Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisA warm and highly entertaining account of Dietmar Hamman''s personal story, The Didi Man was a Sunday Times bestseller on hardback publication. Dietmar ''Didi'' Hamann is a complete one-off. The foreigner with a Scouse accent. The German who now plays cricket for his local village team. The overseas footballer turned anglophile who fell deeply in love with the city of Liverpool, its people and its eponymous football club. The classy midfielder had a long and distinguished playing career, but it was his seven seasons at Anfield that marked him out forever as a true Liverpool legend. His cult status was secured when he came off the bench at half-time during the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul to inspire his team to a dramatic come-back and spectacular European glory. The Didi Man is Hamann''s story of his time on Merseyside at a football club which will always have a very special place in his heart.Trade Review'The real selling point of this book is Hamann's receptivity to the game and those around him, his cool widsom warmed by a self-deprecating humour and constant desire to better himself' * WSC *'In his enthralling book, Hamann offers a matter of fact but powerful snapshot of his life' * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisColin Shindler was dealt a cruel hand by Fate when he became a passionate Manchester City supporter. In this brilliant sporting autobiography he recalls the great characters of his youth, like his eccentric Uncle Laurence, as well as his professional heroes. Threaded through these sporting events is the author''s own story, which touches on a universal nerve, growing up in a Jewish family, his childhodd destroyed by the sudden death of his mother and his slow emotional recovery through his love for Manchester City. It is a tale that reveals what it is like to be on the outside looking in, with his nose pressed up against the sweet shop window watching the United supporters take all the wine gums.Trade ReviewThis is a wonderful book ... It is also extremely funny * Alan English, Sunday Times *His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more * Jim White, Guardian *It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve * Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday *Shindler's art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City * Howard Davies, The Times *Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it's skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league * Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail *Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted * Michael Henderson, The Times *Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler's down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment * The Times *This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?" * Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News *As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered * Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman *This is a wonderful book ... It is also extremely funny * Alan English, Sunday Times *His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more * Jim White, Guardian *It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve * Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday *Shindler's art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City * Howard Davies, The Times *Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it's skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league * Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail *Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted * Michael Henderson, The Times *Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler's down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment * The Times *This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?" * Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News *As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered * Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman *This is a wonderful book ... It is also extremely funny * Alan English, Sunday Times *His prose ... is never less than sharp, smart and easy on the eye ... His writing is so attractive ... [I] would be thrilled to read more * Jim White, Guardian *It is his childhood and absent friends that touch the rawest, universal nerve * Simon Garfield, Mail on Sunday *Shindler's art lies in conversational writing, and an ability to change gear deftly from humour to devotion and back through fanaticism to the black comedy of Manchester City * Howard Davies, The Times *Shindler is both touching and convincing in his evocation of his formative years ... it's skilful, entertaining and heading for the top of the league * Richard Pendlebury, Daily Mail *Evocative, funny-sad and warm-hearted * Michael Henderson, The Times *Sits in the same class as Fever Pitch ... Shindler's down-to-the-bone honesty also reminds us self-indulgence can be great entertainment * The Times *This could still be the most important football book since Fever Pitch capturing, as it does, the delicious irony that caused City fans to fall into a soon to be legendary chorus of "Are you watching Macclesfield?" * Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News *As an example of the inherent irrationality of sport, his account - part autobiography, part social disquisition - could hardly be bettered * Stuart Bathgate, Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisThree-time Emmy Sports Award winner and popular host of TNT's Inside the NBA provides a never-before-seen look at his life both on and off screen, from his rise to the top of sports broadcasting to raising a special needs child from Romania.

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Book SynopsisLeeds United's biggest crowd of the 2004-05 season was for a testimonial match. The 37,889 who packed into Elland Road were paying tribute to Lucas Radebe, the South African international who so captured the hearts of Leeds fans that they still chant his name years after he retired. This book tells his story.

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Book SynopsisThe Yorkshire Hunter tells the story of boxing champion Paul Ingle, endearing and enduring product of one of Scarborough's toughest housing estates, who never deserted his roots. It is the tale of a fighter who won world titles and represented his country but who, left with a blood clot on his brain, fought his fiercest battle outside the ring.Trade ReviewJoe Calzaghe - "An excellent fighter and a good champion and a great guy. He was a very special talent and showed that against Naz - at a time when Naz was invincible Paul caused him a lot of problems and was unlucky to lose. One of them was going to run out of steam and it was unlucky it was him. Billy Hardy - "Paul's work rate was immense. He was called the Yorkshire Hunter for a reason! When he had somebody on the back foot, he wouldn't let them off the hook with his power and energy." Johnny Nelson - "A true Yorkshireman through and through. If you looked up Yorkshire Terrier in the dictionary there should be a picture of Paul Ingle there. He was in it for the game not the fame." Glen McCrory - "Every time he won a new title, he would become the first featherweight British champ, then first Commonwealth etc in Scarborough. Everything he did came with a headline. He re-wrote history every time he stepped in the ring and the people in the local area loved him for that. Especially as he never wanted to move away. They were loyal to him - he repaid that loyalty at every opportunity he could. A gritty, fiery, determined, tough individual, who would always give better than his best every time he stepped into the ring." IBO President, Ed Levine - "Winning two world titles that day in the boxing mecca of the United States has to be the pinnacle for any champion." Graham Earl - "I've sparred with a number of world champions and I can honestly say he's one of the most down to earth likeable person to have ever worn a world title belt and to have become a friend of his is something very special to me. A true world champion and a humble guy inside and outside of the ring. Even if I try hard, I can't think of a bad thing to say about the fella." Adam Smith - "I have always had a soft spot for Paul Ingle. A true fighter through his career, and an even braver fighter after it. Paul always had a wonderful sense of humour and was a pleasure to interview. Still has, and still is. A world class boxing man through and through." Robin Reid - "He shouldn't be remembered for what happened at the end of his career, he should be remembered for what he achieved during it. He was an incredible fighter." Tris Dixon, editor of Boxing News - "What a warrior, what an underrated warrior Ingle was. Paul was a throwback, he would hunt you down, chase you all night and thrill those who'd paid to watch the brutal little man at work."

