Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisNo Place for a Girl is the little-known but hugely inspirational story of pioneering woman jockey Karen Wiltshire and her fight for acceptance in the male-dominated world of 1970s horseracing.There was a time when female professional jockeys were not welcome in British horseracing. But then one dauntless rider confronted the misogyny, prejudice and bullying she encountered both in the stables where she worked and on the racecourse, refused to accept that this environment was no place for a girl' and ultimately won her personal battle.This book tells the moving, humorous, controversial and on occasions outright shocking story of four tumultuous years in Karen's life, when she rode roughshod over prevailing attitudes and became the first woman to reach a significant staging post in the fight for equality, when she rode against some of the sport's most illustrious names. Her obsession brought the reward she craved. She became the first female pro

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Book SynopsisMiss Truman to Serve Christine Truman, now Dr Christine Truman Janes MBE, was born in 194 and brought up in Woodford Green Essex. Her first ambition was to be as good at tennis as her older siblings, hoping to join their mixed doubles. It never happened. Instead she achieved some of her dreams, including a ranking of No.2 in the world, aged 18, in 1959. She won the Grand Slam title in Paris at 18, the youngest Brit since the war. She holds the record at 16 of being the youngest British semi­ finalist at Wimbledon since Lottie Dod in 1887. 135 years ago! Also US finalist 1959 and Wimbledon finalist 1961. ‘If tennis was easy, why aren’t all the people walking up and down Oxford Street playing at Wimbledon?’ Billie Jean King ‘Work lasts longer than you do…’ Mother ‘Talent will out.’ Father ‘Champions know they will win!’ ‘Play the ball, not opponents!’ Coach Norman Kitovitz ‘It’s the tennis girl, dear!’ Clementine to Winston Churchill, 1959

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Book SynopsisMiss Truman to Serve Christine Truman, now Dr Christine Truman Janes MBE, was born in 194 and brought up in Woodford Green Essex. Her first ambition was to be as good at tennis as her older siblings, hoping to join their mixed doubles. It never happened. Instead she achieved some of her dreams, including a ranking of No.2 in the world, aged 18, in 1959. She won the Grand Slam title in Paris at 18, the youngest Brit since the war. She holds the record at 16 of being the youngest British semi­ finalist at Wimbledon since Lottie Dod in 1887. 135 years ago! Also US finalist 1959 and Wimbledon finalist 1961. ‘If tennis was easy, why aren’t all the people walking up and down Oxford Street playing at Wimbledon?’ Billie Jean King ‘Work lasts longer than you do…’ Mother ‘Talent will out.’ Father ‘Champions know they will win!’ ‘Play the ball, not opponents!’ Coach Norman Kitovitz ‘It’s the tennis girl, dear!’ Clementine to Winston Churchill, 1959

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Book SynopsisRichie Hogan is one of the all-time greats of hurling, winner of seven All-Ireland senior hurling medals and multiple individual awards. His epic career brought him both immense joy and incredible heartache.This success did not come about by accident: Richie's complete focus on hurling success meant every decision he made revolved around hurling, from education to career to lifestyle choices. He grew up with Kilkenny hurling in his blood and from a very young age worked towards goals rather than dreams. Hyper-focused and determined, there wasn't a day in his life where he didn't think about what he needed to do to get to the highest level of the sport he loved and what he needed to do to stay up there.Now, in Whatever it Takes, Richie tells the story of his dazzling career, from his obsession with maintaining high standards in the Kilkenny team, to the stand-out moments on the pitch and the challenges he encountered along the way that threatened to derail everything. This frank and forthright account takes us inside one of the greatest hurling teams of all time as never before.

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Book SynopsisWhat is it like to get so close to your dream that you can almost touch it, only to have it torn cruelly away? Anthony Potts knows the answer. He sacrificed everything in an all-consuming pursuit of his dream to become a professional footballer for Spurs, alongside the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker. Was it worth it? You be the judge.

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Book SynopsisPhysiotherapist John Sheridan has seen it all since entering professional football in 1979 with Luton Town. In 1986, he moved to Tottenham where he nursed Gazza back to fitness after his 1991 horror injury. Despite playing an integral part in Gazza's rehabilitation, John has stayed silent about what happened in this traumatic period - until now.

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Book SynopsisShocking and revealing autobiography of 100-fight journeyman boxer Johnny Greaves. Set in a world of violence, bravado and bravery, this immersive and powerful story feels like a Guy Ritchie movie!Written with award-winning documentary filmmaker and former Sky Sports features reporter Adam Darke. Have gumshield, will travel' was Johnny's motto as he picked himself up off pub floors, police cells and strangers' beds at the drop of a hat to appear on the undercard of huge fights involving the likes of Amir Khan and David Haye. Read and you'll discover: Exclusive stories about the world of professional boxing, and the role of journeymen in particular, from a gnarled 100-fight veteran who took on such leading lights as Anthony Crolla, Lee Selby and Gavin Rees How Johnny fought future British and world champions with little training, often impeded by the effects of alcohol and drugs, stuffing down a Tesco meal deal, necking a can of lager and smoking a few fags as he prepared for battle in front of an audience of thousands A harrowing dive into the world of depression and mental health, with disturbing and upsetting insights into the mind of a professional athlete trying to cope with the trauma of childhood and emotional scarring Visceral and chilling tales of domestic violence and childhood neglect, plus how those experiences shaped the thinking and behaviour of Johnny, how it instructed the choices he made in life, and led to a loss of identity and self-esteem Untold stories and insight about the world of unlicensed boxing, made famous by the likes of Lenny McLean and Roy Pretty Boy' Shaw, where Johnny learnt how to fight rough This outrageous yet poignant portrayal of a man on the edge, searching for validation in the most brutal business in the world, will make you gasp, laugh and cry in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisGripping autobiography of former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick, one of football's nice guys, who fought a hidden battle with depression and anxiety due to appalling abuse from the media and fans.Foreword by football legend Dion Dublin, Luke's hero who became his team-mate.As a member of the Manchester United first team, Luke found himself lining up alongside Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Roy Keane as United marched to their third successive Premier League title. But instead of enjoying what should have been the happiest of times, he shut himself away from the outside world.Read and you will discover: A first-hand insight into Sir Alex Ferguson's unique method of signing promising youngsters and the way he dealt with the more established stars How unbeknown to his Manchester United team-mates, friends and family, Luke was battling depression and anxiety, brought on by the personal abuse he was receiving from the national media and football fans up and down the country Luke's time as an England under-21 international His early life growing up in a sleepy Cambridgeshire village although he had ambitions of becoming a professional footballer, never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he would play for the biggest club in the world Details of his time at Royal Antwerp, Reading, Burnley, West Ham United, Stoke City, Norwich City, MK Dons and Cambridge United, and how he became one of only a handful of players to score in each of the top five divisions in English football Having played more than 500 games across seven different divisions during his 15-year playing career, Luke's tale covers all aspects of life as a professional footballer. Brutally honest and often hilarious, his story isn't one of gloom it's a tale of resilience and inspiration.

