Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR''Immensely readable and revealing''The Guardian''A must read''Phil Liggett, MBE''A story like no other in cycling''Ned BoultingIMAGINE COMPETING IN THE WORLD''S MOST BRUTAL CYCLE RACES, KNOWING THAT A CRASH COULD BE FATALAlex Dowsett is one of Britain''s greatest cyclists. He has ridden Grand Tours and Classics for elite teams including Sky and Movistar and broke the iconic World Hour Record the ultimate time trial challenge. With humour, insight and honesty, Alex recounts his years as a pro-cyclist and the challenges he has faced in his struggle to reach the top. Alex has achieved all this despite being the only able-bodied elite sportsperson in the world with haemophilia A. He describes how the condition in which falls can be fatal both blighted his young sporting life, and boosted his determination to succeeTrade ReviewImmensely readable and revealing -- Donald McRae * The Guardian *A story to tell like no other in cycling * Ned Boulting *A great champion in sport and in life, and a credit for all young aspiring people to follow. A must read * Phil Liggett, MBE, international commentator *Truly inspirational * Cycling Weekly *The humblest super-talent in the peloton, proving nice guys can win. A wonderful book * Carlton Kirby *Such an inspiring tale. Poignant and moving, and told with forthright honesty * Peter Cossins *An inspiration for anyone who wants to do whatever they’re told they can’t. -- Michael HutchinsonUnembellished and honest. Alex tells what life as a professional cyclist is really like * Rick Zabel *Truly compelling.… a must read book for any cycling fan * Alan Murchison *Compelling -- Phil CavellA fascinating insight into the mindset of an elite sportsman who overcame great odds to reach the very top * Simon Brotherton *Table of ContentsNot Horrific, Just Terrible - The Hour Record, 2015 The Day My Dad Stopped Whistling - Diagnosis 1990 Freedom - The Commonwealth Games, 2014 One Evening, on the River Blackwater - The beginning, 2001 Hunger Games - The British Academy, 2007-2010 The University of Livestrong - Riding for a legend, 2010 Treading My Own Path - Team Sky to Movistar, 2011-2013 Letting Go of the Bike - The Giro, 2013 The Armstrong Comment - The Start Line, Beijing, 2012 Growing Up – On the road with Cavendish, 2013-2015 Mummy’s Boy - Sub-title? 2016 Heartbreak and Glory - The Olympics and The Commonwealths Mayhem - Katusha-Alpecin, 2018—2019 Life Expectancy - The Tour de France, 2019 An Arm around my Shoulder - The Worlds, 2019 Stage 8 - Giro d’Italia, 2020 Winners and Losers - The Hour, 2021 Born Lucky - Leaving the World Tour, 2022.

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Book Synopsis''Lays bare the realities of a sporting career''Lord Sebastian Coe''Gripping, revealing and honest''Steve Cram OBE''A gripping read ... Iwan runs and runs and runs, and arrives at himself''Jeremy VineRunning has been Iwan Thomas''s life. He put everything into becoming and remaining an elite athlete to such a point that his efforts left him scarred.Iwan reveals the highs of his career, but also his battles with the dark side of running the loneliness, the doubts, the hurt and, ultimately, the serious mental health issues. After a youthful stint as a world-class BMX rider, Iwan dedicated himself to running. Between 1995 and 1998, he became one of the world''s fastest men, taking silver in the 4x400m at the Olympics and gold at the European and World Championships. Yet, although his British 400m record of 44.36s would stand unbroken for 25 years, niggling injuries were already beginning to limit hi

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the most beautifully made sports books I’ve ever seen. -- Ben Reiter * New York Times bestselling author of Astroball *“Every moment with Bartolo Colón is a story. He’s an awesome guy." -- Manny Ramirez * Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox teammate *“He was one of those guys who, when he took the mound, he went all out.” -- Omar Vizquel * Cleveland Indians teammate *“He’s a great guy, a great human being, who does a lot of things for his country, and he never takes anything for granted." -- Albert Pujols * friend and World Baseball Classic teammate for the Dominican Republic *"Every time he would start, before the game we’d play hide-and-seek. He’d come out of the locker room, and I’d be hiding. I’d have a tarp over me; I’d hide behind walls. I was in garbage cans, linen baskets. And he would always find me, and he would give off this belly laugh. Sometimes I’d jump out at him from inside a closet. It was like we were a couple of kids again.” -- Dan Warthen * New York Mets pitching coach *“He could have pitched for me forever.” -- Terry Collins * New York Mets manager *“He held up his right arm and said, ‘Don’t worry, Dad. With this arm I’m going to make you rich and you won’t have to work anymore.’" -- Miguel Valerio Colón * father *“My mother did tell me he was a genius at math, though.” -- José Antonio Torres Reyes * general manager at the Bartolo Colón Baseball Academy *

