Biography: sport Books

Book SynopsisSkateboarder and Jackass star Brandon Novak comes clean about his crazy rise to fame, tailspin into addiction and other death-defying stunts on the road to recovery.

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR The definitive biography of one of the greatest, most extraordinary runners and Olympic heroes of all time, from the author of running classic Feet in the Clouds. Emil Zátopek won five Olympic medals, set 18 world records, and went undefeated over 10,000 metres for six years. He redefined the boundaries of endurance, training in Army boots, in snow, in sand, in darkness. But his toughness was matched by a spirit of friendship and a joie de vivre that transcended the darkest days of the Cold War. His triumphs put his country on the map, yet when Soviet tanks moved in to crush Czechoslovakia's new freedoms in 1968, Zátopek paid a heavy personal price for his brave defence of socialism with a human face'. Rehabilitated two decades later, he was a shadow of the man he had been and the world hadTrade ReviewA tale from athletics' age of innocence... He was a sporting hero not just for his time but for all time * Spectator *A wonderfully in-depth and often emotionally charged piece of writing * Athletics Weekly *An astonishing achievement... There are few writers as adept at capturing so lyrically the utter and incomprehensible strangeness of distance running... A joy to read * Literary Review *Sport book of the year… A fascinating tale, showing all sides of Zátopek, injecting humanity and humour into a dramatic life -- Matt Butler * i, Book of the Year *Reminds us of the pain and the glory behind every victory and the power of sport to bring people together and make history -- Martina NavratilovaA warm, honest and moving account of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. Richard Askwith brings to life both the epic triumphs but also the difficulties and complexities of Zatopek's role in Communist Czechoslovakia -- Adharanand Finn, author of Running with the KenyansA portrait of a fine but flawed human. -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times, Book of the Year *A tremendous read and also a reminder of the lost purity of track and field -- Eileen Battersby * The Irish Times *Terrific -- Huw Richards * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisNow a major motion picture, directed by George Clooney.From the Great Depression to Nazi Germany, The Boys in the Boat is the astonishing true story of the 1936 American men's eight rowing team on their quest for Olympic gold.'It is impossible not to get wrapped up in the emotion' – The TimesIt is considered one of the most difficult sports in the world. For Joe Rantz, it might be his only choice.Cast aside by his family at an early age, Joe was abandoned, left to fend for himself in the woods of Washington State. Like so many, he had to work his way through college. The rowing team offered money – and a home.An extraordinary journey follows, as Joe and eight other working-class boys exchange the sweat and dust of life in 1930s America for the promise of glory on the team – and at the Berlin Olympics, in the heart of Hitler’s Germany.With the weight of history on his shoulders, sTrade ReviewChariots of Fire – with oars [Brown’s] descriptions of the key races are exciting and dramatic, and it is impossible not to get wrapped up in the emotion * The Times *Like Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit and Michael Lewis’s Moneyball before it, The Boys in the Boat has all the ingredients for a film adaptation . . . a moving, enlightening and gripping tale. * Financial Times *Daniel James Brown has written a robust, emotional snapshot of an era, a book you will recommend to your best friends. -- James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers, Flyboys, The Imperial CruiseA fine-grained portrait of the Depression era . . . inspiring * Guardian *The Boys in the Boat is a triumph of great writing matched with a magnificent story. Daniel James Brown strokes the keyboard like a master oarsman, blending power and grace to propel readers toward a heart-pounding finish. -- Mitchell Zuckoff, author of Lost in Shangri-La and Frozen in Time.For this nautical version of Chariots of Fire, Brown crafts an evocative, cinematic prose … studded with engrossing explanations of rowing technique and strategy, exciting come-from-behind race scenes, and the requisite hymns to "mystic bands of trust and affection" forged on the water. * Publishers Weekly *A story this breathtaking demands an equally compelling author, and Brown does not disappoint. The narrative rises inexorably, with the final 50 pages blurring by with white-knuckled suspense as these all-American underdogs pull off the unimaginable. * The Seattle Times *

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable true story of Big Red,' one of America's finest racehorses.When her beloved Meadow Stables is faced with closure following her father's illness, housewife and mother Penny Chenery agrees to take over. Despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge she calls in assistance from trainer Lucien Laurin and a host of successful jockeys.Pitted against the Phipps' racing dynasty, Penny takes the decision to breed her mare Somethingroyal to the Phipps' Bold Ruler, the nation's favourite stallion. With the toss of a coin it is agreed that one family will take Somethingroyal's first foal with the losing stable taking the colt out of Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal's second foal. Penny loses the toss, but the wait for the unborn foal proves fortuitous when a bright red chestnut colt is born, Secretariat. Nicknamed Big Red, with Laurin's guidance, Penny manages to navigate the male-dominated business of horse racing, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and whaTrade Review"Secretariat is an elegantly crafted, exhilarating tale of speed and power, grace and greatness, told with such immediacy that the reader is lost in the rush of horses and the clatter and ring of the grandstand." Laura Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit

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Book Synopsis**DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK**Soon to be an AppleTV+ series, this is the definitive account of how Enzo Ferrari became the master of motor racing, and one of the most complex, important and imposing figures in the 20th century.The book draws upon years of original research, conducted in Italy and abroad, and unveils hidden aspects of Ferrari''s career - from his early days as a racer, to how he founded the Ferrari company, and even his dealings with the Italian Fascist government and Communist leaders.Learn how Ferrari pushed his drivers to the brink of disaster, revolutionised the automobile industry and overcame family and company infighting on his rise to greatness.

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Book Synopsis''I''m no angel.'' Bernie Ecclestone Born into poverty, Bernie Ecclestone has made himself a billionaire by developing the world''s second most popular sport - Formula One racing. Private, mysterious and some say sinister, the eighty-year-old criss-crosses the globe in his private jet, mixing with celebrities, statesmen and sporting heroes. His success is not just in creating a multibillion-pound global business but in resisting repeated attempts to snatch the glittering prize from his control. Ecclestone has never before revealed how he graduated from selling second-hand cars in London''s notorious Warren Street to become the major player he is today. He has finally decided to reveal his secrets: the deals, the marriages, the disasters and the successes in Formula One racing, in Downing Street, in casinos, on yachts and in the air. Surprisingly, he has granted access to his inner circle to Tom Bower, described by Ecclestone as ''The Undertaker'' - the man w

