Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisI checked my balance and peered apprehensively at the sheer drop below. Once I felt comfortable, I radioed down to Stu.''I''m just gonna unclip quickly,'' I said.My walkie-talkie crackled straight away. Stu sounded pretty stressed. ''Dude, keep the rope on!''I edged forward, my hands and feet scoping out the summit for any loose rock. The ridge pinnacle was still only a meter wide, if that, but I felt pretty stable.''This bit''s fine,'' I said. ''The rope makes it harder for me...''Danny MacAskill lives on the edge.The cyclist is legendary for his YouTube viral videos like The Ridge, Cascadia and Imaginate: nerve-racking montages of stunts which scale everything from mountain peaks, rooftops, ghost towns and movie sets. His life is one of thrills, bloody spills and millions of online hits.It hasn''t been an easy ride. Doubt, stress and the ''what if?'' factor circle every trailblazing trick, which require imagination, fearlessness, groundbreaking techniques and an eye for a good camera angle. He has spent his life pushing the extremes; somehow, he''s still around to tell the tale.In this unflinching memoir of mayhem, Danny shares his anarchic childhood on the Isle of Skye and early days as a street trials rider, takes us behind the scenes of his training and videos, shares never-seen-before sketches from his personal notebook, and reveals what it takes to go the next level - both mentally and physically.Join Danny for a nerve-shredding ride. Just be sure to bring a crash helmet.Trade ReviewDanny Macaskill doesn't see the world in the same way as you or me . . . jaw-dropping * Forever Sport *MacAskill, quite literally, has the world at his feet * Telegraph *The best exponent of his art in the world today * Times *Revealing . . . Everything you wanted to know about what makes Danny so good, so driven, and so successful * road.cc *MacAskill, quite literally, has the world at his feet * The Telegraph *He's an internet stunt sensation * The Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisA talented yet ferocious player, and one of the acknowledged 'bad-boys' of rugby, Mark Jones' on-field brutality was a direct consequence of the off-field torment he suffered with a debilitating stammer. In Fighting to Speak, his revealing and uplifting autobiography, Jones explains how his frustration with his stutter led to a self-loathing and the internalising of an explosive hate that only playing rugby could release - with his unfortunate opponents often on the receiving end of his rage. Sent off six times and banned for over 33 weeks for violent conduct during his career, the dual-code Wales international and Great Britain RL forward was desperately unhappy and detested the thuggish reputation he'd created. After one exceptionally ugly incident, when he broke another player's eye socket, Jones realised that in order to defeat his demons and control his bad behaviour he needed help to conquer his stammer. Mark Jones fought and won the hardest battle of his life with a steely determination and has now found the inner peace and dignity he'd longed for as a young man. He has decided to tell his story in order to seek redemption for his violent past on the rugby field, and to help others overcome their stammers.Trade Review'We were all aware about Mark's stammer but it didn't make any difference to me. He is a top bloke and a great rugby player, and to me that's perfection.' Rowland Phillips;'People who didn't know Mark thought he was just an aggressive thug - but to those who know him, he is a kind-hearted, gentle and compassionate man.' Byron Hayward;'I have nothing but the highest respect for Mark. His stammer did not make life easy for him and challenged his mental health, but his immense strength of character saw him beat his demons and win his battles.' Jim MillsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface by Glyn Llewellyn Foreword by Kingsley Jones 1. Personality Crisis (x3) 2. Stand Up! (Banged Up!) 3. I'm an Upstart(er) 4. Teenage Kick(ing)s 5. (Playing With) The Rude Boys 6. Neat(h)! Neat(h)! Neat(h)! 7. Rockaway (Miami) Beach 8. Anarchy in the U(Know who) 9. Psycho (Thriller 10. 'A' Bomb in (Twickers) 11. Working for (the Let-Down) 12. Looking After Number(8) 13. Highway to (Hull) 14. Smash It Up! (Bash It Up!) 15. (Hitting Rucks) and Alcohol 16. (Pooler) UEber Alles 17. Holidays in the (Qatar) Sun Epilogue Career Statistics

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Book SynopsisThe 1995 Open Champion and legendary wild man of golf recalls the best and worst of his life: his inspirational play on both US and European tours; the demons that afflicted him on the course and his addiction to gambling and drink; and the trashed hotel rooms and spectacular marital problems.John Daly took professional golf by storm when he came out of nowhere to win the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Indiana. A big hitter, Daly quickly became a favourite with PGA crowds for his long drives and no-frills philosophy of grip it and rip it.' Almost as quickly he became a controversial figure thanks to his on-course fits of temper and off-course bouts of drinking and gambling.He won the Open Championship in 1995 at St Andrews, then suffered through six years of poor play and personal turmoil before winning the BMW International Open in Munich in September 2001. In February 2004 he returned to the winner''s circle on the PGA Tour, winning the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.DTrade Review‘The most explicit sporting autobiography of recent years’ Guardian ‘An open, honest account’ The Times ‘Does not gloss over any aspect of his life’ Daily Mail 'Describes with brutal honesty his excessive life on the pro-golf circuit, both on and off the green.' Daily Express 'A rollercoaster read,' Belfast Telegraph

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Book SynopsisJoyrideis the empowering story of the inspirational, iconic former World Champion Trials Cyclist and pioneering paraplegic, Martyn Ashton. Beginning with his life-altering accident, it follows Martyn as he discovers the power in facing one of the worst things one can imagine and realising he can take it.Including conversations with legendary trials rider Danny MacAskill and others,Joyride explores Martyn''s ability to cope with previously unimaginable physical and mental health challenges.Martyn believes we all possess an inner strength that we can call upon when we need it most and shares his strategies for finding that strength. For a man who describes himself as ''unremarkable'', Martyn approaches each stage of rehabilitation with remarkable humility, humour and positivity.He blazes a trail as the first paraplegic to get back on two wheels, creates film content that attracts millions of views and is a motivation

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Book SynopsisConsidered by many to be a genius at his peak, Alex Higgins''s unorthodox play and exciting style earned him the nickname ''Hurricane'' and led to his immense popularity and fame. In 1972 he became the youngest winner of the World Championship, repeating his victory in emotional style in 1982. Higgins''s story is so much more than just snooker. Head-butting tournament officials, threatening to shoot team-mates, getting involved with gangsters, abusing referees, affairs with glamorous women, frequent fines and lengthy bans, all contributed to Higgins slipping down the rankings as he succumbed to drink and lost his fortune. After suffering throat cancer, Alex Higgins now reflects on his turbulent life and career in his first full autobiography. The Hurricane is back - prepare to be caught up in the carnage.

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Book SynopsisThe gripping account of nine-time women's basketball icon and three-time Olympic gold medallist's unfathomable detainment in Russia and her journey home.