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Book SynopsisA deeply moving and painfully honest memoir from the trailblazing, World Cup–winning, Olympic gold medalist, and U.S. Women’s soccer goalie Briana Scurry with New York Times bestselling author Wayne CoffeyForeword by Robin Roberts Briana Scurry was a pioneer on the U.S. Women’s National Team. She won gold in Atlanta in 1996, the first time women’s soccer was ever played in the Olympics. She was a key part of the fabled “99ers,” making an epic save in the decisive penalty-kick shootout in the final. Scurry captured her second Olympic gold in 2004, cementing her status as one of the premier players in the world. She was the only Black player on the team, and she was also the first player to be openly gay. It was a singularly amazing ride, one that Scurry handled with her trademark generosity and class—qualities that made her one of the most popular players ever to wear a U.S. jersey. But ScTrade Review“My Greatest Save is more than the story of an all-time great goalkeeper. It's about a pioneering female athlete who made sure to honor those who came before her even as she worked hard to make things better for those who came after her.” * Billie Jean King *“Before every USWNT game we played together, Briana would look me in the eye, give me a double-gloved fist bump, and ask, ‘Ready?’ I knew I didn’t have to ask her because she was always ready. Everybody knows Bri was one of the greatest keepers in the history of women’s soccer. When you read My Greatest Save, you will find out that her heart and courage were every bit the equal of her ball-stopping skills.” * Mia Hamm *“Briana Scurry is one of the most dominant and courageous goalkeepers I've ever played with. Her character and courage go far beyond the pitch. My Greatest Save is a moving story of resilience and triumph. It helped me get to know Bri—and myself—better.” * Abby Wambach *“A triumphant sports memoir by one of the first African American female soccer players, an athlete who rose to fame and suffered great loss only to rise again, stronger.” * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisLewis ''Mad Dog'' Moody has been a familiar face in English rugby for fifteen successful and, at times, painful years. The former Leicester and now Bath flanker has seen and done it all in a sport that has changed beyond recognition from his first forays into the sport to the huge spectacle that rugby, and especially test match rugby, has become. Known for his near-suicidal fashion of playing the game, Moody has achieved as much as anyone in the history of the sport, from league, cup and European honours with an iconic Leicester Tigers team alongside the likes of Martin Johnson and Neil Back, to a 2003 World Cup winners medal and an MBE when still a young man. A great deal of heartbreak would follow - pain, illness, self-doubt and dark days in the four years before the next World Cup campaign that saw Moody and England fall in the 2007 final but he re-emerged to finally captain his country to a third World Cup campaign in 2011. Mad Dog - An Englishman

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Book SynopsisThe entertaining and hugely readable autobiography of one of sports journalism's most famous names

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Book SynopsisAs England''s cricket team compete for the Ashes in Australia, ex-England spinner Phil Tufnell is enjoying life as a retired cricketer and national treasure. When the sporting legend hung up his cricket boots back in 2003, little did he know the dramatic direction his professional life would take next.Yet since being crowned ''King of the Jungle'', the ex-England spin bowler has never looked back and has become a much loved television and radio presenter. Cricket''s dressing-room clown is now broadcasting''s joker in the pack.Whether it''s dining on mealworms on I''m a Celebrity, displaying his ballroom fleckle on Strictly Come Dancing or causing weekly mayhem for the long-suffering host Sue Barker on A Question of Sport, millions of us enjoy Tuffers'' lust for life and endearing sense of humour.In Where Am I?, Phil gamely tries to make sense of the wonderful roller-coaster he has been riding these last dozen years, delighti

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Book SynopsisThis is the real Jason McAteer: a little bit bruised, a little bit battered. But still fighting.Trade ReviewA meaty memoir with as much gristle as its title promises * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisNearly half a century ago, Filbert Bayi revolutionized how the middle-distance races were run. During that heyday of athletics competition before pacemakers were hired to take the lead, the unheralded Tanzanian served as his own ‘rabbit’. The innovative Bayi set a blistering pace that dared formidable challengers from around the globe to, as his autobiography suggests, Catch Me If You Can. After an inspiring career that included two world records and an Olympic medal, Bayi took the same assertive approach into post-racing life as an educator, entrepreneur and sports administrator. Today, he still embodies excellence in a school and foundation that bear his name as he strives to improve his country and community. In telling his long-awaited story, Bayi recounts hardships, including his mother’s encounter with hyenas while he was still in the womb, bouts of malaria and an Olympic boycott, as well as enduring friendships with John Walker and other great rivals. Over nearly 70 years, his experiences consistently reflect the three values he treasures most – sacrifice, commitment and confidence – resulting in an unforgettable example for anyone, anywhere to follow.

