Autobiography: sport Books

Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Bestseller and Number 1 Sport Book of 2016'A tale that's truly inspirational' The SunAn ordinary lad from Sheffield, Jamie Vardy has become known as an against-the-odds footballing hero the world over. Yet a few years ago, things couldn’t have been any more different. Rejected as a teenager by his boyhood club, Jamie thought his chance was gone. But from playing pub football and earning £30 a week at Stocksbridge Park Steels, while still working in a factory, his off-the-cuff performances saw him rise.Jamie had a wild and turbulent youth, but football became his saving grace and, once he filled his boots with goals at FC Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town, he moved to Leicester City. After the miracle of surviving relegation, the team of unlikely outsiders bonded together to achieve the unthinkable: Jamie set the record as the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches and Leicester beat odds of 5000-1 to become champions.Jamie has now been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, firmly establishing himself as one of England’s leading goal scoring footballers. Not forgetting his roots, however, he has set up the V9 Academy in a bid to find the next big talent from non-league football. Defying all expectations, this is the story of the boy from nowhere who reached the top in his own unflinching, honest words.Trade ReviewJamie Vardy’s searingly honest warts and all account of his rise from football’s lowest foothills to the Premier League summit has been the talk of football. -- Sean Hamilton * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisFrom an early age, Lee McKenzie had access to a motorsport world that most are rarely allowed into. From spending time in the paddock as a teen to becoming a highly respected Formula One journalist and presenter, Lee has been at the heart of motorsport for almost twenty years.On the frontline of one of the most watched sports on the planet and gaining the respect of F1 world champions with her tough but fair interview approach, Lee has shared experiences, hire cars, parties and friendships with a host of drivers from Michael Schumacher to Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel to Jenson Button.INSIDE F1 tells the stories of the careers of seven stars of the sport using her personal contact and interviews throughout the years. Lee's unique perspective takes us through the highs and lows, the controversies and crashes that led to some of the biggest and most memorable interviews in recent years. Lee's close relationship with the drivers makes INSIDE F1 an enthralling behind-the- scenes account of one of the biggest sports in the world.

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Book SynopsisInjury. Adrenaline. Addiction. These are the things that fuelled one man's race to international stardom as he pushed boundaries and took life on and off the bike to the limits.Starting out as a talented youth riding the desert tracks of California, his reckless nature and incredible talent earned him a position in the rarefied world of professional motorcycle racing. Despite the success in his professional life, his personal life was crumbling around him - John was battling with depression and temptation, which began to threaten his career, health and marriage, ultimately bringing him to a life of alcoholism, addiction and even smuggling.In his remarkable memoir, one of the world's most renowned riders takes us on a raw and unique journey to the extremes of fast living.John 'Hopper' Hopkins is an icon for motorsport fans worldwide. He won't let anything hold him back. He has broken almost every bone in his body (twice), suffered a bleed on the brain, and had a finger amputated... yet he continued to race. Finally, at the age of 35 - with his latest crash at Brands Hatch in 2017 putting him in rehab for two years - he decided to hang up his helmet.Leathered tells the incredible story of an unparalleled career. From bone-crunching injuries and alcohol-fuelled antics to the breakdown of his marriage, it unveils the true stories behind the lurid headlines.

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Donncha O'Callaghan is one of Ireland's leading international rugby players, and a stalwart of the Munster side. He was a key figure in the Irish team which won the IRB 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2009, and has won two Heineken Cup medals and two Magners League titles with Munster. But that success did not come easy. For such a well known player with a larger-than-life reputation, his long battle to make a breakthrough at the highest level is largely unknown. In this honest and revealing autobiography, Donncha talks in detail about the personal setbacks and disappointments at Munster and the unconventional ways he dealt with the frustration of not making the team for four of five years in his early 20s.He had a parallel experience with Ireland where it took him nearly six years to get from fringe squad member to established first choice player. Here he talks candidly about how he brought discipline to his game, and about his relationships with the coaches who had overlooked him and the second row rivals who had kept him on the bench.Donncha talks also with great warmth about a hectic childhood that was shaped by the death of his father when he was only six years old. One of the heroes of his story is his mother Marie who showed incredible strength and resourcefulness to rear a family of five on her own.Often deservedly regarded as 'the joker in the pack', what is often less well known is the serious attitude and intensely professional approach Donncha brings to his rugby. Joking Apart gives the full picture, showing sides of the man that will be unfamiliar to followers of Irish rugby and will surprise the reader.

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Book SynopsisThe powerful saga of one woman's refusal to take no for an answer and her quest to change lives through sport.

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Book Synopsis‘The cold water has given me the key to unlock myself within a place I didn’t know existed: the community of cold-water swimmers right around the world. What binds us all together is the cold and how it makes us feel: brave enough to tackle even the toughest of life’s issues.’Having been a keen runner and cyclist all her life, in 2017 Sara Barnes was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis and found herself facing major surgery and a future of limited mobility. Rather than obsessing about what she could no longer do, she decided to focus on what she could do and took to the water of the tarns, river pools and lakes in her home county of Cumbria. A new appreciation of being in nature and love of cold-water swimming and immersion was born.In The Cold Fix, Sara takes the reader on an enthralling journey, from her first tentative steps into the water, to meeting other swimmers from around the world who share her passion and who can help her answer the question: what is it about cold water that proves irresistible to an increasing number of people?Trade Review‘This book beautifully captures the heart of the intimacies found inside the world of cold water from across the globe ... This collection of tales from fully acclimatised cold-water lovers will warm your heart – ready for the acceptance and magic of cold to flow in. Even if you are not a swimmer, this book is a wonderful insight into the joy that appears when we get cold and semi-nude in icy waters.’ – Gilly McArthur, wild swimmer‘The book covers the experiences of people from around the globe, all with their own reasons for cold-water immersion, each analysed with clarity and feeling. This is a superb read that I will return to again and again.’ – Barry Johnson, triathlete

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Book Synopsis'George Raveling is a legend on sports, business, and the great game of life' TIM FERRISS'I'm proud to call George a mentor and a friend' MICHAEL JORDAN'George Raveling is the mentor you wish you had' RICH ROLL'This is a must-read book' CHARLES BARKLEYGame-changing wisdom from pioneering coach and Nike executive George Raveling, coauthored by bestselling author Ryan Holiday - with a foreword by basketball legend Michael JordanGeorge Raveling knows all about beating the odds. A living legend, he has been a game-changing basketball coach, stood at the side of Martin Luther King Jr, mentored Michael Jordan and shaped the world of sports as a Director at Nike. But his life began in the shadow of segregation, death and mental illness. Here, he teams up with bestselling author Ryan Holiday to share the lessons drawn from his extraordinary life and career. This is not a memoir, but a blueprint for anyone who wants to overcome obstacles and achieve success on their own terms. You'll find strategies for discovering purpose, insights on how to keep evolving and growing, advice for building meaningful connections, and tactics to compound daily victories into your greatest achievements. From finding a mentor to building a legacy, this book provides tools to not just navigate life, but to live it with intention and impact. And it all starts with the question: what are you made for?