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Book SynopsisBrushes with a Stroke is the inspirational account of how the human spirit need not be crushed by the debilitating effects of a stroke. Veteran sportswriter and stroke victim Neil Harman tells seven vivid sporting stories: tales of doubt, fear and ultimately of fierce determination in the face of a frightening condition.

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Book SynopsisWhat follows, which explores some of the charms, the quirks and the peculiar allure of cricket from a variety of perspectives, is not intended as a memorial for long-lost sepia days. The game is still alive. Whether it turns out to be therapy for me or entertainment for you remains to be seen. To achieve both would be a bonus.From Somerset stalwart to acclaimed writer and broadcaster, Vic Marks has lived a life steeped in cricket. In Late Cuts he takes us beyond the boundary rope, sharing the parts of the game fans don't get to see, from the food served at lunchtime (then - sweaty ham; now - quinoa, cranberry and feta salad) to the politics of the dressing room.Whether revisiting his playing days to reveal the secrets of bowling a killer spell and what it feels like to be heckled by a riled-up crowd, or ruminating on the current state of the game (don't mention The Hundred!), this amusing and insightful collection will delight all cricket lovers.Trade ReviewIn amongst his artfully delivered stock balls, enough deliveries grip to keep the pages turning. It's the literary equivalent of an afternoon in the sun at a county outground, and who doesn't enjoy that? -- Jon Hotten * Wisden Cricket Monthly *Distinctively Marksist: thoughtful and wry, gentle and wise * The Cricketer *Table of Contents1: Selection 2: Captains 3: Partnerships 4: The Spell 5: Declarations 6: Crowds 7: Failure 8: Food 9: Twelfth Man 10: Press Conferences 11: The Library 12: Somerset

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Book Synopsis*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR*The gripping and revealing autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international cyclists of the modern era'Getting in a break was my one chance of winning. The hard part was working out, again and again, how to make that chance count'Sharp, resourceful and a permanent outsider; for nearly 20 years Steve Cummings determinedly blazed his own winning trail in international cycling. A maverick who defied the dominant teams, to record a sequence of gloriously improbable victories, he has lived and raced with legends of the sport - Cavendish, Wiggins, Froome, Thomas and others - about whom he has strong views and untold stories.This autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international riders of the modern era takes the reader from Steve's earliest days as a junior, pounding across the flatlands of the Wirral, through his love-hate relationships with the British Cycling track cycling squad, to his series of top-level breakaway victories in the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Vuelta a España and - rather than standout physical talent - how developing his own strategies and training techniques enabled him to succeed against the odds.The Break will be the first full-length account of the life and times of, in the words of ProCycling magazine, a 'universally popular and respected rider in the cycling world'.Trade ReviewIf you wanted me to pinpoint the main reason why Steve succeeded, it's the way he sees bike racing, his willingness to try something new, to do something differently ... There are so many guys out there who are strong, but Steve didn't just have the legs, he had the brains and the head for it all as well and that was his big advantage. * Geraint Thomas *Table of Contentsi: Foreword: Geraint Thomas ii: Preface: The Landmark That Wasn't 1: Doughnuts 2: Dilemmas 3: Contrasts 4: 2008-09: Road or Track? 5: Man on a Mission 6: The Wrong Kind of Limits: Team Sky 2010-11 7: No Stress Man 8: Roller Coaster 9: A Human Time Bomb 10: Mandela Day 11: Why I Couldn't Train with Mark Cavendish 12: The Right Direction 13: A Race Against Time 14: Back to My Roots 15: Bottles, Britain and a New Beginning iii: Nine Lessons iv: Palmarés v: Acknowledgements vi: Index

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE 2023 SPORTS BOOK AWARDS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR**FOREWORD BY BEN STOKES*Hallo - I'm Mark Wood. As an England and Durham cricketer who was born, raised and refined in Ashington, Northumberland, my life has been quite unique. Over the course of my career so far, I've won an Ashes and a World Cup in an international career that at the time of writing is going on seven years and counting. Being a fast bowler like myself is up there with the toughest of all sporting pursuits, like being Tyson Fury's punchbag or working behind the bar during the darts at Ally Pally.Being a cricketer? There's nothing like it. And doing it for England? Well, I'm lucky to call it a profession. There's been a lot of hard work along the way. Plenty of sacrifices and pain to accompany the good times that make them all worthwhile.I've been everywhere, from Barbados to Brisbane, Chester-le-Street to Chennai, waiting rooms to operating tables. I've played in some of the most exotic locations in the world and eaten margherita pizzas in every single one of them. To be honest, it's amazing I've waited this long to bring out my own self-help book.Trade ReviewA self-help manual laced with simple humour, homespun wisdom and an insight into the England cricket machine. -- Richard Hobson * The Cricketer *Table of Contentsi: Foreword by Ben Stokes ii: Introduction 1: How to Celebrate 2: How to Kill Time 3: How to Be Fast 4: How to Love 5: How to Travel 6: How to Stay Healthy 7: How to Keep Level 8: How to Be True to Yourself 9: Q & A x: Epilogue: Mark Wood, A Second Opinion by Miles Jupp

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Book SynopsisHe arrived to rally the troops, the main man in the Inter City Firm and his greeting passed into football fan history. 'Afternoon, gentlemen, the name's Bill Gardner.' That introduction alone was often enough to provoke sheer terror in his opponents. He is a genuine legend to anyone who's ever stood proud on a football terrace. No serious book on the culture would be complete without at least one mention of him. And now at last, he's telling his own, long-awaited story. For the first time, Gardner himself reveals what made him the top man, including his innermost thoughts and his memories of the classic years for football fans. And many familiar faces have queued up to add their comments in this book which shows just what it is that makes Bill Gardner unique among the toughest and the greatest of them all.