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Book Synopsis''Elite athletes aren''t born. They''re made.''Michael JohnsonFrom a living icon of the Olympic Games as both an athlete and now as a BBC broadcaster Gold Rush is a compelling analysis of the fascinating combination of psychological and personal qualities, as well as internal and external factors, that go to create an Olympic champion.This exciting new book is based on Michael Johnson''s own experiences as an iconic four-time Olympic champion, and on the knowledge he has gleaned as a top-class coach and motivational speaker. It also features, uniquely, more than a dozen exclusive and insightful interviews with Olympic legends from across several different sports who between them have claimed more than 50 gold medals over the past 30 years.In essence, Johnson has assembled his very own Olympic Hall of Fame in assessing the DNA of true champions.Gold Rush is themed around chapters in which Johnson will discuss each of the key qualities/factors. He expertly feeds in fascinating first-peTrade Review“Essential Reading” The Observer

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Book SynopsisAfter Hurricane Higgins crashed out of snooker''s top league, Jimmmy White has been the `People''s Champion'' even though he never quite made the top World spot, pipped at the post in 1995 by Stephen Hendry, after missing one single black. Aged 16, White was the youngest player to win the English Amateur Championship. At 18, he won the World Amateur title. By 1984, he''s a professional success, married but not at all settled. He''s the kind of man who goes out for a packet of cigarettes and comes home two weeks later. Gambling, women, marathon binges with showbiz friends like Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, have threatened the stability of his marriage. But somehow White has survived, to tell in candid detail, a most unusual, often outrageous story of a very sporting life.Trade ReviewMercurial, enigmatic, exciting -- Alex HigginsHe may play a spellbinding game, full of invention and dash. He may even be the "best snooker player in the world" - but he is loved because he is naughty . . . and therein lies his abiding appeal -- Sue Mott * Sunday Telegraph *Jimmy's harum-scarum attitude to life has never altered, even though he is now a household name. One of the loveliest things about him is his naturalness. Stardom has come and touched him and left him exactly the way he was * Sunday Mirror *Jimmy's the ultimate player's player. He thrills the public . . . but the players get even more enjoyment out of watching him because he strikes the ball so well * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisAndrew ''Freddie'' Flintoff is one of the most exciting cricketers in the world and has improved out of all recognition during the last two years. In 2003, he was England''s best player at the World Cup. Then, explosively, he lit up the second half of the summer in 2004, lifting spirits at Lord''s with a bat-smashing 142. He walked off with the England man of the series award and averages to flaunt. This book marks his story so far in his own words, taking us up to and including the summer of 2005, during which Flintoff has performed heroics with both bat and ball against Australia. Freddie will highlight the moments and matches in his career that helped him dramatically on his way forward, and reveals what it is like to play for one of the most successful England cricket teams in history.Trade Review'Freddie's book will knock those currently in the bestsellers' list for six.' * Daily Telegraph *'"Being Freddie" is a good enjoyable read...' * Leatherhead Advertiser *'If ever a book demonstrated the single-mindedness needed to be a successful sportsperson, Andrew Flintoff's memoir is it.' * The Times *

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Andrés Iniesta is the Barcelona and Spain legend, rated by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Paul Scholes as one of the greatest footballers of all time. This is the thinking fan's footballer with a thinking fan's football book.Andrés Iniesta was twelve years old when scouts invited him into Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. Shortly after he joined the club, Barca legend Pep Guardiola remarked of him, 'This lad is going to retire us all.'Iniesta rapidly became a permanent fixture in the Barca midfield, propelling the club to a raft of trophies, including eight La Liga championships and four Champions League titles. With his country he has won the European Championship twice, and scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final.Behind the wonderfully graceful passing and movement, and the accolades and trophies he has garnered, there exists an intelligent and thoughtful man who, until now, has let his beautifully skilful feet do the talking. In The Artist: Being Iniesta, the Spanish maestro paints a vivid self-portrait, in his own words but also in those of his coaches, team-mates, opponents, friends and family. The result is intriguing.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Daily Telegraph Rugby Book of the YearThe Sunday Times bestselling rugby book of the yearBrilliant, honest, combative – Eddie Jones is a true legend of world rugby and remains an enigmatic figure in the game. In My Life and Rugby he tells his story for the first time, including the full inside account of England’s 2019 World Cup campaign.He describes his experience growing up in a tough working-class area of Sydney, where he first played rugby, and how he learnt from the extreme highs and lows of his own playing career – the numerous successes but also the painful disappointment of never playing for Australia.He tells how he then embarked on a coaching career that has seen him become one of the most experienced and decorated coaches in Rugby Union, spanning four World Cups and three finals. His successes have included masterminding England’s spectacular victory over New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup and engineering the sport’s most stunning upset when Japan beat South Africa in 2015.My Life and Rugby is the story of one of the most compelling and singular figures in rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate book for all fans of the sport.Written with Donald McRae, twice winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award and three-time Sports Feature Writer of the Year, My Life and Rugby is the story of one of the most compelling and singular figures in rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate rugby book for all fans of the sport.A Best Book of the Year – Daily Mail, Sunday Times, The TimesTrade ReviewEternally thoughtful about his craft and sport . . . fascinating. There's much more than rugby here . . . Jones is brutally frank about himself and the people and players in his life. His gifts of leadership and organisation are clearly remarkable: this is a man you would follow into the jungle. * Daily Mail Books of the Year *Refreshingly self-critical . . . Jones emerges as a more complex character than he had led us to believe. The sections on the racism he suffered as a mixed race child and his dejection at missing out an international cap as a player are particularly moving. * The Times Books of the Year *A world-class coach -- Sir Clive WoodwardAn absolute genius * Sydney Morning Herald *A genuine super-coach -- Stephen Jones, The Sunday TimesJones has a winning mentality - he is constantly asking for more -- Gareth Southgate

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Book SynopsisThe legendary disgraced cyclist Bjarne Riis bares his notoriously private soul.

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Book SynopsisDan Biggar was born in Morriston, Swansea, and his career began in the Welsh Premiership for his hometown team. He made his Ospreys debut as an eighteen-year-old and became the youngest player ever to play in 100 games for the team. Since then, he has played for English Premiership giants Northampton and for French heavyweights Toulon.Dan has been at the heart of Welsh rugby's most iconic moments of the past decade, including a Grand Slam, two Six Nations Championships, a record victory over England, a World Cup semi-final, and a historic first victory on South African soil. He's toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, and started every test in the 2021 series.In 2015, Biggar won the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year Award.The Biggar Picture is his first autobiography.Ross Harries is an experienced broadcaster and is regularly seen presenting rugby coverage on the BBC, BT Sport, Premier Sports, Channel 4 and Amazon P