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Book SynopsisA cult football figure, Vince Hilaire's career spanned over 600 games and took in spells at Crystal Palace, Portsmouth, Leeds United and Stoke City, playing in every professional division as well as for England at Youth and Under 21 levels. Hilaire shared a dressing room with some of the stars of the era including Kenny Sansom, Mick Channon, Gordon Strachan and Vinnie Jones, and was managed by some of the biggest figures in British football - Malcolm Allison, Terry Venables, Alan Ball and Howard Wilkinson. This book offers a fascinating insight into the methods of these managers - Allison and Venables' desperation to produce a side that rivalled the free-flowing football of the famous `Busby Babes', contrasting with the dourness and rigidity of Wilkinson's Leeds. One of the first black players to break into the professional game, Vince made his professional debut at seventeen and was a member of the famous `Team of the `80s at Palace that topped the First Division table. He details exactly why that team fell apart so quickly and the chaos that subsequently engulfed the club. Vince also outlines the regular abuse that he faced as a young black player making his way in football and the dread he felt playing at certain grounds. This massively entertaining autobiography gives a fascinating insight into the beautiful game as it used to be played.

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Book Synopsis'My identity is built on conflicts, and I'm proud of who I am ... I can walk through the rest of my life with something to say.' Nedum Onuoha was not a typical footballer. A young black Mancunian picked by the Manchester City Academy aged ten, he was determined to continue his education despite the lure of a career under the floodlights. Fiercely intelligent on and off the pitch, Onuoha developed into a talented defender and played his part in City's meteoric rise. He was at the Etihad Stadium when they won their first Premier League title - as an opposition player for QPR, having left the Blues just four months earlier. In this characteristically forthright book, Onuoha reveals what goes on behind the scenes at top-tier clubs. Stuffed with insights into household names like Stuart Pearce, Sven-Goeran Eriksson, Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp, this is football and its most famous figures as you've never seen them before. Kicking Back is also the story of one man's search for identity: as a footballer, as a black man in England and as an outsider in the US during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. What is it like to receive horrific racist abuse while doing your job? And how has football utterly failed the black community? Onuoha provides a damning assessment of the sport's authorities, finally claiming his voice as he dives deep into a life spent on the pitch.

