Biography: sport Books

Book SynopsisComparing Robin Knox-Johnston’s and Ellen MacArthur’s famed round-the-world voyages

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Book SynopsisTHE MOST COMPREHENSIVE BIOGRAPHY OF ARSENE WENGER EVER PUBLISHED, NOW FULLY REVISED AND UPDATED TO THE END OF HIS ARSENAL CAREER. When Arsene Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, he was little known to fans at the club and many doubted he could bring back the glory days of George Graham. But soon he was transforming the way the team played, melding the famous English defensive spine of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn and David Seaman with a hugely creative foreign attacking spirit, epitomised by Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, that could both outplay and outmuscle their rivals. At the same time, he introduced new ideas on diet, exercise, training and tactics, which many players believe extended their careers. Having won numerous trophies, and led the Invincibles to an unprecedented unbeaten league season in 2003-04, Wenger then had to help the Gunners through the next stage of their development when they moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, a move that was followed by a nine-year trophy drought. Despite the financial constraints he faced, he still managed to keep the club playing in the Champions League year after year while remaining true to his philosophy of how the game should be played. Some began to question whether he had been left behind, despite picking up back-to-back FA Cups in 2014 and 2015, and in the end in April 2018 he decided the time was right to step away.  Now, in this updated edition of John Cross's acclaimed biography, the author provides a compelling account of the man and his methods across 22 years in charge. He assesses the scale of Wenger's achievements and whether the criticism he faced towards the end was justified. Arsene Wenger builds into the most complete portrait of the Frenchman yet written. 

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Book SynopsisThe story of America's greatest running legend.For five years, no American runner could beat him at any distance over a mile. But at the age of 24, with his best years still ahead, long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine finally lost. Driving alone at night after a party, Prefontaine crashed his sports car, putting a tragic, shocking end to the life and career of one of the most influential, accomplished runners of our time.More than 20 years later, Pre continues to influence the running world.From his humble origins in Coos Bay, Oregon, Pre became the first person to win four NCAA titles in one event. Year after year, he was virtually unbeatable. Instead of becoming one of the new breed of professional track athletes, Pre chose to stay amateur and fight for the adequate funding he felt American amateur athletes deserved.A man of incredible desire and energy, Pre trained relentlessly. In his drive to be the best, he spurred others to do their best. As one

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Book SynopsisDerek Bell’s name became inextricably linked with that of Porsche during his long and hugely successful career as a racing driver. In this new 276-page book, Bell collaborates with renowned motorsport author Richard Heseltine to give the reader a very personal insight into his experiences racing for the legendary German marque. The approach taken by this latest publication from Porter Press International is to look at every race Bell drove for Porsche, in detail and with revealing comments from the book’s subject. Light is cast on Bell’s most prestigious victories with Porsche - four of his five in the Le Mans 24 Hours, three in the Daytona 24 Hours, two in the World Sportscar Championship - and many more besides. Bell describes the Porsches he raced, from the fearsome 917 to the iconic 956, 962, and 911. And he shares his thoughts on the now-legendary drivers he raced with, including six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx, the famously flamboyant Hans Stuck, and two immense talents who lost their lives to the sport, Jo Siffert and Stefan Bellof. The overall effect is a fascinating trip back in time to a golden era for Porsche and sports car racing as a whole.   

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Book SynopsisNow in Paperback! Carroll Shelby, legendary driving ace, race team owner, and designer of Shelby Cobra, Daytona, and Mustang GT350 classics is revered by automotive enthusiasts, yet little has been written about the last quarter century of Carroll Shelby’s life. During that time Chris Theodore, VP at Chrysler and Ford, developed a close personal friendship with Carroll. The Last Shelby Cobra chronicles the development of the many vehicles they worked on together (Viper, Ford GT, Shelby Cobra Concept, Shelby GR1, Shelby GT500 and others). It is an insider’s story about how Shelby came back to the Ford family, and the intrigue behind the five-year journey to get a Shelby badge on a Ford Production Vehicle. The author provides fresh insight and new stories into Shelby’s larger-than-life personality, energy, interests and the many unpublished projects Carroll was involved with, up to his passing. Finally, the book describes their unfinished project, the Super Snake II Cobra, and the serendipitous circumstances that allowed to the author to acquire ‘Daisy,’ the last Shelby Cobra. To his many fans, Carroll Shelby was truly ‘the most interesting man in the world.’Table of ContentsForward Prologue: Describes why I wrote this book Chapter 1: From Boyhood Hero to Automotive Legend • A summary of Shelby’s career • Criteria to become a legend • Why Carroll is one of the few who meets the criteria. Chapter 2: The Legend and a New Snake • First meeting Carroll • Carroll’s involvement with Chrysler • Shelby’s role in the development of the Dodge Viper Chapter 3: The Courtship of Carroll and Ford • The intriguing backstory behind reuniting Shelby and Ford Chapter 4: Project Petunia • 2005 Ford GT, Shelby’s first official role Chapter 5: Codename Daisy • Carroll’s involvement in “Daisy,” the Shelby Cobra Concept Chapter 6: Shelby GR1 • Carroll and the Shelby GR1, successor to the legendary Shelby Daytona. • The stillborn efforts to put Daisy and GR1 into production Chapter 7: Project Condor • How Shelby’s name finally appeared on a Ford product - the Shelby GT500 Chapter 8: Shelby GTs • The untold story of the ill-fated Shelby GT, a worthy successor to the Ford GT • How the Hertz Shelby Mustang GTH led to the introduction of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT Chapter 9: Super Snakes • Our efforts to create and Shelby Super Snake II Cobra • Shelby American’s introduction of the Super Snake Mustangs Chapter 10: Interesting Interests • In the midst of the “Great Recession,” I try to capture Carroll’s multi-faceted personality; his curiosity, interests, storytelling, humour, connections, temperament, stubbornness, vanity, charm, philanthropy, controversies, wisdom and friendship Chapter 11: Unfinished Business • The 2010 Shelby GT500 • Shelby GT350 • Progress on Super Snake II • Plans for a new line of Shelby Cobras and Daytonas • Carroll’s untimely death Chapter 12: Kismet • The Shelby Tribute • Shelby American’s ongoing operation • The serendipitous circumstances leading “Daisy,” the last Shelby Cobra coming home • Thanks to Carroll for the memories Epilogue • Lessons from Carroll • The future of “sport” cars Acknowledgments • Thanks to the many contributors who helped make this book possible, starting with Edsel Ford II Appendix: • Letter from Roy Lunn • Dan Gurney tribute speech • Project team members: Viper, Petunia, Daisy, GR1, GT500