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Book Synopsis“The story of the legendary martial arts fighter and kickboxer Oum Ry is by turns pulse-pounding, disturbing, and powerful. His is an astonishing life told beautifully by his daughter Zochada Tat and Addi Somekh. The book will grip you from its first pages and not let you go."—Jeff Chang, author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop GenerationOum Ry (b.1944) is a former international champion kickboxer who first brought the Cambodian martial art Pradal Serey to the United States. When his family of silver engravers couldn't afford his food or schooling, he lived with monks until seeking out Pradal Serey masters, soon becoming national champion at 23 years old and one of the most famous fighters in the region. For 15 years, he toured Southeast Asia, and without ever suffering a knock-out, won more than 250 fights. After a young man’s dream-life of stardom, parties, and girls, his new wife gave birth to a child in 1975, two months before the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh and threw the country into the chaos of civil war, where starvation, disease, and mass executions were common.Oum Ry survived the genocide though much of his family perished. He was saved many times from death in Cambodia due to fame, talent, and his resilience, but suffered a life-threatening attack during Southern California’s epic gang violence of the 1990s. Earlier, as a refugee with his young family in Chicago, Oum Ry learned English while working cleaning hotels. But within a few years, he had an investor in Long Beach, California and opened one of the first kickboxing gyms in the United States.This is Oum Ry's life story, which is propelled by his highly anticipated return to Cambodia in February 2022 to reunite with family and to pass on Pradal Serey traditions to the next generation.Trade Review“This memoir strikes hard on multiple levels. It is a reflection of contemporary America and the transnational, transcultural, immigrant experience that many Americans live, whether themselves or vicariously. Oum Ry, like many other fortunate refugees makes his way to the United States where he finds both happiness and deep disappointment. The life of a migrant is bittersweet, filled with hope and longing. Oum Ry’s life has been a rollercoaster in and out of the fighter’s ring, dramatic in positive and negative ways. His is a life worth the reading.”—Dr. JoAnn LoSavio, Washington State University, VancouverTable of ContentsPreface1 – Father and Daughter2 – Childhood3 – Pradal Serey4 – Champion5 – Genocide6 – Refugee7 – America8 – Long Beach9 –Attack10 – ReturnNotesAfterword " Oum Ry's Life in the Context of Cambodia's History" by Michael G. Vann, Ph.D.Appendices:TimelineArchive: Photographs and DocumentsAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisThe longer the distance run, the more women have an edge over their male competitors. Yet, the longer the distance, the less likely women are to start the race.In this incredible and personal account, established running journalist Jen Benson looks at the science, hidden history, and what it takes to run an ultramarathon - unveiling why women are so well adapted for endurance sports.Detailing her own account of completing her first 100-mile ultramarathon, Jen brings to the fore the harshness, humour, and personal sacrifice of ultra-running. Interweaved with this are unprecedented interviews with some of the greatest ultra-women of the past 40 years, including Jasmin Paris, who triumphed in a 268-mile winter Spine Race despite stopping to express milk for her baby, and Eleanor Adams, the first woman to complete a 153-mile Spartathon ultramarathon despite opposition from male organisers.A testament to the feats of women that challenge the very limits of human c

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Book SynopsisIrish Sports Book Award 2021 Winner! Fight Or Flight: My Life, My Choices is the autobiography of Irish rugby legend Keith Earls. Keith Earls started out in senior rugby as a teenage star and during the course of his long career has become one of the most admired and respected players of his generation. A British & Irish Lion at the age of 21, he is now closing in on his 34th birthday and still playing at the top of his game. He has won 93 caps for Ireland and played over 180 games in the famous red of Munster. He started every match of the 2018 Six Nations campaign that culminated in an Irish Grand Slam victory. A lethal finisher blessed with a sprinter’s speed, Earls is the second-highest try scorer of all time for his country. With Munster he is one try short of the all-time total and looks set to break that record next season. Yet, Earls has achieved these milestones whilst being racked by private battles with his mental health for most of his career. A number of crises brought him to the brink of voluntary retirement from the game. A native of Limerick city, Earls grew up in one of its most socially disadvantaged housing estates. Moyross was blighted by crime and violence and he did not escape unscathed from the surrounding fear and trauma visited upon his beloved community. His natural talent brought him into the privileged bastion of elite rugby union. His autobiography tells the story of his long struggle to reconcile the world whence he came with the world opened up by his brilliance with an oval ball. Earls has maintained a low profile throughout his career. For the first time he will talk in depth and at length about the inner turmoil that went unseen by team-mates, friends and fans. It is a confessional, intimate and courageous story of the pain that was a constant companion to the glory. Earls says: “It’s not me at all to be doing anything remotely like an autobiography. I don’t like talking about myself, I don’t like bringing attention to myself. And I guess that’s one reason why I am doing it. We’re supposed to get out of our comfort zone. I’ve learned enough along the way to know that much. It’s where your progress and growth happens. I hope if I can share some of my life experiences here, it might inspire others.”

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Book Synopsis'I never set out to take the lead. It just happened - like MND itself. But we are making a fight of it.'DODDIE WEIRIn the five years since Doddie Weir's MND diagnosis, he has continued to live life to the max. He's raised millions for research and support for his fellow sufferers with the help of some incredible charity fundraisers, celebrated his 50th birthday and been awarded an OBE. And throughout it all, Doddie has tackled life head on, like the mad charging giraffe he has always been, both on and off the rugby pitch.Now, join Doddie as he lifts the lid on what his life with MND has really been like, both in public and in private. Being Doddie, there's always lots of laughter and an incredibly positive attitude, but it's also a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a battle Doddie will continue to tackle with his trademark dignity and legendary humour. And it's a fight he remains determined to win.

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Book SynopsisThe side-splittingly hilarious new book from Sunday Times bestselling author, rugby icon, and stag do in human form, James Haskell.

