Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisCasey Stoner, the two-time World MotoGP champion, tells his own explosive story.Trade ReviewA must-read for MotoGP fans. * SPORT *

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Book SynopsisCollects Walter Bonatti's classic writings detailing his exploits on numerous expeditions to different mountains of the world, as well as the real story behind the controversy over the events on K2 that changed his life.

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Book SynopsisRichard 'Ricky' Hatton was born in 1978 and grew up in Hattersley, Greater Manchester. As a young amateur fighter he won several British titles and boxed at the World Junior Boxing Championship in Cuba, before turning pro in 1997. He went on to be champion of the world four times at light-welterweight, was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 2007 and is widely seen as one of Britain's greatest ever boxers. He lives in Gee Cross with his girlfriend Jennifer and has three children, Campbell, Millie and Fearne.

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Book SynopsisSELECTED FOR THE BBC AND READING AGENCY''S BIG SPORTING READ 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 SPORT''An amazing adventure... I was left in total awe'' - Lorraine Kelly''Brilliant'' - Mark Beaumont 16 countries, 124 days and 18,000 miles. This is the story of one woman's solo lap of the planet by bike.The relief was immense: no longer was I talking, thinking or worrying about this. I was just actually doing it. I, Jenny Graham, was riding around the actual world!'In 2018, amateur cyclist Jenny Graham left family and friends behind in Scotland to become the fastest woman to cycle around the world. Alone and unsupported, she crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin four months later, smashing the female record by nearly three weeks. With infectious wit and honesty, Jenn

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Book SynopsisThe must-have gift for every football fan this ChristmasLife is a beautiful game but how should you play it?To be a manager, you have to perform always. You cannot live in history. It''s now and tomorrow that counts'----''A joyous and defiant portrait'' Daily Telegraph, Books of the YearFor Sven-Göran Eriksson, one of the world's most revered and respected football managers, the game has come to an end.He leaves us with his parting reflections, looking back on what he has achieved, experienced and learned over a lifetime in service to the beautiful game. It is a journey that has taken him from a small club in his native Sweden, across every continent, to competing on the world's stage.Before his death, he was able to impart the lessons he's learned along the way about life, leadership and love and to speak candidly about his extraordinary successes, as well as overcoming his failures.On the field, he led some of the finest sportsmen on earth to great victories and heartbreaking defeats, and in the process left his indelible mark on the game. This is a story of lives touched and connections made in the dogged pursuit of excellence. But for Sven the true journey he wanted to share is the one he made on the inside the man that he became.Because A Beautiful Game is far more than the tale of a successful football manager. It is the story of the biggest game of all what makes a good life. A story that endures, long after the final whistle.----''No book could match the emotional heft of A Beautiful Game'' Daily TelegraphREMEMBERING SVEN-ÖRAN ERIKSSON ''Great manager and superb man-manager'' John Terry''One of the very best and a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the world of football'' Michael Owen''I could play my best football under him'' Micah Richards

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Book Synopsis**UPDATED WITH A NEW FAREWELL CHAPTER**''A love letter to the great man himself.' The TimesImmensely readable.' ObserverDelightful.' Mail on SundayHighly enjoyable.' GuardianInformative and emotive.' This Is AnfieldIn the first book by a British writer about this extraordinary football manager, lifelong Liverpool fan Anthony Quinn has crafted a memorable love letter to Jürgen Klopp. Taking in all the drama of LFC's disrupted, but ultimately triumphant, 201920 season, it offers unique insight into one of football's most charismatic figures.Klopp isn't just for Liverpool, Quinn writes in his final pages. He is for all of us. I reckon this book can be too.' Hannah Jane Parkinson, ObserverKlopp has worked his way into Liverpool's big sentimental heart like a German love bomb. And Quinn couldn't resist writing an ode, an unabashed fan's note: to Klopp

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Book SynopsisRedemption: From Iron Bars to Ironman is the fascinating, frightening and inspirational autobiography of former career criminal, now world-record holder and endurance athlete John McAvoy. Born into a notorious London crime family, his uncle Micky was one of the key players in the legendary Brinks-Mat gold bullion caper. John bought his first gun at 16 and carved out a lucrative career in armed robbery. At one point he was one of Britain's most-wanted men. It took two spells in prison and the death of a friend on a botched heist to change his path. During his second stint in jail he discovered a miraculous natural talent while serving life in the Belmarsh high security unit - where fellow inmates included Abu Hamza, the hook-handed extremist cleric, and the 7/7 bombers. John broke three world rowing records while still an inmate and since his release has become one of the UK's leading Ironman competitors. Redemption is the ultimate story of sporting salvation.

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Book SynopsisAccidental Olympian is the uplifting story of a judo athlete who wasn't afraid to dream big. Colin Oates trained in the wilds of Norfolk, at a village hall club run by his father. Entering the Olympics seemed an impossible dream, but Oates defied the odds to qualify for and compete at two Olympic Games. The boy born in Harold Wood, Essex, battled not only local prejudices within the judo fraternity but took on and beat many of the world's top players. Under the coaching and guidance of his father, Oates travelled the globe to fight in places he'd never heard of. Discover how Oates, supported by a judo-crazy family, smashed his way to being the British number-one under-66kg player for nearly a decade before qualifying for the Olympics. At London 2012, Oates defeated an ex-world champion and was only stopped by the eventual gold medallist. At Rio 2016, he faced the heartbreak of an early exit but was soon appointed a Great Britain elite coach. This is a genuine David and Goliath story where the underdog comes out on top.