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Book SynopsisMountain running ranks up there as one of the toughest sports. Having the ability and athleticism to race up and down Britain's highest peaks takes stamina, peak fitness and years of specialised training. So how did a teenage punk rocker from Yorkshire, seemingly existing on a diet of cider, parties and loud music, become the British Champion fell runner? The history of mountain running is peppered with legendary feats and characters, ultra-hard men and women who can run seemingly non-stop over our highest and toughest peaks and skylines. Flicking through the black-and-white photographs telling the story of these past champions of the sport you're struck by how wiry, super-fit and disciplined they look. Then, from nowhere, along comes Gary Devine. A maverick who jogged onto the scene sporting spiky dyed pink hair and a tatty running vest, hungover from the previous night's party, smiling and joking at the start line as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes - before showing everyone a muddy pair of heels and running off to win. This is the fascinating story of how an unlikely and eccentric runner became, against all expectations, the British Champion. It's a tale that focuses on the races that made up Devine's victorious 1990 season, while opening out to understand how the unruly, fearless ethos at the heart of punk could chime perfectly with the spirited, gutsy and dauntless root of mountain running; how the elements of surprise and daring are central to both. It's a near-perfect underdog narrative, a drama that traces one boy's life from ordinary schoolkid to extraordinary winner - all against a backdrop of alcohol, fights, arrests and extreme guitar noise. Following Devine from his roots as a punk rock convert to his years racing alongside the world's elite mountain runners, this is both a tale of implausible triumph to match that of comic book hero Alf Tupper and at the same time a compelling narrative of how running - like life - can be a wonderful and unexpected adventure. "Faster! Louder! is a great combination of different mad energy - punk and fell running. I knew nothing about the cult of fell running. Now I want to know more. The story has a unique take on music and running as a life force and is also a love letter to the fell running landscape." Richard Jobson, THe SKIDS "A stirringly evocative, riveting, hilarious, nostalgic, important book about two opposing worlds that aren't so different after all." Damian Hall, author and elite ultra-runner "With the lifestyle Gary led, it's amazing how the hell he was able to run races - never mind win so many. A bit of a wayward lad but I'm full of admiration for him - he did it his way!" Billy Bland, legendary fell runner "A strange, exhilarating blast of a book, throbbing with energy and sweaty authenticity. FASTER! LOUDER! celebrates fell-running as it used to be, rough and untamed, through the story of a maverick hero whose remarkable athletic triumphs are achieved against a grubby backdrop of brawls and hangovers, squats and drug-busts, and very loud music." Richard Askwith, author of 'Feet In The Clouds' "A most enjoyable look at fell running with a punk soundtrack and attitude. At school I was the one at the back of the pack sneaking off for a cig. Reading this book has made me wish it had been different. The challenge and exhilaration of the love of running in itself; the weather; the fells and the personal challenge - it all makes for a great read and I'm happy that Killing Joke may have been along for the ride." Big Paul Ferguson, Killing Joke

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Book SynopsisSince becoming the Nebraska women's volleyball coach in 2000, John Cook has led the team to four national championships, seven NCAA semifinal appearances, and the nation's top winning percentage in women's volleyball. In Dream Like a Champion Cook shares the coaching and leadership philosophy that has enabled him to become one of the game's winningest coaches.Trade Review“Great coaches and teachers relentlessly strive for learning and improvement—in their people, in their teams, and in themselves. John Cook’s story is permeated with that pursuit: what an innovator! If you crave the ‘better,’ you’d better read this book.”—Karch Kiraly, head coach, U.S. women’s National Volleyball Team“The thing that strikes me the most about John Cook is the amount of thought and energy he gives to every possible detail in coaching. John’s reflection about his own coaching and the Nebraska program frequently leads to action, which is how both an individual and a program stay ahead of the game. This is a very good book for anyone who has an interest in coaching and leadership.”—Terry Pettit, head coach, University of Nebraska women’s volleyball team, 1977–99“John Cook has accomplished nearly everything a volleyball coach can achieve. He has done this not by focusing just on recruiting great players or the physical skills of his players. In Dream Like a Champion John reveals his relentless quest for better team chemistry, improving communication skills, proper goal setting, and attention to detail—which together result in peak performance.”—Tom Osborne, former Husker head football coach, University of Nebraska athletic director, and U.S. congressman“Courage is the word that comes to mind when I think of Coach John Cook. Over the years I’ve seen John continually show courage, but never more than when he acknowledged his need to reinvent himself and manage stress. His willingness to share that about himself and to be open to others is one of the most courageous things I’ve seen done by a coach, or by anyone, really, in all my years as a sports psychiatrist.”—Larry Widman, co-founder of Performance Mountain"If you're a Nebraska volleyball fan you should own this book."—Jon Johnston, Corn Nation blog"For all coaches and people who bleed Husker red, this a great read. . . . Cook admires the special qualities that can come from a small-town Nebraska athlete; other coaches across the state have taken notice, too. These athletes are generally family oriented, hardworking, and possess good qualities that help lead to championship cultures. That's the Nebraska way, and John Cook reveals how he understands the value these athletes can bring to his program."—Nicole Venditte, Great Plains Quarterly“John Cook had an unconventional path into coaching. He has incredible insight into building champions on and off the court. His growth mind-set and ability to constantly develop new leadership skills make him a special breed of coach.”—Jack Riggins, co-founder of Performance Mountain, retired U.S. Navy SEAL, and assistant football coach at Midland UniversityTable of ContentsList of Photographs Preface 1. Learning to Lead 2. Culture Drives the Dream 3. Why Nebraska? 4. Training the Complete Athlete 5. Coaching the iCentered Athlete 6. The Team within the Team 7. Motivation, Mentors, and a Magician 8. The Longer I Coach, the Less I Know 9. Destination Omaha 10. Two Points Better 11. Never Stop Coaching 12. Regrets 13. Is God a Coach? 14. Ultimate Trust 15. Dream Bigger 16. With Each Other, For Each Other

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Book SynopsisOn September 6, 1892, a diminutive Black prizefighter brutally dispatched an overmatched white hope in the New Orleans Carnival of Champions boxing tournament. That victory sparked celebrations across Black communities nationwide but fostered unease among sporting fans and officials, delaying public acceptance of mixed-race fighting for half a century. This turn echoed the nation’s disintegrating relations between whites and Blacks and foreshadowed America’s embrace of racial segregation.In this work of sporting and social history we have a biography of Canadian-born, Boston-raised boxer George Dixon (1870–1908), the first Black world champion of any sport and the first Black world boxing champion in any division. George Dixon: The Short Life of Boxing’s First Black World Champion, 1870–1908 chronicles the life of the most consequential Black athlete of the nineteenth century and details for the first time his Carnival appearance, perhaps the most significant bout involving a Black fighter until Jack Johnson began his reign in 1908. Yet despite his triumphs, Dixon has been lost to history, overshadowed by Black athletes whose activism against white supremacy far exceeded his own.George Dixon reveals the story of a man trapped between the white world he served and the Black world that worshipped him. By ceding control to a manipulative white promoter, Dixon was steered through the white power structure of Gilded Age prizefighting, becoming world famous and one of North America’s richest Black men. Unable to hold on to his wealth, however, and battered by his vices, a depleted Dixon was abandoned by his white supporters just as the rising tide of Jim Crow limited both his prospects and the freedom of Blacks nationwide.

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Book Synopsis"Originally published as Der nachste Schritt 2016 by Piper Verlag GmbH, Munchen/Berlin, published under the imprint Malik"--T.p. verso.