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Book SynopsisYou’re not born with resilience but you can find it on the journey with hard work, belief and the help of those around you.Gareth Thomas has learned to push on even when everything seems most futile. His willingness to expose his deepest emotional frailties as a man and come through even stronger as a result has made him a national hero. In the Sunday Times Bestseller PROUD, Gareth focused closely on the intense experience of coming out in a very public arena of global sport. STRONGER is the broader story of how Gareth has managed to deal with the adversity life has thrown at him across the years, from childhood to his most recent gruelling announcement that he was HIV positive.Trade ReviewI've always like you but I love you for this - thought this book was completely amazing -- Chris EvansBeautiful parts, powerful parts ... will definitely make you think -- Nihal Arthanayake * BBC Radio 5 Live *Compelling -- Donald McCrae * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisHe may live in Madrid but he continues to make front-page headlines. This is David Beckham''s own story of his career to date, for Manchester United, Real Madrid and England, and of his childhood, family and private life. Featuring David''s first full account of a turbulent year in Spain, on and off the field, and England''s fortunes in Euro 2004.This is Beckham''s fascinating life story in his own words. His rise through the ranks at the biggest club side in the world. His complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson. The England story, from being vilified by the nation before returning as the prodigal son to eventually captaining his country. His acrimonious falling-out with his manager and departure from Old Trafford in June 2003. And starting a new chapter of his life on foreign soil in the glare of the world's press.Now from Beckham himself, we gain a vivid and eye-opening insight into the family man behind the famous footballer, the international model and fashion leader. He describes how he first met and then married ex-Spice girl Victoria Adams, and the upbringing of their two children Brooklyn and Romeo. How his family''s every step is monitored by a posse of newshounds and paparazzi. Also, the influence of his parents, growing up as a shy youngster in the family home, and how their subsequent split affected him.Intimate and soul-searching, this is the real David Beckham like we have never seen before.NEW FOR THIS PAPERBACK EDITION:- Beckham's first season with Real Madrid from within the dressing room, with key stories on the likes of Figo, Roberto Carlos and Zidane.- His exclusive reaction to the sensational allegations about his private life; their effect on his relationship with Victoria and a reappraisal of their living arrangements.- England and Euro 2004: the players' threatened strike in support of Rio Ferdinand; Eriksson as England boss; and all the behind the scenes stories leading up to and including the Finals in Portugal.- One year down the line, does Beckham have any regrets about leaving Manchester United? And is there any truth in the rumours that he is unsettled in Madrid?Trade Review'The confrontations between Beckham and Ferguson have the acid marks of authenticity' Mail on Sunday 'Utterly fascinating' Heat magazine 'A sensational story' The Sun 'This book sings' Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational memoir from Paralympian and disability advocate Anne Wafula Strike Struck down with polio at the age of two and a half, Anne overcame the prejudice rife in her native village in Kenya, where neighbours believed she was cursed and called her a snake because of her disability, which left her paralysed below the waist.Losing her mother at a tender age, and sent to a school far away from home, she achieved fantastic academic results, amidst the challenges of a military coup. She went to university and qualified as a teacher, and fell in love with a British man who truly valued her defiant spirit.She moved from a world with no running water to make a life for herself in modern Britain. Where, against all odds, she bore a child, and went on to being the first East African to compete in her sport internationally. Anne is currently in further training, hoping to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Paralympics.

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Book SynopsisAn anecdote-driven narrative of the classic footballer''s DOs and DO NOTs' from the ever-popular Arsenal legend and football pundit Paul Merson, aka The Merse'.When it comes to advice on the pitfalls of life as a professional footballer, Paul Merson can pretty much write the manual. In fact, that''s exactly what he''s done in this hilarious new book which manages to be simultaneously poignant and gloriously funny.Merson was a prodigiously talented footballer in the 80s and 90s, gracing the upper echelons of the game and the tabloid front pages with his breathtakingly skills and larger-than-life off-field persona.His much-publicised battles with gambling, drug and alcohol addiction are behind him now, and football fans continue to be drawn to his sharp footballing brain and playful antics on SkySports cult results show Soccer Saturday.The book delights and entertains with a treasure chest of terrific anecdotes from a man who has never lost his love of football and his inimitable joie Trade ReviewWhen Saturday Comes“Most football memoirs carefully ration the racy bits as a way of punctuating the otherwise retelling of a career. How Not To Be A Professional Footballer does precisely the opposite.” Zoo“The best read to fall asleep by the pool with.”

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Eddy MerckxThe world of professional cycling is fraught with fierce competition, fervent dedication and unerring ambition, and only a handful of competitors reach iconic status. Among them is Sir Bradley Wiggins a man uniquely placed to reflect on the history of this remarkable sport and its unforgettable titans.In Icons, Wiggins takes the reader on an extraordinarily intimate journey through the sport, presenting key pieces from his never-before-seen collection of memorabilia. Over the course of his illustrious career, he amassed hundreds of items often gifts from its greatest and most controversial figures. Each reflects an icon, a race or a moment that fundamentally influenced Wiggins on both a personal and professional level.By exploring the lives and achievements of 21 of the sport's key figures among them Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Miguel Induráin and Tom Simpson Wiggins sheds new light on what professional cycling demands of its best competitors. IconTrade Review‘If, like me, you’re a fan of cycling, you must have this book… Bradley’s collection of iconic jerseys is breath-taking and includes the 1949 yellow jersey of a personal hero of mine Fausto Coppi.’ – Paul Smith ‘Rather beautiful and an intriguing blend of cycling history and personal snippets.’ – The Guardian ‘An intriguing blend of historical research, fanboy memoir and candid confession’.’ – Cyclist ‘If you ever wanted to know about the events and people that influenced Bradley Wiggins' early cycling career and led to his love of the sport, then Icons is the book for you.’ – Road.cc

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Book SynopsisIn this unique book, one of football's greatest cult players reflects on the travails of the sport and draws upon his own experience to offer an honest assessment on one of its final remaining taboos: mental health.The most difficult position in football? Being a goalkeeper. That's what they say, right? You must be mad to stand between those posts and bat away shots and crosses all game long.Neville Southall should know. He was the goalkeeper for one of the best teams of the 1980s and became an icon of the game during his 20-year career between the sticks. But what did it take to prepare himself mentally for the difficulties of the position? How did he dig so deep on the biggest occasions and in the highest-pressured moments? What scars were left at the end of his long career a tenure that saw the highs of winning trophies, but also the lows of losing games, making mistakes and feeling the full weight of club and country on your shoulders. And how has he used his post-playing career t

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Book SynopsisAfter all this time Frankie Dettori still ranks amongst the all-time greats of the sport' LESTER PIGGOTTAn autobiography as gripping as any Dick Francis thriller' YORKSHIRE POSTEndearingly honest a fastpaced, funny autobiography' COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINELegendary jockey, Frankie Dettori, shares his remarkable life story in this astonishingly intimate autobiography.When Lanfranco Frankie' Dettori arrived on British shores in 1985, aged just 14, he couldn't speak a word of English. Having left school just a year earlier and following in the footsteps of his father, he was eager to become a stable boy and apprentice jockey, willing to do everything it took to make it. This was his first, but certainly not his last, leap of faith.Despite his slight size, Frankie's impact upon the British racing scene was immediate and significant. Brimming with confidence, charisma and personality, and with what was clearly a precocious talent, in 1990 he became the first teenager since Lester Piggot to win o