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Book SynopsisA 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run make up the Ironman triathlon. It's not for the faint-hearted. What possesses an overweight, thirty-something librarian who can't swim, doesn't own a bike and has two dodgy knees to take on the hardest one-day endurance race in the world? Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run is the story of Andy Holgate's inspirational, epic and life-changing journey to become an Ironman. Lubricant, alligators, rubber suits, blisters, pirates, extreme weather, Elvis, tragedy, romance, flesh-eating amoebas, crashes, hospital visits and perhaps the most unusual stag weekend in history all play a part in this amusing and moving tale of one normal bloke's quest to arrive at his wedding intact. Oh yeah, that's right, Andy is due to get married seven days after the biggest physical challenge of his life. Will he make it down the aisle in one piece?Trade Review"A great book! Andrew Holgate claims he 'Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run', but he can certainly write. His book is filled with terrific lessons on living life to its fullest. I would argue that he can swim, can ride and can run very well indeed!" --Dean Karnazes, New York Times best-selling author and ultra-marathon legend; "What really comes to the fore in Andy's book is that no matter what level of triathlon you are involved in, the motivations, discipline, rewards and love of the sport are universal. Andy's book dispels many of the reservations that can initially prevent people from taking up any form of physical activity and shows us how sport can not only be a positive step towards physical well-being but also can be rewarding for the mind and soul." --Catriona Morrison, Multiple Ironman Champion; "I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ability of sport to change people's lives, like Andy's story, is not something I've considered. It was a real eye-opener. Trying to be as fit and as fast as you can all the time it is very easy to get wrapped up in your own little world so it was nice to be given a wider sense of the sport and be reminded of the real reason and power of sport; to inspire enjoyment in activity. Thanks for a great read." --Alistair Brownlee, ITU World Triathlon Champion; "Anyone new to tri, considering the leap to ironman or just after a mental boost should check out this autobiographical account of one overweight librarian's first forays into multisport. In an inspirational story Andy recounts how he was enticed to take part in Cockerham's annual triathlon, and bitten by the endurance bug. If you want to roll your eyes and chuckle conspiratorially at another newbie's mistakes and triumphs, tuck in." --220 Triathlon Magazine; "Best for Inspiration! If he can do it... Holgate's ironman journey is an uplifting insight into the power of taking on a challenge. He tells his story with an irreverent sense of humour and packs the book with useful information. If you're thinking of doing an ironman this book is just the thing to convince you that you are up for the challenge." --Triathletes World Magazine; "Loved reading Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run. He is able to make you laugh as he turns his depressing situation around to a wonderful, fulfilling life. This is not just a story for triathletes, it's a great book for anyone struggling with life and looking for some sunlight." --MissTriathlon.com; "A great read which shows that it's more about the taking part and enjoyment of any sport. Having little knowledge of ironman I became interested immediately when reading Can't Swim, Can't Ride, Can't Run! It shows the efforts from a 'grass roots level'. I enjoyed the journey of how Andy accomplished his goal and how he enjoyed himself in doing so, finding time for laughs; and as you will read, he never takes himself too seriously." --Huw Bennett, Ospreys & Wales; "This book shows the reality that triathlon is accessible to anyone. This story would make a great television show as well as being a great book." --The Simon Gowen Triathlon Show; "Andy Holgate's honest and real-life writings set this book above the rest. A heart-warming and inspiring story of one man's personal challenge - try reading this book without wanting to put on a wetsuit. I have Andy to blame for having to get up early and go out training on these cold winter mornings." --The Fitness Blogger; "Andy Holgate is the Bill Bryson of the Triathlon World. Quite simply, I LOVED this book." --TriCrowd.com; "A really fascinating story." --Talk Radio Europe; "An inspiration to us all." --Lancaster Guardian; "An inspirational story." --North West Evening Mail

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Book Synopsis'The greatest Gaelic footballer of all time.' Pat SpillaneWhen Colm Cooper retired from inter-county football in 2017, he left behind a remarkable legacy. The holder of five All-Ireland medals and eight All-Stars, he was Kerry’s stand-out forward for fifteen years. From a family steeped in Gaelic football, and a core member of the Dr Crokes team, Colm was still in his teens when he first played for Kerry at senior level. Overcoming struggles with injury and personal tragedy, Cooper became one of the GAA’s most recognizable and best-loved figures at a time of tumultuous change in the game. But the man known nationally as ‘Gooch’ is also an intensely private figure who has never courted publicity and his personal story remains largely untold. Now Gooch – The Autobiography unlocks a previously unopened door, tracing a compelling path through the life beyond the headlines. This is the story of an ordinary man who became an extraordinary footballer.Trade Review‘An absolute must-read . . . a fascinating insight into his personal journey . . . honest, unassuming and understated’ * Irish Independent *‘One of the game’s greats . . . as razor sharp on the pages of his autobiography as he ever was in the opposition’s half’ * Irish Examiner *

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Passing the Torch is a series of interviews with established sportswomen across a variety of disciplines, whether in their prime or post competition, and gives a lively insight into their initial motivation, the highs and lows of competing, the physical and mental benefits of exercise and the camaraderie of female sport. Initiated by Lady Mary Peters, who has inspired a generation of athletes, to help to ensure her passion for sport is passed down to young people for many years to come. Foreword by HRH The Princess Royal

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Book SynopsisBallon d'Or winner. Champions League winner. Serie A winner. Captain of Ukraine at their first-ever World Cup. Andriy Shevchenko conquered the football world. His career featured some of the sport's greatest characters - from Valerij Lobanovsky, who shaped his early years at Dynamo Kyiv, to Carlo Ancelotti, Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo and Kaka as part of a world-class Milan team. But Shevchenko's story transcends football. Growing up 150km from the Chernobyl disaster, witnessing the decline of the Soviet Union and its descent into lawlessness, the struggles of his beloved Ukraine to gain independence in 1991 - and then the agony of the Russian invasion of his homeland in 2022. This is a football and human story like no other.Trade Review"Highly recommended. Very entertaining, very interesting." - Gary Lineker "Shevchenko's book covers far more than football and is well worth a read." - Michael Cox, The Athletic

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Book SynopsisA must-read autobiography by the legendary Spurs player and manager.

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Book SynopsisContrary to popular belief, ‘Fluxie’ did not enter the world on full opposite-lock, nor did he have a cigarette in one hand and a pint in the other. Destined to race, he never got the biggest breaks but he did become one of motorsport’s most colourful and best-loved characters, someone who has always lived life to the full. His autobiography tells it how it was, covering not only the highs — including five championship titles — but also the many setbacks. Along the way we laugh with him about much of it, particularly the pranks, but also learn about some dark times that he has never previously divulged. This is a very different kind of racing driver’s memoir. Key content • Early days: growing up on a farm, first kart aged 6, muddling through in the classroom, lots of laughs — but also sexual abuse from a schoolmaster and an early racing mentor. • The spark ignites: starting to race in 1970 with a Formula 6 kart, then onwards to Formula Vee; brushing shoulders with Formula 1 working for the Token and Graham Hill teams. • Grabbing the chances: a Formula Vee title in 1975 leads to Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic, but still with various jobs to make ends meet, including as mechanic to motorcycle racing legend Giacomo Agostini for his four-wheel efforts. • Diversifying into sports cars: successful adventures in Sports 2000 and Thundersports, winning championships in both, plus Thundersaloons. • A true all-rounder: going into the British Touring Car Championship from 1988 in a wide range of tin-tops; racing a Jaguar XJR-15 in the big-money 1991 series held at Grand Prix races, including Monaco. • Championship double in 1996: the ‘golden year’ in the TVR Tuscan Challenge and the British GT Championship, the latter with a McLaren F1 GTR. • So much else: racing on into recent times, notching up nearly 50 years on track; testing competition cars for Motorsport News; driver tuition and track-day demonstrations

