Biography: sport Books

Book Synopsis''A really great read, fascinating, moving'' Adrian ChilesThe End to End record is the longest place-to-place cycling record in Britain. It is a daunting 842 miles and for the men and women who attempt to break the record, there can be no second place, only the binary outcome of total success or failure. Paul Jones decided to ride from Land''s End to John O'' Groats to try to understand the relentless physical and mental challenges involved. End to End is a captivating and beautifully written narrative. A lyrical account of the journey sits alongside meetings with amazing cyclists; people like Eileen Sheridan; who covered the distance in under three days in 1954, or current men''s record holder Michael Broadwith who did it in a scarcely believable 43 hours. End to End is a portrayal of hope and ambition, of what happens when things go wrong and how hard it is to make them right. It is about courage, obsession and joy, but above all else, Trade ReviewA brilliant book, a triple trip: one on the road, one in History and one into the author's mind. Cycling is about all that -- Paul FournelA truly excellent book . . . Paul Jones's End To End is a wonderful, sometimes frenetic and deeply honest book by a man bursting with passion for cycling, its cultures and lore, and people who do extraordinary things. * BikeRadar *Jones's funny and affectionate book is a celebration of 'the fellowship of the road' * Spectator *A sort of partial British social and political history. It is also memoir and confessional. It is an utterly remarkable book * Conquista *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe bad*ss story of the female, queer, bi, and nonbinary skaters who charted a path to the Olympics and changed the face of skateboarding.Who gets to tell the story of skateboarding? Drop Inis the first book to recognize and historicize the female, queer, bi, and nonbinary humans who blazed the path that led to today?s more equitable skate culture. It wasn?t easy getting here.Like the rest of the world, skateboarding has long been patriarchal. In the 70s, it personified the punk rock, lock-up-your-daughters, middle-finger-to-the-man ethos. In the 80s, it was Miami Vice soundtracks and parachute pants, neon graphics and fingerless gloves. In the 90s it was New York City?graffiti, hip-hop, and skating in the street. Rarely did you see a woman?s name in a skate video?either on a deck or behind the lens.The four skateboarders at the heart of Drop In defied expectations of gender, talent, physical ability, and mental capacity to fight the status quo: Alana as the first openly nonbinary athlete in Olympic history; Vanessa as a record breaking runaway; Marbie as an accidental boundary-breaking trans icon; and Victoria as the skate rookie turned social media sensation.Drop Inspotlights their paths from rebellious outsiders to recognized pioneers on the historic stage of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where skateboarding made its debut. Their experiences reveal a side of skateboarding that?s never been recorded, amplifying voices that have, for too long, gone unheard.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by the author of Poker and The Biggest Game in Town, this book gives a portrait of the climbing legend Mo Anthoine. It is suitable for fans of adrenaline sports.Trade Review'This is writing of power and originality' Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisJamie Andrew''s survival and rescue after five nights trapped by a ferocious storm in 1999 has passed into Alpine legend. It was a miracle that he survived; but Jamie had to come to terms not only with the death of his close friend, Jamie Fisher, who died beside him - but also with the loss of all his limbs to frostbite. Since the accident, Jamie has struggled painfully and successfully to overcome his disabilities; not only has he learnt to walk (and run) on his prosthetic legs, but also to ski, snowboard, paraglide - and even take up his beloved mountaineering again.Trade ReviewLike Joe Simpson, Andrew has discovered a latent talent for writing that only a mountaineering epic seems to have allowed him to uncover. And like Touching the Void, Life and Limb is brilliantly written and utterly un-put-down-able. If ever a tale evokes the phrase life affirming then this is it. * On the Edge magazine. *'His courage, determination and sense of humour shine through the words of this remarkable book Life and Limb is a genuinely life-enhancing read. * Scottish Mountaineer *Table of ContentsJamie Andrew's survival and rescue after five nights trapped by a ferocious storm in 1999 has passed into Alpine legend. It was a miracle that he survived; but Jamie had to come to terms not only with the death of his close friend, Jamie Fisher, who died beside him - but also with the loss of all his limbs to frostbite. Since the accident, Jamie has struggled painfully and successfully to overcome his disabilities; not only has he learnt to walk (and run) on his prosthetic legs, but also to ski, snowboard, paraglide - and even take up his beloved mountaineering again.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere have been innumerable biographies of cricketers. Peter Oborne''s outstanding biography of Basil D''Oliveira is something else. It brings together sport, politics and race. It is the story of how a black South African defied incredible odds and came to play cricket for England, of how a single man escaped from apartheid and came to fulfil his prodigious sporting potential. It is a story of the conquest of racial prejudice, both in South Africa and in the heart of the English sporting establishment. The story comes to its climax in the so-called D''Oliveira Affair of 1968, when John Vorster, the South African Prime Minister, banned the touring MCC side because of the inclusion of a black man. This episode marked the start of the twenty-year sporting isolation of South Africa that ended only with the collapse of apartheid itself.Trade ReviewIt is an inspirational story and one which never fails to move this reader * Michael Parkinson, DAILY TELEGRAPH *Oborne tells this remarkable story with the tautness of a thriller and the focus of a political tract. If you are at all interested in either cricket or humanity, I guarantee that you will read his book at one sitting. * Peter Wilby, NEW STATESMAN *It is a masterpiece of research and reconstruction of the most significant sporting uprising of our times * DAILY MAIL *As this stunning book makes very clear, principled people acting together can sniff out the essential truth and make the difference. Read it and risk being inspired to do the same. * IRELAND TRIBUNE *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTom Finney personifies a vanished golden era of football, playing his entire career under the maximum wage and never wavering in his loyalty to Preston North End. A true gentleman of the game, who is still justifiably idolised more than 40 years since he retired from football, Finney recalls the highs and lows of his marvellous career with a warmth and affection that will appeal to all who read his story. But Finney''s life has been about much more than football, and he writes movingly about his current role as full-time carer to his beloved wife, Elsie.Trade ReviewThe long-delayed, definitive autobiography of the most honourable man who has ever played sport for England at anything * Ian Wooldridge, Daily Mail *His humility shines through this warm, nostalgic book ... This book represents a huge thank-you to whichever deity gave him such a rare talent * Chris Maume, Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrank McLintock was a leading player of his generation and is acclaimed as one of Arsenal''s greatest captains. After transferring from Leicester, in 1970 he led Arsenal to a famous victory in the Fairs Cup and followed this up with even greater glory a year later, winning an historic league and FA Cup double. He left Arsenal in 1973 after being controversially dropped, and enjoyed four successful years at QPR. He retired from playing in 1977, to make an ill-conceived and hasty move into management. Following this difficult period he entered the often shady world of agents, and faced perhaps his worst moment in the game, becoming involved in the infamous bung scandal over Teddy Sherringham''s transfer from Forest to Spurs. His is a captivating football story spanning 45 years during which he achieved fabulous success and faced shattering lows, all told with enthusiasm, humour, honesty and intense passion.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis Get to know the Bambino like never before in this heartfelt tribute written by his daughter—includes 200+ photos from the Ruth family collection and removable memorabilia. Babe Ruth was one of the most celebrated athletes of the twentieth century. Known as the Sultan of Swat, the Bambino, and a host of other nicknames, Ruth broke records and boundaries in America’s favorite sport. In this personal reflection on his life and career, his daughter Julia Ruth Stevens shares with fans an up-close look at the man who changed the game of baseball forever. In this moving memoir, you’ll find:  Over 200 photos from the Ruth family collection A pocket in the back with removable reproductions of ephemera from Babe’s career, including tickets from major games, programs, and a player contract Behind-the-scenes commentary on famous moments from Babe’s life A nostalgic record of an impor