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Book SynopsisWritten by a New York Times bestselling author and reporter who “knows the world of professional golf…like few others” (The Wall Street Journal) comes “the most insightful and evenhanded book written yet about one of the signature athletes of the last twenty-five years” (Booklist, starred review) detailing Tiger Woods’s remarkable comeback and his journey back into winner’s circle. Tiger Woods’s long descent into a personal and professional hell reached bottom in the early hours of Memorial Day in 2017. Woods’s DUI arrest that night came on the heels of a desperate spinal surgery, just weeks after he told close friends he might never play tournament golf again. His mug shot and alarming arrest video were painful to look at and, for Woods, a deep humiliation. The former paragon of discipline now found himself hopelessly lost and out of control, exposed for all the world to see. That episode could have marked the beginning of Tiger’s end. It proved to be the opposite. Instead of sinking beneath the public disgrace of drug abuse and the private despair of a battered and ailing body, Woods embarked on the long road to redeeming himself. In The Second Life of Tiger Woods, Michael Bamberger, who has covered Woods since the golfer was an amateur, draws upon his deep network of sources inside locker rooms, caddie yards, clubhouses, fitness trailers, and back offices to tell the true and inspiring story of the legend’s return. Packed with new information and graced by insight, Bamberger’s story reveals how this iconic athlete clawed his way back to the top. This is a “gripping” (Kirkus Reviews) and intimate portrait of a man who has spent his life in front of the camera but has done his best to make sure he was never really known. Here is Tiger, barefoot, in handcuffs, showing a police officer a witty and self-deprecating side of himself that the public never sees. Here is Tiger on the verge of tears with his children at the British Open. Here is Tiger trying to express his gratitude to his mother at a ceremony at the Rose Garden. In these pages, Tiger is funny, cold, generous, self-absorbed, inspiring—and real. The Second Life of Tiger Woods is not only the saga of an exceptional man but also a celebration of second chances. Bamberger’s bracingly honest book is about what Tiger Woods did, and about what any of us can do, when we face our demons head-on.Trade Review“Thoughtful . . . Readers will find fascinating gems . . . Mr. Bamberger goes out of his way to be fair, clearly distinguishing between what we can know and what we will probably never know. His speculations about the private Woods, always labeled as such, are informed by his more than three decades of golf reporting and five previous books about golf, including one about caddying for a tour pro. He knows the world of professional golf, and the pressures it exacts, like few others.” —John Paul Newport, The Wall Street Journal “A sensational read . . . [Bamberger is] an outstanding reporter. . . . The number of insights, stories and well-labeled legends of hazy lineage are all presented in Bamberger’s inimitable style . . . The ride is filled with plenty of stellar anecdotes for lovers of all things golf. . . . Since we have no 2020 Masters to watch, reliving everything leading up to Tiger’s fifth title is well worth the ride, even if the road was bumpier than we’d prefer to recall.” —Geoff Shackelford “Insightful and entertaining . . . When it comes to golf writing, Michael Bamberger is akin to a feel player. The longtime Sports Illustrated and current Golf Magazine scribe relies on a keen eye for detail, instincts developed over decades around the game and innate writing gifts.” —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel “Love Tiger Woods? Loathe him? There’s something in this book for everyone. . . . Bamberger is unafraid to look into some of the darker corners of Woods’ life, including his rumored PED use. The book ends on a high note, though, with Woods’ unforgettable win in last year’s Masters Tournament. Bamberger’s writing style is easygoing and loose-limbed, as smooth and natural-feeling as Freddie Couples’ swing.” —Monte Burke, Forbes “Reading The Second Life of Tiger Woods is like playing a great golf course without prior knowledge of the holes that lie ahead. You know they’re going to be good, and in the end, they add up to something special. To the extent that it’s possible to know what’s in Tiger’s mind, Bamberger delivers. . . . A terrific book.” —Gary D'Amato, Wisconsin Golf “A fantastic book . . . Bamberger takes a look at Woods’ recent years with a discerning but empathetic eye and teaches us new ways to see his most recent journey.” —Dylan Dethier, Golf.com “This may be the most insightful and evenhanded book written yet about one of the signature athletes of the last twenty-five years.” —Booklist (starred review) “Gripping . . . Even non-Tiger fans might find this amazing comeback story appealing.” —Kirkus Reviews “Michael Bamberger is the quiet man of golf journalism. He arrives at scenes, a notebook stuck in his back pocket; he watches, listens, writes and then departs. Players talk to him and he stores it away and the reader should be grateful that he does because there is so much in this book that most people don’t know about Woods, about golf, about the pro game in the US, about Woods’s victory in last year’s Masters. Bamberger has a painter’s eye for detail and a journalist’s ear for a phrase. The story he tells so elegantly here is packed with detail.” —The Times (London) “With compassion and honesty, this book enthrallingly illuminates the extraordinary yet enigmatic comeback of Tiger Woods. Bamberger is a wise and resourceful reporter with an unsurpassed knowledge of the professional game, and he moves effortlessly between inside-the-ropes stories and human insight. I raced through this book joyfully, in about the time it takes to play a round of golf.” —Joseph O’Neill, author of Netherland “The consummate Tour insider . . . Bamberger has written a thoughtful, conscientious, and shrewd assessment of the life of Tiger Woods. . . . Lively, astute, and vigorously reported.” —John Strawn, author of Driving the Green PRAISE FOR OTHER BOOKS BY MICHAEL BAMBERGER * Men in Green * “Maybe the best golf book I’ve ever read.” —Bill Reynolds, Providence Journal “I wish Men in Green were about four hundred pages longer than it is.” —Jeffrey Toobin, New York Times Book Review * The Swinger * “An entertaining, revealing, thought-provoking, and cautionary tale . . . It provides invaluable insight into the life and times of Woods.” —Bill Pennington, The New York Times * To The Linksland * “One of the best golf travel books ever written . . . The book reminds us that the game of golf has many treasures yet to be discovered.” —Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom * This Golfing Life * “The ultimate insider’s view [from] one of the modern game’s brightest observers and finest writers.” —Geoff Shackelford, Golf Observer

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Book Synopsis_____________________________THE NEW YORK TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER on the murder behind the Netflix documentary Killer InsideHe had it all. A $40 million NFL contract. Fame. Adoration – until he was convicted of murder, and jailed for life without parole.A true story told by the master of crime fiction, All-American Murder is the tale of Aaron Hernandez, once the NFL's youngest player, a star for the New England Patriots and a Super Bowl veteran. His every move played out in the headlines, and yet he led a secret life – one that ended in a maximum-security prison. What drove him to go so wrong, so fast?This explosive account of the rise and fall of a life cut short in the dark shadow of fame, culminating in Hernandez's own untimely death behind bars, is built on original, in-depth reporting. Was Hernandez a victim himself, suffering violence-inducing brain damage from the sport that meant everything to him – or was he just a heartless killer?_____________________________‘The man behind the hugely popular Alex Cross series has interviewed those closest to Hernandez to get the full, winding story on the NFL star turned murderer.’ The Sun‘Patterson unravels Hernandez’s complicated and troubling story.’ CBS News'This disturbing true-crime thriller is another fast and captivating Patterson read.' USA TodayTrade ReviewThe man behind the hugely popular Alex Cross series has interviewed those closest to Hernandez to get the full, winding story on the NFL star turned murderer. * Sun *Patterson unravels Hernandez’s complicated and troubling story. * CBS News *This disturbing true-crime thriller is another fast and captivating Patterson read. * USA Today *

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Book Synopsis55 Olympic medals. 6 Tour de France victories. Countless world records and world championship victories. Since the year 2000, British Cycling, Team Sky and INEOS have dominated the sport of cycling to an unprecedented degree. But at what cost? Did Sir David Brailsford, Peter Keen and the other brains behind British Cycling's massive and sudden dominance in the modern era find a winning "Moneyball" formula? Or did their success come down to luck and personal chemistry? Did this organisation, founded on relentless, ruthless efficiency contain contradictions which threatened to overwhelm it, amid accusations of drug-taking, bullying and sexism? The Medal Factory tells the full story from amateurish beginnings through a sports-science revolution to an all-conquering, yet flawed, machine. Through interviews with Brailsford and Keen, Shane Sutton, Fran Millar, Chris Boardman, Sir Chris Hoy and many other key players, Kenny Pryde interrogates the parts of the story - lottery funding, marginal gains - that we think we know, and reveals others that have remained hidden, until now.Trade ReviewA fine, reasoned and informed book * Herald *Pryde has done an excellent job of explaining the other side of the British cycling story, making sense of the machinations behind medal-winning performances. * Road.cc *Pryde's narration of events bears comparison with Matt Rendell's The Death of Marco Pantani, predominantly on the strength of his investigative tenacity, and unquestionably lays claim to pride of place on your bookshelf * TheWashingMachinePost.net *