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Book SynopsisThey come out of the football stadium tunnel first, but all eyes are on the well-paid athletes behind them. No one pays the referee or the referee's assistants any attention - until they make a mistake. Then all hell breaks loose. They can't explain - or defend themselves against the crowd's abuse. Gavin Muge threads an entertaining personal football memoir together with his own attempts to scale the peak of the professional game as a match official. His football life has led to encounters with a cast of stars from Gary Lineker to Paul Gascoigne, Arsene Wenger and Roy Keane. He officiated at the infamous Riot of Upton Park in 2009 and has witnessed many examples of the darker side of the game. Gavin has also shared the excitement and the pain of the average football supporter and now has the experience to try to make sense of it all in My Life on the Line. See if you agree with him! And pit your knowledge against Gavin's with the book's Chapter Challenges and his Quiz.Table of ContentsIntroduction PART 1 A FOOTBALL SELF-PORTRAIT. Chapter 1: Hatters' Tea Party Me, Eric Morecambe and a Lifelong Commitment to Luton Town FC Chapter 2: Playing Peak Me, Gary Lineker and the Player of the Year Award Chapter 3: Pitch Battles Me, Millwall and the Way it was Then Chapter 4: Maturity Me, Gazza and Marriage PART 2 SIDELINE OR FRONT LINE? Chapter 5: Earning My Stripes Rungs on the Ladder Chapter 6: Match Day 'Arsene Wenger's having a party/Bring your vodka and your Charlie' Chapter 7: "Look at the Bizzies" The Riot of Upton Park, Part 1 Chapter 8: "If we leave, we won't be coming back" The Riot of Upton Park, Part 2 PART 3 WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE? Chapter 9: No Time to be Star Struck Me, Roy Keane, Paulo Di Canio & a Bollocking from Mark Noble Chapter 10: The Long and Winding Road Nearly There Chapter 11: The Best Party Reflections on a Career PART 4 THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE AS A FOOTBALL OFFICIAL. Chapter 12: 1863 and All That The Laws of the Game and how we got them Chapter 13: So You Want to be a Referee's Assistant A Few Insights Chapter 14: We Need to Talk About VAR Cure-All or Confusion? PART 5 THE WIDER VIEW. Chapter 15: Match Officials in World Cup History The Hand of God, etc Chapter 16: Where are We Now and Where Are we Going? A Brighter Future with some changes to the Game Chapter 17: Match Fixing & the Power of Money Stuff Happens PART 6 EXTRA TIME. Chapter 18: Gavin's Football Quiz Answers at the Back Chapter 19: Fun Stuff Jokes, Quotes and Anecdotes Chapter 20: Poetry in Motion That Goal APPENDIX. Being a Match Official - The Details Links to YouTube Clips Bibliography Acknowledgements Author profiles

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Book SynopsisApproaching his middle forties, Gavin Boyter wondered what his life was all about. A Scot living in London, single and with no kids, he was living for the job and the dwindling hope of a career in film. He had been a club runner all his life, pretty good but not at the front all that often. He was what he called an ordinary runner and he came to wonder just what an ordinary runner might be capable of. How about John O'Groats to Land's End, the longest linear run in Britain, and how about making a film of it? And how about writing a book? As usual, Gavin was neither the first nor the quickest but Downhill from Here is his real triumph, written in such an engaging and witty voice the reader accompanies him every step of the way.Trade Review‘We live on the best island in the world and what better way to explore it than on foot. Downhill from Here is an epic adventure on our epic island. Makes me want to run it all over again.’ * author of Cycling the Earth *‘An entertaining read on the de-stressing benefits of running a JOGLE, navigation mishaps and all.’ * author of It's A Hill, Get Over It *‘Real triumph, written with wit and personal depth.’ * Sunday Mail *

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Book SynopsisKim Sturgess was a weekend sailor: he enjoyed club racing and several brief sailing holidays, but had never attempted a substantial expedition. Reaching the age of fifty focused the mind and he decided to sail around Britain. While many cruising sailors would not contemplate a 1900 nautical mile voyage, he broke the voyage into a series of day sails, making it an achievable ambition for him, largely single-handed, and for many other weekend sailors who might dream of sailing around their home island. This book tells the quirky traveller's narrative of the voyage and visits to forty-eight towns. Evoking the spirit of both Jerome K. Jerome with his Three Men in a Boat and Joshua Slocum's Sailing Alone Around the World, Kim shares his thoughts and struggles, recounting how easy it is for anyone to become an adventurer here at home. But don't expect to always agree with him - he has been described as "the Jeremy Clarkson of yachting"!Trade Review"If the thought of tough coastal night passages puts you off sailing round Britain, try Kim Sturgess's tactic of breaking the voyage down into '50 day sails and one night passage' as he did... It's interesting for anyone thinking of making the voyage." (Yachting Monthly) "His narrative grips the reader as we share the heart-in-the-mouth experience... He tells his story with a vivid immediacy: we are there with him. We share the dangers he faces during the miserable summer of 2007, his philosophical observations along the way and his sadness at recurring evidence of national decline in the places he visits." (Cruising Association) “Sail the glorious and challenging coast of Britain with Kim Sturgess in his salty tale…. His leisurely approach to adventure takes in towns and villages along the way and brings to life the great variety of culture and cuisine on our small island… It’s wonderful, warm and well worth a read.” (Sailing Today) An unusual travel guide by an unusual companion.” (Yachting Life)Table of ContentsPreface; PART ONE: SWAPPING THE LONDON UNDERGROUND FOR THE BRITISH SEAS: Cruise Philosophy, My Sailing Experience, Hobo the Yacht, Safety for a Sailor; PART TWO: GREENWICH TO GREENWICH AROUND THE BRITISH ISLES: East: Greenwich to Inverness, North: Inverness to Bangor NI, West: Bangor NI to Newlyn, South: Newlyn to Greenwich; Epilogue; Glossary; Appendix.

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Book SynopsisFrom his home in the Cairngorms of Scotland, in There’s Always the Hills Cameron McNeish reflects on a life dedicated to the outdoors. A prolific author, McNeish has led treks in the Himalayas and Syria, edited The Great Outdoors magazine, establishing it as Britain’s premier walking publication, created new long-distance walks and made television series, contributed a monthly column to Scots Magazine, campaigned for Scottish independence and raised a family with his wife, Gina. In this long-awaited autobiography, he candidly recalls the ups and downs of a full life, much of it in the public eye, much of it until now unseen.Trade Review‘There’s Always the Hills flows like a friendly conversation, shared over three or four single malts, and develops into an engaging tale...’ * The Great Outdoors Magazine *‘A gifted storyteller, he peels back the layers of his life and offers a personal and emotional look behind the scenes of his success. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys our great outdoors and the wealth of tales that can be told about it - it's both one man's story and a candid, absorbing account for those with an interest in Scotland's awe-inspiring wildlife.’ * Rachel Scorgie, The Courier *‘There’s Always the Hills is a sure-fire hit. The author’s eye for minor details and honest accounts of his experiences, bring his anecdotes to life.’ * Scottish Field *‘Cameron McNeish's autobiography is everything we hoped it would be, and a "must buy" for anyone who's ever felt the pull of Scotland's mountains. ’ * Undiscovered Scotland *‘Cameron is a born raconteur and his book flows easily, being both informative and full of interest.’ * Helen Todd, Walk Magazine *‘There's Always the Hills is an inspiring story of a life well lived. Or, at least, the first installment.’ * Roger Cox, Scotland on Sunday *‘A vivid travelogue through the breathtaking vistas, towering peaks and rugged islands of Scotland and a tribute to the warmth and hospitality of the Scots people... McNeish's encyclopaedic knowledge of the lochs and glens, Highlands and islands, the bealachs and coires and the myriad myths and legends that reside therein is unrivalled.’ * BBC Countryfile Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA funny, entertaining insight into the views of a dedicated angler who has fished wherever in the world his work took him, from England to Sudan. Full of fishing anecdotes, tips and thought-provoking ideas.