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Book SynopsisEdmund Hillary – A Biography is the story of the New Zealand beekeeper who climbed Mount Everest. A man who against expedition orders drove his tractor to the South Pole; a man honoured around the world for his pioneering climbs yet who collapsed on more than one occasion on a mountain, and a man who gave so much to Nepal yet lost his family to its mountains. The author, Michael Gill, was a close friend of Hillary’s for nearly 50 years, accompanying him on many expeditions and becoming heavily involved in Hillary’s aid work building schools and hospitals in the Himalaya. During the writing of this book, Gill was granted access to a large archive of private papers and photos that were deposited in the Auckland museum after Hillary’s death in 2008. Building on this unpublished material, as well as his extensive personal experience, Michael Gill profiles a man whose life was shaped by both triumph and tragedy. Gill describes the uncertainties of the first 33 years of Hillary’s life, during which time he served in the New Zealand air force during the Second World War, as well as the background to the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, when Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit – a feat that brought the pair instant worldwide fame. He reveals the loving relationship Hillary had with his wife Louise, in part through their touching letters to each other. Her importance to him during their 22 years of marriage only underlines the horror of her death, along with that of their youngest daughter, Belinda, in a plane crash in 1975. Hillary eventually pulled out of his subsequent depression to continue his life’s work in the Himalaya. Affectionate, but scrupulously fair, in Edmund Hillary – A Biography Michael Gill has gone further than anyone before to reveal the humanity of this remarkable man.Trade Review‘A fascinating piece of work.’ – Mick Conefrey, Alpine Journal * Alpine Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 A pioneering heritage 2 Percy goes to Gallipoli 3 Growing up in Tuakau and Auckland 4 ‘The most uncertain and miserable years of my life’ 5 Escape into the Air Force 6 Harry Ayres teaches Ed the craft of mountaineering 7 The New Zealand Garhwal expedition and the Shipton cable 8 Everest Reconnaissance 1951 9 Everest from Tibet, 1921 and 1922 10 Mallory and Irvine, 1924 11 The 1930s, a decade of disillusion 12 Lessons on Cho Oyu, 1952 13 The Swiss get close, 1952 14 Organising Everest, 1953 15 ‘We were on top of Everest!’ 16 ‘The most sensible action I’ve ever taken’ 17 ‘A somewhat disastrous journey’ into the Barun Valley 18 Employment opportunity in the Antarctic 19 Scott Base 20 ‘Hellbent for the Pole’ 21 Beekeeper in search of a better-paying occupation 22 The Silver Hut expedition 23 Makalu unravels 24 Three new careers 25 Repaying a debt 26 The best decade of Ed’s life 27 A plane crash ends two lives and blights another 28 Killing time making films 29 Ocean to Sky, the last big expedition 30 Reconciliation 31 The last two decades Epilogue Acknowledgements Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) AnythingEssential reading for an astounding summer of sport; If you've ever wondered what makes a champion, Bounce has the answer.What are the real secrets of sporting success, and what lessons do they offer about life? Why doesn't Tiger Woods choke? Why are the best figure skaters those that have fallen over the most and why has one small street in Reading produced more top table tennis players than the rest of the country put together.Two-time Olympian and sports writer and broadcaster Matthew Syed draws on the latest in neuroscience and psychology to uncover the secrets of our top athletes and introduces us to an extraordinary cast of characters, including the East German athlete who became a man, and her husband and the three Hungarian sisters who are all chess grandmasters. Bounce is crammed with fascinating stories and statistics.Looking at controversial questions such as whether talentTrade Review‘A gripping examination of the hidden forces that come together in the making of a champion.' Michael Atherton, former England cricket captain 'A fascinating subject and Syed is a dazzling writer.' Owen Slot, The Times 'I love this book. A must-read if you have ever wondered what sets the super-achievers and the rest of us apart – in any field, not just in sport. I only wish I had read it when I was fifteen.' Gabby Logan, BBC presenter and former international gymnast 'Intellectually stimulating and hugely enjoyable at a stroke … challenged some of my most cherished beliefs about life and success.' Jonathan Edwards, triple jump world record holder

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Book Synopsis#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Far more than a superb memoir about the highest levels of professional tennis, Open is the engrossing story of a remarkable life. • Agassi’s memoir is just as entrancing as his tennis game.” —Time “Honest in a way that such books seldom are.” —The New York Times  Andre Agassi had his life mapped out for him before he left the crib. Groomed to be a tennis champion by his moody and demanding father, by the age of twenty-two Agassi had won the first of his eight grand slams and achieved wealth, celebrity, and the game’s highest honors. But as he reveals in this searching autobiography, off the court he was often unhappy and confused, unfulfilled by his great achievements in a sport he had come to resent. Agassi writes candidly about his early success and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, his marriage to Brooke Shields, his growing interest in philanthropy, and—described in haunting, point-by-point detail—the highs and lows of his celebrated career.

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Book SynopsisDrawing from more than 250 interviews to take the first full measure of the Lakers'' epic Showtime era, this spectacular account of one of America''s greatest sports sagas is jam-packed with colorful characters, vicious rivalries and 1980s-style excess.