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Book Synopsis'EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING...REMARKABLY FRANK' DAILY TELEGRAPH 50 GREATEST SPORTS BOOKS OF ALL TIME After finishing as runner-up three times in the drivers' world championship, in 1992 Nigel Mansell finally secured the title. It was the crowning achievement of a hugely successful career, in which he won 31 Grand Prix, a record for a British driver that stood until Lewis Hamilton overhauled him in 2014. Always an aggressive driver, his exciting style meant he was hailed as a hero by his millions of fans in the UK and around the world. Out of the car, he was outspoken and charismatic, which merely served to enhance his reputation. Now, 20 years after he retired from F1, Mansell looks back on a stellar career in which he battled against many legends of the sport, from Niki Lauda through the Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost years and on to Michael Schumacher. He provides vivid i

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Book SynopsisTHE MOST SUCCESSFUL CAPTAIN IN WORLD RUGBY HISTORY, IN HIS OWN WORDSRichie McCaw, Rugby World Cup winning captain and the New Zealand All Black's most capped player of all time, is unquestionably the greatest player of his generation. He is arguably the most talented player of all time.In his bestselling autobiography, McCaw talks with brutal honesty about the roots of his family life that defined his character and how it gave him the strength to emerge from the lowest moment in his career to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, and become the most successful captain world rugby has ever seen.As the first captain to successfully defend the World Cup, McCaw has set the standard of what a professional rugby player should be. Hugely popular and respected, his sheer presence means that he is a natural leader both on and off the pitch and his story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.Trade Review‘His story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.’'McCaw's book offers an intriguing and unflinching insight into leading the All Blacks in a home World Cup' ‘Beautifully written. Sports bios are usually droll affairs. This one is different.’'McCaw's book offers an intriguing and unflinching insight into leading the All Blacks in a home World Cup'‘Thanks to one of the finer rugby brains of all time and some excellent wording from co-writer Greg McGee, a riveting rugby read it most definitely is.’ ‘Beautifully written. Sports bios are usually droll affairs. This one is different.’‘His story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.’

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Book SynopsisA publishing phenomenon in hardback, Roy Keane''s autobiography was the biggest selling sports book of the year.The book will include a new chapter covering events that followed the books publication: Keane''s vindication by the FAI report; the punishment meted out by the FA and Mick McCarthy''s resignation.Brilliantly reviewed, Roy Keane''s riveting, brutally honest autobiography has the potential to be one of the year''s biggest paperback bestsellers.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times #1 Bestseller, shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Award.In 1996, Damon Hill was crowned Formula One World Champion. For the first time ever he tells the story of his journey through the last golden era of the sport when he took on the greats including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher and emerged victorious as World Champion in 1996, stepping out of the shadow of his legendary father Graham Hill.Away from the grid, Watching the Wheels: The Autobiography is an astonishingly candid account of what it was like to grow up as the son of one of the country's most famous racing drivers. It also tells the unflinching story of dealing with the grief and chaos that followed his father's tragically early death in an aircraft accident in 1975, when Damon was fifteen years old. Formula One drivers have always been aware of their mortality, and the rush that comes with the danger of racing was as intoxicating for Hill as it had been for his father's generation, until he came face-to-face with catastrophe when his team-mate, Ayrton Senna, was killed in 1994. The swirling emotions that Hill was faced with in light of the death of Senna was a defining moment for his generation of drivers and for the first time ever Hill talks candidly about the impact that Senna had on his life, even as he watched his own son step into motor racing.Courageously honest, and hugely rewarding, Watching the Wheels is a return to the last golden era of F1 racing, whose image still burns ferociously for those who love the sport for what it reveals about human skill in the face of near certain death.Trade ReviewThe afterlife of this particular world champion has not always been easy, thanks to the fight against depression and a couple of unsatisfactory business ventures, but the upside includes a decision to resume the educational path he left almost forty years ago . . . That may have encouraged him to tell a remarkable story in his own words, and to do so with eloquence, directness and insight. -- Richard Williams * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisFollow Sam Kerr’s incredible journey from playing Aussie rules football as a kid to becoming one of the world’s greatest athletes as she prepares to captain the Matildas in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sam Kerr is widely considered to be one of the best female footballers of all time. She is famous worldwide for her skills on the football pitch – but before she was the Matildas captain and the leading goal scorer for Chelsea, she was just an average Aussie kid who wanted to play AFL. This is her incredible football journey to the FIFA World Cup, from making the switch to football to becoming one of the best female strikers in the world. Sam gives us insights into what keeps her motivated, how she handles the pressures of life as a professional athlete, and what she believes is really important in life.Inside you will find: Facts about the FIFA World Cup. Everything you want to know about the Matildas. Amazing facts about Sam – her early days, family life, teams, playing for Chelsea FC and the Matildas.