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Madeleine Blais, the dramatic and colorful story of legendary tennis star and international celebrity, Alice MarbleIn August 1939, Alice Marble graced the cover of Life magazine, photographed by the famed Alfred Eisenstaedt. She was a glamorous worldwide celebrity, having that year won singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles tennis titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open, then an unprecedented feat. Yet today one of America’s greatest female athletes and most charismatic characters is largely forgotten. Queen of the Court places her back on center stage.Born in 1913, Marble grew up in San Francisco; her favorite sport, baseball. Given a tennis racket at age 13, she took to the sport immediately, rising to the top with a powerful, aggressive serve-and-volley style unseen in women’s tennis. A champion at the height of her fame in the late 1930

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a world where so many books by and about footballers are little more than bland PR exercises, Full Timebreaks the mould decisively. Stripping away the facade of what we think life must be like for an international football star, Paul Kimmage reveals a different story when it comes to Irish footballer Tony Cascarino. Scarred by his childhood, haunted by indiscretion and troubled by a secret from his past, Cascarino is struggling to find answers as he speeds towards the most terrifying juncture in sport: the end. As Cascarino opens up about his fears, crippling loss of confidence and sexual indiscretion, no wonder The Timesvoted it one of the Top Ten football books of all time and Eamon Dunphy said of it: ''If it were fiction this book could win the Booker Prize.''

