Biography: sport Books

Book SynopsisOne week in June. One small island. Raw speed. High risk of fatalities. 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. Three minutes to go. For the first man on the road, hidden dangers exist. And he is the hare that the greyhounds will be chasing. Some racers tell their mechanics, 'I'll see you later for a pint' - just to reinforce the belief that they will.One minutes to go. By the end of the first lap, riders will be howling past at 160pmh. And that's not even the fastest stretch. F1 drivers can crash spectacularly and walk away. Everyone knows that's not the case here.Five seconds. No more time for nerves, for doubts. The TT has begun. How it will end, no-one knows. Ragged Edge

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Book SynopsisHarry Lockett: Football''s Unassuming, Unknown and Unsung Founding Father, is a biography of the man who became first secretary of the Football League and later manager of Stoke Football Club in the late Victorian era.Harry Lockett lived a quite remarkable life. Born to parents who lived in Derby, when football was outlawed, he moved to the Potteries and experienced tragedy as a child, before becoming a well-known athlete, match official and sports administrator.It was those abilities which led to his work in football, while also running a substantial printing business and volunteering for over three decades as an Army Reserve Soldier. He was secretary and treasurer of the Football League, holding power and status until temptation caused his downfall.Lockett did bounce back however, donated time and money to charities, socialised with celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and established a consortium to save Stoke when the club was on the b

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Book SynopsisWest Indies legend Sir Clyde Walcott was one of the greatest cricketers of all time, but he was also an important administrator and activist. This first biography offers a detailed examination of his extraordinary life and achievements. -- .

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE 2023 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEARJOIN THE QUEST TO SURF THE BIGGEST WAVE IN HISTORY.In a small fishing village on the coast of Portugal, a select band of surfers take unimaginable risks, pushing the boundaries of their death-defying sport as they seek to go bigger than ever before.Their goal? To ride the Everest of the ocean - the 100-foot wave.Sports journalist Matt Majendie is welcomed into the inner circle of Nazaré's tight community of big-wave surfers and extreme thrill-seekers, living among them for a season as he chronicles their incredible highs and terrifying lows.Follow the endeavours of Britain's leading big-wave surfer, a former plumber from Devon, Andrew Cotton; trailblazing Brazilian female surfer Maya Gabeira; current World Record holder German Sebastian Steudtner; Portuguese Nic von Rupp and jet-ski driver Sérgio Cosme, nicknamed 'the Guardian Angel of Nazaré' for his daring rescues, in this gripping read.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2022A SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES AND THE GUARDIANThe remarkable untold story of the mercurial cycling prodigy Frank Vandenbroucke, written by William Hill award-winning author Andy McGrath.They called him God. For his grace on a bicycle, for his divine talent, for his heavenly looks. Frank Vandenbroucke had it all, and in the late Nineties he raced with dazzling speed and lived even faster.The Belgian won several of cycling''s most illustrious races, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Paris-Nice and Ghent-Wevelgem. He was a mix of poise and panache who enthralled a generation of cycling fans. Off the bike, he only had one enemy - himself. Vandenbroucke dabbled in nocturnal party sessions mixing sleeping pills and alcohol and regularly fell out with team managers. By 1999 his team had suspended him and this proved to be the start of a long, eventful fall from grace. Depression, a Trade ReviewHow doping killed cycling's 'golden boy'. A shocking, clear-sighted and sympathetic account of a talent destroyed by drugs. -- Melanie Reid * The Times *'With his talent, Frank is the Johan Cruyff of cycling. He could win anything.' * Eddy Merckx *A stunning biography of this troubled individual. 320 pages of brilliance. * Washing Machine Post *Superb. A riveting, warts-an-all dive into a complex, deeply flawed rider and man during professional cycling's lowest ebb. * Cycling Plus *The fact that we know the tragically opaque ending of this story from the start is what lends such a devastating quality to McGrath's careful biography. Soberly told and with a clear affection for its wayward subject, McGrath's account explores the narcotically corrupting power of sport itself. -- Jonathan Liew * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA bestseller in both the UK and the USA on its first publication, this book was the first fully authorised life of world's greatest living footballer. With exclusive access to Pelé, award-winning sports writer Harry Harris charts his meteoric rise from humble beginnings in Brazil to his first international at the age of sixteen. Superb athleticism, speed of thought and execution, and astonishing ball control helped him become the only player to have appeared in three World Cup-winning sides, and to have scored more than 1,200 goals in his senior career, a feat that is now unlikely ever to be equalled, let alone surpassed.Pelé remains the best footballer of all time, despite the extraordinary exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and legends such as Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff. Now revised and updated to bring the story completely up to date, this is a tribute to a world-class sporting hero, a great sportsman and, to this day, an inspiration to millions.