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Book SynopsisWinning takes many forms. For fans of Matthew Syed, this is a great sports book about leadership, judgement and decision-making rooted in the theory that helped Ed Smith lead England cricket to sustained success. And to help us all win more.An absolutely fascinating book' THE GAME, The Times football podHow do you spot the opportunities that others miss?How do you turn a team's performance around?How do you make good decisions amid a tidal wave of information? And how can you improve?As chief selector for the England cricket team, Ed Smith pioneered new methods for building successful teams and watched his decisions tested in real time on the pitch. During his three-year tenure, England averaged 7 wins in every 10 completed matches, better than they have performed before or since.Making Decisions reveals Smith's unique approach to finding success in a fast-changing and increasingly data-reliant world. The best decisions, Smith argues, rely on a combination of differing kinds of intellTrade Review PRAISE FOR MAKING DECISIONS ‘Sincere and often self-reflective… offers genuine searing insight, making points you feel have never been made before. A learned and engaging study of decision-making.’ New Statesmen ‘A WONDERFUL book’ Stumbling and Mumbling Economics blog ‘An excellent read… based on his years as England’s chief cricket selector, but drawing on much broader thinking on decision-making’ Simon Kuper ‘A masterful combination of analysis and personal experience of decision-making at the highest level. Full of insights, wisdom and highly entertaining’ Mervyn King ‘In this fascinating and highly readable book, Ed Smith explores how the human and the machine can work together’ Matt Ridley PRAISE FOR ED SMITH’S LUCK ‘There's hardly a sentence here that isn't clear, thought-provoking and beautifully expressed. Sport bores me rigid. Inspirational books repel me. But Smith on sport, life and luck brings fresh ways of looking at things on every page and, despite myself, I read on’Matthew Parris ‘Smith is a beguiling and skilful writer: good-humoured, anecdotal, discursive and often fascinating. You'll probably read his book in an evening but think about it for weeks, even years, afterwards’New Statesman ‘Book of the week … Elegant and absorbing … Smith is excellent at exploring nuances … The writing on sport is superb … Smith moves beyond sport with great effect’The Times ‘Funny and honest … like one of Smith's well-crafted innings in his playing career, it leaves you wanting more’Sunday Times ‘Blends personal experience, sporting insight and a broad knowledge of history with the journalist's talent for storytelling to fashion an original and thought-provoking book … not only refreshing but uplifting’Spectator An exceptional book: lucid, thought-provoking, informative and fair. Outstanding’The Times

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Book Synopsis''To be legendary you got to have heart... Ray''s heart was bigger than all the rest'' Muhammad AliSUGAR RAY LEONARD was one of the greatest boxers ever. An artist and a showman he was always willing to take the difficult fight: his gruelling encounters with Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler have become legendary.Ray''s autobiography takes you into the ring - with the mind games, brutality and euphroia. But, outside of the ring, Ray''s biggest opponent was himself. From early domestic violence and sexual abuse to a blur of fame, sex, greed, drink and drug addiction at the height of his career that cost him so much, The Big Fight is a remarkable portrait of the rise, fall and final redeption of a true fighter in every sense.Trade ReviewGripping and revealing… the raw truth -- Donald McRae * Guardian *[An] uninhibited memoir… Sugar Ray’s bittersweet ascent to greatness * Daily Telegraph *A fascinating, illuminating, engaging story of what it takes to be successful at the highest levels. Simultaneously, The Big Fight is a most instructive study of competitive strategy * New York Journal of Books *

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Book SynopsisDouble Olympic gold-medal winner, James Cracknell. His story before and after his life-changing accident.In October 2011 James Cracknell, two-time Olympic gold-medal rower and one of the greatest endurance athletes the world has ever known, suffered a seizure at home as his young son looked on in horror. A man who had known no limits, a man who had practically achieved the impossible, was now struggling to master life''s simple challenges.A year earlier, as James undertook yet another endurance challenge in Arizona, he was knocked off his bike by the wing mirror of a petrol tanker. It had smashed into the back of his head at high speed, causing severe frontal lobe damage. The doctors weren't sure if he would recover and, if he did, whether he would ever be the same again.Touching Distance is an extraordinary, honest and powerful account as James and his wife Bev confront for the first time the lasting effects that the accident has had on their lTrade ReviewAn inspirational, powerful account from an incredible bloke with guts and determination. * Sir Bradley Wiggins *James is a modern-day Hercules. Every day brings a new challenge. * Clare Balding *A remarkable portrait of love, loyalty and determination - from both sides of a marriage. * Daily Mail *A rower's extraordinary story is movingly told. * Daily Telegraph *It is a deeply honest, compelling account. * Sun *

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Book SynopsisWembley, 1966. England wins the World Cup to roars of a euphoric home crowd.Sir Bobby Charlton, England's greatest ever player, was there on the pitch. In 1966, he looks back on the most glorious moment of his life and England''s greatest sporting achievement.He takes us through the build-up to the tournament and to the final itself - what he saw, what he heard, what he felt. He tells us what it was like to be part of Sir Alf Ramsey's team, his memories of his teammates, the matches, the atmosphere; the emotion of being carried on the wave of a nation's euphoria and how it felt to go toe-to-toe with some of the foremost footballers to ever play the game.His life was forever defined by a single moment: one day when a man stood side-by-side with his best friends, united in a single aim in front of a watching nation. This is his story.It's gripping stuff This is a mellow book, the product of many years' contemplation, and eTrade ReviewCarefully and lovingly told with deeper layers of reflection and wistfulness. -- Giles Smith * The Times *It’s gripping stuff… This is a mellow book, the product of many years’ contemplation, and emotional in a way that may surprise you…He has a wonderful story to tell -- Markus Berkmann * Daily Mail *Breathtakingly lucid, insistently informative and deeply affecting... It owes much to the presence of that most benign of ghosts, the wonderful James Lawton, who imbues his books not only with an authentic, clear-eyed love of the game but with his gift, spectacular in this particular instance, to bring historic moments into a focus so immediate that one is almost forced to blink * Herald *Thoughtful and reflective...full of fascinating detail. * Mail On Sunday *[A] fascinating inside account of what remains the nation’s greatest sporting achievement. * Choice Magazine *

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Book Synopsis''Rugby is great for the soul,'' he writes, ''but terrible for the body.''Rugby hurts. It demands mental resilience and resistance to pain. It explores character, beyond a capacity to endure punishment.Dylan Hartley, one of England''s most successful captains, tells a story of hard men and harsh truths. From the sixteen-year-old Kiwi who travelled alone to England, to the winner of ninety-seven international caps, he describes with brutal clarity the sport''s increasing demand on players and the toll it takes on their mental health, as well as the untimely injury that shattered his dreams of leading England in the 2019 World Cup.The Hurt is rugby in the raw, a unique insight into the price of sporting obsession.''Few have had more twists and turns in a pro rugby career'' Robert Kitson, Guardian''Anyone who cares about the game, in which he won 97 caps for England and played 250 times for NorthamptonTrade ReviewOne of the best rugby books for years ... Unswervingly honest * The Best Sporting Reads for Christmas, The Times *Few have had more twists and turns in a pro rugby career than the now-retired Dylan Hartley. Never a one dimensional character on or off the field and led England to some famous wins. -- Robert KitsonAnyone wanting to understand England under the coaches Martin Johnson, Stuart Lancaster and Eddie Jones, as well as the mental and physical strains professional rugby take on its players, should start here -- Sports Book of the Year * Sunday Times *Anyone who cares about the game, in which he won 97 caps for England and played 250 times for Northampton, should read Hartley's book -- Don McRae * Guardian *Forthright and striking * Guardian *Fascinating ... No one should underestimate his impact * Rugby World *