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Book SynopsisValentino Rossi is the greatest living motorcyclist. His legions of fans adore him (over 4,000 turned up to see him in Leicester Square last March). He has fought through the 125 and 250 class groups to win the World Championships five times and has been ranked in the top three places at the World Championships for the last nine years. He is currently the MotoGP World Champion, and has won on a Honda bike - considered the best - and most recently on a Yamaha - considered the worst. He is arguably the greatest racer ever - and certainly the most entertaining - his post race antics and cheeky personality have won him as many fans as his on-track prowess. He is the kind of star who only comes along once in a while - a Muhammad Ali or Pele - hugely talented, massively driven, yet also scorching charismatic, unnervingly rebellious and totally endearing - a twentieth-century version of the hell-raisers of old.All who know Rossi say he is a consummate professional, that he works haTrade ReviewWhile the autobiography details everything you could want to know about him and his career, you don't need to be a bike fan to enjoy it. It is truly inspiring stuff ... to remain true to yourself and instead of following where the path may lead, to go where there is no path and leave a trail. -- Emma Parker Bowles * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * “This book is going to become the sports gambling bible…The formula’s in the book.” —Pat McAfee “The greatest and most controversial sports gambler ever” (ESPN) Billy Walters shares his “rollicking and edgy life story” (The Wall Street Journal)—revealing the secrets to his fiercely protected betting system and breaking his silence about Phil Mickelson.Nobody controls the odds like Billy Walters. Widely regarded as “the Michael Jordan of sports betting,” Walters is a living legend in Las Vegas and among sports bettors worldwide. With an unmatched winning streak of thirty-six consecutive years, Walters has become fabulously wealthy by placing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in gross wagers, including one Super Bowl bet of $3.5 million alone. Competitors desperate to crack his betting techniques have tried hacking his phones, rifling through his trash, and bribing his employees. Now, after decades of avoiding the spotlight and fiercely protecting the keys to his success, Walters wants to pass along his wisdom to future generations of sports bettors. Gambler is more than a traditional autobiography. In addition to sharing his against-all-odds American Dream story, Walters reveals in fascinating detail the secrets of his proprietary betting system, which will serve as a master class for anyone who wants to improve their odds at betting on sports. Walters also breaks his silence about his long and complicated relationship with Hall of Fame professional golfer Phil Mickelson. On a typical weekend gameday packed with college and pro sports, Walters will bet $20 million. It’s a small sum for someone with his resources today, but an unbelievable fortune for the child who was raised by his grandmother in extreme poverty in rural Kentucky. By the age of nine, Walters became a shark at hustling pool and pitching pennies. As a young adult, he set records as a used-car salesman, hustled golf, and dabbled in bookmaking. He eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he revolutionized sports betting strategy and became a member of the famed Computer Group, the first syndicate to apply algorithms and data analysis to sports gambling. He built a fortune while overcoming addictions and outmaneuvering organized crime figures made infamous by Martin Scorsese’s film Casino. In Gambler, Walters shares everything he’s learned about sports betting. First, he shows bettors how to mine the information we have at our fingertips to develop a sophisticated betting strategy and handicapping system of our own. He explains how even avid bettors often do not grasp all of the variables that go into making an informed wager—home field advantage, individual player values, injuries or illness, weather forecasts, each team’s previous schedule, travel distance/ difficulty, stadium quirks, turf types, and more. Variable by variable, Walters breaks down the formulas, betting systems, and money-management principles that he’s developed over decades of improving his craft. From a self-made man who repeatedly won it all, lost it all, and earned it all back again, Gambler is at once a gripping autobiography, a blistering tell-all, and an indispensable playbook for coming out on top.

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Book Synopsis*****Shortlisted for International Autobiography of the Year in the Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2021'This account is often poetic and sometimes haunting.' - FourFourTwoTriple European Footballer of the Year. Once World Footballer of the Year. European Champion two UEFA Super Cups, European Champion with the Dutch National Team in 1988 and numerous national championships with both Ajax and AC Milan. Marco van Basten is known as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but his personal life has always remained somewhat of a mystery, until now.Basta is the raw, honest, but above all gripping autobiography of Marco van Basten.It's the unfiltered story of his rise to fame, from being under the wing of Cruyff and experiencing life as an Ajax player to being propelled into the spotlight following Euros '88 - and scoring the greatest goal ever to win a major final - and playing for AC Milan at the peak of Italian football's popularity.But despite countless successes, Marco van Basten experienced many low points, including losing a childhood friend, battling with pain after his numerous fluffed operations, and ultimately coming to terms with life after playing football.Basta is his story.

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 Good for a Girl is a joyful love letter to the running life, a raw personal narrative of growth and change, and gives voice to the often-silent experience of the female athleteLauren Fleshman was of the most decorated collegiate athletes of all time and a national champion as a pro, before becoming a coach for elite young female runners. Every step of the way, she has seen how our sports systems fail young women and girls as much as empower them. Part memoir, part manifesto, Good for a Girl is Fleshman''s story of falling in love with running as a girl, battling devastating injuries and self-doubt, and daring to fight for a better way for female athletes.''Women''s sports have needed a manifesto for a long time. With Good for a Girl we finally have one'' Malcolm Gladwell''Fleshman manages to deliver a sporting manifesto while also being a fine and engaging writer . . . There is a raw honesty at the heart of Good for a Girl'' THE TIMES''Needs to be read by anyone involved in women''s sport'' Adharanand Finn, author of The Rise of the Ultra Runners''This is the book we''ve been waiting for'' Kate Fagan, author of What Made Maddy Run''A call to action in how we think about girls and women in elite sports'' Emily Oster, bestselling author of Crib Sheet''The invitation to have a long overdue conversation for a long overdue cultural shift'' Alysia Montaño, Olympian, co-founder of &Mother, and author of Feel-Good FitnessGood for a Girl was announced winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 30.11.2023Good for a Girl was a no. 13 New York Times nonfiction bestseller 29.01.2023Good for a Girl was listed in the Financial Times Best Sports Books of 2023 04.12.2023

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Book SynopsisJames Lawrence, aka 'The Iron Cowboy', has broken four Guinness World Records for endurance racing. But this was all merely training for his most significant project: the Conquer 100. From 1 March 2021 to 9 June 2021, James Lawrence raced a full-distance triathlon every single day. That's 140.6 miles a day for 100 consecutive days, totaling 14,060 miles.James is a professional speaker and, in 2022, he attended sixty-five events across the country. While often featured with stalwart speakers like Jay Shetty and Mel Robbins, James consistently achieves higher scores.