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Book SynopsisOn May 30, 1958, thousands of racing fans poured into the infield at dawn to claim the best seats of the Indianapolis 500, unaware that they were going to witness one of the most notorious wrecks in racing history. Seconds after the green flag, a game of chicken spiraled out of control into a fiery 16-car pile-up that claimed the life of 29-year-old Indiana native and rising star Pat O'Connor. The other drivers escaped death, but the tragic 1958 Indy 500 seemed to leave its mark on them: the surviving drivers were hounded by accidents and terrible crashes, and most would die at tracks around the country. But the tragedy also prompted new regulations and safety precautions like roll bars that would ultimately save hundreds of lives. In The Curse of Indy 500: 1958's Tragic Legacy, veteran sportswriter Stan Sutton profiles the ill-fated race and the careers of the drivers involved, highlighting their lives in the dangerous world of auto racing.Trade Review"In all, the book offers an exciting story of the 1958 Indy 500 and a thought-provoking discussion of its aftermath." * Daily Journal *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments1. A Convoluted Account of the Crash2. A Race-Day Shootout3. May was Busting Out All Over4. O'Connor's Eternal Home5. The City of Railroads6. Deadly Summer of '587. Safety Wasn't First8. Daytona Enters the Picture9. No Average Day at the Teach10. Champion of the Dirt11. How Fast is Too Fast12. O'Connor Victim of Jinx13. Jerry Unser Unlucky Trend Setter14. The Good and Bad of Ed Elisian15. Journeymen Drivers Also Victimized16. Death Common at Langhorne17. The Short Career of Bobby Ball18. Speedway Claims Bettenhausen19. Tony's Legacy Continues20. Check Out Those Helmets21. Keller in Vukovich Crash22. Thomson Known for Bravery23. Among All Else, Foyt is Survivor24. Sachs Almost Won in '6125. The Little Car that Could26. Everyone Loved the Novi27. Innocent Victims28. Sport Loses Two Good Men29. He Was a Wonderful Gentleman30. Fire and Fear are Synonymous31. Just Get Over It32. Danger Highest on Short Tracks33. '58 Drivers Can't Escape Fate34. Dodge Loses in Photo Finish35. Phrase Almost Prophetic36. Later that Night he was Gone37. Jud Larson, A Breed Apart38. A New Rival for Indy39. Ward's Time Finally Arrives40. Dick is Jim and Jim is Dick41. Ward Walks Away42. Major Celebrities Missed Race43. Dick, the Other Rathmann44. Hollywood Comes to Indy45. Fans Fall to Their Death46. Goldsmith was Multi-dimensional47. The Lady Lost her Life48. Indy Among Top 10 Dangerous Tracks49. The Former Winner's Last Race50. Death Wasn't Only Bad Result51. Most Great Indy Drivers Survived52. Mario Survives Spectacular Flip53. The Most Deadly Sport?54. The Trials of Cal Niday55. Weyant the Oldest Survivor56. Stewart Pushes for Safety57. He was Still Alive58. Lower Leg Injuries were Prevalent59. Flying Starts Can Be Frightening60. Getting Out While Getting's Good61. Major Survivable Crashes62. No Chance of Survival63. Bill Cheesbourg, One of a Kind64. Sutton Retired After Seeing Kenyon Wreck65. Turner Did a Turnover66. Boyd Saw A Lot of Action67. Speed and Safety May Not Mix

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Book Synopsis‘The definitive work on Diego Maradona’ The 42 'One of football’s greatest stories ... this is the best football book in ages' Goal 'A modern footballing classic' FHM _________________________ Anyone doubting that Diego Maradona was more than just a football player had only to witness the outpourings after his death on November 25th 2020. During his tempestuous life and career, he played for top clubs in South America and Europe, notably Napoli where he became an adored hero and adopted son, and grew to be a legend in his homeland of Argentina after leading them to victory in the 1986 World Cup. Having gained access to his inner circle, Jimmy Burns traces Maradona’s life from the slums of Buenos Aires, where he was born, through his great years of triumph, to the United States from where, in 1994, he was ignobly expelled after undergoing a positive drugs test. He also tells of his failed attempt to bring further glory to Argentina as coach in the 2010 World Cup, and ultimately, his tragic decline and recent death. Widely regarded as the best and most revealing account of the highs, lows, genius and flaws of arguably the greatest footballer of all time, this biography inspired Asif Kapadia’s award-winning 2019 film Diego Maradona. _________________________ 'Excellent and well-researched' Sunday Times ‘I finished it thinking how great it would be to make something on Diego Maradona one day’ Asif Kapadia, director of Diego MaradonaTrade ReviewIf [those interviewed in this book] are my friends, I prefer to have enemies -- Diego MaradonaBurns’ forensic skills are to the fore in this deft, perceptive study of politics, corruption, exploitation and the occasional dash of genuine sporting genius * Time Out *An excellent book … The seamy backstairs politics of international soccer have never been more tellingly exposed * Financial Times *The Hand of God is illuminating and atmospheric as it cuts through the web of myth, mystery and full-blooded hypocrisy * Irish Times *Maradona’s life is one of grotesque farce ... Gazza’s career compared with this looks like Emmerdale sat next to the Borgias * Peter Davies, author of All Played Out *A compelling cocktail of celebration and cheating * Daily Mail *Excellent and well-researched * Sunday Times *Jaw-on-the-floor fascinating. A modern footballing classic * FHM *I finished it thinking how great it would be to make something on Diego Maradona -- Asif Kapadia, director of the award-winning film Diego MaradonaLove or hate the man, his is one of football’s greatest stories and so this is the best football book in ages * Goal *The definitive work on Diego Maradona * The 42 *A violent mix of sporting brilliance and personal disgrace * Daily Mirror *Shows that Maradona has got a lot of soul -- Noal Gallagher, Oasis