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Book SynopsisSir Alex Ferguson is arguably Britain's greatest ever football manager. In the year that he celebrates his 80th birthday, this new book from experienced journalist and author John Richardson will offer an original insight into what makes the Scot tick, his unique way of operating and how his genius changed the footballing landscape.

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Book SynopsisMariner is Plymouth Argyle legend, an FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner with Ipswich Town, a scorer for England at the World Cup and a former Arsenal and Portsmouth striker. A true front man in every sense - talented, brave and fearless - but his toughest fight was yet to come when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in October 2020. This is his story.

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Book SynopsisManchester United enjoyed their greatest generation under Sir Alex Ferguson. The rulebook on domestic domination was rewritten as the club became the most successful in British football history. For the first time, one of Ferguson's closest aides lifts the lid on the inner workings at Carrington, as Rene Meulensteen, one of the game's greatest minds, shares all the stories and secrets that contributed and illuminated the most glittering managerial era in football history. Meulensteen's story begins in a provincial region of Holland; a student of the game, Rene explains how he fought through red tape and bureaucracy to establish himself as a coach with principles he firmly believed in, and how those visionary methods saw him land a remarkable position at the world's biggest club, overseeing the technical development of their most precious department - the youth system. Meulensteen talks about working with stars like Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs, before he was called to work with the first team on a more permanent basis. There, he enjoyed notable contributions, transforming Cristiano Ronaldo into a goal monster and featuring heavily in the move that brought Robin van Persie to Old Trafford. From being Ferguson's right-hand man to going out on his own, Meulensteen explains his philosophy in an inspiring and accessible way. Moreover, this autobiography is a compelling and addictive love-letter to the fabric of everything Manchester United stands for. The exploration and explanation of United's style of play will thrill supporters and stun analysts, as one of the sport's greatest minds finally shares his fascinating journey in football.

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Book SynopsisIn a footballing career spanning 21 years, Tony Gale played over 720 games on almost every league pitch across the four divisions. He is one of only 16 players in the UK to have played over 300 games for two teams and one of a handful to be part of a Premier League winning side. As a pundit he's commentated on over 3,000 live games for the likes of Sky and Capital Gold, covering virtually every major football competition in his inimitable light hearted manner. Gale made his first team debut at Fulham Football Club at the ripe age of 16, before being made captain at 18. Playing alongside a golden era of greats, the anecdotes which Gale recounts while playing alongside George Best, Bobby Moore and Rodney Marsh are a nostalgic masterclass. Moving to West Ham for the next decade, the Pimlico born defender was part of the iconic 'Boys of 86' squad, which broke 17 records that year, 16 of which are still unbeaten. Exiting at his lowest point from West Ham in 1994, with two weeks to go before the new season, Gale was in effect homeless and jobless in footballing terms. That however all changed when he landed a place at Blackburn Rovers. Sir Kenny Dalglish recalled the decision to include 35-year-old Gale into the squad of 94/95. "His experience was a big help and the positive impact he made in the dressing room was excellent. He made his contribution to us winning the league, same as everybody on that team." Void of any media training, Gale's move into radio and television commentary in the late 90's was as natural as kicking a ball. In the words of Chris Kamara, "The one thing that stayed with Galey is that dressing room humour, which you all miss when you stop playing football. The one liners, the windups. Galey brought them from the dressing room and into real life."

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Book Synopsis'Maggie has changed the way the game is played forever' - The Sunday Times Maggie Alphonsi is not only a national sporting icon, the face of international women’s rugby and star player of the England side that won the World Cup in 2014. She is also an inspirational and totemic figure who transcends sport. The compelling story of her life makes her achievements even more extraordinary. Hers is an against-all-the-odds tale, becoming the best player in the world despite having to battle against racism, sexism, and prejudice. It is a book forged from the raw emotion, passion, and testimony of an iconic player, who rose to the elite of world sport when the world was seemingly stacked against her. It is a moving and revealing story of a woman who was not prepared to be defined by anyone but herself and gives the reader a unique insight into how she met her goals.Trade Review'a moving and important book' -- Donald McRae * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational and relatable real-life story of how financial officer Peter Wright transformed himself from being mildly active to an endurance event extraordinaire.Foreword from Rory Coleman, the UK's leading ultramarathon coach.Forty is the age when people tend to wind things down to a life a bit more ordinary. Not Peter. Having put his questionable athletic ability and mild asthma to one side, he catches the running bug and completes the London Marathon. Only, this isn't the end of the story. Instead, it provides the springboard for a passion for endurance challenges.Follow Peter as he: Crosses desert, tropical rainforest and Arctic tundra, to raise more than 100,000 for charity Completes the Marathon des Sables, the Jungle Ultra, the Western States 100, the Cape Wrath Ultra and many other gruelling challenges Runs a marathon while dragging a car Takes the ultimate test while nearing 50: rowing the Atlantic Ocean on a very small boat with his friend and fellow adventurer, Steve Hayes Inspiring, hilarious and jaw-dropping, this book shows what you can achieve if you put your mind to it, and why age and a lack of athletic ability is no barrier to pushing beyond your imagined limits.

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Book Synopsis''If you carry on like this, you''ll do nothing but play football and cricket all your life.''These were the exasperated words of Mike Brearley''s mother, as he once again trod mud into the family home after a long day playing outdoors. They were also an unwitting but half-accurate prediction, for Brearley would become one of the most successful sportsmen of his generation by playing cricket for Cambridge, Middlesex and then becoming one of England''s finest captains. But for Brearley, cricket wasn''t just a physical activity, it was also an intellectual game, offering the chance to bring closer together body and mind. When his cricketing career came to end - during his playing days he had had a hiatus as a philosophy lecturer - he eschewed sporting commentary for a career as a psychoanalyst.In Turning Over the Pebbles, which he calls a ''memoir of the mind'', Brearley reviews his life with its attendant emotions, tensions and moves. It is also a book oTrade ReviewSunday Times 'Book of the Week'A superb book - much more than a traditional memoir . . . this is a sharp, witty and unashamedly learned meditation on art and music, literature and the Classics, philosophy, psychoanalysis, childhood and old age, families and feelings, illness and the imminence of death . . . And of course cricket. It is unlike any book you will read this year . . . This book is an inspiration, showing us how to live our best lives * Sunday Times *A Masterclass . . . [A] stimulating memoir . . . It is hard to think of any other sportsman - or come to it, any other philosopher or analyst - who makes for such agreeable, such stimulating , such warm, company * Daily Telegraph *Absolutely riveting -- Amol Rajan * BBC Radio 4 Today *Unexpected rewards to the reader on every page -- Simon Barnes * The Cricketer *Whether discussing philosophy, psychoanalysis, literature or cricket . . . Brearley is compelling company * Guardian *Turning Over the Pebbles sparkles with erudition and culture . . . rewarding and eye-opening * TLS *An enthralling memoir from the cricketing great * i Newspaper *This sharp memoir glides across [Brearley's] interests, featuring musings on ageing, music and strategy in sport. It's the ideal accompaniment to the Ashes. * The Times *Peppered with reflections on music, literature, philosophy and exchanges with legendary thinkers, it is as much if not more a book on the mind and a manual on the essence of a good life - and a good death; it will make readers pause * Financial Times *Brearley's prose is abundantly stylish * Tablet *A thoughtful and intriguing book * Methodist Recorder *Exceptionally carefully thought-through and most intriguingly written . . . This is a truly lovely book * Oldie *A beautifully crafted journey into the mind of a genius - both cricketing and otherwise * City AM *