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018This is my life, not the stuff you've seen, but the things you haven't. This is my childhood growing up in the West Country, my struggles, my doubts and my hopes. It's the people I've met in my seventeen years in Formula One, many of whom I've loved, some of whom I definitely haven't. It's the laughs I've shared, the battles I've fought, some on the track with rivals and friends like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. It's the pressure I struggled with as I closed in on my World Championship in 2009, it's the calm I felt every time I settled into the cockpit. It's my dad - the many times he saved me, the one moment he doubted me, the hole in my life he left me. It's everything in one go, the good days as well as the bad. A life lived not just as a racing driver but, ultimately, as a human being.

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Book SynopsisSwim, Bike, Run - The ultimate guide to triathlon by Olympics heroes Alistair and Jonathan BrownleeA Number One Bestseller This is the story of how two skinny lads from west Yorkshire became the best triathletes in the world.Meet the Brownlees: Olympic Champion Alistair, World Champion Jonny. Brothers, training partners, rivals. They have obliterated the competition and set new standards for swimming, biking and running.In this revealing, often very funny book they take us inside their world. It''s both a riveting story of the races, the success and the brotherly rivalry, as well as a guide to triathlon with sections on how to swim, bike and run and packed with advice on nutrition, injury, and mental approach.This book will appeal to readers of cycling and running books like Mark Cavendish''s Boy Racer and Running with the Kenyans, as well as fans of Chrissie Wellington''s A Life Without Limits and Andy BeckeTrade ReviewMaybe their [Olympic] achievement was the greatest of all. Swim, Bike, Run is an absorbing account of this punishing sport for both aspiring participants and armchair masochists alike * Daily Mail *Sport has two new heroes: a couple of nice lads from Yorkshire * The Times *There is a golden rule in triathlon: when a Brownlee races, they win. They are incredibly close, do most things together, train as a team, and yet come the big race they are deadly rivals * The Guardian *Under the pressure of the biggest race of their lives, they delivered in unforgettable style * The Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis'Very funny on almost every page, wonderfully self-deprecating and very sharp on the ludicrous behaviour of the modern player' - Sunday Times'The funniest man in British sport' - Metro**A Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year****Shortlisted for the National Book Awards****Longlisted for the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Autobiography of the Year**You become a footballer because you love football. And then you are a footballer, and you're suddenly in the strangest, most baffling world of all. A world where one team-mate comes to training in a bright red suit with matching top-hat, cane and glasses, without any actual glass in them, and another has so many sports cars they forget they have left a Porsche at the train station. Even when their surname is incorporated in the registration plate.So walk with me into the dressing-room, to find out which players refuse to touch a football before a game, to discover why a load of millionaires never have any shower-gel, and to hear what Cristiano Ronaldo says when he looks at himself in the mirror.We will go into post-match interviews, make fools of ourselves on social media and try to ensure that we never again pay £250 for a haircut that should have cost a tenner. We'll be coached and cajoled by Harry Redknapp, upset Rafa Benitez and be soothed by the sound of an accordion played by Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip. There will be some very bad music and some very bad decisions.I am Peter Crouch. This is How To Be A Footballer. Shall we?Trade ReviewHowever overpaid and preening you might assume Premier League footballers to be, think again. They're worse, according to this amusing insider's account * Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year *Who knew that a footballer could be funny? ... What you realise, as you laugh out loud, is that football has been taken too seriously by too many people for too long... Most other football books wither by comparison * Daily Mail Sports Book of the Year *As someone who's been there, done it and got the ill-fitting T-shirt, Crouch is well placed to shed light on the bizarre world of the modern player in a funny, down-to-earth way... He made his name on the pitch ... but with this book, Crouch proves he is a good sport off it, too. -- Jade Craddock * Sun *On his way to being a national treasure... most enjoyable * Daily Telegraph *The funniest man in British sport * Metro *

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Book SynopsisA Financial Times Book of the Year 2023A Daily Express Book of the Year 2023''Magnificent, moving, often funny and deeply researched account . . . Is this just a book for those who know football? Far from it: this is a story of glory and the impermanence of fame'' Sunday Times (Book of the Week)''Like Alf Ramsey''s 1966 team, this book has depth, it has riches and it''s a winner - the finest piece of sports writing I have read in ages and a superb piece of contemporary history'' Peter HennessyEngland. 1966. The World Cup.Duncan Hamilton watched England beat West Germany as an eight-year-old boy in the company of his father and grandfather. He recalls ''Wembley, spread out in the sun; the waving flags; the delirious, joy-of-all-joys moment of the final whistle; the trophy sparkling in the late afternoon light''.But, seeing the whole game again during the misery of the first Covid lockdown, f