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Book SynopsisThe Times Sports Books of the Year'Cracking read . . . loved it' – Piers Morgan'Packed with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names' – The MirrorWith a foreward from Alan Shearer.There are just a handful of people who have been ever-present for the thirty years of the Premier League, but only one person has been at the very epicentre for the entire period: Geoff Shreeves. From signalling the very first ball to be kicked on Sky’s Premier League coverage to facing down Sir Alex Ferguson’s wrath (on countless occasions), Geoff is an integral part of the football fabric, respected by everybody in the game while still asking the toughest questions. Geoff’s interviews with Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsène Wenger, Frank Lampard and Alan Shearer have become the stuff of legend, but it is his close personal relationships with the game’s star names that really sets him apart.PackTrade ReviewWhen it’s the showpiece game of the weekend and it’s on Sky Sports, you know Geoff will be there. No one handles the big moments better -- Jordan HendersonThe man who asks the questions now gives the answers -- Henry Winter, Chief Football Writer for The TimesA legend of television journalism -- Arsène WengerThroughout my career, Geoff is always there and always fair. As a player and a manager, you can’t ask for more than that -- Frank LampardGeoff has always been professional, honest and authentic in all the time we’ve worked together. He has a special way of connecting with his line of questioning -- Steven GerrardGood times. Bad times. Who is always there? Geoff is always there and he does his job perfectly -- Jose MourinhoPacked with brilliant anecdotes about the biggest names * The Mirror *Cracking read by a brilliant reporter – loved it -- Piers MorganSometimes, all that is needed is a bit of fun, and for that you can turn to Cheers, Geoff, by Geoff Shreeves, who is generous with his anecdotes * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERWinner of Sports Autobiography of the YearForeword by Ben Shephard‘Everyone loves Kammy . . . Full of humour and endless blunders’ – The Times'What a man, what a life, what a story, and what a great read' – Paddy McGuinnessPresenter, commentator, (sometimes masked) singer, footballer, manager and campaigner, Kammy has done it all. His irrepressible enthusiasm – and a couple of legendary gaffes on Sky Sports – have seen him become broadcasting royalty.Now Kammy reveals all in this funny and moving autobiography. What happens when you double cross José Mourinho? What it’s like to play with Vinnie Jones? Who comes off better: Kammy or a rampaging gorilla? How did Kammy end up releasing his own top-ten record? What's the real story behind his infamous line, 'I don't know, Jeff!'?But despite the crazy tales, it hasn'Trade ReviewI thought I knew Kammy well. I obviously don’t because I didn’t think he could read or write -- Bradley WalshThey broke the mould when they made Kammy. He's one of the great characters in the game -- Sam AllardyceI have always expected the unexpected with Kammy, but I never expected this! A touching, well-written and of course funny insight into Boro’s best! -- Jeff StellingKammy is one of my heroes. What you see is what you get. A talented (and daft) lad from the Boro who has entertained the nation for decades, on and off the pitch. So get the tissues ready – this book will make you laugh and cry in equal measure -- Steph McGovernI was lucky enough to get to know Kammy recently whilst working with him – a warm, funny, caring person that made me wish I’d known him all his life. This book makes this wish come true – what a great read, from the first chapter to the last! -- Jill ScottWhat a man, what a life, what a story, and what a great read -- Paddy McGuinnessI don't know why the f*** I read this, I know most of it. Kammy's cross at Bournemouth when we both played for Leeds made us brothers for life, and thank God he bailed me out when I got arrested in Spain. Great stories - I love this man -- Vinnie JonesEveryone loves Kammy . . . full of humour and endless blunders * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2021WINNER OF THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE YEARTHE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEARTHE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'The best book about racism I’ve ever read' Piers MorganThrough the prism of sport and conversations with its legends, including Usain Bolt, Adam Goodes, Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Makhaya Ntini, Naomi Osaka and Hope Powell, Michael Holding explains how racism dehumanises people; how it works to achieve that end; how it has been ignored by history and historians; and what it is like to be treated differently just because of the colour of your skin.Rarely can a rain delay in a cricket match have led to anything like the moment when Holding spoke out in the wake of tTrade Review'The best book about racism I’ve ever read. Powerful, passionate, challenging, and, like the author’s fast bowling, at times very uncomfortable. I learned a lot & it made me think a lot.' -- Piers Morgan, TV presenter and journalist'One of the most important [books] of the year, and certainly among the most powerful... If anything will change the way we see the world it is this - the sports book of the year.' -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail, Sports Books of the Year *'This powerful book...recounts unsparing stories of prejudice and injustice, but the best passages are when Holding writes from the heart.' -- Matt Dickinson * The Times, Sports Book of the Year *'Holding writes of his personal guilt at rolling with the racist punches throughout his career... The language is raw, his observations unsparing, but there is no more important sports book this year.' -- Ben Taylor * Sunday Times, Sport Books of the Year *'This amazing book' -- Chris Evans * Virgin Radio *'The outstanding book by a mile' -- Danny Kelly * Talksport *'The most important book by a sportsperson you may ever read. But calling it a sports book would not remotely do it justice... Why We Kneel, How We Rise is powerful precisely because, even after confronting the horror on a scale that makes your blood boil, it tells us that there is still, and always will be, hope.' -- Nakul Pande * The Cricketer *'[A] meticulously researched jeremiad, which details centuries of prejudice.' -- Simon Kuper and Murad Ahmed * Financial Times, Sports Books of the Year *'Shocking and at times difficult to read... The relentless accrual of detail tracks a process of dehumanisation of the black race...and it presents an inarguable case. Holding and his co-writer Ed Hawkins have taken a vast and complex subject and made it human.' -- Jon Hotten * Wisden Cricket Monthly *'There’s a good reason this offering from the legendary West Indies cricketer claimed the prestigious [William Hill] award this year. It looks at the root cause of racism and offers an unsettling, eye-opening read for those lucky enough to avoid it in our daily lives. But it’s not simply a story of how bad things are; it’s a powerful call for change and is infused with optimism for a better tomorrow.' -- Cathal Dennehy * Irish Independent *'An incredible book. This tome straddles sport, sociology, anthropology and global politics, and holds a mirror to humanity, warts and all... It is remarkable to know that he achieved all that he aspired to do. This conscience-stirrer of a book will defy time. This book is a classic, one that will make you aware that inequality is a horrific reality and it is time to change that.' -- K.C.Vijaya Kumar * The Hindu *'A sober, densely researched account of racial discrimination' * Morning Star *

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union’s rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era.Martin Bayfield has a story to tell. Indeed, some might describe it as a very tall story. Standing at 6ft 10ins, the former England and British and Irish Lions second row remains one of the tallest players ever to have played international rugby, and his immense physical stature made him one of the most destructive forwards in the world game. He played for England during one of the most successful eras in English rugby, winning two Grand Slams alongside legendary players such as Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott, Brian Moore and Rory Underwood. His international heyday came at a seminal moment for rugby union when, almost overnight, it was transformed from a noble minority sport toTrade Review'The best raconteur in the game' -- James Haskell