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Book SynopsisBRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR. SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2017. SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. WINNER OF THE PEN/ESPN AWARD FOR LITERARY SPORTS WRITING. THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. The most comprehensive and definitive biography of Muhammad Ali that has ever been published, based on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, with many dramatic new discoveries about his life and career.  When the frail, trembling figure of Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996, a TV audience of up to 3 billion people was once again gripped by the story of the world's most famous sporting icon. The man who had once been reviled for his refusal to fight for his country and for his fast-talking denunciation of his opponents was now almost universally adored, the true cost of his astonishing boxing career<Trade Review'Jonathan Eig's Ali: A Life is the business - 640 pages of patient scholarship and intelligent reassessment written in crackly prose and dancing gleefully and illuminatingly through the well-documented highlights while never shying away from the less glorious shadows.' -- Giles Smith * The Times *'A fine piece of journalism of the best American kind...wrought with sound judgment and rigorous prose. Ali's life is dissected with the detachment of a pathologist, and the picture isn't always a pretty one... In 50 or 100 years, people might wonder what all the fuss was about. Muhammad Ali: was there really such a character? They should read this book and learn that yes, there was, for all his flaws.' -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times *'This richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait of a controversial figure...could not have come at a more appropriate time... As Muhammad Ali's life was an epic of a life, so Ali: A Life is an epic of a biography... Even the familiar may be glanced from a new perspective in Eig's fluent prose.' -- Joyce Carol Oates * New York Times Book Review *'Finally, after so many works focusing on this fight or that, the whole man, his whole life, is presented here' -- Ken Burns'Goes deeper and uncovers more than any Ali biography has before’ * Esquire *'Jonathan Eig’s Ali: A Life is the first comprehensive biography worthy of this titanic figure... [Eig] vigorously narrates the story of the man who transformed the landscape of race and sports... Eig also paints Ali’s bouts with vivid detail and captivating sweep... Ali stirs together the sweet and the spicy, the gifts and the failings, the charm and the rage, the grace and the greed, the pride and the ego. Together, they made Ali the transcendent athlete of his age.' -- Aram Goudsouzian * Washington Post *'Does a remarkable job of synthesising the warring elements of Ali's life. Above all, it delivers a portrait of a hero that does not ignore his all too human flaws. This biography...ends in darkness & melancholy. Fortunately, the earlier chapters dazzle us.' -- Clive Davis * The Times *'Ali's extraordinary story, in all its complexity, is told in Jonathan Eig's excellent Ali: A Life' -- Martin Chilton * Daily Telegraph *'There have been countless tomes about the iconic fighter, of course, but Eig's is the definitive work to date.' * Sports Illustrated Sports Book of the Year *'Stunning new biography...Ali is a big, fat, entertaining and illuminating read...What makes Eig’s book stand out is its broad scope, its detailed reportage and its lively, cinematic writing.' -- Laurie Hertzel * Star Tribune *'Each blow echoes on the pages of Jonathan Eig’s relentless, image-altering biography Ali: A Life...Though replete with tales of race, religion, war protest, sex, marital turmoil and skulduggery, this book is, more than anything else, an indictment of boxing. The cumulative damage of Ali’s boxing career is a terrible and haunting thing to read about, and it becomes all the more so when you remind yourself that Mr. Eig’s subject is one of American sports’ most beloved figures, not some luckless tomato can.' -- John Schulian * Wall Street Journal *'Eig...has exhaustively covered the career of boxing’s very greatest in an unprecedented level of detail...The result is a biography that is as unflinching about Ali’s marriages and extra-marital activities as it is about his sporting decline. The closing chapters...are heartbreaking.' -- James Grey * Daily Express *'Achieved the minor miracle of refreshing ground already trodden by writers of the quality of Thomas Hauser, Mike Marqusee and David Remnick, relating groundbreaking analysis of the punches taken by Muhammad Ali, particularly in his later fights, to his subsequent ill health' -- Huw Richards * Guardian *'First rate... An exemplary life of an exemplary man' * Kirkus Reviews *Ali, who died last year, was contradictory and controversial, and Jonathan Eig tells his story beautifully in his stunning new biography of the champ, Ali: A Life... Eig recounts the champ's major bouts in dizzying detail. Even readers who don't care for boxing will be drawn in by his descriptions of the fights... Ali's life was more complex than most other sports figures, and Eig's brilliant, exhaustive book is the biography the champ deserves: a beautiful portrait of a man whose name will never be forgotten, who carried a torch for equality and justice, and lit a fire that will never go out. -- Michael Schaub * NPR Books *'Jonathan Eig’s masterful new biography of the champ is both captivating and highly relevant to the current discussions on race...Eig’s boxing descriptions are taut and lively, wisely eschewing the purple prose of the literary set who have written about the sport... Muhammad Ali was one of the most compelling figures in the 20th century, and Eig does ample justice to capturing his extraordinary and enduring legacy.' -- David Takami * Seattle Times *'Full justice is done to Ali's extraordinary athletic gifts' -- Nick Pitt * Sunday Times *'[Jonathan Eig's] new book feels comprehensive...noteworthy is how much of Ali’s well-documented life has been overlooked by previous accounts... He’s breezy to read while also being a stickler for detail... It is by no stretch a hatchet job, but it’s no hagiography either and doesn’t shy away from stories that reveal Ali’s fallibilities and extreme views... Even in the most examined lives, there are corners where it is revealing to shine a light.' -- Tim Lewis * Observer *'Jonathan Eig’s book is the first major biography since Ali’s death, and it offers a bruising account of his life. It jabs at myths throughout... Masterful.' * The Economist *'That Eig has achieved his aim of revealing Ali afresh, which I think he has, is some kind of literary miracle...Eig has achieved the improbable and made Ali human again: flawed, inspiring, too complex to truly represent any one coherent idea.' -- Malcolm Knox * Sydney Morning Herald *'Comprehensive and definitive...uncovers new stories and tidbits about his life and career' * Sports Illustrated *'Ali’s life and times have been documented often but never more comprehensively or brilliantly than the recently published Ali: A Life...this is not only one of the best-ever sports books but an insightful social essay about a deeply troubled era for human rights in America.' -- Ron Reed * sportshounds.com.au *'This deeply researched, comprehensive biography. His prose is fast-paced, uncluttered, and rich in personal insights' -- J. Michael Lennon * Times Literary Supplement *'He may have been the greatest but he was no saint... Paints a portrait of his life in its entirety' * Mail on Sunday *'Eig’s richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait of a controversial figure for whom the personal and the political dramatically fused could not come at a more appropriate time.' -- John Williams * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Carl Fogarty'A worthy and fitting tribute to the King of the Roads' - Irish News Joey Dunlop's story is one of towering triumphs and desperate tragedies in almost equal measure. Born poor - dirt poor - with no running water, no electricity, he was the definition of the everyman hero, in what must be considered one of the world's most extreme sports - motorcycle road racing. He remains the most loved and most successful road racer of all time. Joey Dunlop won the hearts and minds of millions during his thirty-one-year career, culminating in the year 2000 at the Isle of Man TT when, grey-haired and bespectacled, he cemented his reputation as the greatest TT rider in history by regaining the F1 crown for the first time in twelve years. But in road racing, tragedy is never very far away. Joey lost his life in an accident in July of 2000. It was just weeks after his final TT victory. More than 60,000 people attended Joey's funeral. Over twenty years on, the sport has never truly recovered. Every motorcycling lover knows the legend of Joey Dunlop but now, for the first time, they can get to know the man himself. This definitive new biography is by turns hilarious, triumphant and tragic; it is Dunlop's story as it has never been told before - by those who were part of it.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing original interviews with mountain guides and climbers—including Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker—this vivid and authoritative adventure history chronicles one of the least likely industries on Earth: guided climbing on Mount Everest.Anyone who has read Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air or has seen a recent photo of climbers standing in line to get to the top of Everest may think they have the mountain pretty well figured out. It’s an extreme landscape where bad weather and incredible altitude can occasionally kill, but more so an overcrowded, trashed-out recreation destination where rich clients pad their egos—and social media feeds—while exploiting local Sherpas. There’s some truth to these clichés, but they’re a sliver of the story. Unlike any book to date, Everest, Inc. gets to the heart of the mountain through the definitive story of its greatest invention: the Himalayan guiding industr

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Book SynopsisCelebrate Formula One’s most iconic drivers with this exploration of their triumphs and tragedies. Featuring high-quality photography and insight from renowned F1 journalist Tony Dodgins. At the heart of Formula One lies the triumphs and tragedies of the sport's greatest stars. The drama, personality and thrill of the sport are all tied to the cult drivers who have made racing so great to watch. Only the fastest and bravest survive! With a foreword by Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, Formula One: The Legends profiles 32 of F1’s iconic drivers from the 1950s to the present day. As well as examining the racers of the past, such as Jackie Stewart, Alain Prost and Aryton Senna, the text profiles modern-day legends such as Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and legend-in-the-making Max Verstappen. Uniquely, this book also features stars of the sport who tragically died or were terribly injured be

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Book SynopsisMartí Perarnau is one of Spain's leading sports journalist, who has edited the sports pages of several national newspapers and created the long-running Estadio 2 programme for Televisión Español. Since 2013 he has been profiling Pep Guardiola, resulting in two highly acclaimed books Pep Confidential and Pep: The Evolution, both about Guardiola's time at Bayern Munich. Before his career in media and journalism, he participated in the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games in the high jump, in which he was the national champion.