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Book SynopsisFootball's Braveheart is the riveting life story of Dave Mackay, the fearless, skilled, heroic and barrel-chested left-half who was an icon for Spurs, Hearts, Derby and Scotland. Off the field, Dave was a humble, fair-minded, sociable man. On it, he was an out-and-out winner, a warrior and inspiration with consummate ball skills and intelligence. The heartbeat of Spurs' double-winning side of 1961, he came back after two broken legs to add to a glittering trophy collection started at Hearts. After his playing career, Mackay distinguished himself as a title-winning manager with Derby County. A legends' legend, he was lauded by George Best as the hardest and bravest opponent he ever faced. Fabled managers Bill Nicholson (Spurs) and Brian Clough (Derby) hailed him as their best signing, and other admirers included Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson. Author Mike Donovan has gained exclusive, first-hand insights from those who knew Mackay best to bring you the definitive story of a man who made an indelible mark on football.

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE. 'I kill a man and most people forgive me. However, I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.'      On 24 March 1962, when Emile Griffith stepped into the ring in Madison Square Garden to defend his world title against Benny Paret, he was filled with rage. During their weigh-in, the Cuban challenger had denounced Griffith as a 'faggot' and minced towards him. In the macho world of boxing, where fighters know they are engaged in the hurt game, there could be no greater insult. At that time, it was illegal for people of the same gender to have sex, or even for a bar to knowingly serve a drink to a gay person. It was an insinuation that could have had dangerous consequences for Griffith - especially as it was true.      In the fight that followed, Griffith pounded Paret into unconsciousness, and the Cuban would die soon after, leaving Grif

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Book SynopsisPeel back the layers and get to the core of a life that nurtured and nourished generations of India's best cricketing talent.

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Book Synopsis'This terrific biography...well-researched, well written' David Winner '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 in creating the modern footballing phenomenon tTrade Review'This terrific biography... Since his death, [Cruyff's] status had grown to that of a demi-god in both Amsterdam and Barcelona, but as Auke Kok’s well-researched, well-written book reveals, he was troubled and sulphurous, too. Kok is one of the Netherlands’ most respected journalists, and his Cruyff emerges as a vulnerable, isolated and often tragic figure... Kok provides any number of revealing insights into his original thinking and methods.' -- David Winner, author of Brilliant Orange * Irish Independent *'Deeply researched...nicely written, and manages to get inside Cruyff's very bizarre head' -- Simon Kuper, author of Football Against the Enemy and Barca

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Book SynopsisNow a documentary narrated by Common, produced by Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade, and 9th Wonder, from filmmaker Mary Mazzio. The inspiring, and moving true story of a group of young men growing up on Chicago's West side who form the first all-black high school rowing team in the nation, and in doing so not only transform a sport, but their lives.

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Book SynopsisExperience the action of Formula 1 through the eyes of an award-winning Team Strategist

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Book SynopsisThe most complete and rounded picture of Matt Busby - the man and themanager - ever written, from an author widely regarded as the best ManchesterUnited historian alive today. Contains never-before-heard interviews with Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson and other key Manchester United figures.

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Book Synopsis?I?m proud to call George a mentor and a friend.? ?Michael JordanOrphaned at just thirteen in a still-segregated Washington, D.C., George Raveling was introduced to a relatively unpopular sport?basketball?in high school. The rest, as they say, is history. Raveling went on to become one of the winningest coaches of all time, a mentor to legendary athletes, and a confidant of the sport?s greatest coaches, including Bob Knight and John Wooden. He convinced Michael Jordan to collaborate with Nike on the Air Jordan. He led the 1984 U.S. men?s Olympic team to their ninth gold medal. He even once owned the original, handwritten copy of Dr. King?s most famous speech after an unlikely stint as a bodyguard during the famous March on Washington.Here, Coach Raveling tells the story of his extraordinary ascent, sharing incredible behind-the-scenes stories of his days working with the best in the game. But this book is more than a memoir?it?s a manual for life that presents surprising methods for harnessing your potential from a man who shaped the careers of so many legends. Raveling imparts lessons learned from his grandmother, his long career in basketball, and his lifelong habit of reading?to which he credits all his success.Whether you?re an athlete, a leader, a parent, a student, or simply seeking to mold your raw talent into greatness, What You?re Made For is a blueprint for your life.