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Book SynopsisAt Old Trafford, in the corridors of power, Maurice Watkins was the guiding force. As the club solicitor, and later a director, for thirty-six years he was the man to whom Manchester United turned to negotiate the legal minefields. In his autobiography, written before his passing in 2021, the layers of secrecy are peeled back to expose the brilliance of a character who shaped the club''s destiny.From the sacking of Tommy Docherty, through the late-night drive to Scotland to lure Alex Ferguson to the hot seat, to the courtroom defence of Eric Cantona for his ''kung-fu kick'' on an abusive fan, Maurice Watkins was the key figure behind the scenes at United. Yet he was also front and centre for the triumphs under Ferguson and the rise of players such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Later, a lifelong love of sports made him a natural for leadership roles throughout the sporting world.Legally Red takes you into the boardroom of one of the greatest football

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Book SynopsisThe long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein. There''s no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades - operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with Arsène Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game.Calling the Shots is part memoir, part inspirational meditation on leadership, teamwork and how to invest in people. It tracks the full story of David''s remarkable life and career to date, recounting never-before-told stories from the inside, intriguing characters met along the way, and discussing the past, present and future of football. An entertaining and motivational read for football and non-football fans alike, Calling the Shots is a dynamic masterclass in how to succeed in business and life.Trade ReviewA man I like to call my father - football royalty * Ian Wright *Without David Dein there wouldn't have been a Premier League * Greg Dyke *Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal * Thierry Henry *If you want to know how to run a football club, ask David Dein * Baroness Karren Brady CBE *David is one of the most influential executives in world football. I was always in admiration of the work he did at Arsenal . . . success delivered with class. * Gareth Southgate *An Arsenal fan who became its owner, its saviour and later its martyr * Guardian *The book is a treasure trove of anecdotes * City AM *Absolutely loved it! So many great stories . . . and such a vivid reminder of just how vital David was to our great club and how much we've missed him. -- Piers Morgan

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Book SynopsisThe London 2012 Olympic medalist on his stunning comeback.Mark Todd''s eventing career is the stuff of legends and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time.When he ''retired'' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named ''Rider of the Century'' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. He has also show jumped to Olympic level and trained winners on the racecourse. Considered a legendary horseman by his peers, he seemed to have done it all.He returned to train racehorses in his native New Zealand but, eight years later, the idea of a comeback took root, part dare, part personal challenge to see if he could still cut it in a changed sport. Within eight months, he was riding at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in 2011 he hit the headlines by becoming the oldest rider to win Badminton. This was soTrade ReviewThis compelling and entertaining biography reveals the fierce determination and discipline it takes to become named, rider of the century. * BIG ISSUE *This book shows Toddy's humorous side as well as his steely determination and the sacrifices he's made for his love of this tough and dangerous sport. -- Kath Rhodes * WELSH COUNTRY *...a must-read. Mark is a great storyteller and his humorous tales and matter-of-fact approach to life will keep you hooked from beginning to end. It is a book that's hard to put down. * HORSE MAGAZINE *

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Book SynopsisKenny Dalglish''s relationship with Liverpool Football Club is one of the great love stories of sport. From the moment he first set foot in the Anfield dressing room, Dalglish felt a passion for Liverpool stir within him. After joining from Celtic in 1977, the supremely gifted striker was embraced by Liverpool fans, for the goals and the glory, and most especially for the three European Cups.The Kop''s adoration of King Kenny has never ebbed. Liverpool fans have never forgotten how Dalglish held the club together through two tragedies, the first at the Heysel stadium in Brussels in 1985 and then at Hillsborough in 1989. Both disasters are explored in emotional detail in My Liverpool Home. For the sake of his health and his family, Dalglish eventually resigned and Liverpool have not won the title since. However, in his heart he never really left and he has now returned, playing a pivotal role, following the departure of Roy Hodgson, in this turbulent period in the club''s history.My Liverpool Home is the story of Dalglish''s epic love affair with Liverpool, tracing the highs and lows, the characters, the laughter, the tears, and the many triumphs.

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Book SynopsisOpen Championship hero Darren Clarke tells the gripping and moving story of his life as Britain's best-loved golfer.

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Book SynopsisA year in the life of the most successful darts player of all timeTrade ReviewTaylor makes a proud argument for the nobility of his sport, recently reborn as a gladiatorial spectacle packed for 9,000-seater arenas and yet still somehow coming from a reassuringly down-to-earth place. * The Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARDAILY TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEARLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017What is being on form? How does it relate to feeling ''in the zone''? Are these states in the lap of the gods, a matter of which side of the bed we got out of that morning? Or is there anything we can do to make their arrival more likely?In this fascinating book, former England cricket captain and psychoanalyst Mike Brearley draws on his own experiences, both on and off the field, and examines many of the elements of being in and out of form across a number of different disciplines - not only in cricket and psychoanalysis but also in finance, music, philosophy, medicine, teaching, tree surgery and drama.Perceptive and engaging, On Form is an exploration of the benefits and risks of being on form and can help us all reflect on the range of conditions that block or liberate us.Trade ReviewFascinating -- Ivo Tennant * The Cricketer *Engaging -- Martin Chilton * Daily Telegraph *Endlessly curious and unapologetically intellectual * The Times *Accessible -- William Joll * The Oldie *Fascinating * Choice *Interesting * New Statesman *This is a book that offers insight not just into cricket, but into every walk of life; not just into the state of being on form itself, but into everything that surrounds it; and not just into the reader, but into the author himself * All Out Cricket *Epic journey of a book -- Dominic Lawson * Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis''Excellent . . . an in-depth excavation of the murky and mysterious world of football business. Smith''s candid and often shocking book reveals the true workings of football business that take into account things few of us even could even imagine . . . The Deal answers some of those questions and leaves you wanting more. It is an educational tool that most fans could do with researching'' Joe Short, ExpressFootball analysis has grown at the same exponential rate as the sport''s popularity and yet one of its most intrinsic elements remains tantalisingly opaque: the role of ''agent''. The Deal is a unique and fascinating perspective into the business of sports management through the eyes of ''Mr Football'', ''super-agent'', Jon Smith. 800,000 watch their professional football team play each week and TV pulls in audiences of around 600 million. Despite these phenomenal figures, the complex money-making scene behind sport is one of its biggest mysteries. Trade ReviewA book which shines a light on a much discussed though little understood aspect of the football business ... A rare insight -- Ian Herbert The IndependentJon Smith's The Deal is the page turner of 2016, the most fascinating behind-the-scenes account of football I have read ...Excellent ... an in-depth excavation of the murky and mysterious world of football business. Smith's candid and often shocking book reveals the true workings of football business that take into account things few of us even could even imagine ... The Deal answers some of those questions and leaves you wanting more. It is an educational tool that most fans could do with researching -- Joe Short ExpressJon Smith knows the business of football like no one else * GQ *An innovator within his field * Jewish Chronicle *A fascinating insight * footballfancast.com *This insightful expose ... will impress any serious fans of the beautiful game * Heat *