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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 SynopsisFOREWORD BY ALASTAIR COOKWho ever hoped like a cricketer?Nick Compton has an incredible sporting ancestry. A literal golden boy, his grandfather Denis Compton played cricket for England and football for Arsenal.Honed at an elite English boarding school, with a telegenic profile perfectly suited to the modern media environment, Nick appeared to be blessed with that rare ability to be able to stride out and face down the world's quickest bowlers, to survive and thrive in the danger zone of the hurtling new ball.However, greatness in any field comes at a price and this gripping memoir explores the almost 'Faustian pact' he made in order to secure that time in the sun as a key member of an England team alongside such greats as Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Ben Stokes. It will show what 'Mistress Cricket' demanded from Nick as his side of that bargain. The family he left behind, the failed relationships both personal and professional and the utter physical and mental exhaustion which resulted from his drive to stay at the top.Trade ReviewA fascinating, at times painfully honest, study of obsession, perfectionism and a mental health struggle. * Matt Dickinson, The Times *A powerful and moving book, dominated by his obsession with cricket and the emotional difficulties he faced. The lessons it offers seem timely and resonant. * Donald McRae, Observer *A compelling read. -- George Dobell * The Cricketer *Table of Contentsi: Foreword ii: Prologue 1: Old and new 2: Grandad 3: The obsession 4: To Harrow and beyond 5: The impatience of youth 6: 'You've done nothing, mate' 7: A breakthrough 8: A new beginning 9: 'Just don't ever get out' 10: The Compton Cricket Club 11: A dream realised 12: This isn't going to be easy 13: A series win and niggling doubts 14: Proving my worth 15: A sense of injustice 16: 'They simply don't like Nick Compton' 17: A Middlesex recall 18: A clean slate 19: So near and yet so far 20: Walking the Lord's plank 21: An inevitable conclusion 22: A lens on life 23: The graft behind the craft 24: A sum of its parts 25: A legacy of my own iii: Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis‘We’re not at parkrun any more,’ I mutter to myself, quietly longing for the presence of nice marshals in high-visibility vests.Failure is an Option is the story of an average runner who sets out to discover just how far he can go. With the support (and misgivings) of his family, and aware that his quickest years are behind him, Matt Whyman leaves the Saturday morning 5K to push towards 100-mile ultramarathons and beyond. By slowing things down to run a very long way, he joins a growing number of men and women from all walks of life striving to do something extraordinary.A newcomer to a world that can often seem off-limits, Matt finds his feet as an ultrarunner by learning the hard way. He battles monster hallucinations on endurance races spanning day and night, loses himself on tantalising trails across landscapes far from home, and forges bonds with fellow competitors in which small, kind gestures mean more than any medal. Determined to touch the boundaries of his running world before it starts to shrink, ultimately Matt sets his sights on a six-day mountain ultra that even hardened veterans consider to be the most formidable on earth: the Dragon’s Back Race.Brimming with good humour, honesty and joy, Failure is an Option pits ambition against ability to uncover human truths that resonate with us all. A mid-pack competitor who could win prizes for enthusiasm – if nothing else – Matt takes us on a journey far beyond his comfort zone and with no guaranteed outcome of success. The results are entertaining from start to finish, often very funny and at times deeply moving.Trade Review‘What an absolute JOY! – perfectly captures the folly and ambition of this silly and wonderful sport.’– Vassos Alexander, sports presenter, ultrarunner and author‘A funny and inspirational read. From parkrunner to ultramarathoner, Matt shows what it means to keep trying – both in running and in life.’– Elise Downing, ultrarunner and author of Coasting‘Poignant, relatable and told with refreshing honesty.’– Damian Hall, elite ultrarunner, coach and author of In It for the Long Run'Make no mistake, this book is not about failure! It’s an account of how the love of running can keep you wanting more no matter where, or how, you end up in the field! The patience and support of a good partner also helps. Eloquently written with humour. Loved it!'– Shane Benzie, coach, author and founder of Running Reborn

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Book SynopsisGeoff Thomas's heroic battle to overcome leukaemia, and then take on the toughest sporting challenge: to ride the Tour de France'A wonderfully compelling read' INDEPENDENT'RIDING THROUGH THE STORM details movingly and eloquently how Thomas fought cancer and then took on the Tour de France to prove how alive he was ... All human life graces Thomas' outstanding book' DAILY TELEGRAPHWhen Geoff Thomas struggled to play a friendly game of tennis while on holiday in Mallorca in May 2003, he thought little of it. Recently retired as a footballer, he believed it was a sign of ageing and perhaps a pulled muscle. But when the pain wouldn't go away, his wife Julie persuaded him to go to a doctor. He was diagnosed as having leukaemia.RIDING THROUGH THE STORM focuses on his journey round the Tour de France in the summer of 2005, riding the 2,240-mile course in the 21 days it takes Lance Armstrong and all the top cyclists, despite never having cycled much before. Despite the odds against him achieving it, he rode the course and raised nearly £200,000 for charity. As he rides, he looks back on his successful career as a footballer, and the bone-marrow transplant that saved his life. This is a powerful, moving and inspirational story of extraordinary achievement.Trade ReviewA wonderfully compelling read * INDEPENDENT *RIDING THROUGH THE STORM details movingly and eloquently how Thomas fought cancer and then took on the Tour de France to prove how alive he was ... All human life graces Thomas' outstanding book * DAILY TELEGRAPH *