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Book Synopsis'Terrific ... well-researched, well written' David Winner, author of Brilliant Orange 'Deeply researched...nicely written, and manages to get inside Cruyff's very bizarre head' Simon Kuper Argumentative, brilliant, arrogant, visionary. Johan Cruyff was one of the greatest footballers of all time, a worldwide phenomenon and arguably the most famous Dutchman of the twentieth century. Both on the pitch and from the sidelines as a coach, with his brand of Total Football he changed how the game was played and left a lasting legacy. Although Cruyff led a large part of his illustrious career and life in the spotlight, in many ways Cruyff the man and sportsman is still a complete mystery. Based on years of extensive research, this biography the first to cover all aspects of Cruyff’s life and work, from his key influence in the great Ajax and Netherlands sides of the 1970s to his role inTrade Review'Terrific' -- David Winner, author of Brilliant Orange'Deeply researched...nicely written, and manages to get inside Cruyff's very bizarre head' -- Simon Kuper

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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 SynopsisTheodore 'Tiger' Flowers rose above the racist bigotry of the Deep South to become the first African-American middleweight champion of the world. To do it, this Christian family man beat a boxing legend, Harry Greb, in the first of the great sporting cathedrals, Madison Square Garden. It was a victory that stunned the sporting world and made him a household name. Yet within a year he had lost his championship on a decision some said was influenced by Al Capone - and within another year was dead, following a seemingly innocuous operation, in the clinic of a controversial surgeon, to remove lumps and scars above his eyes. Was his death, at the age of 34, an accident, a result of negligence, or something more sinister? And what was behind his white manager's attempt to throw Tiger's widow into an asylum and their daughter into an orphanage? Flowers' inspiring, harrowing story, set against an horrific backdrop of lynchings and routine prejudice, is largely forgotten now but he paved the way for black sporting heroes like Joe Louis, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson.Trade ReviewSteve Bunce - The Independent. 23rd January 2014 When Tiger Flowers was starting out as prizefighter in the segregated business of boxing, black men were being lynched on the roads he travelled and the Ku Klux Klan, the "invisible empire", was a force in the American south. Flowers fought for the first time for money in 1918, became the first black man to win the world middleweight title in 1926, and the following year, four days after his 159th fight, he died during a routine operation to remove scar tissue from above his eyes. According to a startling and raw new biography, A Tiger Rose out of Georgia by Bob Mee, Flowers travelled 77,629 miles by car and train from 1922-27 for dozens of fights. The facts regularly defy logic: Flowers must have been part-pugilist, part-freak to have survived as long as he did. The relentless schedule inside the ring was matched by a mesmerising itinerary on America's fledgling roads and railroad lines, as Flowers went from fight to fight with seldom more than a week between bells. Flowers was abused by judges and referees and ignored because of his colour for too long and Mee never once, during the tricky compilation of the book, found one instance of anger, hate or retaliation attributed to Flowers. It was not so much a colour line, as Mee points out in the starkest of language, but a colour wall and the gentle fighter never lost his cool. Flowers finally gets his world title fight against the great Harry Greb, a rare white champion who was prepared to fight a black man, in February 1926 at the old Madison Square Garden. It's a savage brawl with fouls in every round and at the end Flowers gets a tight decision. It was a mixed crowd, something that Flowers, more than any other black fighter is given the credit for making a reality, though he did mostly appear on "blacks only" fight nights - the "merry-go-round of the black circuit". Inevitably, the same names come up and he met some men five and six times, doing 65 rounds with Jamaica Kid and taking on a Detroit slugger called Whitey Black three times. Flowers had met Greb in a non-title fight in the summer of 1924 and Greb insisted the "no-decision rule was in place". Greb kept his title but Flowers won easily according to the ringside gathering and that meant he would be kept waiting for his title chance. The month after that first fight with Greb it was back to the road and Flowers would fight 46 times in 18 months of "keeping busy" before taking the title. Flowers beat Greb in a rematch, lost to Mickey Walker the following year in what was probably a fix and was busy up until the very end. His funeral in Atlanta was a big event for both black and white citizens and two streets in the Georgian city carry the name of its greatest fighter. The death of Flowers is given a literary autopsy in the book and Mee's exploration of the operating quack's credentials even raises considerable doubt over the cause of Tiger's death, which came at a time when he was close to getting a chance to fight for his old title against Walker. It would not be a good boxing book without a tiny tale of mob involvement. Mee is insanely thorough and uncovered many new details, including a blockbuster twist at the end that previous writers had failed to discover during decades of seemingly endless fascination with Flowers. The final thrilling reveal took my breath away and, having worked at ringside with Bob for nearly 30 years, I knew what it would mean to him. It is a book packed with love and when you can say that about a boxing book you know it is worth reading.

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Book SynopsisSix victories, two pole positions, eight fastest laps and 13 podium places - statistics that are anything but striking. In Formula 1 today, there are drivers who have won a great deal more, but Gilles Villeneuve cannot be evaluated by numbers alone - simply because there is no way of measuring the level of excitement that he brought to racing. Even though he has been dead for over 30 years, the legend of the Canadian, who was killed on 8 May 1982, is still imbued with strong emotion - Gilles the "Aviator" as Enzo Ferrari nick-named him, the driver for whom the expression "Villeneuve Fever" was coined. From his "crazy flight" at Fuji in 1977, his first GP win at home in Canada in 1978, the unforgettable 1979 season followed by a year of purgatory, his epic success at Monaco in 1981 and the in-house duel with Didier Pironi at Imola in 1982, to that last "crazy flight" at Zolder. "Gilles Villeneuve: Immagini di una vita/A life in pictures" relives the legend, with previously unpublished pictures and authoritative text by Mario Donnini.

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Book SynopsisNorm Smith is regarded by many as the greatest coach in the history of the Australian Football League, having transformed a battling Melbourne FC into a League heavyweight that won six premierships in 10 seasons (1955-64). In this meticulously researched monument to Smiths life -- enriched by the recollections of more than 100 people, many of whom had played with or under the Demon dictator -- author Ben Collins lays bare the man behind the legend... in all his glories and foibles. In this most captivating analysis of Smith, a portrait emerged of a frightfully hard and brutally honest coach who was ruthless in football but possessed disarming compassion away from the game. This is his story, concurrent with that of his older brother and fellow coach Len Smith, from their childhood in tough, working-class Northcote during the Depression to their status as the most in uential coaches of their generation.

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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.In 1997, Jan Ullrich announced himself to the world by obliterating his rivals in the first mountain stage of the Tour de France. So awesome was his display that it sent shockwaves throughout the world of cycling and invited headlines such as L’Équipe’s ‘The New Giant’. He went on to become Germany’s first ever Tour winner, storming to victory in that edition by almost ten minutes, a result that was greeted as an era-defining changing of the guard. Everyone agreed: Jan Ullrich was the future of cycling. He was soon also voted Germany’s most popular sportsperson of all time, and his rivalry with Lance Armstrong defined the most controversial years of the Tour de France.Now, Daniel Friebe – who has covered twenty-one editions of the Tour de France – has gone in search of the man who was said in 1997 would go on to dominate his sport for a generation, but never quite managed it.Just what did happen to the best who never was?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.Daniel Friebe takes us from the legacy of East Germany’s drugs programme to the pinnacle of pro cycling and asks: what price can you give sporting immortality?Trade ReviewMagnificent -- Matt Dickinson, The TimesA superlative biography as well as social and sporting history * Observer *One of the best books about cycling * The Irish Times *One 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 Race'Masterpiece' is arguably an over-used word, but if ever a book was deserving of such a description, this is probably it - The Washing Machine PostA 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 cyclist, but an interesting character -- Joe Laverick * Cycling Weekly *A fascinating illustration of a richly gifted but deeply flawed character * MSN Ireland *Terrific . . . comprehensive -- Best of 2022, Cycling Plus

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Book SynopsisPete Sampras is a central figure in the history of tennis, the dominant force in the game during the 1990’s, and the greatest American male player of all time. Gradually, after a fairytale finish to his career when he won the 2002 U.S. Open, Sampras was somewhat forgotten by fans who were exhilarated by the exploits of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. In this career biography of the redoubtable Sampras, Hall of Fame author and historian Steve Flink recaptures the magic of the man, recalling the supreme hold he had on his era, and bringing this singularly gifted player vividly back to life.