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Book SynopsisJohnny Sexton - the man who pulled the strings for the Lions - gives an intimate insight into the rugby life in Becoming a Lion.With three Heineken Cups and one British and Irish Lions tour victory under his belt, Johnny Sexton is by some distance the leading fly-half in the northern hemisphere. Over the course of the Lions'' first victorious Test series in sixteen years, Sexton was the man pulling the strings. His try in the third test was the decisive blow, and his joyous celebrations after scoring were echoed in homes across Britain and Ireland.Becoming a Lion is an intimate portrait of life at the highest levels of the professional game - at Leinster, with Ireland, and on tour with the Lions.''Bracing and fascinating in equal measure'' Malachy Clerkin, Irish Times''Riveting ... Opens a remarkable window into the stresses, hurts and insecurities of a professional life in rugby'' Vincent Hogan, Irish Independent''Captures all the jagged edges that make Sexton one of Irish sport''s most compelling characters'' Sunday Times''Sets a great benchmark for sports autobiographies, given that it is so honest'' Matt Cooper, Today FM''Engrossing'' Rugby World Ireland''If you crave an insight into the life of a professional rugby player ... Becoming a Lion is a must'' Donal Lenihan, Irish Examiner''Intensely revealing'' Irish Daily MailTrade ReviewRiveting ... Opens a remarkable window into the stresses, hurts and insecurities of a professional life in rugby -- Vincent Hogan * Irish Independent *Bracing and fascinating in equal measure -- Malachy Clerkin * Irish Times *It really sets for a great benchmark for sports autobiographies, given that it is so honest -- Matt Cooper * Today FM *Captures all the jagged edges that make Sexton one of Irish sport's most compelling characters * Sunday Times *Engrossing * Rugby World Ireland *If you crave an insight into the life of a professional rugby player ... Becoming a Lion is a must -- Donal Lenihan * Irish Examiner *Intensely revealing * Irish Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe revelatory autobiography of a rugby colossus: Paul O''Connell. WINNER OF THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEARThere has never been a rugby player quite like Paul O''Connell. He is synonymous with passion, heart and determination; but he is also the thinking man''s rugby player, a legendary student of the game. As the heartbeat of Munster, British and Irish Lions captain in 2009, and captain of the first Ireland team to defend a Six Nations championship, O''Connell has emerged as perhaps the most beloved of the golden generation of Irish rugby players. In an autobiography as intense as its author, he tells the story of his remarkable career.''The years of O''Connell and O''Driscoll were as close to a golden age as ever Ireland will get and O''Connell''s book tells you how it all happened ... It should be mandatory for every Irish squad member to read O''Connell''s book to better understand what it takes to make a team'' David WaTrade ReviewThe years of O'Connell and O'Driscoll were as close to a golden age as ever Ireland will get and O'Connell's book tells you how it all happened ... It should be mandatory for every Irish squad member to read O'Connell's book to better understand what it takes to make a team -- David Walsh * Sunday Times *The intense physicality of his rugby upbringing is an abiding theme ... along with humour, the craic and an extensive knowledge of how teams work -- Paul Hayward * Daily Telegraph *I found The Battle entrancing -- Stephen Jones * Sunday Times *Excellent ... [an] eye-opening account of the never-ending battles he fought * Rugby World *Fascinating ... the recollections of life with the British and Irish touring team leap out as highlights * Daily Mail *A fascinating insight into what has driven him and how his approach to the game changed over time. The inner tensions of possibly the most intense competitor of his generation are laid bare in The Battle. -- Shane Horgan * Sunday Times *Revelatory ... Unflinchingly charts his personal evolution ... He is not at all easy on himself -- Keith Duggan * Irish Times *It is pure O'Connell ... Players and coaches from all sports will have the pencil out, finding nuggets -- Kieran Shannon * Irish Examiner *Absorbing and compelling ... The O'Connell who dominates this book is the one who becomes fixated on the mentality of champions -- Diarmaid Ferriter * Irish Times *O'Connell has emptied the tank here. ... What has come out ... is a psychological profile that is almost shocking at times in what it reveals about the bloody single-mindedness of the competitive gene * Irish Independent *A fantastic book -- Sean O'Rourke * RTE Radio One *He is a standard-bearer for the country and someone whose principles, moral compass, ideals and heroic virtue make us wish our children would aspire to be someone like him -- Neil Francis * Sunday Independent *An exceptional book ... tremendously honest -- Matt Cooper * Today FM *Engaging, honest and insightful. Terrific -- Ryle NugentHonest, fair and devoid of self-pity ... reflects on his life without a shred of hypocrisy or recrimination -- Paul Rees * Observer *A stunning achievement * Irish Mail on Sunday *p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Calibri; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} Provides many revealing insights into the mind of a born winner * Sunday Business Post *Brilliant, bruising -- Donal Ryan * Sunday Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of DODDIE WEIR Rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir has always lived life to the full. On the pitch, Doddie’s irresistible talent took him to the heart of every team he graced – from Stewart’s Melville to Melrose, Newcastle Falcons to Borders, from Scotland to the British & Irish Lions – winning 61 caps over a decade of appearances for his national side. He won fans all over the world with his sportsmanship, humour and boundless energy – especially when on the charge ‘like a mad giraffe’. Then, in June 2017, Doddie made the announcement that he had been diagnosed with MND. With no cure and almost no treatment of any sort available, Doddie set out to do what he could to change that, tackling the issue head on with his trademark positivity and good humour. Since then, his MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation has raised and pledged millions towards research into this dreadful condition and his tireless campaigning has transcended the world of sport. MY NAME’5 DODDIE is a humbling, courageous and very funny celebration of a remarkable life being lived to the max. And with a brand new update, this is an absolute must-read – rugby fan or not.Trade ReviewLucid, brave, and full of the wit and character that makes him the legend he is * Rory Bremner *

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Book SynopsisDan Carter''s last game as an All Black culminated with him declared Man of the Match following the 2015 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham - an unforgettable ending to the career of the greatest fly-half of all time.But along with the triumphs of his signature World Cup win, his performance against the Lions in 2005, and an unprecedented run of Bledisloe Cup successes, there was also the pain and doubt he felt during a prolonged period of injury and rehab following the 2011 World Cup.He watched that victory from the sidelines, as he had the All Blacks'' defeats in two previous tournaments. Indeed, heading into the 2015 World Cup he had never finished the competition on his own terms.His autobiography tells of that redemption, and gets you up close and personal with one of the most celebrated sportsmen of our time.Threaded throughout the book is an intimate diary of his final year as a Crusader and All Black, during which he worked tirelessly to make