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Book SynopsisInherited eczema and allergies made Barbara James different from her classmates, something she did not like. She was lucky. The severity of her eczema had lessened when her teacher introduced her to the Snowdonia hills. In 1964 she became a full time mountaineering instructor and mountain rescue first aider in Capel Curig at a time when there were few females instructing or leading difficult rock routes. Divorced in 1976 and with a mortgage to pay, Barbara needed a job, and became the first and possibly the only woman civilian to be employed by MOD to train soldiers. At the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion in Folkestone she learned another language, new codes of behaviour, and to lead expeditions. After early retirement, Barbara took her first holiday in 11 years. She was probably the second person to go, unaccompanied, to the magical Falkland Islands soon after the conflict. Alone she walked up Tumbledown, communed with wild life and was told that "Anyone can learn to fly". So on return, her 50th birthday present to herself was to get a Private Pilot's Licence. A year later she flew a Cessna 40 hours solo around Florida. But nothing Barbara had done was as challenging as surviving, alone, the furiously tourist evenings in Tenerife's Playa de Las Americas. Only the magical El Teide National Park and the genuine, spontaneous kindness of the Canarians ensured her return. She rented an apartment in Adeje village and the locals' initial suspicious looks soon disappeared. Itching to Climb tells the story of one woman's undaunting spirit in the face of adversities, of a life spent facing challenges head on, with a singleminded determination to achieve despite the difficulties that life had laid in her way. This is a story of encouragement and hope for anyone who suffers with eczema, or any similar debilitating condition.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most perceptive descriptions of Manchester City''s play during their glory years was made by Manchester Evening News reporter Peter Gardner who said that "When Youngy plays, City play". For all the talk in the intervening years of greats such as Summerbee, Bell and Lee, it was the local lad made good who made most impact when it mattered. A tall, leggy striker with a venomous left-foot shot, Young scored in every significant game for City in the late 60s. Scorer of two goals in the 1968 Championship win up at Newcastle, the scorer of the 1969 FA Cup Final winner and the first goal in the 1970 Cup Winners'' Cup final, Neil Young played as significant a role in the success and style of the Mercer-Allison partnership as anyone. Yet by 1972 he was allowed to leave the club as City began their now familiar relationship with underachievement and mismanagement. In ''Catch a Falling Star'', Neil Young explains what he has been up to in the years since his sizzling shots stung the hands of the country''s finest goalkeepers. Here he frankly discusses the problem that faced footballers of the pre-Premiership era: "When I left Rochdale for the last time one Friday afternoon I had a week''s wages... about 60. I drove home and sat in my lounge for about two hours, wondering what the hell I was going to do. I had a car on HP, a mortgage, a wife and three children to feed. I was the provider who could no longer provide. I had no savings whatsoever and my wife didn''t work. I didn''t see it coming. It was a calamity waiting to happen." Thus starts Neil''s decline into illness and depression. During the next painful decade Neil suffered numerous illnesses, lost his family, his mother and survived a suicide attempt. Thankfully, he has emerged with his spirit intact thanks largely to the love of his third wife, Carmen. ''Catch a Falling Star'' is the moving tale of a how a star on the wane managed to mount a personal comeback as impressive as any achieved on the pitch by City''s star-studded squad of the late 60s.

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Book SynopsisErnest Mangnall holds a unique place in the history of Mancunian football as the only man to manage both the city''s major clubs, but his legacy runs much deeper than that as he also played a key role in both clubs finding new homes and even oversaw the move of Bolton Wanderers to Burnden Park. He is perhaps best remembered as the man who brought Manchester United their first major honours following the takeover by John Henry Davies. There he won two League Championships, an FA Cup and two Charity Shields during a nine-year reign and the irony won''t be lost on City fans that those achievements were helped in part by the exodus of players from their club in the wake of an FA enquiry which found the club guilty for making ''under the counter'' payments. Yet it was Mangnall''s cunning as an administrator that allowed United to cherry-pick the cream of City''s players luring the likes of Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull and Herbert Burgess to the club. The result was United''s first great era but the club soon became mired in controversy as a number of FA enquiries that led to Davies being forced to relinquish control. Sensing the wind change, Mangnall felt no compunction in moving to City in 1914 where he stayed for a decade guiding the club through the devastation of the war before finding them a new home at Maine Road, a place still that remains in the hearts of City fans to this day. John Ernest Mangnall truly was the architect of Mancunian football.