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Book SynopsisVolume 1 of this all inclusive biography of the legendary Striling Moss covers his early life and career. Starting as a youth with incredible skill, young Stirling Moss quickly caught the eye when racing the 500cc cars invented just after the WWII. He soon ventured abroad and was laughed at for his tiny car – until he beat them. He became the British Champion at 21, something most drivers achieve in their 30's, 40's, or even 50's. Patriotically, Moss insisted on driving British cars, even when outmatched by more powerful, foreign vehicles. He often won. Admirable patriotism nearly ruined his promising career until he was forced to compromise, and quickly revived his career; showing he could beat the very best at the highest levels. In the final year covered by Vol 1, he won his first Grand Prix and such sports car classics as the Tourist Trophy, the Targa Florio, all amazing achievements, but Moss winning the Mille Miglia has gone down as one of the greatest feats in all sport.

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Book SynopsisThe moving true story of an ordinary Welsh woman who dreamed of breeding a race horse, and Dream Alliance, who defied the odds to become a champion and brought a community together.Janet Vokes was working behind the bar in her local working men’s club in the small Welsh mining community of Cefn Fforest when she fixed upon the idea of breeding a racehorse. She'd always loved animals, having dabbled in showing whippets and racing pigeons, and her husband Brian used to be a rag and bone man with a horse of his own. Why shouldn't a working-class horse take on the high flyers in the rarified world of racing? She bought a mare for £350, paired her up with a pedigree stallion and helped to create a syndicate of twenty-three friends from the village – each paying £10 a week – to raise the resulting foal, Dream Alliance. He may have grown up on an allotment but Dream Alliance had star quality, beating all the odds to become a winner at a number of world-class racetracks. Then a terrible injury to his leg threatened not just his career but his life. Refusing to have him put down, the syndicate paid for experimental surgery and Dream Alliance went on to not only make a full recovery but win the Welsh Grand National.Funny and charming, Dream Horse by Janet Vokes is the extraordinary story of a woman who defied the snobbery of the racing world to breed a champion, and a remarkable horse who brought a community together.

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Book SynopsisMiguel Indurain will pass into history not just as the first cyclist to win five straight Tours de France, but also as the standard-bearer for a whole nation. While Spain lived through the dream of his repeated victories the country came to a standstill, for Indur?!in stole people's hearts not just by the number, but by the manner of his victories. Seeing him on the road or away from the action, the gallant loser or the strong, calm victor, the Spanish gained hope, and then faith. And so did many others, for it was the dignity and modesty that Miguel Indur?!in invariably displayed, in victory and defeat, that endeared him to us all. A farmer's son from a small village in Navarra, he never strayed far from his roots, nor did he allow his extraordinary success to go to his head. Javier Garcia Sanchez is a prize-winning novelist with a passion for cycle racing. In this biography of Miguel Indur?!in he takes us on an emotional journey through Indurain's prodigious career. He recounts his exploits and great battles in the saddle, the glory moments and the disappointments, and describes his passions, his ideas, and his land.Trade Review'Not often has a book as insightful as this been written about a leading cyclist - the first biography that fully explains the tempered passion that made Indurain such a great competitor.' John Wilcockson, Velonews

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Book SynopsisBon vivant, racing-car champion, entrepreneur, wheeler-dealer, and champion-maker - this is the life of the irrepressible, effervescent Fred Opert. Opert's journey took him from a brief stint in a New York jail, to a successful career as race-car importer/dealer, race team owner and F1 team manager, before tragedy caused him to walk away from the sport he loved. This fascinating biography follows Fred Opert's whirlwind lifestyle, talent-spotting successes, and the trials and tribulations of managing the ATS F1 team. Detailing the drivers who came up through the ranks with Opert, the book features interviews with many of those who worked with him. It has been written with the co-operation of Opert's family, friends and ex-employees. Forewords by Nico Rosberg, Alan Jones MBE and Keke Rosberg.Trade Reviewa thoroughly readable and very enjoyable book detailing Opert's life and motorsport career. ... The Fred Opert Story an absolute must-buy! - Classic Driver --- [A] story of a likeable, charismatic man who enjoyed a good life, well-lived ... Peter Hill is to be congratulated for this work.- SpeedReaders --- this entertaining book is full of anecdotes and incidents, some of which are scarcely believable! - Speedscene --- an enjoyable read which shed light on a period and area of racing which is not so well known here in Europe - www.silhouet.com --- This entertaining book takes us back to a time when the term "political correctness" did not exist. Peter R. Hill's work is peppered with anecdotes from the wild days of racing in the 1960s and 1970s ... And we can feel from every line - Fred Opert enjoyed this life to the full. - Mathias Brunner (F1 editor @ Speedweek.com) --- At 'stocking filler' price, though, it's a snip. - Historic Motor Racing News --- Want to make it in racing? The Fred Opert Story, priced at $23.52 from Veloce Publishing in the United Kingdom, will tell you what's really involved. - Jim Donnelly On Wheels --- delightful book which, although small in size is large in content - BRDC Bulletin --- Sometimes the most interesting tales are the ones you’ve never heard, and The Fred Opert Story is packed full of them ... With just 160 pages, Opert’s story is relatively short but an enjoyable read. - Octane (UK)Table of ContentsForewords by Nico Rosberg, Alan Jones and others Chapters: His Destiny - Motorsport & Automobiles Entrepreneur & Car Dealer Opert Invents the Rent-A-Race-Drive Business The Canadian Business & Trois-Rivieres - A Little Slice of France in North America Married to Motor Racing Motor Racing Schools The Racer An American in Europe - Formula 2 Team Management Fun On Far-Flung Shores Friendships and a Championship Opert Reaches the Pinnacle of Motor Racing and the Depths of Disappointment Tragedy & The End of Motor Racing Life Beyond Motor Racing The Surrogate Family The Last Weeks Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisBased on extensive interviews, My Left Skate: The Extraordinary Story of Eliezer Sherbatov is a first-person biography of a teenager who had it all on the hockey rink: guts, drive, and exceptional talent. When a freak accident leaves him with a permanent disability and no feeling below his left knee, everyone believes Eliezer's career is over -- everyone except his mother, a professional power skating coach. She teaches Eliezer to skate using the muscles in his upper leg, and after two and half years of operations and rehabilitation, he returns to the rink to become one of Quebec's elite junior players. Still undrafted at age nineteen, Eliezer embarks on a professional career in Europe in the hopes of one day returning to the NHL. His travels lead him to France, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, and to Poland, where he lives and plays hockey just a few kilometres from the Auschwitz death camp, haunted by memories of the past. In its stunning conclusion, My Left Skate describes Eliezer's life in Ukraine and his struggle to escape from war after Russia invades the very region in which he lives and plays.Trade Review"Eliezer Sherbatov scores a hat trick with My Left Skate. This story is wonderfully told: gritty, inspiring, joyful at times and sad at other moments. He deserves to be a hockey hero for all that he has survived." Marty Klinkenberg The Globe and Mail"My Left Skate is a phenomenally inspiring story! I couldnt put it down. Anna Rosner delivers again with her great story telling." NHL Stanley Cup Champion and Indigenous alumni Jamie Leach"All Eliezer Sherbatov ever wanted was the opportunity to suit up for the famed Montreal Canadiens. Though he never made it to the NHL, Sherbatov defied the odds and became a pro hockey player, in part because nobody bothered to measure the size of his heart. Despite his diminutive stature and life-altering injury when he was a teen, Israeli-born Sherbatov played for various clubs throughout Europe and Asia. Author Anna Rosner provides a rollercoaster journey of Sherbatovs life in My Left Skate allowing readers to cheer for him on and off the ice." Toronto sportswriter Sam Laskaris"I have been fortunate to interview a number of Hockey Hall of Famers through the years, and have read many sports-related books, and none of the stories have been more surprising, interesting and just plain enjoyable to read than My Left Skate by Anna Rosner. His story is a TV miniseries needing to be made. The heart and determination of Sherbatov to play the game he loves should be inspiring to readers of all ages." Calvin Daniels, editor of Yorkton This Week, author, and sports journalist"This powerfully written story of Eliezer Sherbatov has multiple layers of determination, perseverance, and courage. It is so much more than a sport story and captures immigration, war, and Jewish pride during trying times. Anna Rosner packed a lot into MY LEFT SKATE, a book for all ages, adults included. It should be in every school library!" Lorna Schultz Nicholson, award-winning author of over 45 books for children and young adults, including the biographies of Alex Ovechkin, Mitch Marner, and Connor McDavid