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Book Synopsis*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**Shortlisted for Autobiography of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2024**Nominated for Sports Personality of the Year 2023*Readers are loving Stuart Broad ''An absolute must for cricket fans'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''One of the greatest of his generation'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Magnificent'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Brilliant'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''For all Test cricket lovers'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐________For over seventeen years, Stuart Broad left it all on the field. A multiple Ashes winner and World Champion, Broad was integral to some of the greatest England teams of all time. His awards and achievements, however, don''t tell the whole story. He has always been a cricketer of more than mere numbers. Broad''s passionate and spontaneous behaviour has mad him a fan favou

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Book SynopsisEntertaining, quirky and an enjoyable read' Phil Liggett MBE''Entertaining... Carlton shows no sign of running out of amusing anecdotes... A worthy sequel that will give his fans more of what they like'' Road.ccEurosport's legendary commentator Carlton Kirby takes us all on a tour of the professional cycling race year.A true cycling nut would be hard pushed to even name all 36 races on the UCI World Tour, but there is much more to professional racing than national tours and monuments. It's a year-long global schedule venturing as far afield as Burkina Faso and Gabon. So why not take some of these roads less travelled in the company of Carlton Kirby, a real commentary nomad, cycling expert and hilarious raconteur.Carlton's year follows the cycling seasons through the Spring Classics to the Grand Tours and on to the World Championships and Six Day track racing. In between he's visiting the lesser known, bizarr

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Book Synopsis'Acute, funny and moving' - Ian Hislop'A heartfelt memoir through grief, family and a very funny, obsessive love of sports' - Cariad Lloyd, host of GriefcastA funny, heartfelt, nostalgia-infused story of grief, sport and the journey of a lifetime.What do you do when your world changes in an instant? For Jon Harvey, after the sudden death of his brother, it meant turning to the thing that had given him support, joy and a lifetime of memories: sport, in all its myriad sublime and ridiculous forms. A kaleidoscopic twelve months took him from London Olympia to ancient Olympia, from rugby balls to Rubik's Cubes, Wimbledon tennis to Wimbledon greyhounds, Twickenham to Frimley Green, Roger Federer to Martin 'Wolfie' Adams, and much, much more. It's a celebration, of a life shaped by sport, and the ultimate season ticket.Trade ReviewWarm, sad and funny... There is something very eccentric and British about A Fan for All Seasons * Sunday Times *Vivid and funny... This is a wonderfully touching book about fandom and grief * Daily Mail *The book…[has] honesty and passion at its heart. Jon Harvey is an excellent recreator of the atmosphere at a packed stadium or a hushed theatre… Most affectingly of all, he shows how sport can play its part in grieving * Times Literary Supplement *Acute, funny and moving * Ian Hislop *A heartfelt memoir through grief, family and a very funny, obsessive love of sports * Cariad Lloyd, host of Griefcast *

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Book SynopsisIn the #1 New York Times bestselling book Courage to Soar, US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles presents the story of how she overcame early childhood challenges to become the only female gymnast to ever win three consecutive World Championship titles in her official autobiography.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 *

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Book SynopsisA classic of mountaineering literature, this is the story of the harrowing first ascent of the North Face of the Eiger, the most legendary and terrifying climb in history.Heinrich Harrer, author of Seven Years in Tibet' and one of the twentieth century's greatest mountaineers, was part of the team that finally conquered the Eiger's fearsome North Face in 1938. It was a landmark expedition that pitted the explorers against treacherous conditions and the limits of human endurance, and which many have since tried and failed to emulate.Armed with an intimate knowledge that comes only from first-hand experience of climbing the Eiger, Harrer gives a gripping account of physical daring and mental resilience. A new introduction by Joe Simpson, author of Touching the Void', confirms the lasting relevance of this true adventure classic.Trade Review‘An outstanding book in the mountaineering library.’ Guardian ‘Even to look at the photographs of the terrible slopes of the Eiger chills the blood. Heinrich Harrer enables the reader to vicariously experience the cold and the terror of the climb.’ Irish Press ‘”The White Spider” provides almost the classic statement of the weird and frequently misunderstood psychology of the modern rock-climber. Despite the grimness of much of what he is doing, Harrer communicates the irresistible joy of climbing as an antidote to the idea that climbers are masochistically trying to prove something to themselves.’ Sunday Times ‘A true classic from the early days of mountaineering…The terror and respect that the Eiger inspires is evoked superbly in Harrer’s narrative.’ Maxim

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE'Excellent and compellingly honest' Alyson Rudd, The TimesIn I Love This Game, the long-awaited autobiography of Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United and France star looks back on a remarkable life and career. Having played alongside some of the club's greatest legends, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, in one of United's most successful eras, Evra has now found a new role as an in-demand pundit and social media star.  But, as he reveals in this frank, often shocking, but always compelling memoir, beneath the surface things were not so simple, and he had to fight all the way to get to the top. Initially, it was football that saved him from being sucked into the gang culture of his tough neighbourhood of Les Ulis in the suburbs of Paris. Then, once he achieved his dream of becomin

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Book SynopsisAn Arsenal hero, invincible defender and now distinguished pundit, he is an icon of British football.His story. His words. The inspiring official and first memoir from the football legend and his parting reflections on life, leadership and love.''As hard-hitting as his tackles'' Daily Mail''Explosive'' Mail on Sunday''[Full of] brilliant stories'' Gary Lineker Over three revolutionary decades, Martin Keown played football at the highest level. He witnessed the birth of the Premier League, the arrival of the millionaire player and was a key player in one of the best sides of all time Wenger's Arsenal. So why has he always felt like a man battling on the edgeIn this autobiography, Keown recounts how a son of working-class Irish parents, raised in a hostile England during the unrest of the 1970s, rose to be an automatic and enduring pick for club and country; the outsider who stayed the distance while so many insiders fell away.Over his career, Keown played alongside some of the world's finest footballers including Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, David Beckham and under inspirational managers Arsène Wenger, Kevin Keegan, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Howard Kendall. He was the backbone for many years of the invincible Arsenal team that went on to win the 2003/4 Premier League title without losing a match.Known as The Rash by friend and foe alike for the intensity of his man-marking, Keown always played as if he had more to prove. But his teammates knew he was fast, skilful, tough and loyal, a leader on and off the pitch. Fearless too, as you'll discover he doesn't pull any punches here.On The Edge is the story of one of Arsenal's all-time greats a man whose commitment put him at the centre of the pitch, a place he dominated like almost no other footballer of his generation.