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistorian, revolutionary and cricket writer, CLR James was one of the truly radical voices of the twentieth century. Born in Trinidad in the final days of the Victorian era, he debated with Trotsky, played cricket with Constantine, was published by Leonard and Virginia Woolf, inspired Kwame Nkrumah, and was a profound influence on the British Black Power movement. And yet by the late 1970s, CLR James was all but forgotten. The books he had written over the past half century were nearly all out of print. There were a few circles in which his name rang a bell: serious students of Black history; obsessive cricket fans. But that was it. When he died in Brixton in 1989, CLR James was internationally famous - lauded as the greatest of Black British intellectuals: the ''Black Plato'', according to The Times. The ideas he put forward in his own time - of the importance of identity alongside class, of rebellion coming from below, of the leading roles of Black Trade ReviewJohn L Williams's exciting and briskly written biography, CLR James: A Life Beyond the Boundaries, offers the perfect introduction to this titan of 20th-century politics and culture * The Times *This is an unrivalled storehouse of information about one of the twentieth century's most important revolutionaries. John Williams' sparkling biography counterpoints understanding of James' ideas with a richly-detailed account of his itinerant life and times * Paul Gilroy *This is a passionate, timely and challenging portrait. CLR James was decades ahead of his time in challenging our thoughts about empire, colonialism, black history and, not least, in writing brilliantly about cricket. He finally has the biography his extraordinary influence deserves * Barney Ronay *As John Williams states at the beginning of his absorbing biography, CLR James may have been born in the Victorian age but he belongs very much to ours . . . [The book] may be a single biography, but it describes multiple lives. * New Statesman *A genius, a seducer . . . the firebrand author, historian and critic was a complex, fragile human being, as John L Williams's biography reveals. * Observer *A fascinating biography -- Clive DavisCLR James: A Life Beyond the Boundaries . . . is the full-scale, scrupulously researched, admiring but clear-eyed biography of the T&T intellectual icon that Caribbean readers have awaited for decades * Trinidad & Tobago Express *It's a testament to this generous biography that the idiosyncratic personality of the great silver-tongued enthusiast comes shining through. * Prospect *C. L. R. 's life has been chronicled many times in film, memoirs and biographies. This one . . . should rank as definitive. * Tablet *This finely written and powerful book. . . . Williams gives us the rawness and rare achievement of his life, and that is an invaluable contribution to now-times and future readers. * Morning Star *A scholarly and vibrant biography . . . John L Williams has written a superb account of Trinidad's greatest intellectual * Irish Times *Just finished John Williams's superb biography of CLR James, A Life Beyond the Boundaries. Staggering what CLR fitted into his life. -- Lawrence Booth * Wisden *Three decades after his death, CLR is back in our midst thanks to this passionate, well-researched and necessary portrait * The Hindu *The most comprehensive and intimate portrayal yet of the iconic speaker, author, teacher, theorist, and revolutionary * Jacobin *This carefully researched book reflects on the life of an intellectual equally at home debating Leon Trotsky or discussing Shakespeare with John Arlott * Sunday Times *John L. Williams's superbly researched and beautifully judged book surpasses everything so far written about C.L.R. James. I don't think I now need to read any subsequent biography or critical study. * Telegraph *James has long deserved a biographer who could do full justice to the richness of his personal life and the range of his public activities. He has finally found one in John Williams . . . [A] superbly researched and beautifully judged book * Telegraph India *Now this extraordinary polymath has been honoured with a biography to suit his talents * Daily Mail, BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF 2022 *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistorian, revolutionary and cricket writer, CLR James was one of the truly radical voices of the twentieth century. Born in Trinidad in the final days of the Victorian era, he debated with Trotsky, played cricket with Constantine, was published by Leonard and Virginia Woolf, inspired Kwame Nkrumah, and was a profound influence on the British Black Power movement. And yet by the late 1970s, CLR James was all but forgotten. The books he had written over the past half century were nearly all out of print. There were a few circles in which his name rang a bell: serious students of Black history; obsessive cricket fans. But that was it.When he died in Brixton in 1989, CLR James was internationally famous - lauded as the greatest of Black British intellectuals: the ''Black Plato'', according to The Times.The ideas he put forward in his own time - of the importance of identity alongside class, of rebellion coming from below, of the leading roles of Black peoTrade ReviewJohn L Williams's exciting and briskly written biography, CLR James: A Life Beyond the Boundaries, offers the perfect introduction to this titan of 20th-century politics and culture * The Times *This is an unrivalled storehouse of information about one of the twentieth century's most important revolutionaries. John Williams' sparkling biography counterpoints understanding of James' ideas with a richly-detailed account of his itinerant life and times * Paul Gilroy *This is a passionate, timely and challenging portrait. CLR James was decades ahead of his time in challenging our thoughts about empire, colonialism, black history and, not least, in writing brilliantly about cricket. He finally has the biography his extraordinary influence deserves * Barney Ronay *As John Williams states at the beginning of his absorbing biography, CLR James may have been born in the Victorian age but he belongs very much to ours . . . [The book] may be a single biography, but it describes multiple lives. * New Statesman *A genius, a seducer . . . the firebrand author, historian and critic was a complex, fragile human being, as John L Williams's biography reveals. * Observer *A fascinating biography -- Clive DavisCLR James: A Life Beyond the Boundaries . . . is the full-scale, scrupulously researched, admiring but clear-eyed biography of the T&T intellectual icon that Caribbean readers have awaited for decades * Trinidad & Tobago Express *It's a testament to this generous biography that the idiosyncratic personality of the great silver-tongued enthusiast comes shining through. * Prospect *C. L. R. 's life has been chronicled many times in film, memoirs and biographies. This one . . . should rank as definitive. * Tablet *This finely written and powerful book. . . . Williams gives us the rawness and rare achievement of his life, and that is an invaluable contribution to now-times and future readers. * Morning Star *A scholarly and vibrant biography . . . John L Williams has written a superb account of Trinidad's greatest intellectual * Irish Times *Just finished John Williams's superb biography of CLR James, A Life Beyond the Boundaries. Staggering what CLR fitted into his life. -- Lawrence Booth * Wisden *Three decades after his death, CLR is back in our midst thanks to this passionate, well-researched and necessary portrait * The Hindu *The most comprehensive and intimate portrayal yet of the iconic speaker, author, teacher, theorist, and revolutionary * Jacobin *This carefully researched book reflects on the life of an intellectual equally at home debating Leon Trotsky or discussing Shakespeare with John Arlott * Sunday Times *John L. Williams's superbly researched and beautifully judged book surpasses everything so far written about C.L.R. James. I don't think I now need to read any subsequent biography or critical study. * Telegraph *James has long deserved a biographer who could do full justice to the richness of his personal life and the range of his public activities. He has finally found one in John Williams . . . [A] superbly researched and beautifully judged book * Telegraph India *Now this extraordinary polymath has been honoured with a biography to suit his talents * Daily Mail, BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF 2022 *CLR James: A Life Beyond the Boundaries is just that - an unsentimental work that draws back the veil of legend to expose the man of blood and bone. With great subtlety, intelligence and expansiveness, Williams gives us a view onto the thinker's groundbreaking ideas while rooting us firmly in the world that helped to shape him, a world living out the immediate aftershocks of colonialism. This is a profound, stirring and necessary book * Esi Edugyan *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2022 The life and times of Don Revie one of the most complex and controversial men ever to grace the game of football. Whenever the greatest managers the game has ever produced are mentioned, names like Busby, Shankly, Paisley and Ferguson trip off the tongue. Despite dominating the game in the late 1960s and ''70s there is one name missing: Don Revie, the former Leeds United and England manager. Revie was one of the most complex and controversial men ever to grace the game of football. As a player, he was crowned Footballer of the Year and credited with creating the modern centre-forward. As a manager, he took a Leeds United side languishing in the lower half of the second division and turned them into not only league champions, but one of the most dominant sides in the country. As England manager, Revie lost the magic touch and became increasingly indecisive. After three years in thTrade ReviewA no-holds-barred insight that convinces the reader that Don Revie stands amongst the giants of English football -- Lord MannExcellent book… an honest and balanced assessment of Don Revie’s career -- Johnny Giles, legendary Leeds United midfielderA superb read which explains in detail the extraordinary life and times of one of English football's most successful and controversial figures… -- Alex Montgomery, former Chairman of the Football Writers' Association and chief football writerAn essential read for any football fan to chart the rise and fall of an enigmatic England manager -- Ryan Sabey * The Sun *From hero to zero to post-humous redemption – Evans tells a tale of great human strengths and weaknesses that will resonate well beyond the world of football -- Guto Harri, strategic comms adviser and broadcasterThis meticulously researched and expertly crafted exploration of the genius and human generosity of Don Revie lifts the veil of controversy from the legacy of one of football’s greatest managers. -- Jeff Powell, the Daily Mail’s multi-award winning sportswriterGripping... -- Michael Dobbs * The Spectator *Table of ContentsForeword by Leeds United legend John Giles Prologue PART ONE 1 Beginnings 2 Leicester City (1944 – 49) 3 Hull City (1949 – 51) 4 Manchester City (1951 – 56) 5 Sunderland (1956 – 58) PART TWO 6 Leeds United (1958 – 61) 7 Leeds United (1961 – 63) 8 Leeds United (1963 – 64) 9 Leeds United (1964 – 65) 10 Leeds United (1965 – 66) 11 Leeds United (1966 – 67) 12 Leeds United (1967 – 68) 13 Leeds United (1968 – 69) 14 Leeds United (1969 – 70) 15 Leeds United (1970 – 71) 16 Leeds United (1971 – 72) 17 Leeds United (1972 – 73) 18 Leeds United (1973 – 74) 19 Leeds United (1974) PART THREE 20 England (1974 – 75) 21 England (1975 – 77) PART FOUR 22 In the Desert (1977 – 83) 23 Back Home (1984 – 1989) Epilogue – No Time For Redemption Acknowledgements