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Book SynopsisAlfie was the teen with magic dust in his boots - the youngest Ranger to play in Europe, then the 'King of White Hart Lane'. But he shocked the footballing world by hooking up with Jock Stein at Celtic. Alfie's goal is to set the record straight - by telling the truth about his time on both sides of the Old Firm divide.

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Book SynopsisAlan Gilzean was a truly great footballer, winning the league with Dundee and four trophies with Tottenham Hotspur; After a fan on a Spurs internet forum claimed that Gilzean was living as a down-and-out, James Morgan sets out to restore the legacy of an iconic footballer. Updated with prologue and epilogue following Gilzean's death in July 2018

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year'Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story' - Mike Tyson'The real life of the Great One' - George ForemanMore words have been written about Muhammad Ali than almost anyone else. He was, without doubt, the world's most-loved sportsman. At the height of his celebrity he was the most famous person in the world. And yet, until now, the one voice missing belonged to the man who knew him best - his only sibling, and best friend, Rahaman Ali.No one was closer to Ali than Rahaman. Born Cassius and Rudolph Arnett Clay, the two brothers grew up together, lived together, trained together, travelled together, and fought together in the street and in the ring.A constant fixture in his sibling's company, Rahaman saw Ali at both his best and his worst: the relentless prankster and the jealous older brother, the outspoken advocate, the husband and father. In My Brother, Muhammad Ali, he is able to offer a surprising insider's perspective on the well-known stories, as well as never-before-told tales, painting a rich portrait of a proud, relentlessly polarizing, yet often vulnerable man. In this extraordinary, poignant memoir, Rahaman tells a much bigger and more personal story than in any other book on the great man - that of two brothers, almost inseparable from birth to death. It is the final and most important perspective on one of the most iconic figures of the last century.Trade ReviewHeart-warming, multi-faceted and hard-hitting [...] Thanks to Rahaman's powerful storytelling ability, My Brother, Muhammad Ali shares with the world a tale unlike any other biography on Muhammad Ali * Fox Sports *No one knew Muhammad Ali better than Rahaman, and he provides a welcome and insightful addition to the extensive Ali literature * Sunday Times *Rahaman was alongside Muhammad Ali all the way, from his street-fighting teenage days, loving home life, soaring fame, marriages, troubles, notoriety, highs and lows. In this long-overdue book, he takes us inside the legend's head and home [...] And just like the man, the book never stops surprising. A must for fight fans * Sunday Sport *Rahaman has, at last, written the definitive biography on his late brother, which tells the real Ali story * Mike Tyson *The real life of the Great One * George Foreman *It seems there is a bottomless supply of revelations about Muhammad Ali, one of the most written-about men in history. Yet more insights come in a book by his brother, Rahaman. From Ali's difficult birth to how he had to be rescued from financial difficulty after he stopped boxing and on to the tenderness of his last hours with his family, the story of The Greatest Of All Time is retold from the inside by his younger sibling * Jeff Powell, Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for Biography of the Year at the Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2020Shortlisted for Adventure Travel Book of the Year at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards 2020On June 3rd 2017, professional climber Mark Synnott was in Yosemite to witness something that only a handful of people knew was about to occur: his friend, Alex Honnold, was going to attempt to summit one of the world's most challenging ascents, a route called Freerider on the notorious rock formation El Capitan. It is an extraordinarily dangerous and difficult climb, and yet Alex was going to do it 'free solo'. Meaning no help. No partner. No equipment. No rope. Where a single small mistake would mean certain death. Indeed, to summit El Cap free solo was a feat likened to Neil Armstrong first walking on the moon.As Alex plots, rehearses and ultimately attempts his heart-stopping ascent, Mark also shares his own personal history of climbing, filled with triumphs, defeats and dilemmas, in this deeply reported, inspiring exhortation to live life to the fullest.Trade ReviewAn enthralling new book. Few sports have as rich and varied a literature as climbing...and this gripping work from the vastly experienced mountaineer and adventurer Mark Synnott is a magnificent addition to the canon...This compelling book reads like a thriller as it ranges over the rarefied world of extreme climbing. * Daily Mail *With the possible exception of the lunar landings, free-soloing El Capitan may rank as one of the most audacious--and terrifying--things a human being has ever done. Synnott's narrative plasters you to a 3,000-foot granite cliff and doesn't let you go until the climb is done. It is one of the most compelling accounts of a climb and the climbing ethos that I've ever read. -- Sebastian Junger, author of THE PERFECT STORMImmensely enjoyable. Tapping his own impressive mountaineering resume, Mark Synnott dives deep into the rebellious counterculture of extreme climbing to get inside the head of Alex Honnold, the planet's foremost rock climber. What motivated Honnold to free climb El Capitan without a rope? "Because it's there" doesn't come close to explaining it. Synnott's The Impossible Climb does. -- Andy Hall, author of DENALI'S HOWLMark Synnott's The Impossible Climb is to climbing what William Finnegan's Barbarian Days is to surfing. -- John Long, writer, producer, and pioneer of 'free solo' rock climbingYes, The Impossible Climb is the gripping story of the most perilous rock ascent of all time - but it's much more than that. In seamlessly fusing memoir, reporting, social history, climbing lore, technical expertise and intimate glimpses of his tribe, Mark Synnott has given us a kind of epic of life on the edge. Even readers who have never set toe to rock are going to find themselves glued to this insanely brilliant account of extreme athletic ambition and endurance. -- David Laskin, author of THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARDAn accomplished portrait of two remarkable lives * New York Times Book Review *Fast paced and enjoyable. * Wall Street Journal *Synnott, with the skill of a master craftsman, weaves into this text stories about Alex's climbing. . . . fascinating reading. . . . Synnott uses his experience both as a climber and as a writer to paint an incredible canvas. The Impossible Climb is not to be missed. -- Keith Sharples * Climber *Table of ContentsPart One: Youth 1: "The Hon Is Going to Solo El Cap" 2: Crazy Kids of America 3: A Vision of the Stonemasters' Lightning 4: The Stone Monkey Part Two: The Professional World 5: Crashing the Gravy Train on the Vertical Mile 6: The Secret Weapon, Mr. Safety, and Xiao Pung 7: Nonprofit 8: Secret Dawn Walls Part Two: Topping Out 9: Amygdala 10: The Source 11: "Her Attitude Is Awesome" 12: Fun