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Book SynopsisThat Will Be England Gone is a tour d'horizon of cricket in England from April to September.Trade ReviewAbsolutely and completely loved this book by Michael Henderson - love letter, memoir, lament, polemic. Read, in place of cricket * Marina Hyde *Michael Henderson is one of the most knowledgeable writers there is about the summer game. In this vibrant chronicle of the 2019 cricket season, he travels around England taking the temperature of the sport he loves. The result is pure gold . . . The book is also a love poem to an England fast disappearing . . . For those who fear the worst for the sport they love, this is like cool, clear water for a man dying of thirst. It's barnstorming, coruscating stuff, and as fine a book about the game as you'll read for years -- Michael Simkins * Mail on Sunday *Philip Larkin's line "that will be England gone" is the premise of this fascinating book which is about music, literature, poetry and films as well as cricket. Henderson is that rare bird, a reporter with a fine grasp of time and place, but also a stylist of enviable quality and perception * Michael Parkinson *Admirers of Neville Cardus and A. E. Housman will warm to Michael Henderson's elegy for an ideal England. A rich roast dinner of cricket, music, topography, nostalgia and anecdote, washed down with prose as smooth and satisfying as a pint of Otter Ale * Sebastian Faulks *Charming . . . a threnody for a vanished and possibly mythical England -- Sebastian Faulks * Sunday Times *Lyrical . . . [Henderson's] pen is filled with the romantic spirit of the great Neville Cardus . . . Thisbook is an extended love letter, a beautifully written one, to a world that he is desperate to keep alive forothers to discover and share. Not just his love of cricket, either, but of poetry and classical music and finecinema . . . A book that started out as an elegy for a changing game seems more poignant now -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *To those who love both cricket and the context in which it is played, the book is rather wonderful, and moving -- Simon Heffer * Daily Telegraph *It is about cricket but also about much more: landscape, place, poetry, music, national mythology . . . This is the book's authentic register, and it is haunted by loss -- Jason Cowley * New Statesman *Englishness itself, as much as cricket, is the main theme of Michael Henderson's genre-melding That Will Be England Gone . . . extremely readable . . . often amusing . . . That Will be England Gone is part memoir, part sports book, part essay . . . Given that this may be a summer without leather and willow, and that coughing has become taboo, Henderson's book provides a much-needed literary-cricketing alternative: a beautiful clearing of the throat -- Daniel Rey * Spectator *In a work that now seems improbably prescient, that same sense of gazing at a disappearing world has been articulated with great skill and, most of all, great affection by Michael Henderson . . . The book - a paean to the sub-culture of county cricket, its supporters, its players, its observers, its writers, its pubs and its arenas - was completed before the coronavirus crisis struck but its premise seems more pertinent thanever -- Oliver Holt * Mail on Sunday *A travelogue and a love letter to the festival and spa towns of England and in particular to the places where county cricket is played . . . Henderson writes beautifully about Cheltenham and Chesterfield and Trent Bridge in Nottingham, his favourite Test ground. You do not need to love cricket to feel the point -- Philip Collins * The Times *One of my favourite writers about cricket -- Martin Samuel * Daily Mail *Beautifully written piece of work . . . wonderful book - not just a sports book, which is why it is so good - is to be reminded, or even educated, of what it means to be English and of England's history * Yorkshire Post *All good sports books are about more than just sport, and this anti-modern elegy to an old rural England takes in countless bypaths from Vienna to Ken Dodd . . . Erudite and occasionally beautiful * Financial Times *Erudite . . . genuinely beautiful * Wisden Cricket Monthly *It would perhaps be a mistake to regard this as purely a cricket book. Each excursion to a cricket ground is preceded and accompanied by extensive digressions elsewhere. But the digressions are not wandering from the point, but carefully crafted scene-setting as Henderson provides the social, artistic and historical context for the cricket he witnesses. Rather than purely a cricket book, this is an elegy for a vanishing world with cricket as its framework -- Richard Lawrence * The Journal of the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians *Wonderful elegy to a game that, way more than any other, defines our shared identity . . . a timely reminderof what is missing from our lives in cricket's absence -- Jim White * The Oldie *Henderson has a gift for the telling phrase and illuminating anecdote -- Peter Wilby * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisLuis Suárez was a young boy already in love with football by the time his family moved from the countryside to Uruguay''s capital, Montevideo. The guile and trickery of the street kid made an impact with the country''s biggest club, Nacional, before he was spotted by Dutch scouts who brought him to Europe.Suárez was lured from Ajax to Merseyside by another iconic number 7, Kenny Dalglish. From that moment, he terrorised Premier League defences, driving a resurgent Liverpool towards their most exciting top-flight season in 24 years.But there is another side to Luis Suárez: the naturally fiery temperament which drives his competitiveness on the pitch. There was the very public incident with Patrice Evra of bitter rivals Manchester United, and the biting of Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.Then during the World Cup finals in Brazil, in a physical encounter against Italy, he bit defender Giorgi Chiellini on the shoulder. Banned from football for four months, d

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Book SynopsisFootball fans will love this insight into the life and mind of Big Sam. With nearly 20 years as a player - plus almost 25 years as a coach and manager - under his belt, Sam Allardyce is one of the most recognisable figures in British football.''Big Sam'' has been a robust defensive general throughout the seventies and eighties, and an imposing touchline presence as a gaffer since 1994.Over the last four decades, Allardyce has seen it all. The game he so loves is radically different to that in which he made his debut back in 1973, and in telling his wonderfully colourful story for the very first time, Allardyce talks intriguingly about the changing face of players and managers. His autobiography positively crackles with characteristic insight, honesty and hard-hitting opinions.

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Book SynopsisGraeme Souness is a Glasgow Rangers icon, and a Liverpool legend in the same bracket as Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.He has racked up getting on for fifty years in and around the world of professional football. The game has been his life, and his enduring passion.Souness has written a perceptive and opinionated autobiography. It chronicles one of the most successful and colourful careers in the history of British football. But it also provides an intriguing assessment of the game which has dominated his existence, drawing extensively on his incredibly rich and varied experiences as a player, manager and pundit.The result is a shrewd, incisive and hard-hitting memoir, at times tinged with hindsight and regret, which also grapples with many of the major talking points affecting the game today. It is shot through with Souness'' trademark tenacity and wisdom, and with fantastic anecdotes from his glittering career.In many ways, FoTrade ReviewWhen Graeme Souness talks about football there are, naturally enough, frequent reminders of how he played the game. Intelligence and confidence are much in evidence and some subjects are tackled as abrasively as opponents on the field once were. - The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Ronda Rousey''s My Fight Your Fight and John Kavanagh''s Win or Learn comes the first book from UFC fighter and now analyst Dan Hardy, who lifts the lid on his own career and writes with insight and eloquence on all things MMA and UFC, the brutal and ever-evolving sport that launched such superstars as Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping, Georges St-Pierre, Nate Diaz and Amanda Nunes.Dan Hardy''s first book is much more than a straightforward MMA autobiography. Taking the key fights from his career, Hardy explores the sport with the unparalleled insight that has made him the best analyst working today.From training in China with Shaolin monks, to how MMA helped him channel his rage, to psychedelics and the ceremony in Peru that changed his life, to tapping into his ''reptilian brain'' and the psychological warfare of UFC, to his epic title fight with Georges St-Pierre.Hardy also speaks eloquently of the heart condition that foTrade ReviewSkilfully described, captivating, and like the author himself, wholly authentic . . . In sharing his life story, Hardy offers inspiration and wisdom. He's also funny, engaging and thoroughly entertaining in the process. Highly recommended. * Flowvibration.com *