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most famous footballers of all time, George Best is an icon to football fans all over the world. He lived a tumultuous life, and died in 2005 after battling with alcoholism. He is someone who has crossed over into legend status, with his personal life sometimes overshadowing his footballing prowess. There have been many books written about George, but here, Michael Parkinson combines his professional and personal knowledge of George with his classic and much loved writing style to produce a new, and interesting biography of a football and cultural icon.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBy winning the 2019 Tour de France, Egan Bernal became the race''s youngest champion in 110 years, and the first from the South American nation of Colombia. His victory brought decades of national yearning to fruition. Colombia has long been the only developing nation contending at cycling''s highest level. Yet its cycling sons are not the products of a rigorous sports system that spots them in childhood and nurtures them through the ranks to the pinnacle of globalised sport. They come from harder backgrounds, that surprise, shock - even, at times, enchant.Colombia Es Pasión! explores the lives and dreams of each of the nation''s leading cyclists. Theirs are inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and violence, sickness and corruption, and achieving global sporting glory.''Takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort'' Sunday Times''Wonderful'' Observer''Remarkable, aTrade ReviewMatt Rendell's passion for Colombia is evident in this wonderful sequel to Kings of the Mountains - another of his cycling books about that country. Here, he explores a new generation who have beaten poverty, violence and corruption, and can now, via two wheels, tell a story of a more peaceful, happier nation * THE OBSERVER *Matt Rendell's latest book Colombia Es Pasion! takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort -- David Walsh * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Enjoyable, authentic and thorough...this book will enrich your understanding of many of today's top riders and the long, arduous paths they've taken to reach the top of their sport * THE INNER RING *Remarkable, a masterpiece, one of the best books written about cycling... The result of decades of knowing and understanding Colombia. Meticulously researched, and written with a lightness of touch. In particular, the dialogue is outstanding. Matt's best book - and he's written some stonking books...his love for the subject matter and his deep understanding shine through the pages -- Ned Boulting and David Millar * NEVER STRAYS FAR *The 'Mr Colombia' of the cycling press [has] an infectious enthusiasm for [his] subject that the army of online encyclopedia devotees could only hope to capture... the book covers the darker moments, including the harrowing story of the murder of Rigoberto Urán's father * CYCLING WEEKLY *These real-life stories are humbling and inspiring, and if reading them doesn't turn you into a fan of Colombian cycling it can only be because you already were a fan or because your heart is made of stone. It's safe to say that when the next Grand Tour rolls around I will be rooting for the Colombians, each and every one -- Rolf Rae-HansenNo outsider could be better equipped to write about cycling in Colombia than Rendell... extraordinary access to the major players in Colombian cycling... knowledgeable and passionate -- Richard Peploe * ROAD.CC *