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Book SynopsisMeticulously researched, engagingly written, and complete with photographs from Shelby’s personal collection, Carroll Shelby: The Authorized Biography is a magnificent and lasting tribute to one of the twentieth century’s greatest automotive figures.Trade Review"...the book is worth adding to a personal automotive library" - The New York Times“This biography is not the usual fluff. Here at last is the real, raw, high octane truth, right from Shelby’s first memory as a child through to the present day. Mills has it all in fascinating detail that can be as outrageous as it is funny. It’s all there including the whole deeply researched early automotive history in Texas with Jim Hall, Shelby’s racing days in Europe and, of course, the legendary Cobra and Ford eras, as well as the years with Toyota and Chrysler and including Carroll’s “lost” years in Africa. It’s all etched deeply in the pages of this fantastic 400+ page volume that took Mills several years to research and write. In his almost nine decades Shelby managed to surround himself with incredible talent and wily scoundrels who created as many byzantine problems as stellar triumphs that made Shelby one of the most colorful and controversial characters of our time. I personally recommend this fine book as one of the most interesting and intriguing biographies you’ll ever have a chance to read. Having spent several years of my life with Shelby I thought I knew more than most…I wasn’t even close. Rinsey has it all.” - Peter Brock“Carroll Shelby: The Authorized Biography by Rinsey Mills has set a tough standard for any future books on Shelby the man because he covers so many areas so thoroughly there’s almost nothing else anyone could add – no new area to shine light on. We’re glad to see that Mills’ biography got published while Shelby was still there to add to it and to steer the author to sources who could come up with a lot of information that’s new. The best part is the price. With a suggested retail price of $35.00 (and lower online), the price represents a real bargain for a book that will take you a whole weekend to read.” – SportsCarMarket.com“Anyone who reads the book will come away with a far larger appreciation for just how good he was. This was not a guy who dipped his toe into the whole racing thing and built some cars, Carroll Shelby was a world class driver on the level of Moss and Fangio in his era. He was a factory driver for Aston Martin and drove nearly every exotic high end piece of iron made in the 1950s and early 1960s. From Maserati’s to Allard’s he was there and winning in them. If you want the most academic account of Shelby’s racing life that has ever been written and realistically will ever be written, this is the book for you.” – Bangshift.com“For Carroll Shelby: The Authorized Biography, author Rinsey Mills received full cooperation from Shelby, who sat down with Mills on numerous occasions for interviews. Mills also interviewed family members, friends, and former Shelby American employees/drivers like Chuck Cantwell, Allen Grant, Pete Brock, and Bob Bondurant. Many of the photos are from Carroll Shelby’s personal collection and have never been published before. Cobra and Shelby Mustang enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the majority of the 464-page book covers the 1962-1967 time period, from the building of the first Cobra and the formation of Shelby American to the company’s third and final win at LeMans. But the book starts with Shelby’s birth and childhood in Texas and follows his early success as a race car driver before heart problems forced him to hang up his helmet in 1960. We can’t wait to read it.” – MustangMonthly.com"The result is the best, most complete and most reliable of version of the Shelby story, and as someone who has personally written his own error-riddled stories about Shelby (and corrected the error-riddled stories of others), it’s a relief to read something about Shelby that isn’t overcome with hype. This is a unique and invaluable piece of Carroll Shelby lore." - Edmunds.com InsideLine "This is the book that everyone in the Shelby world has been waiting for. Despite the flow of publicity, what was lacking - and has been lacking for 50 years - is the story behind the story. That narrative has been ably provided by Rinsey Mills. He comes to the fore with no shortage of Cobra