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Book Synopsis''A 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 HenryThe 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.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 Synopsis''a wonderful book ... a great read'' Daily Mail''a fascinating book ... I really enjoyed it'' Piers Morgan, Good Morning Britain''a heart-warming, funny and insightful read. Perfect for a rainy day by the fire.'' FourFourTwo magazineOne of the Guardian''s ''Biggest Books of Autumn 2020''''A beautiful book about football, family, friendship and finding out who you really are.'' JACK WHITEHALL''One of the best books I''ve ever read about what it takes to become a pro.'' FRANK LAMPARDFor the Redknapp clan, football is a family concern; it''s the family business. Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer is a deeply moving, heartfelt and beautifully personal account of growing up as the second son of Harry Redknapp, and also an enchanting love letter to football.I''m Jamie Redknapp. Chances are my surname rings a bell. I want to introduce you Trade ReviewA beautiful book about football, family, friendship and finding out who you really are * Jack Whitehall *One of the best books I've ever read about what it takes to become a pro * Frank Lampard *An engaging account of [Jamie Redknapp's] childhood and how he blossomed into a professional footballer in a family steeped in the game. * The People (Love Sunday) *A great read... honest. * Daily Mail *A warm, family-orientated account. . . the tales are genuine which means that readers will feel as though they have a seat at a family get-together where reminiscences and anecdotes tumble amid much laughter. * South Wales Evening Post *Part memoir, part manual, on playing your way to the top. * PA *This wonderful book is about. . . the fun. the laughter, the hard work, the disappointments and the triumphs * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisIn a nation of rugby heroes, Jamie Roberts has become a legend.Jamie Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6 foot 4, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man - a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him. It's an intriguing contradiction.In his first full season with the Cardiff Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as Player of the Series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward. A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Jamie Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters such as Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.Trade ReviewDelves into his innermost emotions * Best Rugby Books 2021 *Roberts' autobiography, written with the excellent Ross Harries, is a compelling offering, packed with tales from a remarkable career including his relationship with Gatland and brushes with celebrities including Lana Del Rey and Bono in Monte Carlo * Telegraph *If Jamie Roberts achieved plenty on the pitch, few modern players have a wider-ranging story to tell off it . . . It is to the credit of the 35-year-old and his skilful "ghost" Ross Harries that Centre Stage: My Life in Rugby seamlessly weaves together all these contrasting threads * Guardian *Tells his private and professional story with candor and charm * Buzz Magazine *

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Book SynopsisBlending personal narrative with practical guidance, Cornfields to Gold Medals delivers well-traveled leadership principles for on and off the court. Coach Don Showalter’s rise to international recognition as a coach can be traced to his time at the helm of USA Basketball’s Junior National Team, where he went 62-0 and brought home 10 gold medals. Yet, for all his international success he remains grounded in the Midwestern values that shaped his character; principles have made him a passionate ambassador for the sport of basketball and one of its great teachers.Cornfields to Gold Medals is an all-American story that takes the reader on Showalter’s life journey through the sport he has coached for nearly half a century. It begins humbly, on a family farm perched atop the rolling hills of southeastern Iowa, and extends to gymnasiums in every corner of the world. Interspersed in this compelling personal narrative are 15 lessons in leadership, strategies Showalter employed throughout his 44-years coaching young athletes. Each is accompanied by key points in how to teach the lesson, and shares effective strategies for readers to implement in daily practice.Rooted in heartland principles of community, hard work, and service, this essential book offers leaders insight into guiding others and time to reflect on what is truly important.

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Book SynopsisAn entertaining and deeply personal autobiography from one of basketball's all-time great scorers To see George Gervin on the hardwood was to witness elegance, entertainment, and boundless cool. With his unmatched agility and vast repertoire of moves, Gervin floated his way to bucket after bucket, night after night across 14 years in the ABA and NBA. "The Iceman" made it look easy, and his number 44 hangs high in the San Antonio rafters as tribute to the excellence that seemed to roll right off his fingertips. In Iceman: Why I Was Born to Score, Gervin opens up for the first time about his life in basketball and beyond, including his childhood in Detroit, the rocky and unconventional path that brought him to professional basketball, and the successful legacy he built as a Spur. Gervin also reflects on family, mental health, spirituality, and his continuing bond with the San Antonio community in this candid and conversational book.

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Book Synopsis“You can if you will.” A phrase uttered to a young Jerry Kramer by his line coach at Sandpoint High School in tiny Sandpoint, Idaho, that would go on to push him to a celebrated NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and a sentiment that he would repeat to close his speech at his long awaited enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame almost seven decades later in 2018.In the spirit of Jerry Kramer’s unforgettable and bestselling collaborations with the great Dick Schaap, his first book about his life and career in over two decades, Run to Win will serve as Kramer’s definitive statement about a remarkable life and career of perseverance, teamwork, and gridiron greatness. Spanning the beginning of the legendary Vince Lombardi era through Kramer’s confoundingly long wait to receive his bust in Canton, Kramer tells his amazing story as one of the most memorable and toughest Packers in franchise history.Including insightful commentary about the eminently intriguing Lombardi, as well as fellow Hall of Fame teammates Jim Taylor, Forrest Gregg, Willie Davis, Bart Starr, Emlen Tunnell, and many more, Run to Win is a must read for all true Packers fans from one of the legends who helped lay the foundation for one of the most identifiable and successful franchises in the history of professional sports.