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Book SynopsisOn 31st January 2010, Trooper Corie Mapp of The Life Guards was driving his armoured vehicle on combat operations in Afghanistan when it ran over an IED. The explosion that followed caused him massive injuries. But this was not the end of his active life but rather the beginning. The next thing Corie remembers was waking in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Selly Oak, Birmingham, not realising that he was a double amputee. Two months later, and having made an almost miraculous against-the-odds recovery, Corie was back with his regiment in Windsor, and continued to serve until 2013. Sport was an important part of Corie's life before the explosion and a vital one after. In rehabilitation, he rediscovered his sporting skills, and competed successful in disabled cricket at a national level, and was a member of Team GB for sitting volley ball and athletics at the Warrior and the Invictus Games. However, when he was offered the chance to bobsleigh, his horizons widened considerably. After just one year of training, in 2014 Corie won gold in the inaugural Para Bobsleigh World Cup competition in St Moritz, was second overall in the World Cup 2014/15 season and became the overall World Cup champion in 2018. In the 2021-22 season, he will continue to train and compete at the highest levels in North America and Europe. On the international bobsleigh circuit he is affectionately known 'Black Ice'. This book is Corie Mapp's remarkable story of triumph over adversity.Trade Review"No matter what obstacles have come his way in life, he will never give up until he overcomes them. With sheer determination, strength and courage, Corie has proved to be top of whatever sport he has taken on at an elite level. The incredible list of his personal and professional accomplishments just keeps growing." Les Ferdinand MBE Director of Football, Queens Park Rangers Football Club;Table of ContentsPreface by Les Ferdinand Foreword by the Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson A Personal View by Barney Campbell Prelude A Moment of Truth 1. Bimshire 2. Pride and Industry 3. The Beat of a Distant Drum 4. A Donkey Walloper in Khaki 5. A Tin in the Kit 6. Marilyn Monroe 7. Mount Doom 8. Operation MINIMISE 9. Back on Two Feet 10. Playing to Win 11. The Purest Form of Insanity 12. Life, Death and the Whole Black Thing postscript And finally . . . Glossary of Army slang etc Index Acknowledgements About the co-author About the Household Cavalry Foundation

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Book SynopsisLiving The Dream: with Drive, Ambition & a Dash of Good Luck' is the compelling and poignant memoir of Ken Piesse, Australia's most published living author with a rare passion for cricket and football. Packed with all of his insights and inspirations, Ken tells all - from his battle for recognition against the rebuffs to his now successful and multi-faceted career in sports. Despite great personal loss, tragedies and triumphs along the way, Living the Dream: with Drive, Ambition & a Dash of Good Luck' is a tribute to a passionate life for all things sports.

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Book SynopsisMilkha Singh hased aife dominated by running, running, running. From a boy who narrowly escaped death during Partition (Most of his family was not soucky), to a juvenile delinquent who stole and outran the police, to a young Army recruit who ran his very first race to win special privileges for himself (A daily glass of milk). After that first race, Milkha Singh became an athlete by default and what followed was the stuffegends are made of. In this remarkably candid autobiography, Milkha Singh shares the amazing highs of winning India''s first ever gold in athletics at the Commonwealth Games, the unbridled joy of being hailed as the ''Flying Sikh'' in Pakistan, as well as the shatteringow of failure at the Olympics. Simple yet ambitious, famous yet grounded, Milkha Singh was a man who defined his own destiny and remained committed to running and yet, remarkably for a man whoseife was dominated by sports, he continues to remain disillusioned with the way sports is run. Powerful and gripping, the Race of Myife documents the journey of an impoverished refugee who rose to become one of the most towering figures in Indian sports.

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Book SynopsisBorn into a family of cricket enthusiasts, Rohit Sharma had dreamt of playing for the country for as long as he could remember. By the time he was eight years old, cricket had become an obsession. Many years of hard work, tears and sweat later, today, he is a batting powerhouse and the only cricketer to have scored three double hundreds in One-Day Internationals. None of this came easy. Rohit''s is a riveting story of overcoming difficult Odds to become one of the greatest Batsmen in the history of ODIs.

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Book SynopsisCaptain of Celtic and midfield enforcer for Northern Ireland, Neil Lennon is one of the most controversial figures in British football. His story, fully updated for the Celtic 2006/7 season in this paperback edition, is an extraordinary tale of religious bigotry, life-threatening career injury and tumultuous football success at club level.

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Book SynopsisThe beguiling story of one boy’s dream to play in goal, that most British of positions, culminating in the moment when he faces the mighty Zico …Trade Review‘Witty and acutely observed, it is the story of post-war Britain told through the eyes of a North London boy brought up on the tradition of goalkeeping legends.’Daily Mail ‘More than football… woven together with skill and style.’Independent ‘Well written, charming, funny.’Sunday Times ‘There are times when words are worth a thousand pictures… invigorating history, but the football too is excellent’Glasgow Herald

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Book SynopsisThe amazing life story of the enfant terrible of tennis in the 1970s and 80s – winner of two Grand Slam titles, three Grand Slam doubles titles and twice a Wimbledon finalist.Trade Review'Full of rollicking anecdotes…a splendid book’ Mail on Sunday

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Book SynopsisThe Golden Girl of British cycling opens up, for the first time, in searingly honest detail about what drives her to compete in a sport she no longer loves. Written with Donald McRae, 2-time winner of the William Hill Award, “Between the Lines” is a gripping story of success against the odds.