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew from award-winning author Matt Rendell, an examination of the phenomenal success of Alejandro Valverde and the moral decay at the heart of Spanish cycling.''A study of a dominant force, a true gentleman racer despite his shadowy past'' Dan MartinAlejandro Valverde - the ''Green Bullet'' - was an international symbol of Spanish cycling for a quarter of a century before his retirement in 2022. Hard-working and supremely talented, he won the Vuelta a España and stood on the podium of the Giro d''Italia and the Tour de France. World champion in 2018, he was also the world''s number-one-ranked rider four times. A man of indisputable charisma, he was also a convicted doping cheat.When the Spanish police investigation, Operación Puerto, uncovered a vast international blood doping ring, Valverde denied all involvement. The revelations unearthed by Operación Puerto threatened to force cycling off the road.Valverde''s long career was a high wi

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A must-read for anyone who''s doubted Pep''s influence, from handing the power to Barça''s homegrown crop to never betraying his childhood romanticism of the game Four Four Two''Balague''s insightful biography presents Guardiola as a relentless perfectionist - a man obsessed with the minutiae of football, often unable to switch off'' SPORTThis fully updated edition of the international bestseller includes Manchester City''s incredible 2017-18 league triumphPep Guardiola is the most successful and sought-after football coach in the world. After being appointed first-team manager in 2008, he transformed Barcelona into arguably the greatest club side of all time, winning thirteen trophies in four years, and he won the Double twice in his three years in charge of Bayern Munich. He then faced his biggest challenge yet when he joined Manchester City in 2016: to turn them into a team that consistently wins in the most difficult of leagues and a regulTrade ReviewBalague's insightful biography presents Guardiola as a relentless perfectionist - a man obsessed with the minutiae of football, often unable to switch off. * SPORT *It's a must-read for anyone who's doubted Pep's influence, from handing the power to Barça's homegrown crop to never betraying his childhood romanticism of the game. * Four Four Two *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Meijer's portrait is definitive'iNews'Ten Hag may just be the man to bring the glory days back'Daily StarWho is Erik ten Hag? Calm and cool-headed, he ignores critics, follows his own methods and relentlessly pursues perfection on the pitch. His uncanny ability to analyse and solve problems - the 'process' as Ten Hag calls it - has unfailingly led to breakthrough. There is no magic. There is only intelligence at work, personal devotion to players and near-obsessive attention to detail.At Ajax, Ten Hag brooked no dissent and moulded his team into a smoothly operating unit of attack. His team enjoyed an astonishing run, winning three league cups in a row and reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a quarter of a century. Along the way, they produced some of the brightest and most entertaining football seen in Europe for years.Maarten Meijer's definitive biography follows Erik ten Hag, from his upbringing in the Dutch countryside to his domestic triumphs and European victories. Meijer's book is the ultimate guide to the man with the momentous task of ending a decade of disappointment at Manchester United, and beginning a new era of great and winning football.Trade ReviewMeijer's portrait is definitive * iNews *Erik ten Hag has the Midas touch * Daily Telegraph *Ten Hag's United are unstoppable * The Times *Ten Hag may just be the man to bring the glory days back * Daily Star *Part father figure and part tactical genius, Ten Hag is a perfect fit for United -- The Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisLessons in baseball enlightenment from three-time MLB Manager of the Year Joe Maddon.No one sees baseball like Joe Maddon. He sees it through his trademark glasses and irrepressible wit. Raised in the "shot and beer" town of Hazleton, PA, and forged by 15 years in the minors, Maddon over 19 seasons in Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Anaheim has become one of the most successful, most colorful, and most quoted managers in Major League Baseball. He is a workplace culture expert, having engineered two of the most stunning turnarounds in the past quarter century: taking the Rays from the worst record in baseball one year to the World Series the next and leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years.Like his teams, Maddon defies convention. He is part strategist, part philosopher, part sports psychologist, and part motivational coach. In THE BOOK OF JOE, Maddon gives readers unique insights into the game, including the tension between art and data, the changing role of managers as front offices gain power, why the honeymoon with the Cubs did not last, and what it's like to manage the modern player, including stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Yu Darvish, and Kris Bryant.But you expect even more from a manager who meditates daily, admires Twain, and has only one rule when it comes to a team dress code: "If you think you look hot, wear it!" And Maddon delivers. Built on-old school values and new-school methods, his wisdom applies beyond the dugout. His mantras about leadership, mentorship, team building, and communication are meditations on life, not just baseball. Among those mantras are: "Do simple better." "Try not to suck." "Don't ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure." "See it with first-time eyes." "Tell me what you think, not what you've heard."THE BOOK OF JOE is Maddon at his uniquely holistic best. It is a memoir of a fascinating baseball journey, an insider's look at a changing game, and a guidebook on leadership and life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe inside story of the Super Bowl champion 1986 Giants, the extraordinary friendships that resulted--and stunning revelations about the hardships they faced, based on new interviews with Bill Parcells, Phil Simms, Mark Bavaro, and Bill Belichick. The 1986 New York Giants are legendary. A championship team coached by Bill Parcells and his wunderkind assistant Bill Belichick, featuring future Hall of Famers and All-Pros like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Bavaro, and Harry Carson. They were dominant on the field and formed a unique and lasting bond off of it. More than thirty years later, it's the friendships that have proved more important--a matter of life and death. In Once a Giant, bestselling football writer Gary Myers tells the story of that team and what became of it. Gridiron glory eventually faded; chronic pain, addiction, and in some cases crimes have followed. Many football players face these harsh realities, but the Giants ha

