NOW that the World Cup is under way, there are doubtless those among you for whom the 'beautiful game' continues to remain mysterious and elusive.

Not, of course, that you should need to feel ashamed about this, but should you want to take part in everyday conversation over the next few weeks, you may wish to take a crash course in World Cup minutiae,

If only so you can occasionally announce to your work colleagues: "We were better when we played 4:4:2...", here, courtesy of Waterstone's book shop in Bath, is our guide to the very best in footie literature.

One afternoon spent poring over these and even you will be able to understand why Sven-Goran Eriksson wears his hair the way he does.

'66: The Inside Story of England's World Cup Triumph by Roger Hutchinson. £7.99.

On page one Mr Hutchinson writes: "I remember the last 13 minutes of normal time only as dizzy moments of extreme terror..." and after that things just get better.

Like that other great sporting tome, A Good Walk Spoiled: Days and Nights on the PGA Tour by John Feinstein, you do not necessarily need to understand or even like the sport to get caught up in the drama of the tale.

Terrific reading, although a word of warning it will cause you to wish yourself back to 1966.

Great Goal, Gorgeous Legs: 101 Things to Do if Your Boyfriend Makes You Watch the Football by Charlie Croker. £2.99.

Ah, just the kind of invitation to encourage tiffs, squabbles and rows.

You need never be fed up with footie again. "After reading this book, you will see it as a whole new ball game" promise the publishers.

It is easy to see why. For instance, one of the book's gems is to "wait for your boyfriend to calm down after celebrating a goal. Then explain to him that's how you feel about curtains".

Or "ask your boyfriend why he's perfectly happy to ask a complete stranger in the pub who's on the bench for United, but will never stop and ask strangers for directions when you're lost".

Just remember, it will bring you closer together.

The Unofficial 2002 World Cup Referees Joke Book £3.99.

Memorise as many of these gags as possible and then arrogantly swagger into your local pub, sit on a bar stool and start holding court.

Absolute crackers include: "Why did the chickens get sent off during the World Cup final? For fowl play! "

Or "What do you call a referee who has been dead and buried for thousands of years? Pete!"

The World Cup: The COMPLETE History by Terry Crouch. £12.99.

Huge volume this, so may initially prove intimidating. Our advice is to read just the second from last chapter, 1998 France 10 June-12 July.

Swot up on all the basic trivia (who qualified, who didn't and which group) and with careful rehearsal, you should be able to fool even the most opinionated of taxi drivers.

Sven-Goran Eriksson on Football with Willi Railo and Hakan Matson. £6.99.

"I know what to expect," writes Sven. "I didn't take the job for the money and not for the weather either! I took it because it's England."

In case you are wondering, Sven is currently the England manager. In order to impress, all you need do is commit to memory his philosophies on self-confidence ("All it takes is a little bad luck in a couple of matches for a team to begin to lose faith in their own ability") and playing in general ("Play offensively. Quick passing. Think ahead. Plenty of running off the ball. Close all gaps...").

You will wow the whole office.

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby. £6.99.

What is there to not like about this book? Whether or not you like football or can clearly explain offside, this is a book about life and love and dreams which also manages to be brilliantly and consistently funny. Laugh-out-loud funny.

In fact, forget the footie, period, and just sit back and lose yourself in Hornby's oh-so-true world.