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Book Synopsis*The Sunday Times Bestseller*Train with the Fittest Man on Earth - 5-time CrossFit Champion Mat Fraser.No matter your level of fitness, no matter if you've never attempted CrossFit before, this book is your total training manual.No one can say they're a better all-around athlete than Mat Fraser. Weightlifting, gymnastics, kettlebells, running, swimming, rowing, Strongman: he's relentlessly trained them all, so you don't have to.In this ground-breaking book, Fraser reveals the secrets of his success to help you transform your own body and mind. Structured into sections on strength, endurance, speed, coordination, mental and recovery, Mat shares workouts, illustrations, techniques, recipes and advice. From push-ups to sprints, rope climbs to deadlifts, high-knee drills to swimming intervals, the book showcases CrossFit's uniquely wide-ranging and infinitely scalable approach to exercise. There is tailored advice for beginners, intermediates and advanced athletes.So take this book to the gym. Write your personal records in the margins. Circle the illustrations of techniques you need to master. And most of all, do the workouts. Because Mat Fraser can promise you this: hard work pays off.Trade Review"The LeBron James of CrossFit." * TMZ Sports *"Mat Fraser isn't just the first and only 5-time 'Fittest Man on Earth' . . . he has cemented his status in many people's minds as the greatest CrossFit athlete in history." * Rogue Fitness *Mat's approach to training and life is truly inspiring -- Adrienne Herbert, author of Power Hourif you're wondering what made this guy the greatest of all time, read this book -- Craig Richey

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Book SynopsisA RICHARD AND JUDY BOOK CLUB PICKWINNER STANFORD TRAVEL WRITING AWARDS 2020SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL PRIZE 2019'Such an addictive and likeable book...One of this year's best memoirs' The Telegraph'It's the resistance to the obvious narratives that makes Rough Magic so appealing: the book undermines lazy women-in-the-wilderness tropes at every turn.' Sarah Moss, Guardian'Think Educated meets Wild' Entertainment Weekly'Rough Magic is transporting, beguiling and terrifically entertaining' Daily MailThe Mongol Derby is the world's toughest horse race. A feat of endurance across the vast Mongolian plains once traversed by the people of Genghis Khan, competitors ride 25 horses across a distance of 1000km. Many riders don't make it to the finish line.In 2013 Lara Prior-Palmer - nineteen, underprepared but seeking the great unknown - decided to enter the race. Driven by her own restlessness, stubbornness, and a lifelong love of horses, she raced for seven days through extreme heat and terrifying storms, catching a few hours of sleep where she could at the homes of nomadic families. Battling bouts of illness and dehydration, exhaustion and bruising falls, she found she had nothing to lose, and tore through the field with her motley crew of horses. In one of the Derby's most unexpected results, she became the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the race.A tale of adventure, fortitude and poetry, Rough Magic is the extraordinary story of one young woman's encounter with oblivion, and herself.Trade ReviewThink the next Educated or Wild. Palmer’s memoir of beating the odds to become a horse champion is an inspiring saga of perseverance — and a classic underdog tale. * Entertainment Weekly *Prior-Palmer's style is a fascinating mix of pep and poignancy. A really terrific story by a spirited new voice. * Sara Baume *[Prior-Palmer's] gorgeous, sensual depiction of this race is a literary marvel; it feels like you are riding alongside her across the desolate steppes; her verbal acuity makes vivid the most elusive of landscapes; her triumph becomes ours. * NYLON *In this sensual, spiritual memoir, Prior-Palmer recounts her grueling journey through immense physical hardship, and her surprising transformation from underdog to champion * Esquire *Absolutely riveting. * Buzzfeed *

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring memoir of finding strength and resilience from the former England Lioness.From the football cages of East London to broadcasting to millions, the engine powering Alex Scott's remarkable journey has always been her resilience. But thanks to a 'push-through mentality' the world has only ever seen the 'strong' side of Alex. Now, she is ready to lower the shield.In her candid memoir How (Not) to Be Strong, Alex shares the lessons that have shaped her, from finally confronting the legacy of a tumultuous childhood to tarnished truth behind the gleaming football trophies.With raw honesty, Alex shows how she's tackled life's challenges and that sometimes the strongest thing you can do is show your most vulnerable side to the world.Trade ReviewAn inspiration -- Taylor SwiftI was incredibly moved by Alex's story and her bravery is second to none -- Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of 'The Diary of a CEOAn amazing read. What a book. -- Alex Jones * One Show *A real story of growth -- Holly Willoughby * This Morning *Such a powerful and raw story, honestly told -- Wes Streeting MP