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Book SynopsisGet to know England legend Alastair Cook in his fascinating and remarkably honest autobiographyTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & TELEGRAPH BOOKS OF THE YEAR''He is England''s greatest ever batsman . . . a hugely enjoyable book'' Daily Mail, SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR _________Watch. The. Ball.It''s just you. Standing at the crease. Waiting. The bowler is running. His arm swinging. The ball - 155 grams of cork, string and leather - is hurled at you. At 90 mph it travels 22 yards in under half a second. You can barely see it and you''ve got to be swinging your bat before it''s halfway towards you. Because you are in its path . . . Alastair Cook, one of England''s most decorated players and highest test run scorer, knows what it is like to be your best under pressure. Yet at 33 he called time on his England career.Come with him as he relives the fraught hours on the pitch, the dTrade ReviewBracingly honest about the brutal nature of professional cricket * The Times *He is England's greatest ever batsman...but behind that choirboy exterior, Cook is as tough as tugboats, a man who has spent his life doing one of the hardest, scariest jobs in sports - opening the batting in Test cricket. This hugely enjoyable book gives you an idea of quite how challenging it is, and makes you see that finding a replacement for "The Chef" at the top of England's batting order won't be any picnic * Sports Books of the Year Daily Mail *Hugely enjoyable * Sport Books of the Year, Daily Mail *A fascinating and layered book which delves into the psychological challenges of the game . . . a timely read at the end of an exhilarating yet flawed summer for English cricket * Guardian *The best books to buy sports fans this Christmas * Daily Telegraph *It makes for fascinating reading, as the former England captain recounts what it took to succeed at the top of his game - and reveals what made him decide to hang up his whites at the relatively early age of 33 * Radio Times *Reveals Cook as a teak-tough, mentally powerful competitor . . . Brutally honest insight into professional sport at the highest level * Press Association *Cricket legend Alastair Cook's remarkably candid autobiography reveals the pressures of playing the sport at the highest level for more than a decade * Choice *He details the complexity of the process, from technique to mental agonies, to draining team politics . . . there are also lots of endearing behind-the-scenes details * Strong Words *Sir Alastair reveals his more ruthless and passionate sides in a book more probing than most sport biogs * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisAs a rookie head coach leading a franchise that, though on a steady climb upwards, had largely been dismissed by the sports media, NBA fans had low expectations for Nick Nurse and his Raptors. But what those naysayers didn''t realise was that Nurse had spent the past thirty years proving himself at every level of the game, from youth programs and college ball, to the NBA G League and Britain''s struggling pro circuit. While few coaches have taken such a circuitous path to pro basketball''s promise land, the journey-- which began at Keumper Catholic high school in Carroll, Iowa -- forged a coach who proved to be as unshakeable as he is personable.On the road, he is now known to bring his guitar and keyboard for late-night jazz and blues sessions. In the locker room, he''s steadfast and even-keeled regardless of the score. On the court, he pulls out old school, underrated plays with astounding success. A rookie in name but a veteran in attitude, Nurse is seemingly above the ch

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Book SynopsisThe lofty man of English football gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse at his remarkable rise to the top.Trade ReviewIn a macho world, he is refreshingly candid about the anxieties that beset players. * Saturday Times Magazine *The English public have always loved a goalscorer and Crouch has shown there is much more to his fame than simply being "robot boy". * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisRenowned for his outspoken, colourful character, Neil Warnock here exclusively tells the story of his life in football. Warnock began his career as a player in 1967, and over the next eleven years played with a number of clubs including Scunthorpe United and Barnsley as a winger. In 1980 he took on his first managerial role with Northern Premier League side Gainsborough Trinity, and has since managed a number of clubs, including Notts County, Oldham Athletic, Bury and, of course, Sheffield United. Perhaps the Blades'' most famous fan, Warnock''s relationship with Sheffield United is legendary. Having been appointed in 1999, he became the sixth longest-serving manager in league football. In 2003, Warnock saw United to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the League Cup as well as the final of the First Division play-off. He cemented his place in the Blades'' history books by leading them back to the Premiership in April 2006, after twelve years in the First Division. He Trade ReviewA fund of well-told anecdotes. * Telegraph *One striking theme of his books is that this is a man who has rolled up his sleeves at every level of the game and relished it. * The Times *

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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 04.12.2023Trade ReviewA close-up look at the uncertain and often unhealthy climb toward stardom for women in organized sports . . . The rawness of Good for a Girl serves as a push to demand that the next crop of female athletes has it better * Washington Post *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 *I tore through Lauren Fleshman's Good for a Girl. This is the book we've been waiting for: a coming-of-age story, told from inside our broken sports system-a system that was not built for the young athletes inside it, and certainly not for young women. Lauren's story is clear-eyed, passionate, nuanced, and unflinching; it will change the way you look at sports -- Kate Fagan, author of What Made Maddy RunThis book breaks open the door for caged conversations to protect the health and integrity of growing athletes. It not only needs to be in the hands of women-identifying athletes, but also their peers, coaches, and parents. It is 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 FitnessWomen's sports have needed a manifesto for a very long time, and with Lauren Fleshman's Good for a Girl we finally have one -- Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and David and GoliathGood for a Girl is much more than a great running memoir. It's a remarkably candid tale of self-doubt and self-belief; of entrepreneurship, family, money, competition, and-importantly-female physiology. (Turns out women are not just smaller men!) It's an important book that also happens to be a page-turner -- David Epstein, bestselling author of Range and The Sports GeneGood for a Girl is simultaneously a moving memoir and a call to action in how we think about-and train-girls and women in elite sports. It's a must-read-for anyone who loves running, for anyone who has a daughter, and for anyone who cares about creating a better future for young women -- Emily Oster, author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family FirmIf someone held a gun to my head and said 'Run,' I'd say, 'Nah, just shoot me.' And yet I could not put down Lauren Fleshman's thoughtful, elegant memoir: a necessary look at what women endure and deserve from the sports they devote their lives to -- Ariel Levy, author of The Rules Do Not ApplyPart memoir, part critique of a sports system built around a man's body, Fleshman offers a searingly candid look at her own victimhood and complicity, interlaced with compelling data and concrete ideas on how we can change this environment . . . Fleshman is an undeniably masterful storyteller, owning her own complicity in the system while holding others accountable, in a loving and nuanced way * Women's Running *Good for a Girl is in part a memoir of Fleshman's failures and successes, but it's also a call to action for the coaches, parents, and young women of future athletic generations. Fleshman argues convincingly that it's essential for the sports world to disentangle physical suffering from self-worth. In 288 funny, honest, and sometimes-wrenching pages, she makes clear that empowering girls to better understand the need for balance between pain and elite performance is not only the ethical thing to do - it's essential to their health and career longevity * Atlantic *Punchy, pacy and eye-opening, Good For A Girl is a book that needed to be written, and that needs to be read by anyone involved in women's sport * Adharanand Finn, author of The Rise of the Ultra Runners *Lauren Fleshman's Good for a Girl is a lyrical, insightful, and timely meditation on women's sports, women's bodies, and the fundamental issues of social justice exposed and unsolved in the world of elite athletics. As someone who finds no joy in movement, I was moved and riveted from start to finish. A must-read for anybody -- Kate Manne, author of Down Girl and EntitledLauren Fleshman serves as a guide to two worlds unknown to most of us: elite athletics, but also, and more importantly, the unjust system that gifts men with riches and fame but crushes the hopes and bodies of women. She is both a champion and a survivor, and anyone who cares about running, athletics, or women must listen to her -- Peter Sagal, host of Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me! and author of The Incomplete Book of RunningLauren Fleshman fills us with righteous fury for the way women's sport has treated its athletes, and then offers us hope for the future. I finished this invigorating book feeling that I could take on the world - and that I had been handed some tools to get me started * Emily Chappell, author of What Goes Around and Where There's a Will *A moving coming-of-age memoir . . . The fast-paced, smoothly written narrative will resonate with student-athletes and is highly recommended for everyone involved with female athletes, from coaches to parents. Fleshman is a role model unafraid to share her vulnerability and advocate for gender equality * Booklist, STARRED REVIEW *A superb memoir . . . [Fleshman] fearlessly exposes the often dark, demanding underbelly of female sports and how she believes it needs to be reformed . . . [Her] discussion of physiology and sports psychology enhance Fleshman's impassioned, deeply personal narrative. She beautifully balances the book with equal parts joy and victory, pain and heartache. Good for a Girl is a necessary, important read that will enlighten athletes of all genders, their coaches and those who cheer for them * Shelf Awareness *As [Fleshman] lays bare the price women pay for success in an athletic system that still favors males, she offers a thoughtful, much-needed plea for a more humane, gender-neutral sporting system. Inspirational and impassioned * Kirkus *Motivational . . . [Fleshman's] raw honesty when it comes to often taboo topics for professional female athletes (including menstruation and mental health struggles) is refreshing, as is her willingness to confront the ways professional racing 'folds and smashes women and girls into a male-based infrastructure.' Fleshman's determination stokes the competitive spirit in this rousing call to action * Publishers Weekly *