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Book SynopsisBear Grylls spent three years with the British Special Forces. During this time he had a horrendous parachuting accident in southern Africa, breaking his back in three places. Two years later he overcame the odds to become one of the youngest British climbers ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and this story forms the basis for his bestselling memoir, Facing Up. Looking for another adventure, Bear tackled the treacherous North Atlantic seas in Facing the Frozen Ocean. Bear Grylls is one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure and one of the most successful motivational speakers on the world circuit.Trade ReviewNo one could fail to be gripped by his heartfelt excitement and emotion over what was the adventure of a lifetime. * Independent *Bear's tale is by turns hilarious and horrific. * Daily Telegraph *Written with refreshing humility, this is a briskly told account, not of conquering Everest, but of realizing its power. * Daily Mail *A remarkable tale. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisDavid 'Bumble' Lloyd is one of cricket's great characters - hilarious, informative and insightful, and filled with boundless enthusiasm for the game. Now, in Cricket Characters, he tells the stories of the most important, influential, talented and entertaining characters he has come across in sixty years in the game.   Following on from the bestselling successes of Last in the Tin Bath and Around the World in 80 Pints, in his new book Bumble looks back at the cricketers who have had the greatest impact on him throughout his career. From the gnarly veterans he first played against as a teenager in the Lancashire League, through the old pros he met on the county circuit while at Lancashire on to a revealing insight into life alongside Mike Atherton, Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Shane Warne in the commentary box, this book reveals Bumble at his best: telling great stories about his favourite people

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating, insightful and at times hilarious memoirs of one of the most gifted and enigmatic British footballers of the last 25 years.Nicknamed Le God by the Southampton faithful, Matt Le Tissier was not cast from the same mould as 99% of other professional footballers. A real one-off if every there was one, he was a one-club man in a 16-year career that brought little in the way of trophies but countless plaudits from footballs fans and commentators alike.To the old school brigade he was a luxury player, someone with a less than ideal work rate and waistline who simply wouldn''t conform to the blueprint of a typically hard-working, unsophisticated British player. Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle found it all too easy to leave him out of their England squads.But to the vast majority Le Tissier was a maverick to be treasured, a flair player who lit up every match he played in and delighted fans with his sumptuous technique and élan for the beautiful game. In fact, the kind of skilfTrade Review‘Unlike many players’ forays into print, this is no anodyne skim across the great games and goals, but a refreshing memoir of the career of a footballer who did things his way. And while he is honest about his shortcomings, there is no tedious false modesty about his abilities, which could mesmerise spectators as they did hapless defenders.’ The Times ‘poignant’ Sport magazine ‘Le Tiss was the great maverick of his generation’ Daily Mirror

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Book SynopsisThe Stig gets his kit off and reveals how he came to be Top Gear''s iconic racing driver and so much more including what it''s like to thrash an Aston Martin DBS, train for the Army and face the terror of Jeremy Clarkson''s underwearWhen the Black Stig disappeared off the end of an aircraft carrier in 2003, we were introduced to The White Stig. Faster. Stranger. Harder to keep clean. And ever since, millions have wondered who is The Man in the White Suit? They''re about to find out.Ben Collins caught the car the bug young, kicking his dad''s boss in the balls for not giving him a company Jag. This was the attitude that eventually led him to spend seven years sharing a cabin with Jeremy Clarkson''s underwear, James May''s PhD thesis and Richard Hammond''s hairspray. Because he is The Stig.Now he tells all about life inside the iconic white helmet. What it''s like to guide a blind ex-RAF officer around the Top Gear track; pit a drug dealer''s Mitsubishi Evo against a Trojan tank; set a

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Book SynopsisCelebrating 150 years of The Open Championship. The official book produced in partnership with The R&A at St Andrews, to celebrate The 150th Open, which began its journey in Prestwick on the west coast of Scotland in 1860.This beautiful book captures and celebrates the stories and history that make The Open so unique, with a fascinating and lively narrative history of the Championship, including interviews and exclusive content from champions of the game past and present.From caddies to greenkeepers clubhouses to breathtaking courses, through archive imagery and stunning photography, these pages reveal the fascinating sights, stories and characters from this revered Championship's long and remarkable history.

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Book SynopsisOn the pitch he was a magician' Arsène WengerThe first full autobiography from former footballer and England manager Glenn HoddleGlenn Hoddle was one of the most celebrated footballers of his generation. A wonderfully talented No. 10 he formed part of the great Spurs teams of the early 1980s and cut his teeth in the blood and thunder of an England team that prioritised aggression over creativity.Often seen as a player out of time', Glenn was a playmaker in the purest sense. A creator and a goal scorer, he rose through the Tottenham youth academy playing under Keith Burkinshaw and crossing paths with the likes of club legends Bill Nicholson and Danny Blanchflower before going on to play in Monaco under the tutelage of Arsène Wenger. In Playmaker, he looks back on his rise as a prodigious young footballer and talks at length about his career that took him from cleaning the cockerel at White Hart Lane to managing the England football team at a World Cup.From scoring in an FA Cup finalTrade Review‘On the pitch he was a magician’ Arsène Wenger 'Hoddle? No, it’s the bad players who are a luxury' Danny Blanchflower ‘It takes great courage to play the way Hoddle does’ Brian Clough

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Book SynopsisThe game isn't what it seems from the outside. The game isn't quite what I was expecting. The game doesn't always work like the people on television think it does. The game is better, worse and stranger than you can imagine, and that is coming from someone who saw it all with their own eyes.'Ever wondered what really goes on inside a Premier League dressing room, what it's like to train under Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini and Fabio Capello and what happens when you kick a sandwich at one of them?When it comes to football, former Manchester City and England star Micah Richards has seen it all and laughed about most of it. In The Game, Micah shares his funniest and frankest stories from on and off the pitch, be it arriving at his first England training session with two left boots, attempting to supervise the infamous Mario Balotelli or winding up Roy Keane on Super Sunday. From how he spent his first Premier League paycheque and how he prepared financially and mentally for the day theTrade Review“[A]n immensely readable book that takes us deep inside the strange and often unhinged hidden life of a Premier League footballer” Donald McRae, The Guardian

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Book SynopsisDiscover the amazing achievements of sports legend Serena Williams--on and off the tennis court--in this exciting new biography. Serena Williams has been ranked number one in the world for tennis singles, won twenty-two Grand Slam singles titles, and won four Olympic gold medals. She is a powerful player and a fierce competitor. Learn more about the record-breaking athlete in this comprehensive and action-packed biography, complete with stats and photographs.