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Book SynopsisIn 2013, Alan Hodgkinson marks 60 years spent playing and coaching at clubs including Sheffield United, Manchester United and England. This is the story of his life – and the life of the game – in that time.

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Book Synopsis‘Resilience can give you strength to keep moving forwards when you are caught in the rain or a storm, and keep you continuing on your journey through life. And it is a strength which resides in everyone.’

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Jay has always been there for me. I’m extremely grateful to have learned from someone with such great wisdom…. Jay Glazer isn’t just a great friend, he’s family too. He is honest, uplifting, and hilarious, and there is no shortage of those qualities in UNBREAKABLE.” — Demi Lovato “When you meet Jay Glazer, it’s hard to believe that there’s anything that could stop the guy. He’s the ultimate insider, the consummate hustler, a fiery advocate, and a loyal friend. So it’s all the more heroic how he’s pushed through intense bouts of doubt, anxiety, and depression to reach such heights. We can all benefit from Jay’s story, both personally and professionally. He’s more than just a great head of hair…. He’s UNBREAKABLE.” — Guy Fieri, celebrity chef and restaurateur “Jay Glazer is much more than the NFL insider you see on television every Sunday, he’s a confidant. For many of us in the league, Jay’s loyalty goes far beyond football. He’s helped me personally and professionally, proving just how unbreakable he is. He has an unbreakable spirit. He has unbreakable work ethic. He is UNBREAKABLE. In a world full of adversity, his is an inspiring story of perseverance.” — Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers “As a former soldier and professional fighter, mental toughness is a commodity that has allowed me to thrive in a sometimes-brutal world. Finding a loyal and trusted friend to share life’s amazing journey with has been difficult. Jay Glazer became that person for me. Through Jay’s UNBREAKABLE, you have the opportunity to see firsthand how honesty, loyalty, hard work, and humility can help overcome any obstacle and turn personal adversity into tremendous success! Jay has sown countless seeds into the hearts of many with his openness and genuine personality. Thank you, Jay, for your amazing friendship.” — Randy Couture, actor and former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, UFC Hall of Famer “Jay Glazer has lived Unbreakable his entire life. More importantly, behind the grit and toughness is a compassionate and warm human being. Everyone who’s had a chance to get to know him would repeat the same stories of trust, reliability, and loyalty. It’s simply how he is wired, and I’m quite sure you’ll feel that in Unbreakable.” — Sean Payton, head couch of the New Orleans Saints “As a woman, veteran, and athlete, forged by tough love, I initially underestimated just how much Jay’s friendship, mentorship, and insights into mental toughness and vulnerability would shape my life. Unbreakable encourages readers to unlock their potential, lean into the uncomfortable, and stand proud of what makes them different.” — Kirstie Ennis, U.S. Marine Corps sergeant and door gunner, Paralympic snowboarding athlete, first female above-the-knee amputee to summit Mount Kilimanjaro “Jay is real, and that is what makes him great. But what’s consistent about Jay is his loyalty. You can ALWAYS count on him. Unbreakable reminds me of this: Jay’s can-do and will-do attitude. In a world of ‘what have you done for me lately’ or ‘what can you do for me now,’ Jay stands out as a real one.” — Chuck Liddell, former UFC light heavyweight champion, UFC Hall of Famer “Jay’s a fighter, in every sense of the word. He’s not only Unbreakable; he’s an underdog who believes in people so much that it helps them believe in themselves. I am one of those people.” — Nate Boyer, Green Beret, Bronze Star recipient, former Seattle Seahawk “Jay Glazer helps people look forward and know that it’s okay to be different, because we all are. Unbreakable is inspiring and motivational. It teaches people that the phrase ‘I got your back’ is for always, and that you are never alone.” — Royce Gracie, first-ever UFC champion, UFC Hall of Famer, and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner “Jay has always had an unmatched passion and desire to help others, but as Jay’s friend and business partner, what has been so amazing is witnessing his personal growth. In Unbreakable, his ability to help others has been elevated to a whole new level.” — Lindsey Berg, two-time captain of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Volleyball team, and two-time silver medalist “This book is one of the most meaningful books I’ve ever read. It’s raw and real, coupled with compelling writing and entertaining moments. Like Jay Glazer, Unbreakable is also one of a kind. Read it and become Unbreakable!” — Jon Gordon, twelve-time bestselling author of twenty-four books, including The Energy Bus “Jay Glazer sits at the intersection of authenticity and heart in everything he does. Jay has impacted many lives with his genuine vulnerability and grit, creating a space of belonging for those around him. Unbreakable is no different, offering an impassioned invitation to be and to own your own unique self with everything you do.” — Kami Craig, two-time Olympic gold medalist in water polo “From the day I met Jay Glazer, I recognized his ability to turn scars into superpowers. He is an inspiring example of a kind character who sets an example of wearing one’s adversities like badges of honor and embracing one’s vulnerability as a signature of human courage. Unbreakable proves this fantastically.” — Hayley Paige, famed wedding gown designer