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Book SynopsisPete Goss became a national and international hero when he rescued French yachtsman Raphael Dinelli as his boat sank beneath him in the round-the-world single-handed sailing race, the Vendee Globe, on Christmas Day 1996. In doing so Pete scuppered his own chances in the race but was awarded the Legion d''Honneur by France''s president and made a friend for life in Dinelli. Close to the Wind is his own story of the race and its dramas, his revolutionary boat, Aqua Quorum, his thoughts and emotions during four months of solitude at sea, the extraordinary surgery that he had to perform on his own elbow and the aftermath of the rescue in the Southern Ocean.Trade ReviewCLOSE TO THE WIND - Quotes'Nothing Ian Fleming wrote has you wondering so anxiously how the hero is going to get out of this pickle' Independent'Parents, wives and sisters who buy this book for the family daredevil must read it first. It celebrates an ancient, beautiful way of being human.' Libby Purves in The Times'This is a wonderful book, a book to make the reader realise that he or she could never be a hero. I recommend it.' Michael Beaumont, Spectator'More impressive than fiction could ever be . . . compelling' Independent on Sunday'Goss takes you so vividly on board with him . . . he has a genuine talent for writing tense narrative.' Independent'The story of a brave man; a man who turned into the teeth of a hurricane to save the life of a fellow competitor in a single-handed round-the-world yacht race. A wonderful book. I recommend it.' Spectator'Just buy it, you'll love it, a real life adventure story' Royal Yachting Association'It is far from just a book about the Vendée events, but a soul-bearing autobiography' Western Morning News'His down-to-earth storytelling is gripping. His modesty is endearing. His dedication to a cause and the manner of achieving it are humbling and inspiring' Cambridge Evening News'A lot of people will be sending out for a copy of Close to the Wind to see if they can find out a little more about [Goss]. They will be richly rewarded.' Independent'A truly inspirational, incredible story. . . ' South Wales Argus'The story is a compelling one. Goss's prose is honest and unexaggerated.' Independent on Sunday'In my book, he will always be Pete Goss, BFBH: bona fide British hero' Tim Jeffrey in Daily Telegraph'Prose as trim as his vessel . . . incredible' Kirkus Reviews'Tense, fast-moving and illustrated with colour photographs that put you in the middle of the action' New York Times'His heroism and modesty redeem the gun-ho bits of this mesmerising memoir. Buy it' The Times'Goss writes about his experiences in a conversational and direct style that brings alive the terrors of the open sea' The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisAn eye-opening expose of and a heart-breaking lament for professional cyclingPaul Kimmage''s boyhood dreams were of cycling glory: wearing the yellow jersey, cycling the Tour de France, becoming a national hero. He knew it wouldn''t come easy, but he was prepared to put in the graft. The dedication paid off he finished sixth in the World Championships as an amateur and in 1986, he turned professional.He soon discovered it wasn''t about courage, training hours or how much you wanted to win. It was about gruelling defeats, total exhaustion, and drugs - drugs that would allow you to finish the race and start another day. Kimmage ultimately left the sport to write this book profoundly honest and ground-breaking, Rough Ride broke the silence surrounding the issue of drugs in sport, and documents one man's love for, and struggle with, the complex world of professional cycling. A must read for any cyclist' CyclistWINNER OF WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEARTrade ReviewSent shockwaves through the peloton -- Daniel Friebe * Outdoor Fitness *A devastatingly frank description of life on the professional road cycling circuit, hurtful in its telling of unwelcome truths yet powerful in its capture of what it takes, legally and illegally, to compete -- Mary Perryman * Huffington Post UK *In the wake of the Armstrong affair, you can’t move for books about doping, but Kimmage, and ex-pro rider himself, was the first to ‘spit in the soup’ back in the 1990s... A must read for any cyclist * Cyclist *

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Book SynopsisConor McGregor''s trainer tells the amazing story of his long road to success in the world''s fastest-growing sportGrowing up in Dublin, John Kavanagh was a skinny lad who was frequently bullied. As a young man, after suffering a bad beating when he intervened to help a man who was being attacked, he decided he had to learn to defend himself. Before long, he was training fighters in a tiny shed, and promoting the earliest mixed-martial arts events in Ireland. And then, a cocky kid called Conor McGregor walked into his gym ...In Win or Learn, John Kavanagh tells his own remarkable life story - which is at the heart of the story of the extraordinary explosion of MMA in Ireland and globally. Employing the motto ''win or learn'', Kavanagh has become a guru to young men and women seeking to master the arts of combat. And as the trainer of the world''s most charismatic champion, his gym has become a magnet for talented fighters from all over the globe. Kavanagh''s portrait of Conor McGregor - who he has seen in his lowest moments, as well as in his greatest triumphs - is a revelation. What emerges from Win or Learn is a remarkable portrait of ambition, discipline, and persistence in the face of years and years of disappointment. It is a must read for every MMA fan - but also for anyone who wants to understand how to follow a dream and realize a vision.''For anyone interested in following their dream to the end of the line'' Tony Parsons''It kept me up well past my bedtime'' Sean O''Rourke, RTE Radio One''Remarkable'' Irish Times''Kavanagh is open and honest about his upbringing ... The journey hasn''t been easy, but Kavanagh''s inbuilt determination has carried him all the way'' Irish ExaminerTrade ReviewFor anyone interested in following their dream to the end of the line -- Tony ParsonsRemarkable * Irish Times *Kavanagh is open and honest about his upbringing ... The journey hasn't been easy, but Kavanagh's inbuilt determination has carried him all the way * Irish Examiner *

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Book Synopsis''He is skilful. He is outspoken. He is Zlatan'' New York Times''He is an amazing talent, one of the best around'' Pep GuardiolaFootball''s most prolific and controversial goalscorer has nothing left to prove on the pitch. There is only one Zlatan.In the decade since his megaselling memoir I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he has played at Paris Saint-Germain (2012-2016), Manchester United (2016-2018), LA Galaxy (2018-2019) and Milan (2020-). This outrageous and hilarious follow-up is bursting with personal confessions and revealing anecdotes about the world''s best players and managers.Packed with revelations, in Adrenaline we hear for the first time what Zlatan really thinks about his time in the Premier League and what it was like to score that glorious bicycle kick against England. We hear about the club he very nearly signed for, and see his hilarious run-ins with the French media - and the French in general, really. Plus so much more.Zlatan transports you into the world of top-flight football like no one else. Filled with revelations - including Zlatan''s life lessons on happiness, friendship and love - you''ll be talking about this book a long time after finishing it.I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bestseller September 2011Trade ReviewEver-entertaining and erudite . . . an indispensable guide to his singular mind -- Jon Spurling * FourFourTwo *Wonderful. The best footballer's autobiography of recent years . . . and the bestselling European immigrant's tale since Zadie Smith's White Teeth and Philip Roth's Portnoy's Complaint -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times, on I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic *Wonderful - nothing less than a revelation. Ibrahimovic is the definitive modern sporting icon -- Matthew Syed, on I am Zlatan IbrahimovicThe best sportsman's memoir since Andre Agassi . . . He is candid, funny and yes, wonderfully nuts * The Times, on I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic *