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisAll Kelly Smith ever wanted to be was a footballer. Blessed with brilliant talent which she honed with hours of practice, it was soon clear to all who saw her that Kelly was the best women's footballer that this country had ever produced. Yet for this shy girl from Watford, it would be a long and difficult journey to the pinnacle of the world game, and one which would involve the hardest of challenges.After starting drinking to mask her loneliness thousands of miles from home in the United States, a series of career-threatening injuries led to severe depression and a battle with alcoholism. But with the fighting spirit that was so essential on her path to be Britain's first women's professional player, Kelly bounced back to inspire Arsenal to countless trophies and become England's record goalscorer.Footballer: My Story is the inspirational tale of a woman with a drive to succeed. It is the unique inside story of a star in a sport enjoyed by millions yet oftenTrade ReviewKelly Smith's life is film-script material * Henry Winter *A great read but so very sad in parts * Jacqui Oatley *An entertaining read... It is Smith the footballer that resonates - her achievements and disappointments, the graft, the hunger, the esteem for rivals, the battles to overcome injuries that would have finished a lesser player, the strongly held beliefs about the game. -- Catherine Etoe * Camden New Journal *

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Book SynopsisBefore Bradley Wiggins, there was Sean Yates. Behind Bradley Wiggins, there was Sean Yates.One of only five Britons to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, Sean Yates burst onto the cycling scene as the rawest pure talent this country has ever seen. After turning professional at the age of 22, he soon became known as a die-hard domestique, putting his body on the line for his teammates. Devastatingly fast, powerful and a fearless competitor, Yates won a stage of the Tour, as well as the Vuelta a España, in 1988, and went on to don the coveted maillot jaune six years later.Having put British cycling on the map as a rider, Yates was soon in demand as a directeur sportif, using his tactical knowledge to inspire a new generation of cyclists to success. And after Team Sky came calling, Yates was the man to design the brilliant plan that saw Sky demolish the opposition in 2012, and for Bradley Wiggins to become the first cyclist from these shoTrade ReviewA candid and unflinching account of his three decades in the sport, of interest to anyone who has followed his long and fruitful career. Yates is not afraid to pull punches throughout this autobiography and you have to admire his honesty... refreshingly far removed from what we have grown used to in many similar releases. * Sky Sports, Cycling Books of the Year *Brilliant. This is, in many ways, an old-fashioned book chronicling the transformation of a cycling-mad kid from West Sussex into possibly the most respected domestique in the peloton, who also claimed a famous time-trial stage victory of the Tour de France in 1988 and wore the yellow jersey for a day in 1994. This book does full credit to an outstanding career. -- Brendan Gallagher * Sweetspot Cycling Book of the Year shortlist nomination *A very good read... one of those rare well written cycling autobiographies that engages the reader... better by far than the other recent autobiographies that could be filed under 'British Cycling and My Role in Its Rise to Glory'. The whole thing has a charming, casual air about it, like a couple of old mates sitting down over a pint and reminiscing about the past. It's nice to be reminded why Yates used to be such a legend. * Podium Café *Sean Yates is the real deal - tremendous determination, talent and commitment - the classic hard man from that era. In a way reading the book made me glad I didn't become a pro cyclist. * Cycling Uphill *For years Sean Yates was by far and away the most successful British rider in the Tour de France since Tommy Simpson. Then came Cavendish, Froome and most of all Wiggins. After retiring from racing Sean Yates was to become Team Sky's Race Director and a figure central to Wiggins' 2012 Tour victory. A great and revealing book. -- Mark Perryman * Philosophy Football, autumn sports books review *

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Book SynopsisHe''s back - and this time he''s got company. The Secret Footballer has teamed up with one of the most highly respected physios in the game to bring you the stories of a football season through the eyes of someone who has covered over 1000 games in his career and who knows the most intimate details about every player he treats.From the pre-season pressures of a new manager and players who have overindulged on their summer breaks, to witnessing some truly horrific (and sometimes career-ending) injuries; from star players who think nothing of using him as their personal family doctor to revealing some of the more unconventional treatments players choose to experiment with, the physio has truly seen it all.Alongside this privileged glimpse into the physio''s world, The Secret Footballer will be telling his own tales of injury, pain and perseverance with his trademark insight and wit.