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn the morning of 4 July 1910, thousands of boxing fans stormed a newly built stadium in Reno, Nevada, to witness an epic showdown. Jack Johnson, the world’s first Black heavyweight champion—and most infamous athlete in the world because of his race—was paired against Jim Jeffries, a former heavyweight champion then heralded as the “great white hope.” It was the height of the Jim Crow era, and spectators were eager for Jeffries to restore the racial hierarchy that Johnson had pummelled with his quick fists. Transporting readers directly into the ring, artist Youssef Daoudi and poet Adrian Matejka intersperse dramatic boxing action with vivid flashbacks to reveal how Johnson, the self-educated son of formerly enslaved parents, reached the pinnacle of sport—all while facing down a racist justice system. Through a combination of breathtaking illustrations and striking verse, Last on His Feet honours a contentious civil rights figure who has for more than a century been denied his proper due.Trade Review"[A] dynamic and unforgettable collaboration between artist Youssef Daoudi and writer Adrian Matejka... [Last on His Feet] is a wonder of words and images. It could be called a graphic novel if that description didn't fail to fully capture its cinematically visual and literary substance... [A] masterpiece. " -- Rick Kogan - The Chicago Tribune"Last on His Feet... revisits this "Fight of the Century," which wasn't just a landmark in athletics—it was a crucible for the racial animosity Black Americans had to navigate during Jim Crow. Through a stylish mix of prose, blank verse and illustrations, Last on His Feet captures these tensions with unsparing poignancy. " -- Brandon Tensley - Smithsonian Magazine

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Traveling the world with my father, watching him interact with people, famous and ordinary, observing up close his balls-out sense of adventure, and having a larger-than-life personality to live up to had a profound effect on me and the formation of my character.” —From the foreword by Steve Aoki, Grammy-nominated producer and Billboard award-winning DJ Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki was a man who succeeded in everything he pursued. From world-class wrestling, ballooning, underwater exploration, and car and boat racing to founding Benihana, Rocky’s passion for life infected all around him and accelerated the exchange of Japanese culture and cuisine with America. Rocky’s rags to riches story, from dishwasher and busboy to owner of a multi-million-dollar restaurant empire, is a wild American dream realized unlike any other. Running and expanding the business would be all-consuming for most people—not to mention battling the perception of otherness—but Rocky would not be deterred. His determination for the business rivaled the drive he demonstrated in his other interests, some of which almost killed him. American Hiro by Jack McCallum, who had full access to Rocky Aoki and those in his enterprises, provides the only full inside account of one of the most famous symbols of cultural assimilation and capitalistic zeal in modern US history—a champion in business, sports, and life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom Chuck Noll''s Steelers to the Peyton Manning-era Colts through Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, legendary NFL coach Tom Moore recalls his nearly 50-year role in the evolution of football and the keys to player-centric coaching.Tom Moore is not only the oldest NFL coach ever, but he is also hailed as the greatest NFL assistant coach of all-time--though he humbly cites the talent and hard work of his players as the keys to his success. In six different decades, he has served as a guru to the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Randall McDaniel, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, and more.In The Players'' Coach, Moore recounts the most exceptional players-first coaching career in the history of the game, talks football with his proteges and underdog athletes alike, and lays out the principles that helped him define the modern gridiron.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlan Dicks' football career spanned the second half of the 20th century. During those fifty years the game fundamentally changed and Dicksy was there, playing his part, when history was made. In Chelsea's first ever League title win in 1955. Double promotion glory alongside Jimmy Hill at Coventry City in the 1960s. Boss at Bristol City for thirteen extraordinary years until 1980. And then managing teams around the world. At Ashton Gate, he built a side on a shoestring budget and an indestructible spirit, becoming a national figure. A living legend to Robins' fans, taking the club up to the top flight after a sixty-five-year wait, it's part of an amazing football tale of a time when loyalty meant more than money. Football has waited over thirty years to hear his story. Finally, here it is.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Man Who Made A Football ClubSir Matt Busby, who took Manchester United to unprecedented glory before seeing the club through profound tragedy, created the global entity that spreads from Old Trafford today.A player with Manchester City and Liverpool before the Second World War, Busby remained at the forefront of football through four decades and made an extraordinary contribution to the game in terms of both style and substance. In this definitive biography, Patrick Barclay looks back at Busby’s phenomenal life and career, including the rise of the Busby Babes in the 1950s, the Munich disaster that claimed 23 lives and the Wembley victory ten years on that made United the first English team to win the European Cup. Denis Law, Pat Crerand and such other members of that great side as Alex Stepney, David Sadler and John Aston are among the host of voices testifying to the qualities that set Sir Matt apart.This is the story of one of the greatest figures in football history, and of the making of a legacy that will last for ever.Trade ReviewMany new books with a sporting theme are tumbling onto the shelves but I doubt any will be superior to the illuminating and comprehensive biography of Sir Matt Busby by the irrepressible football sage Patrick Barclay The events and emotions are recounted with haunting eloquence by Barclay: a master of his craft. -- Jim Holden * Sunday Express *Patrick Barclay’s magnificent biography of Sir Matt Busby -- Alan Pattullo * Scotland on Sunday *‘Sir Matt Busby’s story has been told many times but, rarely with such perception and scholarly attention to detail’ ‘ a stunning biography ... destined to become a classic of its genre’ -- Patrick Collins‘An outstanding book’ -- Phil Shaw * Backpass *‘Superbly written … a book all football fans should read.’ -- Michael Crick