experience. Other books about Carroll Shelby will certainly be written, but none as thoroughly researched or with so much attention to detail as this one. It is a comprehensive and sometimes confusing story; Mills perseveres and gets it right." - Shelby American Automobile Club "Shelby's life and achievements are succinctly summarized in Carroll Shelby: The Authorized Biography. Rinsey Mills, who has written several auto-related books including three about Cobras, the authorized biography leaves no stone unturned. Mills has shone a set of high-intensity driving lights on Shelby's life, and he spent years interviewing not only the man himself, but also his family (including ex-wives), and those most closely connected to his various ventures." - Canada.com "Carroll Shelby: That Authorized Biography is a nice way to remember the man and the legend. With lots of images from Shelby's own collection, this is a book that any enthusiast would enjoy." - AutoWeek"Biography goes full throttle to keep pace with Cobra founder." - Denver PostTable of ContentsForeword by Edsel B. Ford II 1 The Boy from East Texas 2 The Army Air Force 3 Children, Trucks, and Chicken 4 Racing for Real 5 Foreign Representative 6 Record-Breaking and the Mexican Road Race 7 Guiberson’s Ferraris 8 Italian Summer 9 Moving On 10 Unrestricted National Champion 11 In Hemingway’s Footsteps 12 Carroll Shelby Sport Cars 13 Mainly Maseratis 14 Looking to the Future 15 Back to The Bahamas and a Kidnapping in Cuba 16 A Season in Europe 17 The Writing on the Wall 18 Works Driver 19 Victory at Le Mans 20 Aston Takes the Championship 21 El Paso by Sundown, Nassau by Night 22 “Lucky” Experiences 23 The Last Laps 24 Starting Afresh 25 Out into the Sunshine 26 The Cobra is Born 27 Let the Racing Begin 28 The Watershed Year 29 Further Ambitions 30 World Championship Bid 31 Over to Europe 32 A New Era 33 Upping the Ante 34 Getting the Job Done 35 Trials and Tribulations 36 The Price of Success 37 One More Time 38 Fresh Horizons 39 Off to Africa 40 Dodging Around 41 Rejuvenation 42 The First One 43 Millennium Man Author’s Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisGreg LeMond, ''L''Americain'': fresh-faced, prodigious newcomer. This is supposed to be his year.Bernard Hinault, ''The Badger'': aggressive, headstrong, five-time winner of the Tour. He has pledged his unwavering support to his team mate, LeMond.The team is everything in cycling, so the world watches, stunned, as LeMond and Hinault''s explosive rivalry plays out over three high-octane weeks. Slaying the Badger relives the adrenaline and agony as LeMond battles to become the first American to win the Tour, with the Badger relentlessly on the attack.Includes brand new material for the paperback.Trade ReviewExcellent. * Rouleur *Moore entertainingly unravels the complexities of the relationships within the peloton during a three-week stage race, the sort of battle in which alliances can shift from one mountain peak to another and your enemy's enemy can suddenly become your most valued friend -- Richard Williams * Guardian *From the opening pages this is a book that grips. Combining great insight, interviews and anecdotes with wonderfully vivid writing, it is thoroughly researched and well written. Like the event itself, the book is so engrossing, you don't want it to end * Scotland on Sunday *As a matter of some urgency, arm yourself first with Slaying the Badger by Richard Moore and immerse yourself in the epic story of the 1986 Tour and the two greatest riders of their era. ... The race and the book builds towards a gripping page turning climax which you don't want to end -- Bredan Gallagher * Daily Telegraph *A gripping narrative of this psychological and physical three-week war... It is good to be reminded that the race used to have twice-a-day stages, that helmets didn't always obscure the riders and that technology once had little place in the Tour * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisA major in-depth biography of Sven-Goran Eriksson – the first foreign manager of the England football team – which chronicles his time in the hot seat, from taking over from Kevin Keegan, the story of the 2002 World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea, through to the 2004 European Championships.Trade Review‘A thorough and methodical biography … ’ FourFourTwo ‘A perceptive and thorough analysis of the man and his style’ The Observer