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Book SynopsisNo player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.Trade ReviewRich in detail and insight... fascinating stuff -- Sam Wallace * Independent *Nevastating -- Steven Howard * The Sun *The English generally like their professional footballers to be either thick or humble, preferably both. Gary Neville is neither and has taken plenty of flak about daring to have opinions. If he was Dutch or Italian, rather than from Bury, he'd be considered an intellectual and his views sought on world affairs * When Saturday Comes *Refreshing honesty... Although he's generally disliked by non-United fans and even derided as one of the least talented in a remarkable generation, you have to admire his staying power. His memoir presents a rounded footballer aware of the importance of work and the dedication needed to stay at the pinnacle of the game -- Rob Greig * Time Out *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDOn a fateful night in 2009, Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle met for dinner in Boulder, Colorado.Trade ReviewBrilliantly detailed and wholly convincing: with Coyle's skill and Hamilton's honesty, the book was always likely to be excellent. This is no generalised or theoretical exploration of a doping culture but a forensic description of how it worked. Armstrong used to say there would always be sceptics who didn't believe in his story, but now the sceptics are those who, ostrich-like, continue to believe. They should be compelled to read this book, and though the collision with reality will cause them to shudder, the good news is that they will be riveted by a well-told story and will be the better for knowing the truth. -- David Walsh * Sunday Times *The broadest, most accessible look at cycling’s drug problem to date. * New York Times *The news leaks about The Secret Race have vastly undersold its importance. Tyler Hamilton's book is a historic, definitive indictment of cycling's culture of doping during the Armstrong era. Here's the reality. The Secret Race isn't just a game changer for the Armstrong myth. It's the game ender. No one can read this book with an open mind and still credibly believe that Armstrong didn't dope. It's impossible. That doesn't change the fact that he survived cancer and helped millions of people through Livestrong, but the myth of the clean-racing hero who came back from the dead is, well, dead. The book is the holy grail for disillusioned cycling fans in search of answers. The book's power is in the collected details, all strung together in a story that is told with such clear-eyed conviction that you never doubt its veracity. * Outside magazine *Astonishingly candid... an extraordinary confessional. -- Matt Dickinson * The Times *Riveting... Just about every significant detail in the USADA evidence is here. And it is brilliantly conveyed by an insider who can see both sides of the story: the institutional corruption, which eats away at the culprits, as well as the crippling pressure on riders to conform. We can expect plenty more books to be published on this conspiracy, for it is arguably the most audacious ever plotted in the world of sport. But it feels as though Hamilton's is likely to become the definitive work on the subject. -- Simon Briggs * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisAt the age of thirty-one, Lucy Fry was pretty certain she knew her limits. And here''s how she felt about the component parts of triathlon: swimming - fairly terrifying, especially in open water. Cycling - brilliant when done on a stationary bike, indoors. Running - sometimes fantastic, sometimes hideous. But as increasing numbers of her female friends continued to sign up to tri, Lucy couldn''t help wondering: what was it about this exhausting pursuit that women seemed to find so magical, so transformative? The time had come to find out. Over one year, five triathlons and hundreds of training hours, Lucy uncovers the ins and outs of women''s triathlon: how to wear a sports bra under a wetsuit, the competition and camaraderie, whether getting over ''jelly legs'' makes you a more resilient human being - and finds that maybe she doesn''t know her limits after all... Funny, warm and engaging, Run, Ride, Sink or Swim is for both the tri-curious and

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Book SynopsisA powerful story of sadness, hope, pride, honour and triumph from the real-life Rocky!Raw, confronting and honest, UFC champion Mark Hunt''s inspiring autobiography shows it is possible to defy the odds and carve a better life. Born into a Mormon Samoan family, Hunt details his harrowing early life, his troubled teen years, and his angry youth with no apparent future.After being plucked from an Auckland street fight and dropped into his first kickboxing bout, Mark went on to achieve unprecedented success in Australian and New Zealand combat sports. In an ongoing career that has spanned the globe, Mark Hunt has been in some of the UFC, Pride and K-1''s most memorable battles. But in some ways those fights pale in comparison to that which he has overcome out of the ring and cage.As fearless with his opinions as he is in the Octagon, Mark pulls no punches in revealing the highs and lows of his extraordinary life.

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Book SynopsisBreaking records on the world's biggest Wall of Death, cycling 2,745 miles across the length of the United States (while sleeping rough), Guy Martin has done more in one year than most people do in a lifetime. In this book, he takes you with him to the outer limits of human endurance, and on a dizzying adrenalin high, all in a day's work.

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Book SynopsisThe prize-winning RAISED A WARRIOR is Susie Petruccelli's honest, human and cathartic story of how she, as player and mother, rediscovered herself and the love of a game that almost broke her. Alongside, she examines the growth of the women's game and the issues still confronting the sport as it fights for the equalities it deserves.Trade Review"Susie's inspirational story, full of hard truths, shows the strength we have within when we harness the power of sport to seek equality and live authentic lives." BILLIE JEAN KING. "Susie's powerful and inspiring story is a worthy winner of the Vikki Orvice Prize and a true testament to what it means to be a woman in football." JANE PURDON, CEO WOMEN IN FOOTBALL.

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Book SynopsisSee the world through the eyes of champion wrestler Mick Foley as he looks back on his days in the WWE.As one of the most bizarre and fearless stars of wrestling in recent times, Mick is known for taking extraordinary risks to remain at the peak of his game. COUNTDOWN TO LOCKDOWN is a no-holds-barred, behind-the-scenes account of his mental and physical preparation for the TNA Lockdown - in many ways, the most important wrestling match of his career. This is placed in context by Foley''s memories, thoughts and opinions of WWE as well as his life outside the ring, from the Benoit deaths and the ''Royal Rumble'' to Sierra Leone and his meeting with former president, Bill Clinton.Full of action from inside the ring, the drama of his last days with the WWE, Foley''s trademark humour as well as an industry insider''s view of professional wrestling today, Foley''s many fans will not be disappointed.