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Book SynopsisPush until it hurts, then push some moreEven by the standards of a sport that requires enormous stamina and capacity for suffering, Jens Voigt is in a class on his own. Beloved by cycling fans for his madcap one-man breakaways as much as his sense of humour and quotable catchphrases, Jens is one of the most popular personalities in cycling.Jens was born near Hamburg, and came up through the East German system before the Wall came down. He got into the national team through the German army, before signing for his first big team. In many ways he is cycling’s anti-star; despite arguably spending more time at the front of the Tour de France than any other rider he has only worn the yellow jersey twice as his efforts have always been in the service of others.Jens embodies the best of cycling’s qualities – loyalty to his team, sacrifice, and devotion to the sport. He says, ‘I’m not a head person, I’m more of a heart and guts guy. That’s how I race.’ Shut Up Legs is a funny, insightful and entertaining look at the tough realities of professional cycling, told in Jens’s trademark irreverent and inimitable style.Trade ReviewVoigt defied age, logic, and, regularly, common sense, to craft magical, against-all-odds stage wins * Velonews *Cycling's beloved superfreak * Wall Street Journal *Suffering and Voigt are inseparable … but the man is much more than a catchphrase * Cyclist.co.uk *One of the most recognisable and loved riders in the peloton thanks to his fearsome attacks, irrepressible good humour and memorable sound bites * Cycling news *Classic ‘Jensism’ “Shut up legs!” titles a book that appraises the nuts, bolts, and uncharacteristic German sense of humour behind of one of cycling’s most complex and charismatic characters. * GQ *

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Book Synopsis'Speed and danger don't always go together, but it's proper fun when they do.' Guy MartinTruck fitter, ace racer, daredevil, speed junkie, all-round 'character', Guy Martin is just a normal guy, driven to succeed by a passion for speed, whether it is on his daily 20-mile cycle to work – his exploits on the track and for television are extra-curricular and he always makes up for his time away – or on his collection of prized motorcycles.Renowned for a loveable if scattergun personality, Guy is a down-to-earth hero, a modern-day celebrity motivated not by wealth and fame, but by his love of his bikes and trucks. He considers his biggest successes in life are not his race wins or his celebrity status – but his truck MOT pass rates!Guy Martin: Portrait of a Bike Legend charts his eventful life in pictures and recounts Guy's career in front and away from the spotlight. It is the first illustrated biography of a man who doesn't do things by half – if it's not a challenge to life, limb and sanity, then he isn't interested.

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Book Synopsis'How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson is an insightful and interesting book packed with leadership ideas and real life examples taken from the cutting edge of sport that apply in leading any top team or business. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those currently in leadership positions and those aspiring to get there, as Damian Hughes draws out the inspirational qualities required from one of the greatest managers in football.' Stuart Lancaster, England Head Coach, Rugby Football Union In How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson, Professor Damian Hughes distils the primary lessons of Ferguson's phenomenal success as manager at Manchester United and show how you can apply them to you own personal goals. You will learn about Ferguson's approach to people-management, changing mind-sets, visualisation, building confidence and embracing change - all techniques at the heart of turning Manchester United into a winning machine. You will also discover how he remained at the forefront of one of the world's most competitive industries and how to make this count with your own ambition. You will also discover the techniques that Ferguson employed to extract the finest qualities from his team, and discover how to lead other individuals and teams in their pursuit of success within changing times. With exercises for you to work on, drawing from Professor Hughes's practical and academic background within sport, organisation and change psychology, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson is the perfect handbook for the business of winning and managing success.Trade Review"An understanding of the mind's ways is a crucial part of being an elite athlete. I'm always learning about this area and there are always ways to improve. Damian Hughes has helped me become better equipped to deal with the mental stresses I encounter on court. He has helped me to reduce the fuzziness, and see things clearly when under pressure." James Willstrop, World no. 1 squash player

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Book SynopsisThe definitive biography of enigmatic golfer, commentator, and performer David Feherty-one of the most universally beloved figures in the game.John Feinstein, who has spent four decades finding intriguing sports characters and narratives and turning them into classic books, chronicles the life and career of David Feherty. The two have known each other for years, beginning with Feinstein''s work on A Good Walk Spoiled, researched and written at a time when Feherty was an excellent player, who won five times in Europe and was on the ''91 Ryder Cup team, but also a functioning alcoholic. In retirement from the game, Feherty has sobered up, while his golf world persona has only grown in stature. Feherty is now a grand ambassador for golf, a man who is feted by US Presidents and respected by every big name in the game.Feinstein tells hilarious true tales about Feherty''s time in the limelight and interactions with stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Pay