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Book SynopsisOne Man's Legacy chronicles the brief but brilliant life of Dr Tom Patey: bard, musician, and one of Scotland's foremost climbers and mountaineers. His story is one of pioneering ascents and boundless enthusiasm, and his spontaneity, carefree approach and ability to burn the candle at both ends remain legendary, several decades after his untimely death. Meticulously researched over several years, this definitive biography covers every aspect of Patey's life in rich detail. Youthful endeavours with the Scouts and early forays on the Aberdeen sea cliffs were the foundation for Patey's university years, where he established - often solo - many classic summer and winter lines in the Cairngorms, cementing his reputation as a tough, fearless mountaineer with exceptional endurance. A stalwart of 1950s bothy culture, his natural gifts as a musician and raconteur garnered him friends far and wide, and enabled him to transcend social and cultural boundaries with ease. Later, as a Royal Marine and then a highly respected GP, he maintained an insatiable appetite for exploring new terrain both in his native Scotland and further afield, in the Alps, Norway and the Karakoram. By drawing on Patey's essays and verses, published collectively in the celebrated One Man's Mountains, the narrative is imbued with dry wit and gentle satire, and brought to life by unseen images from renowned photographer John Cleare and the Patey family archive. Supported by a foreword from Mick Fowler and first-hand insights from some of the leading climbers of the last century, including Sir Chris Bonington, Joe Brown and Paul Nunn, One Man's Legacy celebrates a complex, larger-than-life character who rightly deserves his place in mountaineering history.

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Book SynopsisJan Ullrich: The Best There Never Was is the first biography of Jan Ullrich, arguably the most naturally talented cyclist of his generation, and also one of the most controversial champions of the Tour de France.'Magnificent' – Matt Dickinson, The Times'A superlative biography as well as social and sporting history' – ObserverIn 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals at the Tour de France and becoming Germany’s first ever winner. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich would dominate the future of cycling. But he never quite managed it.This is a gripping account of how unbearable expectation, mental and physical fragility, the effects of a complicated childhood, a morally corrupt sport and one individual – Lance Armstrong – can conspire to reroute destiny.Acclaimed journalist Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany’s drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price are you willing to pay for immortality?Trade ReviewOne of the best cycling books there ever was. So well written and such deep research -- Edward Pickering, editor of Rouleur and author of The Ronde: inside the World's Toughest Bike RaceA beautifully written, vivid portrait -- Scotsman, on Eddy Merckx: The CannibalWell written and well researched -- Cycling World, on Eddy Merckx: The CannibalA fascinating illustration of a richly gifted but deeply flawed character * MSN Ireland *Magnificent -- Matt Dickinson, The TimesA superlative biography as well as social and sporting history * Observer *One of the best books about cycling * Irish Times *'Masterpiece' is arguably an over-used word, but if ever a book was deserving of such a description, this is probably it * Washing Machine Post *A well-researched biography . . . painting a consistent picture of this all-too-human character from Rostock * Cycling Plus *Richly researched and sympathetically written . . . extensive, thoughtful * TLS *This biography peels back the layers of not just a legendary cylist, but an interesting character -- Joe Laverick, Cycling WeeklyTerrific . . . comprehensive -- Best of 2022, Cycling Plus

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Book SynopsisMeet Gary Fisher. The maverick kid bike racer who cycled straight into the Acid Test scene and lit up the Grateful Dead gigs, the relentless tinkerer who transformed an industry and sold mountain biking to the world and the visionary who's still working flat-out every day to prove that bikes are the answer to a healthier, happier future for everyone. A collaboration with cycling writer Guy Kesteven, Being Gary Fisher and the Bicycle Revolution is an autobiography of sorts. It's also a mind-blowing trip of ingenious innovation, dogged determination and boundless energy. Get caught up in Gary's crazy tales and his lifelong mission to invite everyone to the greatest dance on earth.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Netflix's The Last Dance, this is the definitive account of Michael Jordan's spectacular and disastrous return to basketball. As one of the greatest, most celebrated athletes in history, Michael Jordan conquered professional basketball as no one before. Powered by a potent mix of charisma, near superhuman abilities and a ferocious drive to dominate the game, he achieved every award and accolade conceivable before retiring from the Chicago Bulls and taking an executive post with the Washington Wizards. But retirement didn't suit the man who was once king, and at the advanced age of thirty-eight Michael Jordan decided it was time to reclaim the court that was once his. Having closely followed Jordan's final two seasons, Michael Leahy draws a fascinating portrait of an intensely complex man hampered by injuries and assaulted by younger players eager to usurp his throne. In this enthralling book Jordan emerges as a

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Book SynopsisThis revised and updated biography intertwines the incredible playing career of one of the best and most popular tennis players of all time with a history of how he came to rescue the image of a young, war-torn country on the world stage. It describes Djokovic’s modest upbringing, revealing how he met the woman who taught him both to play tennis and how to deal with life as a high-profile icon. It charts Djokovic’s battle with illness, his relationship with a volatile father, and how his on-court deeds have made his country proud. It also tells the story of Serbia, offering a nuanced portrait of a people with a troubled past, and offers an unrivaled assessment of the player’s recent drop in form—and the untold reasons behind it.

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Book SynopsisFootball Legends: Young readers will love findingout all about the lives of their favourite players in thisgreat new biography series.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most surprising footballstories you will ever read: the life of George Robledo, the forgotten foreigngenius of English football.

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Book SynopsisDavid Tremayne's acclaimed biography of Jochen Rindt was first published in 2010 and now, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Austrian's death, Evro is reviving the book in paperback form. Rindt was widely acknowledged as the fastest man in Formula 1 by the time he reached his peak in 1970, when he tragically lost his life at Monza in Italy, four races before the end of the season. Such was his pre-eminence that year that no rival could overhaul his points total and he became the sport's only posthumous World Champion. As his close friend Jackie Stewart observed in this book's foreword, 'David Tremayne is a wonderful writer who has done Jochen great justice in the words that he has chosen to depict a remarkable man and a remarkable career.'