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Book SynopsisThe two-time bestselling author, wrestler and metal rocker returns with another insightful and hilarious memoir.Trade ReviewIt is here that Jericho shines and proves once again that, next to Mick Foley, he is an insightful and funny observer of pro wrestling's absurd universe - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on UndisputedBrash, compulsively readable ... as bracing as a body slam - KIRKUS REVIEWS on A Lion's Tale

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2022 Sports Book Awards''brave ... visceral ... a brilliant, brilliant read ... I would recommend this book to everyone.'' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live''so honest ... everybody should read Hooked to understand what anybody in this situation has been through.'' Susanna Reid, Good Morning Britain''a fantastic book ... a remarkable read.'' Richard Madeley, Good Morning Britain''Brave, poignant and very moving. This book will change lives.'' Jamie Redknapp''A courageous, emotional and vitally important book.'' Jeff StellingPaul Merson''s wonderfully moving and brutally honest memoir of battling addiction for three decades.For twenty-one years Paul Merson played professional football. He won two First Division titles with Arsenal and was one of the finest players of his generation. But for thirty years Paul Merson has also been an addict. Alcohol, drugs, gambling: a desperately unenviable cocktail of addictions and depression which has plagued his entire adult life and driven him to the verge of suicide. ''I''ve come to realise that I''m powerless over alcohol ... I''m an alcoholic. My drinking and gambling have left a lot of wreckage.'' Until recently the drinking and gambling were still raging. ''I wanted to kill myself. I couldn''t go on anymore. I just couldn''t see a way out.'' Then something clicked. ''One day, I was walking home from the pub late on a Sunday evening, and I thought to myself: I''ve had enough of feeling like this, every day of my life. I rang up Alcoholics Anonymous the next day, and since then I haven''t had a drink.''Hooked is Merson''s wonderfully moving and brutally honest memoir of battling addiction, searingly charting his journey over three decades. It is absolutely unflinching in detailing his emotional and psychological troughs and in raking over the painful embers of an adult life blighted by such debilitating issues. Hooked will kick-start a crucial national conversation about addiction, depression and the damage they wreak. ''Addiction is the loneliest of places. You''re a slave to insecurity and ego. But it has to be you that wants things to change. Never be afraid to talk: the more you talk about the addictions the more it takes the power out of them. You''re never alone.''Trade ReviewBrave, poignant and very moving. This book will change lives. -- Jamie RedknappA courageous, emotional and vitally important book. -- Jeff StellingEven when baring his soul, Paul Merson is entertainingly fluent in the language of football. The Merse's new book, Hooked, is frank, sometimes funny, often horrifying. * Irish Examiner *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS HEALTH & FITNESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019RUNNING AWARDS 2019 TOP BOOKDare to Tri is the amazing story of TV presenter Louise Minchin's journey from the BBC Breakfast sofa to representing Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships. ''I didn't even know what a triathlon was before 2012 When I took up the sport three years ago I didn't imagine for a second then, that, one day, I would be able to represent my country internationally.'' - Louise MinchinWhat started out as a fun television cycling stunt culminated in BBC Breakfast's Louise Minchin wearing the colours of Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships in her age group. This is the story of how a newly discovered sport became a passion and then an obsession.Dare to Tri is Louise's candid memoir of her incredible journey, recounting her rediscovery of competitive sport after nearly 30 years and her first tentative steps Trade ReviewA rousing story of how the BBC Breakfast presenter transformed herself into an international athlete... absolutely superb… inspirational read. -- Matthew SyedEnthralling * Sunday Mirror *Louise’s amazing journey to becoming a triathlete encourages us all to be a little more adventurous. * Dame Darcey Bussell *Louise Minchin has been leading a double life… * Sunday Express *Thoroughly engaging … a book likely to appeal to a very broad audience … this is not a celebrity biography, it’s a genuine sports book … compelling * Bristol Post *Table of ContentsForeword by Dame Darcey Bussell Introduction 1. The Start of the Adventure 2. Some of the Gear, No Idea 3. No Nudity 4. My First Triathalon 5. Kill or Cure 6. Portaloos and Tantrums 7. Demoralised and Destabilised 8. Represent Great Britain? Seriously? 9. Marginal Gains 10. Cold, Tired But Determined 11. Learning and Improving 12. The Thrill of the Race 13. Doubling the Distance 14. Conquering the Demons 15. A Triathlete's Kit 16. If You Fall, Get Back Up Again 17. Swimming like a Shark 18. Let the World Championships Begin 19. A Dream Fulfilled? 20. Food, Drink and Bonking 21. Don't Give Up. Keep Trying 22. Too Late to Back Out 23. How Not to Run a Marathon 24. Juggling 25. Relay: The Best Way 26. Being Competitive 27. Butterflies and Stage Fright 28. Team Minchin 29. The Perfect Training Partner 30. Pushing Yourself 31. The End of the Adventure 32. The End of the Adventure. Well, Not Quite... The Finish Line Useful Resources Records Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisExcellent The TimesKevin''s immense knowledge shines on every page. Gary LinekerA football book by a fan for the fans. A treasure trove... Alan DaviesAn entertaining romp through the back alleys and glamour parks of English football. FourFourTwoPartly autobiographical, partly polemical, but mostly funny, Who Are Ya? is a snapshot of modern football, exploring the history of all 92 English Football League clubs.During his time as a broadcaster, Kevin Day has spoken to thousands of football players, managers and most importantly fans from across the generations. He spent thousands of hours crossing the country on trains, planes, automobiles, coaches and once a donkey called Lightning watching football at all levels. This book is the result of that: a tale of being chased down a railway line at Cardiff, a story of meeting George Best, an account of a lady getting her first Hull City tattoo Trade ReviewKevin's immense knowledge shines on every page. -- Gary LinekerThis is a football book by a fan for the fans. A treasure trove of fun and fascinating facts on every club, including yours, with as much time devoted to Leyton Orient, as to Liverpool, to Mansfield Town as to Manchester City. Worth buying just to discover the origin of the name Gillingham. Despite being from South London the author has managed to string several sentences together. -- Alan DaviesThis book is very funny and one all football fans will enjoy. So authentic you can almost smell the fried onions. -- Freddie FlintoffKevin is a very funny man and a Crystal Palace fan. The two don’t always go together but this is a brilliant, laugh-out loud book. -- Jo BrandVery funny, informative and full of the sort of quirky facts I can use to impress my brother. -- Clare BaldingExcellent fun * The Times *An entertaining romp through the back alleys and glamour parks of English football * FourFourTwo *Brilliant... I loved this book so much... Superb. -- Phil Williams * Times Radio *I'm going to recommend this by the very funny Kevin Day, even though It includes a chapter on why you shouldn't support Chelsea. Which I believe I'm in. Possibly as one of the reasons. -- David BaddielAn absolute belter -- Paul Ross * Talksport *Table of ContentsForeword by Gary Lineker Introduction All 92 Football Clubs Absent Friends Post-match Analysis Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisA BBC Arts & The Reading Agency''s Big Sporting Read selection''Warm, sad and funny... There is something very eccentric and British about A Fan for All Seasons'' - Sunday TimesA hilarious, heartfelt, nostalgia-infused story of sport, loss and the journey of a lifetime.After the sudden death of his older brother, Dan, Jon Harvey turned to the thing that had provided their strongest connection: sport, in all its myriad sublime and ridiculous forms. He made it his mission to visit as many events as he possibly could in a single year to build the ultimate season ticket.A kaleidoscopic twelve months took him from London Olympia to ancient Olympia, from rugby balls to Rubik''s Cubes, Wimbledon tennis to Wimbledon greyhounds, from tennis legend Roger Federer to darts hero Martin ''Wolfie'' Adams, and much, much more. It''s a celebration, of sport, life, and an unbreakable bond between two brothers.