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Buzz Bissinger’s Friday Night Lights is an American classic. With The Mosquito Bowl, he is back with a true story even more colorful and profound. This book too is destined to become a classic. I devoured it.” — John Grisham “Take your pick: This is either the story of the most improbable game of football ever played, an anthem to immigrant America, or a brilliant tribute to an exemplary brotherhood that would be decimated at Okinawa. In every case it’s an indelible account of promising young men themselves hurled into history. Buzz Bissinger has stitched their story together as no one else could, powerfully and seamlessly, offering up a tender-tough tale in his signature high-octane prose.” — Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Witches: Salem, 1692 “Here may be the most uniquely fascinating story ever written about World War II. Like the best of Buzz Bissinger, it is about far more than a football game, or even the war. He’s a gifted narrator and prodigious researcher, and in this book his skills are all on display: indelible characters, a bizarre and remarkably distinct setting, action, drama. . . . A great story told with insight and humor and deep feeling. Do not pass this book by. It is magnificent.” — Mark Bowden, New York Times bestselling author of Black Hawk Down and Hue 1968 "Harrowing, profound, and illuminating, The Mosquito Bowl humanizes war and elevates athletic competition in one fell swoop. Bissinger is the master of showing us life in a single grain of sand, and he has done so brilliantly here. As familiar as the subject of World War II may seem, this book makes you see it in a fresh and exquisite way, with all its pain and triumph rendered in close detail." — Susan Orlean, New York Times bestselling author of On Animals and The Library Book “Stephen Crane famously discovered ‘the rage of conflict’ while watching a college football game. For Buzz Bissinger, football is no metaphor; it is the way into one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Deeply researched, told with extraordinary empathy and verve, The Mosquito Bowl will break your heart.” — Nathaniel Philbrick, National Book Award winning author of In the Heart of the Sea and Travels with George “The Mosquito Bowl is savage, piercing and haunting. Buzz Bissinger has written an utterly heartbreaking saga that fuses the macho glory of college football with the brutality and futility of combat. It is a measure of Bissinger’s singular talent that his searing account is tragic, yet also inspiring and unforgettable.” — David Zucchino, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Wilmington’s Lie "[Bissinger] succeeds brilliantly, interweaving rich back stories of a few superior college football players whose sports careers and lives were upended and often ended by war . . . . it changed the way I thought about World War II." — New York Times Book Review “[This] remarkable work profoundly communicates the experience and importance of the United States Marine Corps while preserving a rich history that our Corps and Nation should never forget.” — From the Citation for the General Wallace M. Greene Award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation “A gripping real-life story.” — Washington Post “There simply aren’t enough ways to tell you just how good The Mosquito Bowl, Buzz Bissinger’s new book remembering a remarkable football game in the depths of the Pacific theater of World War II, is. Here’s one: it’s every bit as good—and maybe even better—than Friday Night Lights." — Mike Vaccaro, New York Post "The Mosquito Bowl adroitly resurrects a long-forgotten episode to explore American values across the generations." — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Bissinger effortlessly combines sports and military history in this gritty account of a football game played by U.S. Marines on Guadalcanal in December 1944 . . . . The book excels in its sweeping yet fine-grained portraits of how these Marines got to Guadalcanal and in the harrowing descriptions of Pacific Theater combat, including the bloody fight for Sugar Loaf Hill on Okinawa. This is a penetrating tale of courage and sacrifice." — Publishers Weekly "College football and World War II: not an obvious combination, but Bissinger handles it brilliantly." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “From the virtuoso of narrative nonfiction and author of Friday Night Lights comes an astounding story, plucked straight from the annals of the Greatest Generation. Bissinger creates, in intricate detail, a composite portrait of young men caught up in the Not-So-Good War. An inspiring tale of heroism and sacrifice.” — Oprah Daily "Fans of Bissinger’s previous books will find a rich character-driven narrative about two of the dirtiest and deadliest battlefields of World War II . . . . Bissinger has found a way to merge sports with World War II to give readers a heartbreaking narrative of what many young men went through in the last days of World War II. Highly recommended." — Library Journal (starred review) "This well-researched and impassioned book not only chronicles a little-known moment in sports history but also offers a poignant snapshot of the tragedy of war." — Booklist "The Mosquito Bowl is not just a book about war. It is, instead, about the men who fought that war. The author brings us rich details about their lives, their hopes, their dreams, and their aspirations, many of which were either delayed, derailed, or destroyed on Okinawa." — New York Journal of Books "In exploring the hearts and souls of those who risked everything for their country, Bissinger’s book defines some of the qualities that make America great—then, now and forever. And such greatness characterizes exceptional men and women around the world. He also showcases the horrors of war and the blunders that cost lives on the battlefield." — Associated Press "While The Mosquito Bowl is seemingly about an ersatz football game, there is far more here than what occurred on a dirt and coral field on an island in the Pacific in 1944." — Bookreporter “The Mosquito Bowl is about so much more than a football game. Buzz Bissinger captures the heart of America in this brilliant story of young men in a brutal war that at once feels long ago but also a part of who we are today.” — Admiral James Stavridis, 16th Supreme Allied Commander and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation “Bissinger brings the Pacific Theater home in this masterpiece of a book, written by an indomitable author who has never been afraid to confront truth in the written word.” — Coast Weekend “Bissinger unearths a profound story during World War II that is much more than a book about a football game.” — Jacksonville First Coast News “This book shows a new side of WWII—and football for that matter—like we have never seen it before. Sports fans, history buffs, and fiction lovers can all find common ground in this captivating read.” — We Are The Mighty

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Book SynopsisWorld champion climber Sasha DiGiulian tells her storyfrom coming of age under the scrutiny of social media, navigating a male-dominated sport, and tackling her most heart-stopping climbsand shares the power of perseverance and positivity.At age six, Sasha DiGiulian stepped into a climbing gym for the first time and was competing within a year. Decked out in all-pink gear and with her blonde hair tied into pigtails, Sasha knew from an early age what it was like to be a girl in a traditionally male-dominated sport, vowing to never sacrifice her femininity to fit in. With a fierce love for the climb and incredible natural talent, Sasha soon won her first National Sport Climbing Championship at only seventeen, and a year later took the title of World Champion.To her fans, it looked like Sasha was on top of the world. But under the accolades, she was just another young woman learning how to handle the intense scrutiny of social media and dealing with body dysmorph

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Book Synopsis'A story of passion, hardship and endurance' - Reinhold Messner'There is much to marvel at in these pages. It taught me a great deal... Enthralling' - Jon Krakauer, bestselling author of Into Thin AirIn this gripping and inspirational book, Jamling Norgay interweaves the story of his Everest summit during the infamously deadly 1996 season with the first real account of his father Tenzing Norgay's historic first ascent with Edmund Hillary in 1953. For Jamling, the climb was a journey of danger and of discovery. Discovery of the spiritual heritage of the Sherpa tradition, of his father's past and of the obsession that makes men and women risk their lives to summit the tallest peak on earth.A classic of mountaineering literature re-issued for the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest, this is a compelling and emotional account of two unbelievable ascents, and of the unique relationship between a father and son.Trade ReviewA story of passion, hardship and endurance * Reinhold Messner, mountaineer and explorer *There is much to marvel at in these pages. It taught me a great deal... Enthralling * Jon Krakauer, bestselling author of Into Thin Air *As profoundly uplifting as it is disturbing, Jamling Tenzing Norgay's revealing account of his quest to understand what led his father to first climb Everest succeeds in every wayGalen Rowell * Galen Rowell, adventure photojournalist and mountaineer *

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Book SynopsisIn 2007, at the age of thirty-four, Mike Tomlin was hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Replacing Hall of Famer Bill Cowher—and two years removed from the team’s Super Bowl XL victory—there was immense pressure on the first-year head coach, who many fans and those in the media were largely unfamiliar with. After five seasons as an assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a single season as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, the hiring came as a surprise to many. From his first day at the helm, numerous questions began to be asked: Was this young coach able to lead a veteran team that still had championship hopes? Could the newly hired, soft-spoken coach be able to fill the shoes of the great Cowher, known for being brash and outspoken? Was his hiring based solely on the “Rooney Rule”—named after Steelers owner Dan Rooney—which states that every team must interview at least one minority candidate for their open head coaching position? Not only did Tomlin rise above the questions and criticism about his credentials, he continued the franchise’s reputation of excellence. The youngest coach to win a Super Bowl in only his second season at the helm, Tomlin has yet to have a losing record in sixteen seasons with the team. He is also the second-most tenured head coach in the league, only behind Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots. But the question still unanswered is, who is Mike Tomlin? Known for giving little to the media and keeping his thoughts and opinions private, those outside the locker room and Steelers offices know little about the future Hall of Fame coach. Even as one of the most successful African American head coaches in NFL history, and one that has handled numerous locker room “personalities” over the years, much of what is written and reported about the coach is only above the surface. That’s where John Harris comes in. A veteran journalist who covered Tomlin’s hiring for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Harris works to pull back the curtain on the mystique behind this “coaching unicorn.” Beginning with his days as a wide receiver at William & Mary, his several years in the college coaching ranks, to getting hired by Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy with the Buccaneers and his single season with the Vikings, Tomlin shares how a young man from Hampton, Virginia, was able to establish himself as a leader of men in a business with so much turnover, earned the respect from his peers and players, and has continued to be someone that is looked up to by so many in the league. With interviews from former players, coaches, and executives, Harris lets readers in on what it’s like to play for Tomlin, why he is (or is not) beloved in Pittsburgh, and how his continued success has helped change the landscape of what NFL franchises look for in hiring a head coach. All from a man that chooses to give all the success to his players and coaches—past and present—than take it for himself: exactly what every franchise hopes for from the leader of their team.

