as it encounters turning points and new crimes.
The book has an overall gripping story, according to many readers.
However, some users preferred reading the author’s other book series. Bocce enthusiasts might also be disappointed because the novel does not discuss the sport in any way.
With that said, A Bocce Ferm is still an interesting read about a different kind of bocce.
Pros:
- The crime investigation hooks you in from the first page
- A page-turner fiction book
- It is a part of a book series, which means you have the option to read the stories of the other characters
Cons:
- The book does not talk about bocce in a sporting sense
- Some readers preferred reading the author’s other works instead of this particular book
4. The Secret History of Balls: The Stories Behind the Things We Love to Catch, Whack, Throw, Kick, Bounce and Bat
The Secret History of Balls is another fun book to read if you want to learn more about bocce.
It talks about the different sports that use balls. It does not matter if these balls are dribbled, crushed, smacked, kicked, and thrown. Most games are covered as long as they involve balls in play.
According to the author of this book, balls are the unsung heroes of sports. He offers insight into 60 different balls, regardless of the construction materials that they use.
Furthermore, this book discusses the popular backyard sport of bocce briefly. It touches on the history of the balls as well as the different materials they are made of.
Despite these benefits, some bocce aficionados wished that the book contained more in-depth research. A few users also did not like the humorous tone that the author used, especially when talking about the history of each game.
Overall, though, The Secret History of Balls is still worth considering for its fun yet insightful take on bocce ball and other sports.
Pros:
- It tackles different sports that use balls in a humorous way
- It talks about the different materials used in ball sports
- The book briefly discusses bocce history
Cons:
- It might lack in-depth research on some sports
- The author uses a humorous tone throughout the book, which might irk serious history readers
5. Spaghetti Park
If you are looking for a fun book about bocce for your children, consider getting Spaghetti Park.
It is a fun and light read about playing bocce in the neighborhood park. It depicts the many joys of this casual backyard game and simplest recreational pastime.
This children’s book follows Angelo as he plans to restore the park where his grandfather used to relax and play bocce. He even organizes a clean-up crew to put it back to its old state.
To sum up, Spaghetti Park is targeted at kids of all ages. However, this fictional book does not talk about facts about bocce sport. So if you want to learn more about bocce, this product is not the right one for you.
Pros:
- A fun and light read
- It is ideal for children of all ages
- It only has around 30 pages, which makes it easy to finish reading
Cons:
- It is targeted at children instead of adults
- A fiction book about bocce lacks facts about the sport
6. Winning Pétanque
The last item in this list of the best books about the recreational sport of bocce is Winning Pétanque.
It mainly focuses on the classic game of throwing balls, which is known as pétanque in French. This book about bocce seeks to teach you the techniques, strategies, tactics to play well.
Additionally, this sports bocce book explore the many throwing forms worldwide. It is supported by step-by-step instructions and multiple illustrations that effectively help you master the pétanque. Most techniques are also applicable to bocce, which reduces the need to check out several books about bocce.
Furthermore, the author discusses the physics of boule interactions. It can get technical, but it can help you in anticipating the behavior of the balls after an impact from another ball.
The main part of the book ends with a summary of the most common mistakes players make, which prevents them from mastering technique of winning, and suggestions to improve their gameplay.
Overall, Winning Pétanque is among the best books about the sport of throwing balls
Pros:
- The book focuses on pétanque and how it relates to bocce
- It discusses several strategies and tactics that can help you win in every match
- It talks about the most common mistakes players make
Cons:
- The book can get technical, which might not bring joy while reading
Conclusion
That sums up my favorite books about bocce balls! Each one offers an interesting perspective about bocce. To learn more about the differences in these very similar sports, check out my article on lawn bowling vs pétanque vs bocce.
But my top recommendation is The Joy of Bocce. It focuses on bocce ball facts, with hundreds of informative photographs and diagrams to support them. This book also discusses the long history of the sport. Furthermore, it offers essential techniques and strategies on how to win at a bocce game. Overall, the Joy of Bocce is an informative book about bocce.
