The best books for men, recommended by publishing insiders

Why they'll love it: This major new memoir from Sir Alex Ferguson sheds new light on the real stories behind the headlines, and is filled with never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia from his private archives.

For men who are into: Football, Manchester United, sports memoirs, iconic matches, the Premier League.

Great for fans of: My Autobiography by Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville’s The People’s Game.

What the experts say: 'This book is out in October, so add it to your mental list as a future Christmas gift for a football fan once again facing a glum four year wait until the next World Cup. Nothing will fill that void like seventy years of football history told by the most successful manager of all time. A memoir told through the lens of twenty-one games, it’s a remarkable celebration of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy in the game, as well as a reflection on leadership, drive and teamwork.' Will Upcott, Digital Marketing Manager

Why they'll love it: Comedian, screenwriter (The Young Ones, Blackadder) and author Ben Elton has done everything and worked with everybody. Now, in this frank, forthright, and hugely entertaining book, he tells the whole story, with, of course a ‘little bit of politics’. 

For men who are into: Funny books, comedy, celebrity memoirs, inside stories.

Great for fans of: Berserker! by Adrian Edmondson, More Fool Me by Stephen Fry, British comedy, The Young Ones, Blackadder, Upstart Crow.

What the experts say: 'Ben Elton's writing and comedy have undeniably shaped our entertainment landscape as we know it today. This autobiography is a great and candid insight into the life and work of someone who has consistently rattled cages from the left to the right.' Tom Coombes, Communications Executive

Why they'll love it: Both a portrait of one of Britain’s most beloved musicians and an account of a strange and turbulent period of British history, this book captures – with both joy and poignancy – one of Britain’s greatest artists in all his musical glory.

For men who are into: George Michael and Wham!, 80s and 90s music, biography, recent British history, celebrity.

Great for fans of: Craig Brown's One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time and David Mitchell's Unruly.

Why they'll love it: Written and illustrated by the multi-award-winning Christian Robinson, Dad draws inspiration from the animal world to break stereotypes of fatherhood and pay tribute to the huge range of relationships dads have with their kids.

For men who are into: Being a dad! This is a perfect Father's Day gift, or present for a new dad.

Great for fans of: My Dad by Anthony Browne, Baking With Dad by Aurora Cacciapuoti.

Why they'll love it: This is the groundbreaking memoir from the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee: the story of our modern age.

For men who are into: Memoirs, technology, AI, social media, disinformation, tech giants.

Great for fans of: Yuval Noah Harari, Source Code by Bill Gates.

What the experts say: 'Berners-Lee not only recounts the genesis of the web, which he famously gave away for free, but also provides a crucial, optimistic manifesto for its future, addressing contemporary issues like Generative AI, data privacy, and online polarisation. It’s an essential read for anyone interested in leadership, innovation and the evolution of our digital world, and a powerful call to action to shape technology for all, not just for profit. Let's learn from his example.' Lyndon Branfield, General Counsel, Macmillan Publishers

Why they'll love it: This page-turner is the first legal thriller from the million-copy bestselling Secret Barrister, writing as S. J. Fleet – an author with incomparable insider’s knowledge.

For men who are into: Legal thrillers, books with twists, courtroom dramas.

Great for fans of: The Secret Barrister, Mick Herron’s The Secret Hours, Sarah Vaughan’s Anatomy of a Scandal, C. J. Tudor’s The Chalk Man.

What the experts say: 'Members of the jury, today I will show you the book to buy for the men in your life who were hooked/moved/haunted by Adolescence. The Cut Throat Trial covers a court case over the murder of an elderly teacher, with three seventeen-year-old boys standing accused. This is no straightforward case as all of the defendants blame one another, one refuses to speak and the whole trial is being muddled by blunders in court proceedings. Charge: A suspenseful read that puts the legal system and societal pressures on teenagers under cross-examination. Verdict: Guilty.' Will Upcott, Digital Marketing Manager

Why they'll love it: This is an utterly gripping story of survival on a hostile planet from Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Children of Time.

For men who are into: First contact stories, hard sci-fi, space survival epics. 

Great for fans of: Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

What the experts say: 'This is science fiction at its best. Tchaikovsky, known for his ability to make you empathise with spiders, builds an incredible narrative based on a crash-landing on a pitch-black planet. The tense human story entwined with the narrative from the perspective of the alien lifeforms they encounter builds to make a unique story of surviving against all odds. This might be my favourite Adrian Tchaikovksy book.' Michael Beale, Editor, Tor

Why they'll love it: First published in 1968, and shortlisted for the first ever Booker Prize, From Scenes Like These remains a powerful read. It follows two teenagers trying to make something of themselves in 1950s Scotland, as they get inescapably caught up in violence and family feuds.

For men who are into: Cult classics, Scottish literature, literary fiction. 

Great for fans of: Douglas Stuart, James Kelman, Irvine Welsh, Graeme Armstrong.

What the experts say: 'Set in working-class Scotland in the 1950s, this forgotten classic follows the coming-of-age story of a teenage boy navigating a world of hardy men. It's packed with wit, charm, and unforgettable characters that natter in the dark corners of cosy pubs after a hard day's graft. A rediscovered gem deserving of more readers!' Connor Hutchinson, Publicity Manager, Picador

Why they'll love it: This is a nail-biting, time-travelling police procedural from bestselling author Nicholas Binge.

For men who are into: Time travel, sci-fi, detective stories, high stakes thrillers.

Great for fans of: Dark Matter and Recursion by Blake Crouch, Philip K. Dick, Bodies (TV show) and Tenet (film).

What the experts say: 'A time-bending procedural set against the ticking clock of the apocalypse. When a billionaire is found dead, infamous detective Julia Torgrimsen is pulled from retirement. But the discovery of a second, identical body launches her into a conspiracy with world-ending stakes.' Michael Beale, Editor, Tor