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Book SynopsisInspirational memoir from the Olympian and most successful CrossFit athlete of all time, unlocking the secrets of her success

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Book Synopsis''Essential reading for players, fans and coaches'' - Steven Gerrard ''A cracking read'' - Chris Evans''I couldn''t put it down'' - Joey BartonWhat are the greatest games ever played? From Jurgen Klopp to Gary Neville, Xavi to David Beckham, Jamie Carragher speaks with teammates, rivals, managers and legends of the sport to identify and analyse football''s greatest encounters.As Carra and his contributors take you into the dressing rooms and out onto the pitches of the world''s most celebrated stadiums, they relive some of the defining moments of their playing careers as well as many more from the greatest football matches ever played - from title deciders and cup finals to against-all-odds comebacks, tactical masterclasses and old school classics. Packed full of hilarious stories, exclusive anecdotes and refreshing appraisals, in The Greatest Games Jamie Carragher takes you into the heart of these matches, revealing new insights into the teams, players and coaches that have shaped football.Trade ReviewA fresh insight into classic games. Essential reading for players, fans and coaches. * Steven Gerrard *I couldn't put it down. Great insight into some iconic football matches. * Joey Barton *A cracking read. * Chris Evans *A terrific book. I would recommend anybody who loves football to read it from cover to cover. They won't be able to put it down. * Gary Newbon *Great read * John Barnes *

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Book SynopsisHailing from a cycling-mad family from Cardiff, Luke Rowe represented Great Britain at junior and under-23 level. He turned professional with Team Sky in 2012 and won a stage of the Tour of Britain that season. He quickly established himself as one of the British team's key riders in both the one-day Classics and the Grand Tours, including the Tour de France.Luke rode the Tour in every season between 2015 and 2022, playing a key role as the road captain as Sky won the yellow jersey in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and when Ineos retained the title in 2019. After retiring in 2024, Luke co-presents the Watts Occurring podcast along with his teammate and long-time friend Geraint Thomas.

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Book SynopsisIn Stillness and Speed, one of football's most enigmatic stars finally opens up about his life and career, revealing the things that motivate and inspire him. Viewed by many as one of the most influential figures in Premier League history, and scorer of the goal that Arsenal fans voted the best in the club's history, Dennis Bergkamp is a true giant of the game. As a youngster, Bergkamp learned from the Dutch master Johan Cruyff. By the time the pupil was ready to graduate from Ajax and move abroad, he was ready to spread the word, but in Italy he found few willing listeners. It was only when he moved to Arsenal and linked up with Arsene Wenger that he met someone else who shared his vision for football's possibilities. Bergkamp became central to everything the club did: now he had become the teacher, their creative genius, and the one who inspired some of the wayward old guard to new heights, helping them to seven major trophies. Few footballe

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Book SynopsisUltramarathon Man is the story of where it all began for Dean Karnazes: the mind-boggling adventures of his nonstop treks through the shoe-melting inferno of Death Valley, the lung-freezing ferocity of the South Pole, and the awe-inspiring beauty of the towering peaks and craggy canyons of the Sierra Nevada.With an insight and candour rarely seen in sports memoirs, he uncovers how he merges the solitary, manic, self-absorbed life of hard-core ultrarunning with a full-time job, a wife and two children, and how running has made him who he is today: a man with an ironclad body, a teenager's energy and a champion's wisdom.In this updated and revised edition of the sportswriting classic, Karnazes has added an afterword full of lessons learned. He gives personal details on the essential pillars of health - fitness, diet and sleep. What does he eat, what supplements does he take, what kind of mattress does he sleep on? Ageing well takes work and the man who hasn't stopped for three decades is now sharing the tips and learnings that have helped him keep going, mile after gruelling mile.Trade Review[Karnazes'] spirited memoir...can help mere mortals who want to push past their perceived limits or simply jump-start their sedentary lives. * Chicago Tribune *Heart-stopping stuff * The Economist *Full of euphoric highs...a journey into distance running that is much less about sweat than about the emotional terrain that unfolds at the frontier of endurance. * New York Times *An exhibition of unadulterated courage and mental and physical stamina [for] anyone who likes to read about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. * Boston Globe *Table of Contents1: The Long Road to Santa Cruz 2: The Formative Years 3: Run with Your Heart 4: Run for Your Life 5: Soiling of the Lexus 6: Leaving Normal 7: Over the Mountains and Through the Woods 8: King of Pain 9: Into Darkness 10: Forever Changed 11: Badwater 12: Frozen Stiff 13: The Ultra-Endurance World 14: The Relay 15: Crossing Over 16: Team Dean 17: Run for the Future 18: The Gift of Life

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Book SynopsisWhat's it like to be one of Britain's greatest gymnasts? In this fascinating autobiography, Beth Tweddle takes us through the biggest moments of her life, from winning gold at the World Championships, to being honoured with an MBE at just 25 years old. Follow her story as she prepares for her most important task yet - the Olympics!

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Book SynopsisA revelatory memoir from Liverpool legend and global football star Bobby Firmino.Master of the no-look goal and Anfield favourite, Roberto ''Bobby'' Firmino, signed for Liverpool in July 2015. Over the next eight years - and seven winners'' medals - he established himself as one of the club''s most important players in recent years for his audacious skill, impressive goal scoring, and beaming smile.Jürgen Klopp saw Firmino as the on-pitch ''engine'' that drove the club''s counter-pressing strategy and together with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Firmino formed a formidable attacking trio. The Kop rewarded Roberto with the ultimate accolade - his own song: ''Sí, Señor, give the ball to Bobby and he will score.''Sí, Señor celebrates Firmino''s cherished years in a red shirt and will remind fans why they fell in love with him in the first place.