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Book SynopsisKieron Dyer''s memoir, Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late, is the first intimate and unsparing portrait of the failures and excesses of the generation of English footballers made rich beyond their wildest dreams by the post-1990 World Cup boom in the game and the explosion of the Premier League. It shares the same brutal honesty and self-awareness of the bestselling No Nonsense by Joey Barton and GoodFella by Craig Bellamy.In the public mind, Kieron Dyer came to symbolise so much of what was self-destructive about a group of football players known collectively as the ''Baby Bentley generation''. Nicknamed ''The King of Bling'' by the tabloid press, Dyer was caught up in many of the scandals that characterised the history of a talented crop of players who promised so much and delivered so little, a generation whose wages and lavish lifestyles began to alienate them from the fans who once worshipped them.The brash young man is gone now, and in his place Trade Reviewilluminating * Daily Mail *Searingly Honest * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisAs Kieran Read prepares to call time on his distinguished New Zealand career at the end of the Rugby World Cup, this is the open and honest life story of one of rugby''s greatest players, a legendary All Black and a two-time World Cup winner.Kieran Read first played for the All Blacks as a 23-year-old in 2008 and since then has amassed more than a century of Test appearances in the famous jersey. Now, after a stellar provincial, club and international career - including back-to-back World Cup victories - the New Zealand captain writes openly and honestly about his time in the game.Read takes to these pages with his trademark determination, lifting the lid on the unique pressures of succeeding as captain the most celebrated All Black of all time (Richie McCaw). He outlines the decisions that molded his career and uncovers the skills of the coaches who shaped him, while offering readers an inside account of how the world''s greatest team functions and thrives.<Trade Reviewone of the greats of our game ... a fantastic leader - Steve Hansen (All Blacks Head Coach)

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Book SynopsisRIP GIANLUCA VIALLI 1964-2023''I WANT TO INSPIRE PEOPLE.I WANT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT ME AND SAY:BECAUSE OF YOU I DIDN''T GIVE UP.''Goals is a very personal and deeply-moving collection of life-affirming and inspirational real-life stories from which the late Chelsea and Italy football legend Gianluca Vialli drew great strength and resolve whilst living with pancreatic cancer.The stories and the individuals involved were selected by Vialli because they offered him comfort and inspiration at the time of his greatest challenge, and he felt that they can do the same for many of us, whatever it might be that we are facing. The result is a beautifully-written and touching narrative which is by turns vital and poignant, spine-tingling and heart-rending.The very last story in Goals is Vialli''s own, bravely and movingly chronicling his battle with this cruel illness.Trade ReviewVialli has chosen 90 tales from the familiar - Jesse Owens, Billie Jean King - to some lesser-known, such as Alfonsina Strada, a pioneering woman who competed in the Giro d'Italia in 1924. His own chapter comes right at the end... a stark, moving account of the brutal physical and mental toll of months of cancer treatment. * The Times *The book ends with the most compelling story - as Vialli details how two bouts of cancer and chemotherapy affected him. * The Guardian *Goals, a collection of 90 inspirational stories from the world of sport, seems particularly timely as society tries to cope with the ongoing agonies and disruption of the coronavirus crisis. * Mail on Sunday *Goals is a fascinating list of people, some of whom you have never heard of and when you hear their stories you think to yourself "wow, that is incredible", as indeed is the career of Gianluca Vialli. * BBC Radio 5 Live with Nihal Arthanayake *

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Book SynopsisThe outspoken and hard-hitting autobiography of one of the most highly-rated, recognisable and controversial football referees of modern times.Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football''s top flight. He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he''s felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans.His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it''s really like to be in the referee''s spotlight. It offers numerous intriguing insights into the daily trials and tribulations, the acute stresses and strains, of a top-flight referee. Clattenburg takes the reader into the referee''s room, the players'' tunnel and out on the pitch to experience precisely what a referee goe

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Book Synopsis''pulls no punches'' The Sun''full of eventful tales from the past'' Daily Mail''punchy, earthy ... entertaining stories that capture football in an era long before sanitised PR and Instagram self-promotion'' The IndependentFrom West Ham''s cult hero, Julian Dicks, a hugely entertaining romp through football and the East End of the Eighties and Nineties.''Cult figure'' is a term hardly used in football these days: where have they all gone? In the sterile and corporate modern game, is there room for the mercurial midfielder or the tough-tackling defender or the pot-bellied goal poacher? Rewind two or three decades and British professional football was stuffed to the gunnels with these ''one-offs'': players with bags of talent, yes, but also lorryloads of personality and a hugely relatable quality which meant they''d all be playing Sunday morning park football if they hadn''t become professionals. No med

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Book Synopsis''pulls no punches'' The Sun''full of eventful tales from the past'' Daily Mail''punchy, earthy ... entertaining stories that capture football in an era long before sanitised PR and Instagram self-promotion'' IndependentFrom West Ham''s cult hero, Julian Dicks, a hugely entertaining romp through football and the East End of the Eighties and Nineties.''Cult figure'' is a term hardly used in football these days: where have they all gone? In the sterile and corporate modern game, is there room for the mercurial midfielder or the tough-tackling defender or the pot-bellied goal poacher? Rewind two or three decades and British professional football was stuffed to the gunnels with these ''one-offs'': players with bags of talent, yes, but also lorryloads of personality and a hugely relatable quality which meant they''d all be playing Sunday morning park football if they hadn''t become professionals. No media t