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The book that rocked the sports world with its explosive revelations of a bitter feud between David Beckham and American star Landon Donovan—and how they overcame their differences to lead the L.A. Galaxy to the championship final, now updated with a new Afterword “Far more than merely a soccer book, The Beckham Experiment brilliantly explores—and exposes—that odd place where sports and celebrity collide.”—Jeff Pearlman, author of Boys Will Be Boys In 2007, David Beckham shocked the international sports world when he signed a five-year contract with an American team, the Los Angeles Galaxy. Could he pull off what no player had ever accomplished and transform soccer into one of the most popular spectator sports in America? It was a bold experiment: failure meant a team, a league, a sport, and Beckham himself might miss their chance to hit primetim

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Book SynopsisIn Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, Simone presents the story of how she overcame early childhood challenges to become the most decorated US female gymnast and the only female gymnast to ever win three consecutive World Championship titles.Trade ReviewNineteen-year-old Biles, Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated U.S. gymnast of all time, takes readers along her journey to the podium in this memoir. After spending her early childhood in and out of foster care, Biles was adopted by her biological grandparents. She began her gymnastics training at the age of six after a field trip to Bannon’s Gymnastix, where the coaches quickly discovered that she “had what it took to go all the way.” Biles describes not only her gymnastics training and career but also her personal life, including her grandmother’s death, the difficult decisions she made in order to balance school and gymnastics, her “bratty period” in her early teens, and her love for her car, with its zebra-print interior. In recent years, Biles has won three consecutive world championship titles followed by her team gold and individual wins at the 2016 Olympics. Biles’s narration is effervescent, showing her to be, as her brother says, “a goofy and down-to-earth kid.” The tone is conversational and includes casual phrases such as “if you can’t already tell” and “just kidding.” She expresses appreciation for her family, friends, teammates, and coaches and frequently credits God and her faith for her success. One slight caveat: readers without background knowledge about gymnastics may not find the terminology to be adequately explained. VERDICT Essential for libraries serving tween and teen gymnastics fans.–Magdalena Teske, Naperville Public Library, IL * School Library Journal *Who can forget the radiant smile and inexhaustible energy of four-feet-eight, 19-year-old Simone Biles, Olympian gymnast? This inspiring and humorous memoir details how Simone, with the help and support of her family, coaches, faith, and friends, succeeded in winning five Olympic medals in 2016, four gold and a bronze. After a brief time in foster care, Simone was six when she and her younger sister were adopted by her grandparents (whom she refers to as her mom and dad). Flipping on the family trampoline and an unexpected daycare trip to the local tumbling gym sparked her love of gymnastics. Despite her rookie success, she missed being selected for the USA women’s junior team by one spot and was too young to compete in the 2012 Olympics. But success was in her future, due in part to her incredible support system---her parents even built their own gym. Simone is admirable, but it’s the unwavering support of her family and coaches that will make a lasting impact on readers. -Sharon Rawlins * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisFrom the five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, the candid, captivating story of her rise to tennis stardom.*One of The Boston Globe''s Best Books of 2017*In the middle of the night, a father and his daughter step off a Greyhound bus in Florida and head straight to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. They ring the bell, though no one is expecting them and they don't speak English. The two have arrived from Russia with only seven hundred dollars and the conviction that this six-year-old will be the next tennis star. Amazingly, they are right.Young Maria Sharapova went on to win Wimbledon at just seventeen years old, in an astonishing upset against the reigning champion Serena Williamsthe match that kicked off their legendary rivalry and placed Sharapova on the international stage. At eighteen, she reached the number one WTA ranking for the first time, and has held that ranking many times since. In this gripping autobiography, the fi

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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