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Book SynopsisPerfect for any parkrunner, or wannabe parkrunner, this concise and joyful book reveals how a Saturday 5km run in the park has become a worldwide phenomenon. The Ultimate Guide to parkrun (always with a lower case p!) covers how parkrun started, how it is staged every week, how to get involved as a runner, walker, or volunteer - and even how to start your own run. Written by a running writer and qualified athletics coach, this celebratory book goes behind the scenes to tell the heartwarming human stories behind parkrun. But it also brims with practical information, with training plans for different types of runners so that you can (if you wish to) improve your own finishing time. Published to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the mass participation event in Autumn 2024, the book delves into parkrun’s origins as the brainchild of Paul Sinton-Hewitt, an unemployed man in London. Just 13 runners competed in the first Bushy Park Time

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Book SynopsisThe phenomenal Sunday Times bestselling autobiography by Kevin Keegan, one of the greatest players in English football history, famed for his style on the pitch, his relentless ambition and passion for the game. 'And I'll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it!!!'Kevin Keegan, 1996 In My Life in Football Keegan tells the story of his remarkable rise through the sport, from the Peglers Brass Works reserve team in Doncaster to helping Liverpool become the kings of Europe, winning a Bundesliga title with Hamburg and captaining England. Keegan was recognized around the world as one of the sport's genuine superstars and remains the only Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or twice. As a manager, Keegan's five-year spell in charge at Newcastle is now legendary; he led the club from the depths of the old Second Division to the brink of the Premier League title with a breathtaking vision and flamboyant style that saw his team dubbed 'The Entertainers'. Fifty years since making his professional debut, Keegan tells the full story of the exhilarating highs and excruciating lows, from that epic battle with Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United in the 1995-6 season, as well as the pain of managing England and, finally, the shattering truth about his unhappy return to Newcastle in the controversial Mike Ashley era. Brilliant, funny, passionate, deeply moving and incredibly honest, My Life in Football is the story of the miner's son from Doncaster who became a superstar and was known to his adoring fans as 'King Kev'.Trade ReviewKevin Keegan is everything a man should be -- Bill ShanklyPeople are saying Kevin Keegan leaving is like the Queen dying, but it's worse than that -- John Regan, secretary of the Newcastle Independent Supporters' AssociationKevin Keegan was like the Pied Piper of Tyneside -- Alan ShearerNo other player in the world - not even Pele or Maradona - could have rejuvenated Tyneside the way Kevin Keegan has done -- Jackie Millburn, Newcastle legendTable of ContentsChapter - 1: Going Back Chapter - 2: Goals And Groceries Chapter - 3: The First Rung Chapter - 4: This Is Anfield Chapter - 5: European Champions Chapter - 6: An Englishman Abroad Chapter - 7: Saints Alive Chapter - 8: 'Not You, Keegan' Chapter - 9: We're In Heaven Chapter - 10: To Be Home Again Chapter - 11: The Great Escape Chapter - 12: Watch Out, Alex Chapter - 13: Riding The Monster Chapter - 14: So Near Yet So Far Chapter - 15: London Life Chapter - 16: The Poisoned Chalice Chapter - 17: Blue Moon Chapter - 18: Cityitis Chapter - 19: My Big Mistake Chapter - 20: Trials And Tribulations Chapter - 21: Good Times Section - i: Index

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Book SynopsisEddie ‘The Beast’ Hall is the first Brit in 24 years to win the World’s Strongest Man competition, beating The Mountain from Game of Thrones. Standing at 6’3 he weighs almost 30 stone, and to make it through his hellish four-hour gym sessions he needs to eat a minimum of 10,000 calories a day.

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Book SynopsisJohn Fury was born on 22 May 1965. He is a retired professional boxer and bare-knuckle fighter of Irish and British descent, and father to six sons including heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury. When Fury Takes Over is his unfiltered autobiography.Trade ReviewMy dad is truly a man amongst men -- Tyson Fury, WBC Heavyweight Champion of the WorldA knockout account of his wild and wayward life as a bare-knuckle fighter and no-nonsense minder * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisA classic mountaineering memoir by one of the UK's foremost female climbers.'A story of climbing and compulsive love of mountains ... magnificent' OBSERVERIn 1945, when Gwen Moffat was in her twenties, she deserted from her post as a driver and dispatch rider in the Army and went to live rough in Wales and Cornwall, climbing and living on practically nothing. She hitch-hiked her way around, travelling from Skye to Chamonix and many places in between, with all her possessions on her back, although these amounted to little more than a rope and a sleeping bag.When the money ran out, she worked as a forester, went winkle-picking on the Isle of Skye, acted as the helmsman of a schooner and did a stint as an artist's model. And always there were the mountains, drawing her away from a 'proper' job.Throughout this unique story, there are acutely observed accounts of mountaineering exploits as Moffat tackles the toughest climbs and goes on to become Britain's leading female climber - and the first woman to qualify as a mountain guide.Trade ReviewAs a story of climbing and compulsive love of mountains, SPACE BELOW MY FEET is magnificent * OBSERVER *This book is not an account of love between men and women, it is the testimony of the love one woman has for air and light and splendid, rocky, isolated spires; of wakening and feeling the hot sun on a sleeping bag, of being in a hostel watching the English getting up to open the window and the Continentals getting up to close it. Even if you have never climbed a mountain, you will enjoy this story of a brave, restless woman * SUNDAY TIMES *A series of love affairs with impossible places ... She owns nothing. She needs nothing * DAILY HERALD *In piquant contrast to the well-off, well-connected donnish women climbing writers of the last generation, she shows herself with painful honesty in SPACE BELOW MY FEET as rebel and vagabond * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *

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