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*REVISED AND UPDATED*'I am the largest sports promoter in the world. I promote 11 sports to a global audience of billions of people every day of my life'__________A larger than life working class hero, Romford born and bred - always ready with the perfect soundbite - Barry Hearn was famously described as 'roguish but never a rogue'.Hearn is credited with turning snooker into one of the biggest sports in Britain. He essentially turned a sport in which competitors wear bowties into a massive, globally televised event. Away from the table, his promotions empire casts its net over a dozen sports - from professional boxing to darts, fishing to ten-pin bowling - and his career spans four decades. He also previously owned Leyton Orient football club.Packed with hilarious anecdotes from the golden age of snooker, and behind-the-scenes insight into boxing negotiations and darts bust-ups, Hearn's book is a joy to read from start to finish.__________

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Book SynopsisAcross the UK, into Europe and further afield, these are the training rides, races and journeys closest to his heart. From one-day classics in the Peak District and Snowdonia to the rolling roads of Tuscany and the wide-open vistas of New Zealand''s South Island, these are the routes you''ll want to ride alongside Britain''s favourite cycling superstar.We ride out with him from his winter home in the south of France, and around his old Tuscan training base as a GB Olympic hopeful at the very start of his career. We take in the valley roads of the Tour de Suisse (overall winner, 2022), and the sinuous coastal roads of Milan - San Remo.We go long in Mallorca and bounce along the short cobbled secteurs of Belgium; we take in the vineyards around Adelaide and the bright blue skies of southern California.And we have guest rides too: from world champion Remco Evenepoel and his favourite winter training ride in Calpe, Spain; around Yorkshire, with Olympic mountain b

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

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERThe Trophies … The Tuesday Club … The Prawn Crackers … Marc Overmars may have given him the nickname, but the Romford Pele is a legend in his own right. Over 16 action-packed years, from a trainee scrubbing the boots of the first XI, to a record-breaking 333 Premier League appearances, Ray Parlour’s never-say-die performances, curly locks and mischievous sense of humour have gone down in Arsenal history.Battling tirelessly on the pitch, often in the shadows of his star-name teammates, Parlour won three premier league titles and four FA Cup trophies with the Gunners. But he was also the heart and soul of the dressing room, the training ground and the after work drink. From nights out with Tony Adams, to teaching Thierry Henry cockney rhyming slang, from playing golf with Dennis Bergkamp to trading Inspector Clouseau jokes with Arsène Wenger, this wonderfully funny and candid autobiography looks back on a golden age of the beautiful game, reliving the banter, the stories and the success.Ray Parlour is an Arsenal legend. During his 16-year career he won 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and the UEFA Cup. One of the most underrated players of his generation, he was also part of Arsenal’s famous Invincible team of 2003/4, which went the entire Premier League season unbeaten. He is now a regular pundit for TalkSport and Sky Sports. He enjoys a short back and sides.Trade ReviewBrilliant, hilarious . . . Bound to have you in stitches * Sun *A riot of anecdotes and escapades * Sunday Times *Hilarious * Soccer AM *Nobody ever wore the Arsenal shirt with more pride than Ray Parlour * Piers Morgan *Parlour emerges as somebody who is open and generous, always up for a laugh, rarely thinking of the consequences * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis*THE TOP 10 BESTSELLER FROM THE MOST DECORATED BRITISH FEMALE OLYMPIAN IN HISTORY*'Refreshingly honest [...] a highly enjoyable, fascinating read.' Horse and Hound_______________________________________________"To ride into that arena, next to a sea of British flags and hear the roar of clapping and cheering, was so exciting. It's a sound I will never, ever forget."Charlotte Dujardin and her charismatic horse Valegro burst onto the international sports scene with their record-breaking performance at the London, 2012 Olympics. The world was captivated by the young woman with the dazzling smile and her dancing horse.But no one quite knew what it took to get there, nor how hard the path to success would be - until now. Dujardin began riding horses at the age of two, but dressage was firmly the domain of the wealthy, not the life of a girl from a middle-class family. Her parents sacrificed all and with a undeterred focus, Charlotte left school at 16 to follow her dream. When she was invited to be a groom for the British Olympian Carl Hester, she began to ride Valegro, a dark bay gelding and an unbreakable bond was formed. This is their incredible story.Trade ReviewFor anyone who has followed Charlotte and Valegro’s journey — and let’s face it, who hasn’t — this refreshingly honest autobiography will prove a highly enjoyable, fascinating read. * Horse and Hound *Fascinating stuff - 4 Stars * Love It! Magazine *An emotive memoir … a powerful story * Harrods Magazine *Fascinating – 4 stars * OK! *Her long-awaited autobiography is finally here. Dressage star, Charlotte Dujardin, offers a glimpse into the magical journey that she and Valegro went on to become one of the world’s most famous duos * Your Horse Magazine *

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Book SynopsisSnowboarding maverick Billy Morgan has dedicated his life to redefining what is possible. With two world firsts to his name, he is also the first British male to win an Olympic medal on snow. Emerging from working-class origins in Southampton, a long way off piste, Morgan came late to the traditionally bourgeois world of snowsports. Driven by a latent love for fun, he reaches far beyond the cliches of stoner kids and street slang to explore the courage required at his sport's highest levels. Morgan's specialist event, Big Air, involves flying off a 50-metre ramp at 70 miles per hour, spinning and twisting while airborne, then landing. Even within the death-defying world of adventure sports, it is one of the most dangerous disciplines imaginable. In this groundbreaking autobiography, Morgan outlines the culture, ethos and philosophy of his sport. A sport in which one wrong move can cause life-changing injury. A sport whose party-animal practitioners feel peculiarly attuned with nature. Drop In! is a testament to human potential.