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Book SynopsisBob Shepton is an ordained minister in the Church of England in his late 70s, but spends most of his time sailing into the Arctic and making first ascents of inaccessible mountains. No tea parties for this vicar.Opening with the disastrous fire that destroyed his yacht whilst he was ice-bound in Greenland, the book travels back to his childhood growing up on the rubber plantation his father managed in Malaysia, moving back to England after his father was shot by the Japanese during the war, boarding school, the Royal Marines, and the church. We then follow Bob as he sails around the world with a group of schoolboys, is dismasted off the Falklands, trapped in ice, and climbs mountains accessible only from iceberg-strewn water and with only sketchy maps available. Bob Shepton, winner of the 2013 Yachtsman of the Year Award, is an old-school adventurer, and this compelling book is in the spirit of sailing mountaineer HW Tilman, explorer Ranulph Fiennes, climber Chris Bonington and yachtsTrade ReviewAn entertaining story told by a genuine adventurer * Sailing Today *You are going to enjoy this: a life, of adventure - surviving the war years on the far side of the world, sailing, climbing, ski mountaineering, in many different parts of the world. It is inspiring that a Reverend should stick his neck out in this way - battling Atlantic storms, losing a mast in Antarctica, sailing continually in the Arctic, making the first ascents of mountains, skiing across remote regions, climbing with world class climbers, and sailing through the North West Passage. As a Commando, Bob is clearly made of the right stuff! -- Bear GryllsHis expeditions have made over sixty first ascents of mountains and rock faces…all previously unclimbed, and he has been called ‘the modern Tilman’. All this as well as being, and often in conjunction with being, a Reverend. It’s an interesting and varied life; I commend it to you. -- Sir Chris Bonington * Foreword *This is the uniquely interesting and colourful life of a Anglican clergyman turned adventurer. A wonderful true tale of adventure with a wide variety of people of all ages, in different parts of the world and over many years, stretching from the days of the British Empire to the present. A truly interesting book, which I definitely recommend. -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes * Foreword *

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Book SynopsisPro gaming''s award-winning broadcaster Paul Redeye Chaloner brings us the definitive book on esports, the fastest growing entertainment phenomenon in the world today. Paul Redeye Chaloner is quite simply a legend of the esports scene. And now, he will use all his years of experience to write the definitive book on the modern world of esports. What is it? What is life like in an esports team? Just how much corruption and cheating goes on behind it all? And what''s it like to stand in front of thousands of people, broadcasting to millions over the world, as one team sits on the brink of earning millions? Redeye will reveal all.What is competitive gaming, and where did it come from? What makes it so exciting? The bitter esports team and country rivalries, the scandals, the money, the last-minute Hail Mary plays; it''s all here, brought to you with the trademark wit--and access--of the industry''s most respected and experienced broadcaster. He''ll even tell you hTrade ReviewPaul has been involved with competitive gaming from its earliest days and his knowledge shines through here. This book is full of terrific stories and insights from the inside, not only of the booms and the busts, but the fascinating people who’ve grown the scene. It’s a must read not only for those interested in the rise of esports but gaming history in general. -- T.L. Taylor, Professor Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyPaul Chaloner is a living legend in the esports space. He has seen it all, survived it all and helped build it all. His expertise has created global admiration and his faith and hard work in esports have played integral roles in building a digital sport for a new digital world -- Jason Lake, founder and CEO of Complexity GamingTable of ContentsIntroduction Then and Now PART 1 This is esports (And how to spell it) From coin-ops to icons 1995-2005: Esports 1.0 Boom and Bust From Shooters to MOBAs (and back again) Enter the Internet Are fighting games an esport? Mod Makers vs Game Owners PART 2 Rivalries Life in an esports Team Rags to riches Growing Pains A Global Industry Going Live Game Over: Ready for Retirement Already? Esports Levels up: What next?

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023 - SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR''What Ned hasn't seen on a sports TV channel isn't worth knowing about.''Gabby Logan''From falling out with Mourinho to flying with Gerrard, this is a wonderful journey through football.''Henry WinterSquare Peg, Round Ball is a candid, insightful reminiscence on a life in football.Although best known as ITV''s commentator on the Tour de France, Ned Boulting has spent most of his professional life covering football.Follow Ned''s journey from football supporter to reporter from criss-crossing the country in a banger of a car hoping for a word or two from the latest big signing, to the glamour of the Champions League. Ned really has been there, done that, and got the Sky Sports jacket to prove it.Witnessing the shenanigans, the machinations and the idiocy of football at close quarters Ned shares his best stories with affection. Whether it''s treading mud intTrade ReviewBELIEVABLE! * Chris Kamara *From falling out with Mourinho to flying with Gerrard, this is a wonderful journey through football. Insightful and funny * Henry Winter, chief football writer, The Times *Full of stories told with great affection -- the TelegraphA great read by one of sport's good guys. * Jonathan Liew, sports writer, The Guardian *A beautiful love letter to a love no longer felt. * Adrian Chiles *A bouncy, amusing and honest reminiscence. This is Ned in a nutshell. * Jim Beglin, BT Sport co-commentator and former Irish professional footballer *A funny, warm and wise book about football and the perpetual struggle to reach adulthood * Harry Pearson *Ned's perspective on football was always like no other – on one hand an amusingly stubborn refusal to succumb to its self-importance; on the other, a fascinated engagement with its narratives and culture. I promise you – nobody saw the game quite like he did * Peter Drury *Ned has seen it all from the excesses and madness of Sky Sports in the early years to the revolving door of ITV Sport which he stayed firmly on the right side of. What Ned hasn’t seen on a sports TV channel isn’t worth knowing about. * Gabby Logan *An elegant, stirring and often joyful journey through football and masculinity * Musa Okwonga *Table of Contents1. Anpfiff 2. Football is the Game 3. The Man With the Cone Upon His Head 4. Brown and White Dynamite 5. Football Factory 6. First Dance 7. Access Codes 8. Best 9. The End of the Day 10. Monkey Business 11. Gap Year 12. A Good Out 13. Wednesday's Child 14. Championship Form 15. The Colour Blue 16. The Skipper 17. Fußball Comes Home 18. Trans-Europe Express 19. Fick FUFA 20. Euro Exit 21. Abpfiff Epilogue Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2020 CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR''A genuine one-off with a ready wit and a killer anecdote to hand at all times'' - Ian Cleverly, Rouleur''Carlton Kirby is no ordinary cycling commentator, so it is not surprising that this very entertaining book is no ordinary Grand Tour on a bicycle. A very enjoyable journey for everyone'' - Phil Liggett MBE, NBC Tour de France commentator''Carlton Kirby''s infectious enthusiasm, wine tips and Shakespearean joy for inventing words makes every stage of a bike race a must-watch event'' - Matt Butler, i newspaperPrepare to be entertained as legendary Eurosport cycling commentator Carlton Kirby shares his tales from the road, taking you behind the scenes of the world''s greatest cycle races. With a candid authority that comes from over 25 years commentating on the world''s biggest cycling races, legendary Eurosport commentator CarltTrade ReviewCarlton is never lost for words, whether commentating or writing. A genuine one-off with a ready wit and a killer anecdote to hand at all times -- Ian Cleverly * Rouleur *Carlton Kirby is no ordinary cycling commentator, so it is not surprising that this very entertaining book is no ordinary Grand Tour on a bicycle. A very enjoyable journey for everyone -- Phil Liggett MBE, NBC Tour de France commentatorCarlton Kirby's infectious enthusiasm, wine tips and Shakespearean joy for inventing words makes every stage of a bike race a must-watch event -- Matt Butler * i newspaper *Carlton's commentary never fails to bring a bike race to life, he has to be the Dalai Lama of all TV commentators -- Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain Race DirectorThere's never a dull moment working with Carlton... I do try to keep him under control -- Joanna Rowsell-Shand MBE, Double Olympic Team Pursuit Gold Medallist and multiple World ChampionKirby pulls back the curtain to reveal behind-the-scenes antics from cycling's Grand Tours, laying bare the hilarious, leftfield and downright bizarre moments that covering the sport brings. * The Herald *Carlton's style often borders on controlled madness... sometimes without the control -- Brian Smith - commentator, team manager and British Road Race Champion 1991 & 1994I've heard all these stories before, but it was great to read them in silence... -- Dan Lloyd, GCN presenter and winner of the 2008 Vuelta ExtremaduraGet that bloody [Carlton] Kirby down here – I’d like to give him a good slap -- Mark Cavendish[Carlton Kirby] You make it sound like I’m not paying attention -- Chris FroomeTable of ContentsForeword by Sean Kelly 1 Life on Tour 2 The Breakfast of Kings 3 Drive to the Finish 4 Security, Good and Bad 5 The Five Lions 6 Kelly's Smalls 7 Cigarettes and Coffee 8 Carjack 9 Comfort Breaks 10 Attention Seekers! 11 Protestors 12 Slow Day 13 Feed Station 14 Having Fun - The Secret to Cycling Commentary 15 Relations Most Public 16 The Dark Side of Cycling 17 There is No Money! 18 Back on the Road 19 And So to Bed - Hotel Stories 20 Party Time! 21 The Greatest Ride 22 The Other Bikers 23 When the Plug Gets Pulled 24 How Do You Feel? 25 The Party's Over 26 And So It Comes to This About the Authors Acknowledgements Index