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Book SynopsisA memoir from one of the most admired players in MLB history.

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Book SynopsisHarry Kane: The Ultimate Fan Book takes you into the England superstar's world like no other book. Feared and respected as a goalscorer across England and Europe, Harry has been a prolific marksman where ever he has played. Born in London on 28 July 1993, he made his debut, for Tottenham on 25 August 2011, aged 18. He captained England to their first FIFA World Cup semi-final for 28 years in Russia and went onto winning the FIFA World CUp 2018 Golden Boot as top scorer with six goals. Written in a lively style and filled with fun features, fantastic photographs and enlightening quotes, Harry Kane: The Ultimate Fan Book celebrates his greatest moments and most famous goals, including the goals which have made him one of the world's most watchable superstars. Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Young Harry Kane • Growing up in a sporting family • On trial at Arsenal, aged 11 • Local boy makes good • Turning professional at Tottenham • Learning on loan • UEFA Euro U19 semi-finalist • Champions League Star • Harry Kane at Home • FIFA U20 World Cup • Harry Kane's Super Skills • Great Tottenham Goals • UEFA EURO 2016 Frustration • Training with Harry Kane • The Pride of North London • Harry Kane in Numbers • Harry's Club-mates • Harry's fans • Great England Goals • Champions League 2018-19 • Harry Kane – A Coach's Dream • Global Superstar • Footballer of the Year • Harry Kane – Record Breaker • Harry Kane at the 2018 FIFA World Cup • Harry Kane – Facts, Honours and Awards • What Next for Harry? • Harry Kane Quiz.

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Book SynopsisQueens of Pain tells the remarkable and largely unknown tale of women's cycle racing from the 1890's to the early 1990's. From the fin-de-siècle velodromes of North America to the glamour and chaos of the first women's Tour de France, Queens of Pain offers a sweeping panorama of female racing history. Told through the lives of the great champions, its heroines include stuntwomen and speed skaters, young mothers and teenage tearaways, shop assistants and coal-delivery girls. When prejudice and officialdom denied them one stage they found another: from six-day track racing to epic place to place records, from 12-hour time trials to unofficial road races. The greatly expanded women's racing scene of today is the direct legacy of these pioneering riders whose stories form an unbroken thread since the invention of the bicycle.

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Book SynopsisDonald McRae has followed boxing all his life. In recent years his love has waned, as criminality, doping and dirty money gnaw away at the soul of boxing.    In 2018, grieving the death of his sister and with his parents seriously ill, he sought refuge in boxing again. At just this moment, Tyson Fury completed one of the most shocking comebacks in the history of the sport, proving that it still had the ability to offer thrills and redemption.   From Fury’s comeback to the first undisputed heavyweight champion of this century, McRae takes you ringside and into the to the inner sanctums of some of the greatest contemporary fighters. He shows what’s needed to become a champion like Katie Taylor or Oleksandr Usyk, but he also reveals the physical and mental devastation of defeat and, by telling the heartbreaking story of Patrick Day, faces up to the very real threat of death in the ring.   In The Last Bell, McRae&rs

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Book SynopsisImprove your chess by studying the greatest games of all time, from Adolf Anderssen''s ''Immortal Game'' to Magnus Carlsen''s world championship victories, and featuring a foreword by five-times World Champion Vishy Anand.This book is written by an all-star team of authors. Wesley So is the reigning Fischer Random World Champion, the 2017 US Champion and the winner of the 2016 Grand Chess Tour. Michael Adams has been the top British player for the last quarter of a century and was a finalist in the 2004 FIDE World Championship. Graham Burgess is the author of thirty books, a former champion of the Danish region of Funen, and holds the world record for marathon blitz chess playing. John Nunn is a three-time winner of both the World Solving Championship and the British Chess Federation Book of the Year Award. John Emms is an experienced chess coach and writer, who finished equal first in the 1997 British Championship and was chess columnist of the YoungTrade ReviewFor the famous games which appear in other books and anthologies, the authors have provided the most thorough and careful annotations you will find. They also include some extremely brilliant games which haven't received much attention elsewhere . . . Of the various 'Greatest Games' collections, The Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games is the most up to date with the highest-quality annotations. You will want a copy on your shelf. -- John Watson

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Book SynopsisIn 2013, Tom Denniss became the fastest person to circumnavigate the world on foot. His epic journey lasted nearly two years, and for each of the 622 days it took him to run around the planet, Tom completed the equivalent of a marathon or more. Based on distance alone his feat was an extraordinary act of endurance, but along the way Tom also survived a near-death experience on an ice cliff as he was running over the top of the Andes, was chased by dogs, snakes and suspicious border police, narrowly avoided lethal cars and buses, suffered in sixty-degree heat and sub-zero blizzards, tore through seventeen pairs of running shoes, and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Oxfam. He also experienced an amazing diversity of scenery, culture, food and people as he traversed New Zealand, North and South America, Europe from the Atlantic to the Bosphorus, and Australia from Fremantle to Sydney.The World at My Feet is his account of an incredible 26,232 kilometre run, and a vivid insight into an adventure of truly global proportions.Trade ReviewWith a chatty, engaging writing style, this high achiever relives his mega journey. * Weekly Times *