Read more less

Book SynopsisSussex and England superstar Maurice Tate's story is one of triumph and fame, controversy and tragedy. In the 1920s and 1930s, the all-rounder was the world's most popular cricketer, famed for his brilliant bowling and broad smile - unlike his infamous cricketing father, whose costly error he more than repaid. In his day, Tate's enormous feet were the subject of a music-hall song, his extra pace considered 'magical'; he's now recognised as the first proper 'seam' bowler. He took almost 2800 first-class wickets and thrilled crowds with rapid-fire sixes and centuries. But along the way he suffered a nervous breakdown at the Bodyline series, and threw beer over Douglas Jardine. After a bitter sacking by Sussex, he became a pub landlord and died in poverty. Recently voted Sussex's greatest ever player, Tate doesn't figure in any more widespread Hall of Fame. It's time to remember this forgotten great of England cricket.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe life and times of Middlesex and England wicketkeeper-batsman John 'JT' Murray, one of the acknowledged greats of English post-war cricket. Irresistibly cool, glamorous and apparently unapproachable, Murray was Christopher Sandford's consuming hero at the time the author was confined in an English seaside boarding school in the 60s. Twenty or more years later, the two became friends. In 2017 Murray eventually succumbed to a decade-long campaign and agreed to share in full his lifetime's reminiscences, recounting his experiences of a quarter of a century as a professional English sportsman. Murray proved unfailingly generous and humorous (if by no means uncritical) in his accounts of the great Tests, the tours and the parade of celebrities, sporting and otherwise, he encountered. This treasure trove of stories - described not just in the dry accountancy of scores and averages, but in droll anecdotal detail - lies at the heart of a unique cricket book illustrated by photographs, letters and notes from Murray's own collection.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe comprehensive biography of French basketball phenomenon and NBA player, Victor Wembanyma, with dynamic photography, interviews and reports throughout. June 22, 2023. The face of Victor Wembanyama stretches several dozen metres high on the billboards of Times Square, New York. It's a big day. The day when Victor Wembanyma becomes the first Frenchman to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, at only 19 years old. Nicknamed 'alien' for his incredible height (7ft 4in) by none other than LeBron James himself, this story retraces Wemby's ascent. Through immersive interviews, reports, stories, and analysis, complemented by stunning visuals from L'Équipe's photography, long-standing basketball reporter Yann Ohnona showcases a detailed portrait of the player. From his early life in Chesnay, Yvelines to his historic season with Metropolitans 92, with exclusive insight into his arrival into the NBA,

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and must-read book for the Rugby World Cup 2023.England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness - everyone knows where they were during that iconic moment on the 22nd November 2003. Twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as beloved as Jonny Wilkinson, no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson, and no coach as revered as Sir Clive Woodward. And there is no one with the aura and drive of Lawrence Dallaglio.In The Boys of Winter, Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of those involved, for better or worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players- Explores why this success has never been repeatedThis is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.

Read more less

Book Synopsis*WINNER OF RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'A gripping book that brings that unforgettable match back to pulsating life' Daily Mail'Fans will relish' The TimesEngland have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness. More than twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever.In The Boys of Winter, former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with Martin Johnson, Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson and all those involv

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the story of the new King of the Kop.When Mohamed Salah signed for Liverpool from Rome in 2017, his record fee was initially greeted with some skepticism. While he'd been singled out as a future star back in Egypt, and performed well at the Italian club, no one could have predicted the impact he was to have at Anfield.Scoring an unprecedented thirty-two goals in thirty-six games for the club, he became the sensation of the Premier League. Not only that, but he has also won over fans of all stripes with his humility and grace off the pitch, as well as his versatility and flair on it. Few players have inspired such fervent admiration so quickly, with chants of his name still reverberating around Anfield, and after just a short time, he has already become a Liverpool legend.In this insightful biography, bestselling sports writer Frank Worrall examines Salah's electrifying journey to Liverpool, from the highs and lows that brought him there to the Champions League glory that crowned the 2018/19 season.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNii Lamptey: The Curse of Pelé is the authorised biography of Ghanaian footballer Nii Lamptey, a one-time bright young talent who was hailed as 'the next Pelé' by Pelé himself. By age 16, Lamptey had won the Belgian title with RSC Anderlecht and the world championship with Ghana's under-16s. One year later, he won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After joining Dutch masters PSV Eindhoven on loan in 1993 and scoring 10 times in 22 games that season, Lamptey appeared to have the world at his feet. Spells at Aston Villa and Coventry City followed, but he failed to fulfil Pelé's bold prophecy. Instead, his career became a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when too much pressure is applied to young players. Injuries, lack of schooling, domestic violence, bad agents and a tragic and turbulent personal life pushed Lamptey to the brink of suicide, but thankfully he recovered. In this 'warts and all' account he finally lifts the lid on his incredible story.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInside Diego is an intimate portrait of the greatest footballer of all time, from the person in football who knew him best. As Diego Maradona's personal trainer, Fernando Signorini spent more than a decade at the superstar's side, witnessing a dizzying array of highs and lows, from helping Diego recuperate from a broken ankle in 1983 to his dramatic exit from the 1994 World Cup after a failed drugs test. Signorini offers a unique perspective on the troubled legend, giving us the lowdown not only on Diego's evolution as an athlete, but on Diego the human being, a far cry from the character we saw on TV screens. He brings us the inside track on Maradona's preparation for three World Cups: Mexico 86, Italia 90 and USA 94. We also get an insider view on his battles with fame, drugs and extramarital paternity, plus his time in charge of the Argentine national team. Brimming with incredible stories and anecdotes, Inside Diego is an intensely personal rollercoaster account of a flawed football genius.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGalvinised is the tale of two footballing brothers with contrasting fortunes who played in a golden age of the game. It's a story of glamour and heartache. Tottenham Hotspur snapped up left-winger Tony Galvin from non-league Goole Town while he was studying Russian at Hull University. Tony won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs alongside legendary stars such as Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. He also won 29 Republic of Ireland caps and played at Euro 88. Tony ended his playing days at Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town. Conversely, elder brother Chris, an inside-forward, joined Leeds United as an apprentice but struggled to break into Don Revie's iconic team. After witnessing Leeds' glory days from the subs' bench, he played across the Football League pyramid at Hull City, Stockport County and York City before finding success in Hong Kong. The Galvin brothers have tales galore from the 1960s to 1980s, and share stories of players, travelling escapades, training ground bust-ups and unforgettable matches in this unique biography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnd the Winner Is takes a fascinating look at the 70 holders of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy. Together, their stories - and the moments that define them - offer a unique account of British sport in the television age.Since it was first broadcast 70 years ago, the BBC''s Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) is a national institution, with the announcement of the winner guaranteed to spark heated debates in the press and online, as well as in the front rooms of viewers.Why have more royals won than rugby players? What do Ronnie or Rory have to do to win? And should winning the F1 Drivers'' Championship really trump gold medals at four consecutive Olympic Games? Damon Hill''s mum certainly didn''t think so.Some of the winners, and the moments that define them, are cornerstones of the nation''s sporting fabric - Bobby Moore and the World Cup in 1966 or Andy Murray and Wimbledon in 2013. But others are less familiar: 44-year-old golfe