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Book SynopsisA searching and at times harrowing re-appraisal of the life of Evel Knievel, the seventies American icon and the greatest daredevil motorcyclist that ever lived. Now fully updated in paperback with the story of the last few years of his life and his death in 2007.Stuart Barker''s definitive biography captures the super-star status that Knievel held and also examines the marketing phenomenon of a man who once boasted he made $60 million and blew $63 million'.Born in the town of Butte, Montana in 1938, Robert Craig Knievel was an outstanding athlete, ski jumper and ice hockey player at school. His early jobs included working in the copper mines and driving a bus as well as a stint in the US Army, but he always subsidised his income through crime (''I could crack a safe with one hand tied behind my back quicker than you could eat a hamburger with two.'')He used bikes to escape from the police and eventually hit upon the idea of jumping them after seeing a stunt driver jump cars at a stateTrade Review‘An informative and respectful reworking of the Knievel legend’ Manchester Evening News

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Book SynopsisSince England’s famous 1966 World Cup victory, Alf Ramsey has been regarded as the greatest of all British football managers. By placing Ramsey in an historical context, award-winning author Leo McKinstry provides a thought-provoking insight into the world of professional football and the fabric of British society over the span of his life.Trade Review'McKinstry's book is a near masterpiece of biographical investigation’ Daily Mail 'Delivers the goods…McKinstry's great merit is his ability to debunk some of the myths surrounding Ramsey' Spectator 'An outstanding biography' The Sunday Times ‘Magnificent…an eloquent and empathetic book’ Glasgow Herald ‘The first truly comprehensive biography of England’s greatest manager’ Irish News 'For those interested in just how much our national game has changed and just how shabbily Ramsey was treated by the establishment, it is truly enlightening.' Derby Evening Telegraph 'McKinstry never shies away from Ramsay's nastier side, and his mistakes. Without passing judgement, he manages to paint a very well-rounded picture of a man who evoked strong feelings from those who knew him.' Cambrian News ‘This summer, football enthusiasts should not dare pack a bucket and spade without taking Leo McKinstry’s commanding biography of England’s first, best and by far most interesting manager.’ The Oldie

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Book SynopsisThe history of modern British football can largely be written through the stories of Jack and Bobby Charlton. Both were in the World Cup winning team of ‘66, and each has remained deeply involved in the game ever since.

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Book SynopsisEvery winner of an Olympic event has had to work hard to get to the top, but some have to work even harder to succeed. Find out which athletes have overcome racial inequality, illness and disabilities to earn their medals.Green/Band 5 books offer early readers patterned language and varied characters.Text type: An information bookCurriculum Links: Citizenship: Living in a diverse worldThis book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisEddy Merckx. Fausto Coppi. Jacques Anquetil. Bernard Hinault. Beryl Burton. Marianne Vos.Since the first road race in May 1869, revealed here for the very first time, cycle road racing has been dominated by iconic cyclists who redefined endurance and fortitude. The battles facing these cyclists are not fought over just one race, but an annual series beginning with the Spring Classics and culminating in the three great tours the Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España and the Tour de France before the cyclists retire to lick their wounds and start on another winter of training.How were the great races founded and developed? How have the great riders stamped their authority on them through the ages? Truly international in scope, looking at road racing in North and Latin America, Australia, Africa and Asia, as well as continental Europe, The Call of the Road is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the history, tactics or personalities of cycle road racing.Trade ReviewPraise for Chris Sidwells: ‘An intriguing read for almost any reader, not only those who are interested in cycling’ Tuam Herald ‘[An] engaging and accessible account of the race’s history’ Sunday Business Post

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Book SynopsisA brilliant, funny and insightful analysis of Paul Gascoigne's crazy up and downs during his three years at Lazio a period which shows his entire career in microcosm.4th July, 1990.Turin, ItalyEngland are on the brink of reaching their first World Cup final in 24 years. Twenty-three-year old Paul Gascoigne has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament. His athleticism, speed of thought and incredible natural gifts have given England fans renewed faith in their perennially underachieving national side.Then in the 99th minute of a tense semi-final against Germany, Gascoigne lunges into a mistimed tackle. The ref awards him his second yellow card of the tournament, meaning that if England were to win, he would miss the final. Gascoigne turns away, tries to hold it together, but can't. Floods of tears run down his face. We understand. We feel his pain and anguish. The legend of Gazza is born.Two years later, after an injury-stricken season at Spurs, he arrives at Lazio for a then r

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Book SynopsisCharlton Athletic represent a model of how a Premiership football club should be run. Former manager Alan Curbishley reveals the secrets of the club's success from the boardroom and manager's office down to the dressing room and pitchside and reflects on how the club went from homeless strugglers to challenging football's elite.Alan Curbishley encountered most of football''s ill winds during the 15 years he was coach, co-manager, then sole manager of Charlton a club once homeless, with gates of less than 3000, forced to sell players to pay the wages and to buy replacement kit for the first team, and teetering on the brink of extinction.Galvanised by fans, staff, forward-thinking board members and a shrewd manager, the Addicks now find themselves firmly established with the Premiership big boys and a shining example of how a successful football club should be run.In his book, Curbishley opens the lid on the soap opera that is Charlton FC. He writes about the political manoeuvrings behind the club''s departure and then emotional return to The Valley. He describes how the they were torn asunder by drugs allegations involving three of its players, including a youthful Lee Bowyer. He re-lives the tortuous rollercoaster ride of falling out of the Premiership two years later before returning in 1999/2000. And he gives an insider''s view of the club''s success in establishing itself in the world's toughest league, including a full update on their 2005/06 season. He also talks candidly about being shortlisted for the England manager's job.His book is a radical insight into the workings of a football club and its staff, and is sure to attract widespread interest from football fans across the country.Trade Review‘One of the best managers in the game’ ESPN ‘He’s sharp, he’s articulate, and he can spot a bargain’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisBat, Ball and Field is a wonderful foray into the history and culture of cricket.Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best' CricketerChronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments as well as tragedies, Jon Hotten lifts the seemingly impregnable veil from the Laws, batting strokes, types of bowling and the sometimes absurd names given to where fielders stand, allowing anyone a pathway into enjoying the sport, and an introductory immersion into its long history.This book is divided into the three parts that make up the fundamental elements of cricket: bat, ball and field. Their harmony produces cricket's unique environment; their centuries' long conflict provides its innovation, adaptability and vast psychological hinterland. These sections unite to map out in a completely original way the story of the sport that began as a country pursuit and is now followed by billions across the world.Trade Review‘Hotten holds court beautifully on all aspects of the game’ Guardian Praise for The Meaning of Cricket: ‘A beautifully written meditation on the joys of summer’ Tom Holland Evening Standard, Book of the Year ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best… He has the eye for a beautifully judged phrase’ Cricketer ‘Hotten has emerged as a worthy addition to the lineage of writers who adhere to C L R James’s aphorism: “What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?”… This will be a worthy addition to any cricketing bookshelf’ New Statesman ‘For those dreaming of summer, The Meaning of Cricket is accessible, fun and elegantly written’ Hilary Mantel, New Statesman, Book of the Year ‘Simultaneously playful and packed with insight … All cricketing life is here… Hotten’s writing is accessible and often moving’ Observer ‘Memory and meditation twirled into a lovesong: Jon Hotten hits it out of the park’ William Fiennes