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Book SynopsisTravel with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins on her compelling journey from America’s heartland to international sports history, navigating challenges and triumphs with rugged grit and a splash of glitter Pyeongchang, February 21, 2018. In the nerve-racking final seconds of the women’s team sprint freestyle race, Jessie Diggins dug deep. Blowing past two of the best sprinters in the world, she stretched her ski boot across the finish line and lunged straight into Olympic immortality: the first ever cross-country skiing gold medal for the United States at the Winter Games. The 26-year-old Diggins, a four-time World Championship medalist, was literally a world away from the small town of Afton, Minnesota, where she first strapped on skis. Yet, for all her history-making achievements, she had never strayed far from the scrappy 12-year-old who had insisted on portaging her own canoe through the wilderness, yelling happily under the unwieldy weight on her shoulders: “Look! I’m doing it!” In Brave Enough, Jessie Diggins reveals the true story of her journey from the American Midwest into sports history. With candid charm and characteristic grit, she connects the dots from her free-spirited upbringing in the woods of Minnesota to racing in the bright spotlights of the Olympics. Going far beyond stories of races and ribbons, she describes the challenges and frustrations of becoming a serious athlete; learning how to push through and beyond physical and psychological limits; and the intense pressure of competing at the highest levels. She openly shares her harrowing struggle with bulimia, recounting both the adversity and how she healed from it in order to bring hope and understanding to others experiencing eating disorders. Between thrilling accounts of moments of triumph, Diggins shows the determination it takes to get there—the struggles and disappointments, the fun and the hard work, and the importance of listening to that small, fierce voice: I can do it. I am brave enough.Trade Review "Jessie Diggins was an elite athlete long before she became an Olympic gold medalist. In Brave Enough, she shows world-class courage by sharing the truth about her eating disorder, her therapy, and the multitude of challenges, doubts, fears, and assorted bogeymen that are so often an untold part of the journey to greatness. She deserves another gold medal for her honesty and her inspiration."—Wayne Coffey, New York Times best-selling author of The Boys of Winter* "I’m honored to have played a role in inspiring Jessie on her journey to Olympic Gold. Brave Enough is a befitting title for this brutally honest and powerful story. As an athlete, Jessie was brave enough to win on the world’s biggest sporting stage. As a writer, she is brave enough to share a raw, heart-wrenching, nothing-held-back look at the struggles she went through to succeed. It’s an inspiring story, worthy of gold."—Jackie Joyner-Kersee "Already an inspiration to us all, Jessie once again shows her courage to leave it all on the track by sharing her deeply personal story. Readers will be encouraged by how one woman created a path forward for herself—and helped and uplifted so many in the process."—Ann Bancroft "Brave Enough is a powerful story that shows that striving for excellence can be essential in sport, yet not even Olympic champions are immune from its unforeseen destructive consequences. With admirable vulnerability, Jessie demonstrates how to be a leader and ‘best teammate’ while also being open to help and support from others. Her story motivates all of us, and she gives us hope and real tools to tackle our biggest challenges. I have never been more proud of my teammate and friend . . . not only has Jessie defeated foes on the race trails but she has courageously conquered the demons in her mind to become a true champion. She is an inspiration for everyone!"—Kikkan Randall, Olympic Champion and World Champion "Jessie has one of the most infectiously positive and bubbly personalities of anyone I have ever met. That, combined with her fierce drive and unwavering grit, is what makes her an inspiration to so many people, including myself, but I never realized just how inspiring she truly is until I read this book. World, meet the force that is Jessie Diggins."—Mikaela Shiffrin, Olympic Champion and World Champion Table of ContentsContentsPrologue: I Can Do It Myself 1. Snow Baby2. Wild Child3. Super Speed4. Thunder Bay5. The Stillwater Way6. Pain Cave7. The Great Balancing Act8. To Ski or Not to Ski9. Slow Spiral10. The Emily Program11. Never Alone12. Blood, Sweat, and Tears13. The National Team14. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles15. Because 96 Isn’t 10016. From Sochi, with Love17. Give It All You Got18. Know When to Fold ’Em19. PyeongChang20. Brave Hearts21. Let’s Go Get It22. One Team23. Here Be Dragons24. Coming Home; or, The Week I Masqueraded As a Rock StarEpilogueAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisChasing Salah will shed a truer light on Liverpool legend and the most famous Egyptian footballer in the history of the sport.

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Book SynopsisFrom acclaimed journalist Adam Hay-Nicholls, the very first biography of rising star Charles Leclerc, published to mark the start of the 2023 Formula One season.Few of the drivers on the F1 grid have the racing pedigree of Charles Leclerc. Widely regarded as one of the sport's hottest prospects, he was crowned F3 and then F2 champion in back-to-back seasons before he made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2018. Now firmly established as Ferrari's great hope, following in the footsteps of legends Alberto Ascari, Niki Lauda and Michael Schumacher, Leclerc has his eyes set on becoming world champion.Born in Monaco to a family of comparatively modest means, Leclerc remembers playing with toy cars on a friend's balcony as the best drivers in the world whizzed around the Monte Carlo circuit on the streets below. This early experience inspired him to get behind the wheel, encouraged by his father Hervé, and so began his meteoric rise in the sport. Along the way, he lost his father, his godfather and his best friend - all racing drivers - and this gave Leclerc the inner steel to become a winner.Writer Adam Hay-Nicholls, who has spent much of his career in the Formula One paddock, provides the inside track on this rising star, recounting how he has taken the racing world by storm. And as Leclerc's Ferrari is beginning to fire on all cylinders, will he beat his old rival and adversary Max Verstappen to the world title?

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Just Tyrus returns in his inimitable style with deeper reminiscences on the life that shaped him and how he views the world we’re living in."In this sequel, you'll delve into some of Tyrus's extraordinary life experiences and see how they connect with the most pressing issues of our time: immigration, crime, bullying, athletics, politics, China, parenting, and respect (for ourselves, each other, and the planet). It is Tyrus’s commentary on all of these issues that has the power to silence a room. When he talks, people listen. There's so much wisdom and common sense in his takes that you’ll finish this book more informed and more optimistic about the future—and we could all use that.” —Dana Perino A rare voice of reason and authentic storyteller who never holds back, Tyrus picks up where he left off in Just Tyrus, delivering a series of gut-wrenching, heart-rending and redemptive tales from his remarkable life and coupling them with no-nonsense insights on the hottest issues being discussed around the country. “Tyrus remains one of the most distinct, original voices in any medium, if not one of the most brutally honest to enter the realm of television since Charles Krauthammer. I mention them both because they're not different—both deep thinkers who leave inedible marks on those who are lucky enough to cross their paths. It’s Tyrus's thinking that drives this book, and you'll get it through his powerful words. Writers spend years trying to concoct a voice. Tyrus makes it seem like it was always there.” —Greg Gutfeld Whether he’s tackling the issues of race and activism in America today or confronting his past with stories of family, relationships, wrestling, and more, this is pure Tyrus at his unbridled best. The parallels he draws between current culture and his personal past are insightful, provocative, and profound. Nuff Said is a powerful reflection on a complex life and a complicated world.

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Book SynopsisInspirational speaker and Paralympic champion Jessica Long shares her storyand powerful principles to help you find your own path to unconditional self-acceptance.Jessica Long is one of the most compelling figures of our time. From having her lower legs amputated as a toddler, she has gone on to become one of history's most decorated athletes. Yet her true successesand strugglesare not about winning medals or setting world records. Our worth cannot be placed in external thingsour looks, job, or approval of others, she says. No achievement will make us feel worthy unless we can love ourselves without judgment.With Beyond the Surface, Jessica offers an intimate exploration of the hard-won lessons she learned on her extraordinary journey. She opens up about the toughest challenges she facednot just the trauma of multiple surgeries and prosthetics, but the anger, resentment, and insecurity of trying to find her place and identity in a world that viewed her

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022Football has always measured success by what you win, but only in the last twenty years have clubs started to think about how you win. Data has now suffused almost every aspect of how football is played, coached, scouted and consumed. But it's not the algorithms or new metrics that have made this change, it's the people behind them.This is the story of modern football's great data revolution and the group of curious, entrepreneurial personalities who zealously believed in its potential to transform the game. Central to this cast is Chris Anderson, an academic with no experience in football, who saw data as an opportunity to fundamentally change a sport that did not think it could be changed. His aim: to infiltrate the strange, insular world of professional football by establishing a club whose entire DNA could be built around data.Expected Goals charts his remarkable journey into the heart of the modern game and reveals how clubs across the world, from Liverpool to Leipzig and Brentford to Bayern Munich, began to see how data could help them unearth new players, define radical tactics and plot their path to glory.