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Book Synopsis'This could be the first existential book about cricket I've ever read. It's certainly the most ambitious, and by turns the most beautiful...It's both sweeping and meticulous all at once....I can only say, truly, that my connection to the game feels deeper for having read it.' All Out CricketTrade ReviewThe extended piece on the pressures of Ashes series on captains is beautifully painted....I think every aspiring young England cricketer should read this....not as something to be afraid of, but to enlighten and prepare for the challenges that may come his way * Andy Flower *When I see the quality of writing by people like Scyld Berry...I feel daunted. I can never write as well as they can. * Rahul Dravid *Cricket's rich and varied tapestry, revealing character and national characteristics is passed on here by a man who has always been passionately interested in both. -- Mike AthertonThe game of cricket manages to invade the minds of all that are passionate about it on so many levels - it's combination of tradition, innovation, rivalry and friendship makes it truly unique. Scyld manages to encapsulate everything that is great about cricket into a fantastically entertaining book that reminds us all of how lucky we are to have involvement in the best game of all. -- Andrew StraussThis could be the first existential book about cricket I've ever read. It's certainly the most ambitious, and by turns the most beautiful...It's both sweeping and meticulous all at once....I can only say, truly, that my connection to the game feels deeper for having read it. It's a book that dares to concern itself with the 'why' question that lies behind everything. I feel like I understand a little more about why this enduringly magical, absurdly incongruous, infinitely renewable curio continues to take hold of us, and can offer no greater praise than that. -- Phil Walker * All Out Cricket *Perhaps more than any other sport, cricket has inspired outstanding writing. As Scyld Berry reveals in his new book, Cricket: The Game of Life, around 20,000 books or pamphlets have been produced in English on cricket over the years, a record. Now Mr Berry, a former editor of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack and the cricket correspondent of the Sunday Telegraph, has written a worthy addition to this rich lineage. The book may be eclectic, but it is also rewarding' * The Economist *...400 page love letter to the sport, weaving in his own memories with tales from around the world. * Sport *Scyld Berry is a rarity: among cricket correspondents of what were once styled the broadsheets, he is a scribe with almost no playing pedigree...few can challenge the breadth of his knowledge and understanding, or his love, of this most subtle of all sports. Throw in the author's rich cultural awareness and command of the English language and the result is a very good cricket book, one I am happy to label great...Seldom have I read a dust jacket with a more accurate description of its book. Even more rarely have I endorsed a book so wholeheartedly. * Association of Cricket Historians *Scyld Berry's paean to the game from its early days to now is an intensely personal work from one of cricket journalism's most original thinkers, mixing serious historical research with the reveries and theories that have sustained him over a lifetime. A work of love. * ESPNCricinfo *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for Cricket Book of the Year at the British Sports Book AwardsGraeme Swann leads us on a compelling adventure through one of world sport''s most engrossing rivalries. He knows as much as anybody about the heat of England v Australia battles, having played in three series wins and also the whitewash defeat of 2013-14 when its intensity ended his international career. However, it brought out some of his best displays in Test cricket. But he is just one of dozens of colourful characters to have added their chapters to this great tome. The mock obituary of English cricket in the Sporting Times of 1882 was the forerunner of summers and winters of heaven and hell, depending on which side of the divide you were situated. When it comes to on-field relations nothing quite compares to the over-my-dead-body feel of the Ashes.From Grace to Sir Don, the most graceful of them all. From the foulest play to the fairest - contrast the 1932-33 Bodylin

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Book SynopsisChampion motorcyclist and truck racer, television presenter, practical joker or just plain survivor - Steve Parrish has been called them all. Parrish Times tracks his amazing journey over the last four decades, through a rollercoaster ride of emotions in surely the most dangerous and exhilarating sporting arena there is.In the 1970s Steve was competing for the world motorcycle championship with legendary team mate Barry Sheene on a Suzuki. After retiring in 1986, Steve managed a successful Yamaha factory team to three British Superbike Championship titles and started a truck-racing career, becoming the most successful truck racer ever. He also proved to be a natural commentator, first for BBC radio, then transferring to television with Sky, ITV and Eurosport. Against this backdrop are Steve''s notorious pranks: posing as a medical doctor to allow John Hopkins to fly from Japan to the Australian GP; impersonating Barry Sheene in a qualifying session; owning a fTrade ReviewFrom team-mate of Barry Sheene, to Superbike team manager and European and British Truck champion to race commentator, Steve Parrish is motorsport's jack of all trades. Parrish Times: My Life as a Racer is a fantastic look back at his career with some hilarious anecdotes. A great read for bikers and non-bikers alike * Daily Express *A tale of life in the fast lane, peppered with practical jokes and stunts * Boundless *