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Book Synopsis'Impeccably researched' - London Cyclist'The climbing fan's bible' - The Washing Machine Post 'A deep dive into and a celebration of mountain climbing' - Cyclist MagazineWhen, during the Pyrenean stages of the 1998 Tour de France, a journalist asked Marco Pantani why he rode so fast in the mountains, the elfin Italian, unmistakeable in the bandanna and hooped ear-rings that played up to his "Pirate" nickname, replied: "To shorten my agony."Drawing on the fervour for these men of the mountains, Climbers looks at what sets these athletes apart within the world of bike racing, about why we love and cherish them, how they make cycling beautiful, and how they see themselves and the feats they achieve.Working chronologically, Peter Cossins explores the evolution of mountain-climbing. He offers a comprehensive view of the sport, combining contemporary reports with fresh one-to-one interviews with high-profile riders from the last 50 years, such as Cyrille Guimard, Hennie Kuiper and Andy Schleck. And, unlike many other cycling books, Climbers also includes the stories of female racers across the world, from Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Annemiek van Vleuten to Fabiana Luperini and Amanda Spratt.Climbers analyses the personalities of these racers, highlighting the individuality of climbing as an exercise and the fundamental fact that it's a solitary challenge undertaken in relentlessly unforgiving terrain that requires unremitting effort.Captivating and iconic, Climbers is the ultimate cycling book to understand what it takes both physically and mentally to take on the sport's hardest stages.

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Book Synopsis*****THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK"Felix White's beautifully, elegantly and passionately written book reminds me why I love cricket so much. And reading, come to that." - Stephen Fry"The love of cricket is both communal and individual. Felix has a wonderful knack of evoking both in a book full of life, joy and resilience." - Gideon Haigh"Life beyond sport, love after loss, a soulful portrait of how play stops the rain." - Cariad Lloyd"This is an extraordinary first book ... funny, tragic, candid and heartfelt; it would be remarkable if he ever wrote a better one." - Wisden Almanack 2022Felix White, for reasons often beyond him, has always been deeply in love with cricket. His passion for the game is at the fore on the BBC 's number one cricket podcast and 5Live show, Tailenders, which he co-presents with Greg James and Jimmy Anderson. It's Always Summer Somewhere is his funny, heartbreaking and endlessly engaging love letter to the game.Felix takes us through his life growing up in South West London and describes how his story is forever punctuated and given meaning by cricket. Through his own exploits as a slow left arm spinner of 'lovely loopy stuff', to the tragic illness of his mother, life with The Maccabees and his cricket redemption, Felix touches on both the comedic and the tragic in equal measure. Throughout, there's the ever-present roller coaster of following the England cricket team. The exploits of Tufnell (another bowler of 'lovely loopy stuff'), Atherton, Hussain et al, are given extra import through the eyes of a cricket-obsessed youth. Felix meets them at each signposted moment to find out what was really behind those moments that gave cricket fans everywhere sporting memories that would last forever, sending the book into an exploration of grief, transgenerational displacement and how the people we've known and things we've loved culminate and take expression in our lives.It's Always Summer Somewhere is an incredibly honest detail of a life lived with cricket. It offers a sense of genuine empathy and understanding not just with cricket fans, but sports and music fans across the world, in articulating our reasons for pouring so much meaning into something that we simply cannot control. Culminating in the heart-stopping World Cup Final in 2019, the book finally answers that question fans have so often asked... what is it about this game?

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Book SynopsisAddicted to Football: A Journey from Anfield to Almost Everywhere is the autobiography of former professional footballer Jon Newby. His career took him from a single Premier League appearance with Liverpool to playing for clubs all over the country in the top eight tiers of the football pyramid. There was also a spell in Scottish football and a venture into non-league management. As a young player, Jon achieved his dream as he walked out in front of a packed Kop at Anfield. But ultimately his name was better known by Bury, Morecambe and Colwyn Bay fans, rather than by Liverpool fans. His story gives a fascinating insight into the unpredictable world of the journeyman footballer, covering battles with injuries, managers and even his own mind. Jon's biggest battle, however, came when he was diagnosed with an incurable heart condition and the game he was addicted to put his life in serious danger.

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Book SynopsisFeeling Blue is a football fan's memoir like no other. Spanning more than 35 years and set across three continents, it is a true story that encompasses love, race and identity - all interweaved with the chaotic fall and rise of Manchester City. Dickie Denton was born into a 1960s Manchester home with many siblings, one of whom was adopted and of Asian parentage. As he grew up, Dickie faced the twin challenges of racist bullying and academic underachievement. Football was his refuge and Manchester City became his obsession - through boyhood, coming of age and adulthood. By middle age he had the trappings of a successful international business career but still craved the thing that he most desired and continued to elude him: success for Manchester City. His story dramatically climaxes in 2012, on a sultry May night in Singapore. Feeling Blue is not just for Man City fans, or even just football fans. It is a deeply personal story told with humour and honesty that will appeal to all and bring forth tears and laughter in equal measure.

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Book SynopsisAs a young footballer, Clare Shine appeared to have it all. She won her first international call-up at age 13, and by 15 was part of the Republic of Ireland Women's under-17 squad. But the pressure of being a star striker weighed heavily on her young shoulders. By age 19, she had played in a UEFA European Championship and a FIFA World Cup, scored the winner in a Cup Final, won her first senior international cap and become a full-time professional player. But she had also become addicted to alcohol, experimented with drugs, suffered panic attacks and attempted suicide for the first time. This is the story of someone trapped in a world where the weight of expectancy and the battle with personal demons was all washed away, albeit temporarily, whenever she put the ball in the back of the net. It is the story of a girl struggling to find her true identity, a journey in search of confidence and self-belief from someone who seemingly had it in abundance, and a remarkable tale of recovery and achieving new goals.

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