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Book SynopsisOne week in June. One small island. 40,000 annual visitors. Raw speed. Numerous annual deaths. The Isle of Man TT motorcycle road race. Five minutes to go. The claxon sounds, harsh as an air raid siren. Television crews attempt last-minute interviews with riders. The thousand yard-stares give it away: they're really not listening now. Four minutes to go. The grandstand is packed. Some racers tell their mechanics, 'I'll see you later for a pint' - just to make themselves believe they will.Three minutes to go. For the first man on the road, hidden dangers exist. He will have no-one to follow. And he is the hare that the greyhounds will be chasing. Two minutes to go. By the end of the first lap, riders will be howling past faster than a bullet from the barrel of a gun. A full 160pmh. And that's not even the fastest part of the course.One minute to go. The atmosphere is palpably tense. It's like no other sporting event on earth. Formula 1 drivers can crash spectacularly and just walk away. Everyone knows that's not the case here. Five seconds. The starter raises the chequered flag, ready to snap down. No more time for nerves, for doubts. The race has started. How it will end, no-one knows. The TT has begun. In Ragged Edge, Stuart Barker will write the definitive story of this unique event, from the tarmac up. The history, the atmosphere, the heroes, tragedies and legends. And most importantly: our fascination with this seductive yet perilous test of skill and daring. This is the unvarnished, raw truth behind the world's most dangerous sporting event - in the words of those who ride it.

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Book Synopsis''A fantastic and fascinating exploration of the life of a great champion... Full of compelling insight.'' - Tom Hiddleston''This book captures the deep complexities in Novak''s mind and his life and how he''s dealt with them in a thoughtful, soul-searching way.'' - Chris Evert''A fascinating insight into the greatest tennis player of all time.'' - Evening Standard tennis correspondent, Matt Majendie''An absorbing insight into the story behind the greatest player of all time.'' - The Times tennis correspondent, Stuart Fraser''Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in tennis, as well as those who consider themselves experts.'' - Charlie Eccleshare, tennis correspondent for the New York Times and The Athletic''Mark Hodgkinson goes memorably deep on Novak Djokovic - from his hard-luck beginnings to his gluten-free diet to his unorthodox mind - helping us better understan

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR. FROM THE JUDGES:''Rick Reilly lets Donald''s Trump relationship with his favourite sport speak for itself. Commander in Cheat is full of astonishing ''you could not make it up'' detail delivered in full knowledge that nothing revealed would embarrass the President one jot. You will be howling with laughter and gasping in disbelief in equal measure so be careful when reading this fascinating book in public.''SHORTLISTED FOR THE GENERAL OUTSTANDING SPORTS WRITING AWARD AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.''An eye-watering account of the president''s abuse of the rules of golf'' The Sunday Times''Reilly pokes more holes in Trump''s claims than there are sand traps on all his courses combined. It is by turns amusing and alarming'' The New YorkerCommander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trade ReviewAn eye-watering account of the president's abuse of the rules of golf - The Sunday TimesReilly pokes more holes in Trump's claims than there are sand traps on all his courses combined. It is by turns amusing and alarming' - The New Yorker[Rick Reilly] is the closest thing sportswriting ever had to a rock star - USA Today[Rick Reilly] is one of the funniest humans on the planet - New York Daily News

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Book SynopsisThe No.1 football series - over 1 million copies sold! Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool FC's superstar centre-back and he's going from strength to strength. From washing dishes to pay his way during his early career to becoming one of the best defenders in the world, this is the story of how Virgil became a true Liverpool legend. Follow his journey as he fights adversity and works his way up to become an ultimate football hero. Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

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Book SynopsisFor better or for worse, the Giro d’Italia remains the sporting metaphor for Italians. To celebrate its centenary, Herbie Sykes produced a unique - and uniquely personal - evocation. In realising it he undertook a Giro of his own. Travelling the length of the peninsular, he met with 100 of its constituents, and simply listened to their stories. They were the champions and gregari, the superstars and nearly-men, their wives, families and tifosi. There were kingmakers and journalists, sponsors and officials, those who have loved it and a few who abhorred it. Collectively their testimonies represent a journey to the heart of the race, and to Italian cycling identity. This, however, is a cycling journey with a difference. In a departure from recent cycling convention, they were invited to open not only their hearts, but also their scrapbooks, photo albums and old cupboard drawers. There’s no anodyne photographic agency fodder here, no clichéd Dolomite vistas and no hackneyed portraits of Coppi, Merckx or Pantani. Rather the images conjure the spirit, pathos and beauty of the greatest race on earth and, more poignantly still, of 100 lives conditioned by it.

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Book SynopsisArguably the greatest coach in British sporting history.SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDSJurgen Grobler's Olympic coaching career is one of legend, yet the man himself has remained resolutely out of the spotlight. Over the last twenty years he has masterminded British Rowing's incomparable success. And when the difference between gold and silver can mean mere fractions of a second, Jurgen Grobler has consistently delivered Olympic gold through various boat classes and with an ever-changing group of athletes.Arguably the greatest coach in British sporting history, Grobler's unparalleled record outstrips many much better known records and stories; building champions such as Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell to name but few.This authoritative account of Grobler's career straddles the Iron Curtain, beginning in the German Democratic Republic, where systemic state-funded doping was an open secret, before crossing to Britain following the fall of the