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Book SynopsisSam Quek is mainly known for her starring role in the 2016 Olympic gold medal winning hockey team. This was the first time a British ladies team had won gold, but what is much less known is that Sam's rise to the top of her spot was far from easy. Sam missed out on being part of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics but competed for England at the 2013 EuroHockey tournament and 2014 Commonwealth Games, which she won silver medals. She won the gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics after the GB hockey team beat the Netherlands on penalties. How Sam overcame the bitter disappointment of being overlooked for the two previous Olympics and ensured that she wouldn't miss out again are revealed here for the first time. She also tells of her tough childhood and her battle to reach the heights that she has. She then went on to further fame by appearing in 'I'm a Celebrity' where she proved to be hugely popular with the viewing public, eventually finishing fourth. Sam now presents a variety of sports for TV, including men and women's football, NFL and hockey. She has been signed up to be the main presenter for the women's World Hockey Championships in 2018, held in August. She is hugely popular on social media with thousands of followers on twitter and instagram. Sam also has some very strong views on how women are portrayed in sport and their treatment by both coaches and the media. This is a hugely topical subject at the moment and promises to remain so for some time.

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Book SynopsisThe life and journey of one of Great Britain's most successful ever gymnasts.

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Book Synopsis‘You don’t get to be six-time British Superbike Champion without having talent and desire’ – Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc World ChampionShane ‘Shakey’ Byrne knows what it is like to live on the edge. The most successful rider in British Superbike history, he is the only person to have won the championship six times. Shakey is a living motorbike legend, with legions of fans across the country.For the first time Shakey tells his life story, from being abandoned as a newborn baby in a London hospital, to multiple brushes with the law and working night shifts on the London Underground to fund his early racing career. Whether it was on his BMX or joyriding through Kent, the only thing Shakey ever wanted to do was race motorbikes.Once he had got his break, Shakey quickly developed a reputation as one of the most exciting riders of his generation, and the thrill of every victory, every chicane and every overtake, as well as the hospital visits and painstaking recovery, is relived in heart-pumping detail.Unshakeable is an incredible story of winning and risk-taking, of horrendous crashes in which he nearly lost his life, of Ducatis and monster motorhomes, and of hard-fought glory in one of the most exciting and dangerous sports on the planet. Told with breathless exhilaration, Shakey’s story is one of inspiration, break-neck speed and a life lived truly on, and over, the limit.Trade ReviewShane’s achievements over the years have proved he is the complete racer and undoubtedly a world-class rider. A true inspiration for our youngsters in the sport -- Niall Mackenzie, three-time British Superbike ChampionShakey is someone I have the utmost respect for both on and off the track; a fantastic racer with such a textbook style and he taught me the respect needed in our game after you’ve won or lost. For me this makes him a legend of our sport -- Alex Lowes, 2013 British Superbike ChampionYou don’t get to be six-time British Superbike Champion without having talent and desire -- Wayne Rainey, three-time 500cc World Champion

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Book SynopsisINCLUDES AN UPDATED CHAPTER ON THE 2020 SEASONYou don't get biceps like Briggs by giving up when the going gets tough... CrossFit superstar Sam Briggs, aka 'The Engine', is a true hero in the sport, with a level of endurance unparalleled in the game. This is the story of how she got to the top, and battled with everything she had to stay there. Sam's memoir takes in the whole story, from being kicked out of ballet lessons as a child but being accepted on the boys' sports teams, to working as a firefighter in West Yorkshire for ten years, tackling dangerous and adrenaline-fueled situations on a daily basis, and to taking up CrossFit at the comparatively ancient age of 27. Sam tells of what it took to become champion a mere three years later, and after a year out with a broken patella. Despite the numerous setbacks and debilitating injuries that have plagued her in the years that followed, when most other athletes would have thrown in the towel, Sam has fought, and continues to fight, to be the very best that she can be. Start Your Engines is the story of how, with a combination of grit, training and dogged motivation, it's never too late to achieve your dreams.

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Book Synopsis'A treatise on empathy and grace in extraordinary circumstances' Jojo MoyesWhat does it mean to be a woman? To live in a woman's body?Alexandra Heminsley thought she knew, but then her world turned inside out. Having just resurfaced from fertility issues, childbirth and early parenthood, she was told her then-husband was going to transition.Some Body to Love is Alex's profoundly open-hearted memoir about losing a partner but gaining a best friend, and together bringing up a baby in a changing world. By baring her own unique scars, Heminsley makes a vital manifesto on the unifying resilience that can be found in modern motherhood. ______________________Praise for Some Body to Love: 'Insightful and wise, generous and kind' David Nicholls'A brave, thoughtful and timely book' Naomi Alderman'A testament to how family and love can be whatever shape we want them to be' Red'It took my breath away' Bryony Gordon'A book with a wild, deep, joyous, tender love of people at its heart' Emma Jane UnsworthTrade ReviewJaw-dropping... This is an extraordinary, kind, and generous book about what it means to live in a woman's body and the questions you ask yourself along the way. * Independent, *Books of the Year* *Staggering... Heminsley is unflinching in her exploration of her feelings. -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *Heartbreak and happiness sit in tandem in Alexandra Heminsley's wise and generous book. -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mirror *Generous, calm and thoughtful... Some Body to Love argues cogently for greater openness and understanding towards different gender expressions...also page-turningly compelling -- Holly Williams * Observer *A vital call for compassion and awareness...a hugely hopeful and deftly written book - and one that might encourage greater empathy in how we respond to all kinds of difference -- Gwendolyn Smith * i *

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Book Synopsis SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 'Verdict on Willis book: a treat' - Express'The book is a gem' - Mike Atherton 'It's a lovely book, containing previously unseen musings from the great man' - David Lloyd'enjoyable and eye-opening... a delight to read' - The Telegraph 'A warm, polished recollection.' - The Guardian'It's such a great read' - Piers Morgan'Willis book will bowl you over' - Sunday Mirror & The PeopleA biography celebrating the life of the legendary cricketer Bob Willis, with tributes from key figures in sports and media and a foreword by Sir Ian Botham. Following his passing in 2019, tributes to Bob came flooding in in every major news outlet and from every major figure in the industry - and outside of it. His career spanned decades, from his days as a cricketer for England to his time as a pundit on Sky TV. This autobiography includes never-before-seen writing from Bob alongside contributions from key figures as well as a detailed account of the great England victory over Australia at Headingly in 1981.The book, edited by Bob's brother David, combines a new biography, written by Daily Mail sportswriter Mike Dickson, with a celebration of a truly legendary man. Tributes from some of his many friends in the world of cricket and beyond are accompanied by reflections on highlights from an eventful life, drawing on autobiographical and personal material by Bob himself, contemporary press reports and the accounts of team-mates and opponents.

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