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Book SynopsisA moving and lyrical memoir about life, love and loss, from a true giant of Gaelic games.In a frenetic seven-year spell at the outset of his senior managerial career, Mickey Harte led Tyrone to four Ulster Championships and three All-Irelands. It was a run that shifted football's balance of power, changed the way the game would be played for over a generation, and cemented his reputation as one of the most transformative figures in GAA history.Then, in January 2011, the visitation of a shocking tragedy changed everything: Mickey's daughter Michaela was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius, and the Harte family, grief-stricken, awoke to find themselves at the centre of an international news story.Devotion, the product of a collaboration between Mickey and author Brendan Coffey, is many things. The story of a family's decade-long struggle to come to terms with an almost unimaginable loss. A meditation on the ways in which faith, community, and sport can sustain us in our most difficuTrade Review‘This is no ordinary memoir. Contained in the 312 pages is every conceivable emotion.It is wonderfully lyrical, nostalgic, funny, dark, tragic, deeply emotional, honest and hopeful’ – Irish News

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Book SynopsisInspired by Arthur Ashe’s bestselling memoir Days of Grace, a collection of positive, uplifting stories of seemingly small acts of grace from across the sports world that have helped to bridge cultural and racial divides.Like many people of color, James Blake has experienced the effects of racism firsthand—publicly—first at the U.S. Open, and then in front of his hotel on a busy Manhattan street, where he was tackled and handcuffed by a police officer in a case of mistaken identity. Though rage would have been justified, Blake faced both incidents with dignity and aplomb. In Ways of Grace he reflects on his experiences and explores those of other sports stars and public figures who have not only overcome adversity, but have used them to unite rather than divide, including: Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, a Pakistani Muslim and Amir Hadad, an Israeli Jew, who despite the conflicts of their countries, paired together in the 2002 Wimbledon men’s doubles draw. Muhammad Ali, who transcended racism with a magnetic personality and a breathtaking mastery of boxing that was unparalleled. Nelson Mandela, who spent twenty-seven years in prison for his commitment to social reform, peace, and equality yet never gave up his battle to end apartheid—a struggle that led to his eventual freedom and his nation''s transition to black majority rule.Groundbreaking tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who was a model of courage, elegance, and poise on the court and off; a gifted player who triumphed in the all-white world of professional tennis, and became one of his generation''s greatest players. Weaving together these and other poignant and unforgettable stories, Blake reveals how, through seemingly small acts of grace, we can confront hatred, bigotry, and injustice with virtue—and use it to propel ourselves to greater heights.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Deep and intelligent…a portrait of football greatness.” — Arsène Wenger "A comprehensive primer into the entwined histories of the two titans and the commercial forces that have molded their careers and, by extension, the sport." — New York Times “While these two soaring greats are known for their transcendent wonder on the field, this rollicking narrative plunges into the complex backstories and entire ecosystems that propelled their colliding trajectories. With a pair of epic hero stories like The Last Dance or Homer’s Odyssey in cleats, this book traces the journey from aspirational prodigies to global commercial billboards, explaining how these two juggernauts and their rivalry shaped the most popular, and lucrative, era of the world’s most beloved sport.” — Roger Bennett, founder, Men in Blazers Media Network "This rigorously researched book avoids becoming hagiography. The result is an ambitious and valuable study for all those who want to understand the modern world of football that Mr. Messi and Mr. Ronaldo have helped forge." — The Economist “This book explains the brilliant backstory behind how each player became a start and how that stardom changed the footballing landscape not just in Spain but in the wider world as well…I read it in a day.” — Rebecca Lowe, NBC Sports "Excellent... A brilliant follow-up to The Club." — The Independent (UK) "Impressive." — Boston Globe An absorbing cautionary tale for soccer fans and students of sports finance alike. — Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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