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe fascinating life story of Ted Peate, a top Victorian cricketer hailed by W. G. Grace as the world's best spin bowler. This is the first-ever biography of Peate!Peate is the cricketer whose name heads the Lord's honours board. Yet he ended his life broke and is buried in an unmarked grave at the side of the runway at Leeds-Bradford airport. Read and you'll discover: How Peate was the last man out in the famous first Ashes' Test when Australia beat England at The Oval in 1882 The truth behind Peate's character flaws, including his weakness for drink, which led to his sacking by new Yorkshire captain Lord Hawke when he was at the peak of his powers His working-class origins, his season touring local fetes with a group of clowns, plus the dramatic breakthrough that led to a tour of Australia after just one full season The murky world of the professional cricketer, including new details about the scandal-ridden 1882 England tour to Australia With unprecedented insight into Peate's life and times, the book will appeal to lovers of Yorkshire county cricket, plus anyone interested in the emergence of the England cricket team or the development of sport in Britain.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBeliever in Blue is the fascinating autobiography of Marvin Andrews, who famously overcame serious injury and defied expert medical opinion to help Rangers win the title on 'Helicopter Sunday'. A year later, he led Trinidad and Tobago to an unprecedented qualification for the 2006 World Cup. His story is one of religious faith and glory.

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE FOOTBALL BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDSSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2016 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR'This football book is about something even more important than the "beautiful game"; it is a story of the human spirit.' - Mick Hume, The Times Adrian Doherty was not a typical footballer. For one thing, he was blessed with extraordinary talent. Those who played alongside and watched him in the Manchester United youth team in the early 1990s insist he was as good as Ryan Giggs - possibly even better. Giggs, who played on the opposite wing, says he is inclined to agree.Doherty was also an eccentric - by football standards, at least. When his colleagues went to Old Trafford to watch the first team on Saturday afternoons, he preferred to take the bus into Manchester to go busking. He wore second-hand clothes, worshipped Bob Dylan, read about theology and French existentialism and wrote songs and poems. One team-mate says "it was like having Bob Dylan in a No 7 shirt".On his 17th birthday, Doherty was offered a five-year contract - unprecedented for a United youngster at that time - and told by Alex Ferguson that he was destined for stardom. But what followed over the next decade is a tale so mysterious, so shocking, so unusual, so amusing but ultimately so tragic, that you are left wondering how on earth it has been untold for so long.The stories of Doherty's contemporaries, that group of Manchester United youngsters who became known as the "Class of '92", are well known. Giggs ended up as the most decorated player in United's history; David Beckham became the most recognisable footballer on the planet; Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and others are household names. The story you don't know is about the player who, having had the world at his feet, died the day before his 27th birthday following an accident in a canal in Holland.Trade ReviewMagnificently researched and superbly crafted * Belfast Telegraph *Brilliant * Daily Mail *A sincere, elegant reflection on a young man touched by genius * Irish Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisImprove your chess by studying the greatest games of all time, from Adolf Anderssen''s ''Immortal Game'' to Anand versus Kramnik 2008, and featuring a foreword by World Champion Vishy Anand.The 125 greatest chess games of all time, selected, analysed, re-evaluated and explained by a team of British experts and illustrated with over 1,000 chess diagrams. Join the authors in studying these games, the cream of two centuries of international chess, and develop your own chess-playing skills - whatever your current standard. Instructive points at the end of each game highlight the lessons to be learned.First published in 1998, a second edition of The Mammoth Book of the World''s Greatest Chess Games in 2004 included an additional 12 games. This edition includes a further 13 games as well as some significant revisions to the analysis and information regarding other games in earlier editions of the book, facilitated by the use of a variety of chess softw

Read more less