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Book SynopsisMy Story in Black and White is the fascinating story of Newcastle United''s head physio, Derek Wright, and his time at the club from the early 1980s to 2022.Growing up on a tough council estate in a County Durham mining town, Derek''s footballing ability was discovered by Arsenal, who signed him as an apprentice at 16. Injury ended his playing career but he remained in football, becoming the youngest physio in the Football League at Malcolm Macdonald''s Fulham. Big Jack Charlton was on the lookout for a new physio at Newcastle and gave Derek a start at his hometown club. It was the beginning of almost 40 incredible years at the Toon.Derek worked with more than 20 full-time managers and hundreds of players, and his stories provide an insight into the hidden life of a famous football club. Behind-the-scenes experiences with players and managers are interwoven with the historical events of the Magpies, set against the backdrop of a city and Geord

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Book SynopsisFollow the Thunder is the searingly honest autobiography of former Premier League star and record-breaking wonder kid Jason Dozzell, who later faced the consequences of a chaotic life off the field.In February 1984, Jason netted on his debut for hometown club Ipswich Town, at the age of 16 years and 57 days, to become the youngest goalscorer in English top-flight history. It''s a record that still stands.He went on to secure legendary status at his beloved Blues and subsequently made a big-money move to Spurs. Life off the field, however, was always chaotic.In 2019, following a ''slow descent to a dark place'', Jason was convicted of driving under the influence of cocaine. Class A drugs, which had once been consumed for fun, were now being used to take the edge off constant panic attacks and paranoia. A candid interview about his mental-health issues proved a major turning point. It was, he finally realised, good to talk. The last five years have b

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Book Synopsis**A USA TODAY bestseller** A riveting narrative of love and loss, grief and joy, as one woman embarks on a quest for a record on the Pacific Crest Trail. When Emily Halnon lost her beloved mother to a rare uterine cancer at just sixty-six years old, she wanted to do something monumental to honor the person her mother had been: adventurous, courageous, inspiring. Emily’s mom had taken up running in her late forties; she ran her first marathon at fifty. She learned to swim at sixty so she could do triathlons, and she lived through a grim diagnosis with extraordinary joy and strength, still going for long bike rides and walks up until the final weeks before her death. She even went skydiving to celebrate her sixtieth birthday. It was going to take something special to pay tribute to such a remarkable, lifeloving spirit. Emily, already an accomplished ultrarunner (inspired to initially start running by her mother), decided to try to break

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Book Synopsis“The definitive story” (Tyler Kepner, The New York Times baseball columnist) of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s incredible, unparalleled run to break Roger Maris’s home run record and the franchise both men called home.Aaron Judge, the hulking superman who carried an easy aw-shucks demeanor from small-town California to stardom in the Big Apple, had long established his place as one of baseball’s most intimidating power hitters. Baseballs frequently rocketed off his bat like cannon fire, dispatching heat-seeking missiles toward the “Judge’s Chambers” seating area in right field, sending delirious fans scattering for souvenirs. But even in a high-tech universe where computers measure each swing to the nth degree, Roger Maris’s American League mark of sixty-one home runs seemed largely out of reach. It had been more than a decade since baseball wiped clean the stains of its performance-enhanced era, in whic

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Book SynopsisRoger Federer is not only one of the greatest tennis players ever to pick up a racket - if not the greatest - but he is one of the global icons of our time. Characterised by a mixture of passion and calmness, a fierce competitor with a regal bearing, he is both an athlete and an ambassador, a street fighter and a statesman. But who is he really? And what are the experiences and influences that have shaped him into the world figure he is today?This acclaimed biography, first published in 2006 and now fully updated in its ninth edition, traces Federer's life and career, from his first tentative swings with a racket to legendary status. The vastly experienced writer, broadcaster and tennis historian Chris Bowers talked exclusively to many of the people who helped shape the young Roger Federer, and together with his own experiences following Federer's career from his junior title at Wimbledon at age sixteen to his twentieth major title nineteen years later, he presents an affectionate and analytical portrait of one of the great names of modern-day sport. His book has enough information to satisfy the most voracious Federer fan, and enough talking points to keep an argument going until the small hours.In its portrait of Roger Federer - the man, the player, the icon - this masterly biography brings the player's story up to date, while also examining his place in tennis and sporting history.

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Book SynopsisTony Caramanico has lived many lives. A competitive surfer, TV producer, surf shop owner, astute traveler, apprentice and artist, few have experienced more phases of surfing's development than Tony. Unlike more established sports, surfing's pop cultural adoption began largely in the 50s and 60s. While unfortunately a dying breed, those who've played a key role in its development are still around to impart their wisdom. Steeped in experience, their stories of a time before surfing's commercialization told with an off the cuff you should have been there attitude are relatable to all in search of freedom from today's hyper regimented world. With memories rooted in empty white sand beaches, hard yard travel and the endless pursuit of new sensation, surfing's OGs constantly inspire ideas of an untethered existence. This book will be predominantly composed of Tony's art as these pieces are literal representations of his surfing life. These legible journals will provide a unique window into

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Book SynopsisFor two days in late September 1988, Canada’s Ben Johnson was the most celebrated athlete on the planet.Winner of the 100-meter sprint at the Seoul Olympics in a world record 9.79 seconds, he’d just had time to say, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you,” before testing positive for a performance enhancing drug and giving back his medal.Later admitting to steroid use, Johnson has lived in ignominy ever since, but there’s much more to his incredible story. The sprint he won in Seoul has since been called “the dirtiest race in history,” with six of the eight competitors linked to doping infractions. The steroid for which Johnson tested positive was not the steroid he believed he was using. His drug screening was riddled with irregularities and crucial testing evidence was withheld by Olympic officials in Seoul, circumstances that credible experts now say denied Johnson his right to due pr

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Book Synopsis''Bernie is not only a great strategist, but also a great team player and competitor'' Sebastian Vettel***THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*** Race-winning team strategist shows how F1 really works. Welcome to Bernie Collins'' world. Formula 1 drivers are the public face of Grand Prix racing but behind every driver is a team of several hundred people sharing the same passionate desire to win. On race day it''s the Team Strategist who calls the shots, working under immense pressure to make split second and crucial decisions. Through her eyes and experience as a Performance Engineer and Head of Race Strategy, Bernie takes you behind the scenes of a Formula 1 team - both in the factory and at the races - to uncover what it takes to put two Formula 1 cars on the grid and go racing.How to Win a Grand Prix gives incredible insight of the entire process from design and construction, through pre-season testing, and how a team pr

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Book SynopsisStrength, speed and dedication: Cristiano Ronaldo is known throughout the world as a colossus of the modern game.But did you know that he underwent laser heart surgery aged just fifteen to enable him to continue playing the game he loved?Or that Nacional, his first professional club, donated twenty balls and two sets of kits to his youth team in order to sign him?Or how he came to be known as abelhinha -'little bee'- a name he would later pass on to his Yorkshire Terrier?Find out all this and more in Luca Caioli's biography of the global superstar, featuring exclusive insights from those who know him best and even the man himself.

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