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Book Synopsis''Brilliant'' Guardian''Exuberant'' Financial Times''Colourful'' The TimesIn June 1986 Diego Maradona, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, proudly hoisted the ''86 Mexico World Championship Cup in his hands.Now over thirty years on from that magical game, and after a life in sports marked by controversy, Maradona tells, for the first time, the untold stories behind that one-of-a-kind World Cup. Mexico ''86 was the pinnacle of Maradona''s career, and in this book he reveals all about every game, what happened afterwards in the locker room, the months leading up to the World Cup, when the team had to go to Mexico City a month early to avoid the overthrowing of the technical director by the Argentine president, Alfonsin, the mystery behind ''El Gran Capitán'' Passarella (''78 World Cup Champion), the strategies and tactics that revolutionised the game, training in a country that was recovering fTrade ReviewBrilliant -- Barney Ronay * Guardian *An exuberant narrator, bursting with telling details . . . enjoyable . . . Maradona's authentic voice of unreason and the best story in World Cup history carry you through -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times *Characteristically colourful -- Matt Dickinson * The Times *Open, honest contemplation * When Saturday Comes *The book's greatest strength is that it feels unmistakeably like 1986 all over again . . . I loved this book. I loved its nostalgia * Irish News *

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Book SynopsisThe golden age of Himalayan mountaineering, from the mid-1970s to the 1980s, brought forth a generation of radical young climbers. With tiny budgets and high ambitions they pioneered fast and light, alpine-style expeditions on mountains such as Jannu, Nuptse, Everest and K2. In High Risk, Brian Hall recalls the outrageous adventures of eleven of his climbing friends who risked – and often lost – their lives to stand on some of the world’s highest peaks during a legendary period in mountaineering history.Trade Review‘An absolutely spellbinding read.’ -- Adele Pennington‘Big characters who loved life close to the edge.’ -- Ed Douglas‘A riveting insight into the legendary characters of a remarkable climbing era.’ -- Mick Fowler‘Dazzling adventures recalled with wisdom and affection.’ -- Stephen Venables'High Risk captures the spirit of an era ... Ascents not bettered and hardly equalled since.' -- Leo Houlding‘Full of humour, affection and respect, High Risk takes the reader to the heart and soul of the golden age of UK climbing.’ * Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature *'A major milestone in alpine literature.' John Porter – mountaineer, author and former Alpine Club President'Entertaining, revealing, breathtaking, heartbreaking and confessional.' Stephen Goodwin – Kekoo Naoroji Book Award for Mountain Literature'A poignant tale of friendships, lofty climbing goals, and, ultimately, tremendous loss.' Cameron M. Burns – American Alpine Journal * American Alpine Journal *

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Book SynopsisIn 1959, sixteen-year-old Ian ‘Spike’ Sykes left school and, after a short period of work at Leeds University, joined the RAF. Already a keen climber, he signed up on the promise of excitement and adventure and was posted to the remote RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team in the north of Scotland. It was the beginning of a journey which would see him involved in some of the most legendary call-outs in Scottish mountain rescue history, including the 1963 New Year tragedy on the Isle of Skye.In the Shadow of Ben Nevis tells Spike’s story from growing up in Leeds in the aftermath of the Second World War, to his time with the RAF during the cold war. After leaving the RAF, he remained an active member of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team and was involved in the first lower down the north face of Ben Nevis – an epic 1,500-foot descent to rescue stricken climbers in the middle of winter.Following a two-and-a-half-year stint on Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey, he returned to the Highlands and opened the first Nevisport shop with his close friend Ian ‘Suds’ Sutherland. Together, they brought Sunday trading to Fort William and were one of a small number of shops to revolutionise outdoor retail in the UK. Later, he was a key player in the development of the Nevis Range ski area. Over many years, and against all odds, the project became a reality and a great success.Recounted within these pages are a great many lively tales of adventures and mishaps, told with immediacy and charm. With a foreword by legendary Scottish mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, a close friend of Spike’s, In the Shadow of Ben Nevis is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Scottish mountaineering and mountain rescue.Trade ReviewThis book tells of the life and experiences of a unique character and should appeal to anyone with a spirit of adventure. – Stu Gallagher, Alpine Club One man in his time plays many parts.’ This is certainly true of Spike, and this autobiography takes us through them ‒ RAF MRT member in the primitive pre-helicopter days, outdoor instructor, FIDS ‘gash man’, entrepreneur, Lochaber MRT member, and throughout it all a climber whose experience ranges from hitch-hiking and barn-dossing as an impoverished teenager to helicopter drops into exotic locations. Not a typical climbing autobiography ‒ and all the better for it. – R T Richardson, former president of the Scottish Mountaineering Club Suffice to say, In The Shadow... is a rattling good yarn, and that’s before you even get on to Sykes’s life-saving work with the Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team and his climbing adventures in the Alps, the Yukon and elsewhere. – Roger Cox, The Scotsman This book is a good read about a man and his life of adventure in the mountains and out of them. – Nick Carter, Alpha Mountaineering It recounts many lively tales of adventure and mishap. – Eilidh Davies, Highland News His stories of epic mountain rescues before the age of helicopter assistance, good communications, organised rescue teams and enforced drink driving laws are riveting. – Dave McLeod, Blogspot Hats off to Ian Sykes for a terrific read. Very highly recommended. – Ullapool NewsTable of ContentsForeword by Hamish MacInnes; 1 Fort William Station; 2 Garforth; 3 Fulneck; 4 Kinloss Mountain Rescue; 5 The Alps; 6 A New Year on Skye, 1963; 7 Locheil; 8 Falkland Islands; 9 Deception Island; 10 Stonington; 11 That's One Small Step for Man; 12 Nevisport; 13 Callop; 14 A Mandarin Murder; 15 The Snow Goose; 16 Nevis Range; 17 Lotus Flower Tower; 18 An Autumn in Siberia; 19 Cochamo; 20 Wadi Rum; 21 The End of the Century; 22 Discovering America.