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Book SynopsisIn this poignant, moving book, Muhammad Ali shares the beliefs he has come to live by and which he has passed on to his children. Some of the wisdom is his own; some comes from the teachings of true Islam, from his spiritual studies, and from people he has met in the course of his extraordinary life. Here, as he recalls his early days as a young warrior in Louisville, Kentucky, and his meteoric rise to fame as Heavyweight Champion of the World, a title he won three times, he tells of the many battles he won and lost, both inside and outside the ring and his conversion to Islam in the 1960s. Now, working tirelessly as a worldwide ambassador for peace, he talks of the damage caused when religion is used to tear people apart, the essential need for unity in this troubled world, and how his faith sustains him on this, the most important journey of his life - the journey to forgiveness and peace. Together with his daughter Hana, in this timely spiritual memoir Ali draws upon his rich reservTrade ReviewIt's not a book you meet every day... [It's] all about love. I was there in Atlanta when he lit the Olympic flame, and I felt the oceans of love washing towards him from America and the world... I have been at prize-fights where the very name Ali gets a bigger cheer than either contestant. Ali: the world's most beloved sportsman; perhaps the world's most beloved human... In his conversations with his daughter, he emerges as a person of almost Christlike nature: sweet, gently proud, remorseful. His apology to his greatest opponent, Joe Frazier, for past insults, is truly touching -- Simon Barnes * The Times *Besides Ali's love, readers will be struck by his remarkable faith... It's hard not to be moved by Ali's spirit * Publishers Weekly *The emphasis is not on Ali the warrior. His triumphs are touched on, but it is a softer side of the man that shows through... This book affirms the essential decency we always saw in the man * Library Journal *The noted boxer offers words of inspiration and reflection on his long career... There are insights here from Ali on his obstacles and heartbreaks, as well as his well-noted victories * Ebony *This is a motivational book in which Ali uses his life story to illustrate the importance of humanity, self-belief and love. It possesses humour and at times is also moving. Ali maintains an honesty, speaking for example about his regrets for turning his back on his friend Malcolm X in the 1960s, as well as his over-the-top verbal badgering of Joe Frazier * Sunday Times (South Africa) *

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Book SynopsisRon and Leon Haslam live near Smalley in Derbyshire with Ron's wife Ann and their other children Emma and Zoe. Ron now devotes much of his time to running the Ron Haslam Motorbike School in Donington. Leon is racing for Stiggy Honda in the 2009 World Superbike Championship.

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Book SynopsisBGE Irish Sports Book of the Year and eir Sports Book of the YearIn The Choice Dubs star Philly McMahon shares the deeply personal story of his brother, John, a heroin addict who died at the age of 31. Structured as a series of choices in sport, in education and in life the book delves into the contrasting lives of the brothers and how the opportunities presented to Philly through sport and education opened up a world of choice that protected him from the dangers of growing up in Ballymun at the height of the heroin epidemic.As well as offering sports fans fresh insights into one of GAA's most fascinating characters, The Choice is an inspiration for anyone struggling with addiction. Raw, vivid and intensely moving, it is an epic story of triumph in the face of adversity and loss, and a tribute to the redemptive power of sport.Should be on the curriculum for all transition year student boys it's a book about life phenomenal.' DAMIEN O'MEARA, RTÉ SPORTPhilly McMahon should be placed on a pedestal and be a beacon of inspiration to all young sports stars in the country.' THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

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Book SynopsisWinner of the An Post Irish Sports Book of the Year AwardLonglisted for The William Hill Sports Book of the Year AwardNot only the sports book of the year, the book of the year.'Paul HowardUnputdownable,'The Last Word, Today FMYou'll go a long way to find a better autobiography. It's raw, unfiltered honesty from start to finish, a captivating account of one man's story that will resonate with so many more.'The Irish IndependentThe bravest book I''ve read in a long time. A really quality read written by a man who happened to be a footballer rather than a book necessarily about football.'Damien O'Meara, RTÉStorytelling of the highest calibre.Richie Sadlier's autobiography is a judiciously layered and thoughtful examination of how to live a life and develop as a person despite everything. It's also relentlessly entertaining. A rare and precious example of a sports book that has both story and stories in abundance.'Malachy Clerkin,The Irish TimesThe kind of book to stop you in your tracks.'TheIrish Farmers JournalWhen a career-ending injury saw former Ireland and Millwall striker Richie Sadlier retire from football at age 24, his life spiraled out of control. Without structure or a sense of purpose, and fueled by a dependency on alcohol, he spent years running from the dark memories and feelings that had haunted him since childhood. Until one day, he hit rock bottom and decided to confront his demons.Now a successful soccer pundit, psychotherapist and mental-fitness teacher, Recovering is about a life shaped by efforts to escape, and how it is possible to rebuild a life, piece by piece, with the right help. Inspiring and groundbreaking, it is an important reflection on the need to move away from perceptions of shame in our discussions about mental health, sex, relationships and addiction.

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Book SynopsisIn 2012, Joe Barr almost died from altitude sickness on the infamous 11,000-ft Wolf Creek Pass in a Race Across America attempt. The infamous 3,200-mile race is non-stop, ultra-cycling at its most extreme. In 2014, Joe returned and received the coveted Finisher's medal, and in 2019, at the age of 60, he went back again and won his category.This story of extreme perseverance begins on a yellow Raleigh Chopper on the streets of Co. Derry, where Joe, trying to escape the harsh everyday reality of the Troubles as a young Catholic boy in an all-Protestant school, went on long bicycle rides into the countryside, dreaming of one day taking part in cycling's grand tours.When his baby son was diagnosed with cancer, Joe got on the bike with a different purpose and won his first endurance race, the 1,300-mile, non-stop Race Around Ireland. Since then, Joe has won major World Cup races all over the world. This is a story of unimaginable grit, and of what it takes to

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Book SynopsisThe road to Croke Park can be a long one, but for Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi it was longer than most. Born in a refugee camp in Ramadi, Iraq, at the height of the Gulf War, Zak spent his formative years living under the oppressive regime of Saddam Hussein.Settling in Carrick-on-Shannon aged just 11, Zak couldn't speak English, but when he discovered a talent for hurling, life suddenly took off. Zak credits the GAA with giving him the opportunity to put down roots, forge lifelong friendships and build his own life.In this brave, touching and uplifting memoir, Zak reflects on his first 20 years in Ireland: the culture shock of landing in small-town Ireland; the plight of refugees worldwide; the skills he learned through sport and the role it plays in a healthy, balanced mind and in creating a community.

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Book SynopsisAlex Blackwell lived and breathed our national sport of cricket for thirty years.Starting as a kid, she spent her childhood and teen years on the field with her identical twin, Kate, who was equally devoted to the bat and ball. While both sisters went on to represent Australia, Alex built a 15-year career in the green and gold, eventually rising to the captaincy, notching up an eye-watering list of sporting achievements and etching her name into cricket''s history.But life off the field brought challenges of its own. From her professional debut, Alex was unafraid to call out hypocrisy and go in to battle against the traditional hierarchies of the game. Speaking out and becoming a passionate advocate for women and LGBTQI people in sport won her many fans and much respect, but it didn''t come without a price.Fair Game is the unmissable account of life and leadership inside Australia''s most loved sporting team, told by one of its most capped playe

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