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Book SynopsisVoytek Kurtyka is one of the greatest alpinists of all time. Born in 1947, he was one of the leading lights of the Polish golden age of mountaineering that redefined Himalayan climbing in the 1970s and 1980s.His visionary approach to climbing resulted in many renowned ascents, such as the complete Broad Peak traverse, the ‘night-naked’ speed climbs of Cho Oyu and Shishapangma and, above all, the alpine-style first ascent of the west face of Gasherbrum IV. Dubbed the ‘climb of the century’, his route on GIV with the Austrian Robert Schauer is – as of 2017 – unrepeated. His most frequent climbing partners were alpine legends of their time: Polish Himalayan giant Jerzy Kukuczka, Swiss mountain guide Erhard Loretan and British alpinist Alex MacIntyre.After repeated requests to accept the Piolets d’Or lifetime achievement award (the Oscars of the climbing world), Kurtyka finally accepted the honour in the spring of 2016. A fiercely private individual, he has declined countless invitations for interviews, lectures and festival appearances, but he has agreed to collaborate with internationally renowned and award-winning author Bernadette McDonald on this long-awaited biography.Art of Freedom is a profound and moving profile of one of the international climbing world’s most respected, complex and reclusive mountaineers.Trade ReviewThis biography of the enigmatic Voytek Kurtyka is intimate and poised, revealing much that we did not know about Kurtyka, but never dispelling the mystery that surrounds him. -- John PorterVoytek Kurtyka is an artist and his art is alpinism. -- Barry BlanchardTable of ContentsIntroduction; One Rock Animal; Two Alpinist in Training; Three Hindu Kush - Unleashed; Four Troll Wall; Five Bandaka - The Mordor Beauty; Six Hungry for Hunger; Seven Dancing in the Moment; Eight Enfant Terrible; Nine Line against the Sky; Ten The Shining Wall; Eleven Fork in the Road; Twelve Trango Tower; Thirteen Night Naked; Fourteen Dance of the Underclings; Fifteen Chinese Maharaja; Sixteen Metaphysical Think Tank; Epilogue The Crux; Appendix Chronology of Selected Climbs; Acknowledgements; Notes; Sources; Index.

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Book SynopsisLionel Messi and the Art of Living is a bold and insightful examination of a world-famous sporting hero's career from an entirely new perspective, providing a context extending far beyond the football field. The idea that sports stars are role models is a cliche, but it is also true in a way that is rarely appreciated. Although the details of Messi's story are already well known, The Art of Living examines afresh and anew his highs and lows, his successes and failures, his ongoing evolution and his endless struggle to succeed. It encourages us to consider, to analyse and - above all - to think about Messi's career from a different viewpoint, understanding how his journey can be related to our own lives on a meaningful and impactful level. Containing exclusive, illuminating interviews with deep thinkers and high achievers from a number of different fields, this book delivers a fresh and inspiring approach to a global icon, ensuring that you will never look at Lionel Messi - or life - in the same way again.

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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 SynopsisCelebrate the qualities that turn today's top athletes into role models in this inspiring collection of sports stories. Each story showcases a different athlete and explores one key character trait that has distinguished their successful career. Trade Review“In this book, Steve Riach helps us see the value of character and faith through the stories of some of the finest athletes in the world. These men and women stand for something more important than their performance, and because of it, not only are they game-changers, they’re also world-changers. I encourage everyone to read and be inspired.” —James Brown, Network Broadcaster, CBS Sports“Heart of a Champion. What a great title for this book. These men and women truly do have the heart of a champion. They are great examples of what it means to be men and women of character, faith, and courage. They are shining examples of what is best in sport and in life.” —Clark Kellogg, CBS Sports College Basketball Studio Analyst

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Book SynopsisESPN basketball analyst and former Duke player Jay Bilas looks at the true meaning of toughness in this New York Times bestselling book that features stories from basketball legends.If anyone knows tough, it’s Jay Bilas. A four-year starter at Duke, he learned a strong work ethic under Coach Mike Krzyzewski. After playing professionally overseas, he returned to Duke, where he served as Krzyzewski’s assistant coach for three seasons, helping to guide the Blue Devils to two national championships. He has since become one of basketball’s most recognizable faces through his insightful analysis on ESPN’s SportsCenter and College GameDay.Through his ups and downs on and off the court, Bilas learned the true meaning of toughness from coaches, teammates, and colleagues. Now, in Toughness, he examines this misunderstood—yet vital—attribute and how it contributes to winning in sports and in life. Featuring nev

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE CROSS BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2017WINNER OF THE MCC/CRICKET SOCIETY'S BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2017Mark Nicholas, the face of Channel 5's Cricket on Five and anchor for Channel 9's Test commentary team in Australia, has a unique knowledge and perspective on the world of cricket. As both a former player and now a professional observer and commentator on the game, he knows all the key figures of the sport and has witnessed first-hand some of cricket's greatest moments. His book is a personal account of the game as he's seen and experienced it across the globe. From epic test matches and titans of the game like Lara, Warne and Tendulkar, to his own childhood love for the sport, Mark gives us his informed, personal and fascinating views on cricket - the world's other beautiful game.Trade ReviewMark Nicholas...captures the magic of top-flight cricket in this likeable memoir. * Sunday Telegraph *[H]ugely enjoyable... Nicholas has done a huge service to a game already in his debt. He helped to lift English cricket out of the sporting gloom of the late 1990s; and now he has chronicled his era as if he were one of us. For that, every cricket nut, English or otherwise, should be immensely grateful. * Independent *Mark Nicholas has written a fascinating and engaging account of his life in cricket, firstly as a player and latterly as a commentator. This is an immensely readable but far from lightweight book, packed with anecdote, opinion and - a valuable gift - empathy... he is an elegant, enthusiastic observer of the game and this book, and indeed his life in cricket, deserves plaudits. * ESPN Cricinfo *A typically entertaining collection of thoughts, opinions and memories from inside the soul of the game we love. -- Sir Ian BothamEvery chapter is interesting in its own way. I didn't always agree with him but that's not the point. The point is that I wanted to read on. -- Geoffrey BoycottMark Nicholas has been at the centre of the game as a player, writer, commentator and analyst for years. Very few have ever equalled his passion, perception, knowledge of the game and matchless ability to communicate it with wit, charm and flawless fluency. All these qualities and more have flowered in A Beautiful Game. -- Stephen FryA brilliant broadcaster with a wonderful knowledge of the game and, above all, an infectious passion for cricket. -- Shane WarneThe thing about Mark is his uniquely positive take on cricket. He conveys the message that the game may not be easy but it's sure worthwhile. His book is the same, a celebration. -- Alastair CookMark Nicholas is a master with words, both written and spoken. His positivity is what separates him from others and it's what shines through in this book. -- Sunil GavaskarVision, knowledge, enthusiasm: three of the attributes that give Mark authority and respect. This book reflects his passion for the game and his ability to tell the stories that make it so special. A great read. -- Michael VaughanTop class from first to last. -- Sir Michael ParkinsonQuite possibly the best cricket book you will ever read - a masterpiece. -- Mike ProcterWhether writing or commentating, Mark has always been able to take us inside the game. If I was buying one cricket book this year, it would A Beautiful Game -- Wasim Akramthis is indeed a beautiful book. It is the memoir of a complex and fascinating man much more interesting and nuanced than the sporting celebrity with whom most of us are familiar... a gifted writer who possesses not only an uncanny eye for the game but for humanity in general. * The Australian *

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