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Book SynopsisThe start of a love affair: 'I kicked off my shoes and prepared to climb in stocking feet, aware of an enormous sense of occasion as I laid hands on the rock and stepped up on the first rounded hold. It was not a hard climb but that was unimportant. I felt instinctively at home and at the finish experienced such a surge of happy elation that I knew then I was committed to climbing.' Martin Boysen's passion for crags and mountains springs from his deep love of nature and a strong sense of adventure. From his early days on rock as a Kent schoolboy after the war, he was soon among the most gifted climbers of his or any generation, famed for his silky technique.Boysen made a huge contribution to British rock climbing, especially in North Wales; he discovered Gogarth in the 1960s and climbed some of the best new routes of his era: Nexus on Dinas Mot, The Skull on Cyrn Las and the magisterial Capital Punishment on Ogwen's Suicide Wall. For more than two decades, Boysen was also one of Britain's leading mountaineers. A crucial member of Sir Chris Bonington's team that climbed the South Face of Annapurna in 1970, Boysen was also part of Bonington's second summit team on the South West face of Everest. In 1976 he made the first ascent of Trango Tower with Joe Brown.Along the way, Boysen climbed with some of the most important figures in the history of the sport, not just stars like Bonington and Brown, but those who make climbing so rich and intriguing, like Nea Morin and the brilliant but doomed Gary Hemming. He joined Hamish MacInnes hunting gold in Ecuador, doubled for Clint Eastwood on the North Face of the Eiger and worked on director Fred Zinnemann's last movie.Wry, laconic and self-deprecating, Martin Boysen's Hanging On is an insider's account of British climbing's golden age.Table of Contents1 Beginnings; 2 To Learn to Climb; 3 1959; 4 First Ventures in the Alps; 5 The Dolomites; 6 Manchester; 7 The Alpha Club; 8 Hard Climbs, Modern Times; 9 The Walker; 10 Mixed Fortunes; 11 Cerro Torre; 12 Crash; 13 Annapurna; 14 The Eiger Sanction; 15 Changabang; 16 Lost on Everest, Found on Trango; 17 Gold Rush; 18 Endgame; Epilogue - The Rock Climbing Years.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.'As I sat cradling the man's head, with his blood and brains sticking to my hands, I heard a voice – my own voice. It was asking me something. Asking how I had ended up like this, desperate and lost among people who thought nothing of caving in a man's head and then standing back to watch him die.'Nick Bullock was a prison officer working in a maximum-security jail with some of Britain's most notorious criminals. Trapped in a world of aggression and fear, he felt frustrated and alone. Then he discovered the mountains. Making up for lost time, Bullock soon became one of Britain's best climbers, learning his trade in the mountains of Scotland and Wales, and travelling from Pakistan to Peru in his search for new routes and a new way of seeing the world – and ultimately an escape route from his life inside. Told that no one ever leaves the service – the security, the stability, the 'job for life' – Bullock focused his existence on a single goal: to walk free, with no shackles, into a mountain life.Echoes is a powerful and compelling exploration of freedom, and what it means to live life on your own terms.Trade Review'A brilliant page-turner from one of our most outstanding adventure mountaineers.' – Chris Bonington'Wild, exciting and inspirational. A book that grips you throughout with wild tales from handling Britain's most notorious criminals to tackling some of the world's most exciting unclimbed lines. I loved it.' – Mick Fowler'Utterly gripping. From his first clumsy steps to the all-in commitment of his greatest ascents Nick Bullock's early climbing career was inextricably linked to his work as a prison officer. Prison was both the force he climbed to escape and the hell that compelled him to push himself further in the mountains than others might have gone.' – Mark Twight'An unusual and powerful story that is as remarkable for its depiction of the author's life as a prison officer in one of the country's toughest jails, Gartree, as for his prodigious achievements on the mountains.' – Peter Beaumont, The Observer'When some aspects of climbing are turning into another off-the-shelf consumer lifestyle as predictable as the Gap catalogue, Echoes offers a compelling picture of what the real thing is all about.' – Stephen Venables, Climb Magazine'This book, an important book, a real book, captures a period in modern British climbing history ... the writing is captivating, intelligent, gentle, inquisitive.' – Jack Geldard, UKclimbing.com'A thought-provoking, entertaining and at times frightening book. Essential reading for anyone into having adventures.' – Dave MacLeod'Echoes is very entertaining and credit should be given for the author's vivid portrayal of prison life. The writing in the main is spare and matter of fact. A style which suits the rather dark subject matter. Prison life does not really lend itself to romantic prose!' – John Appleby, Footless CrowTable of ContentsForeword by Paul PritchardPrologue – TrustBrickWoodlands ChainsSoul MiningEchoesBellsFermentationFoundationsThe BlockGuiltFlowRoadsDreamsInnocenceGerminationLoyaltyTunnelsHonestyTracksThe WormTogetherFaithFearParoleLossFlightNorthDevotionWireWordsConfrontationCrashTimeDetritusThe SeaDetoxStarsTruthTurn Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis'One of the greatest mountaineering survival stories never told.' – The Sunday Times Some mountains are high; some mountains are hard. Few are both. On the afternoon of 13 July 1977, having become the first climbers to reach the summit of the Ogre, Doug Scott and Chris Bonington began their long descent. In the minutes that followed, any feeling of success from their achievement would be overwhelmed by the start of a desperate fight for survival. And things would only get worse. Rising to over 7,000 metres in the centre of the Karakoram, the Ogre – Baintha Brakk – is notorious in mountaineering circles as one of the most difficult mountains to climb. First summited by Scott and Bonington in 1977 – on expedition with Paul ‘Tut’ Braithwaite, Nick Estcourt, Clive Rowland and Mo Anthoine – it waited almost twenty-four years for a second ascent, and a further eleven years for a third. The Ogre, by legendary mountaineer Doug Scott, is a two-part biography of this enigmatic peak: in the first part, Scott has painstakingly researched the geography and history of the mountain; part two is the long overdue and very personal account of his and Bonington’s first ascent and their dramatic week-long descent on which Scott suffered two broken legs and Bonington smashed ribs. Using newly discovered diaries, letters and audio tapes, it tells of the heroic and selfless roles played by Clive Rowland and Mo Anthoine. When the desperate climbers finally made it back to base camp, they were to find it abandoned – and themselves still a long way from safety. The Ogre is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventure stories of all time.Trade Review'One of the greatest mountaineering survival stories never told.' – The Sunday Times. Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionPART I1. The Mountain2. Ancient History of Exploration3. European Interest in the Region4. The East India Company5. Scottish Contribution to Empire6. The Blanks on the Map7. Early MountaineeringPART II8. The Climbers9. March to Base Camp10. Climbing the Ogre11. The Epic Descent12. The Final StretchAfterwordAcknowledgementsFurther ReadingThe Author

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Book SynopsisJohn McEnroe enjoyed tremendous success at all levels of tennis, and he owns 77 career singles titles, including 7 Grand Slams. He joined the circuit in 1978 and it took him only three years to attain the No. 1 ranking. The 1980 Wimbledon final, between McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, is considered by many tennis experts to be the best match ever, a five-set thriller which McEnroe avenged the following year for his first Wimbledon title.In doubles, McEnroe is recognised as the best player of all time. He was ranked No. 1 for a record 257 weeks and captured a total of 74 titles, including 8 Grand Slams. Still an active player, McEnroe is now an outstanding tennis commentator and broadcaster for the BBC and other national networks. This autobiography, his first, covers an awesome tennis career, marriage to movie star Tatum O''Neal and where arguably the greatest tennis player of all time goes from here.This is SERIOUS.Trade ReviewAn ace * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Frank and engrossing * DAILY TELEGRAPH *McEnroe emerges as a funny, wise and articulate raconteur, acutely aware of his faults * THE TIMES *A book as straight-talking as the tennis star himself. * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisInstant New York Times Bestseller Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is one of the greatest motivators and inspirational leaders of all time—on the field, in business, with family, and in his community. Now, he delivers the ultimate playbook of inspiring personal stories, winning strategies, and the motivation required to help us “elevate and dominate” in all aspects of our lives. A natural-born leader, Deion Sanders demands and expects the best from himself and from those around him, never settling for anything less. Whether it’s dealing with intense pressure, using the competition to his advantage, or navigating personal challenges—both physical and emotional—Sanders has conquered it all by applying the hard-earned principles he’s learned throughout his life and career. The twenty-one inspirational ways to win here are based on the motivational stories and experiences of Sander

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