Biography: sport Books

Book SynopsisGive it to Moore, He Will Score! is the authorised biography of footballing icon Ian Storey-Moore, Nottingham Forest’s legendary forward of the 1960s and early 70s. Scoring more than 100 top-flight goals for Forest, he became the most sought-after striker in the land. An England international, injury robbed him of numerous caps and a place at the Mexico 1970 World Cup. Moore’s sensational on-off transfer to Derby County for a British record fee was front-page news and left Brian Clough unable to speak to him for two decades. Joining Manchester United instead, he played alongside Best, Law and Charlton before sampling life in the nascent US soccer scene. Here, for the first time, the authors tell the full story of Moore’s life and career, drawing on their extensive interviews with him, his personal scrapbooks and their own first-hand memories. With Moore still a hugely popular figure among fans, his story is essential reading for Forest and United supporters, plus anyone with an interest in football history.Trade Review“So, Moore’s memories mined and his fathers scrapbooks plundered being just part of the depth that goes into this well-researched book to produce an accurate account of a top playing career that (mainly) included Nottingham Forest, Manchester United & Burton Albion. It iincludes a truly great and original picture section [and] a detailed statistics layout chronicling all that constitutes the ‘He Will Score’ aspect. Martin O'Neill says in the foreword: ‘I am so pleased that, for Ian Storey-Moore, the story of this wondrous footballer is now being told.’ Indeed it is, and told well.” -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"Give it to Moore, He Will Score! by Stuart Humphreys and Richard Harrison is a wonderful book for anyone who watched Ian Storey-Moore play football, or with a passing interest in Nottingham Forest... The almost glorious 1966/67 season is covered in great detail, 'that' aborted transfer from Forest to Derby County and although brief, Moore’s time in the States is fascinating." * United We Stand *"Packed full of brilliant stories… Storey-Moore is one of football’s raconteurs, with a wealth of material from his encounters with characters such as Brian Clough, George Best and Jim Baxter…" -- Matt Barlow * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe Last Corinthian: The Cricketing Life of MJK Smith is the story of the illustrious cricketing career of Mike Smith, one of England's most popular captains. At Oxford he broke records by scoring centuries in each of his three Varsity matches and captained the team in his final year. He was appointed captain of Warwickshire at the age of 23, and captain of England six years later. Predominantly a leg-side player, he was a prolific run scorer in county cricket, and also an outstanding fielder at short-leg. Mike played in 50 Test matches and led several successful overseas tours. His democratic approach, modesty, integrity and unfailing good humour made him one of England's most admired captains. Mike is England's only living double international, having played rugby for England against Wales in 1956. The book draws on extensive interviews with Mike to tell his story, as well as eyewitness accounts and anecdotes from former team-mates and opponents, including Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Dennis Amiss and Bob Barber.Trade Review"A warm and detailed biography... and ...an engaging and worthwhile read." -- Brian Halford * The Cricketer Magazine *"One of the strengths of the book is that it is as much about MJK the man as it is about the cricketer... MJK’s two trips to the sub-continent, in 1961/62 and 1963/64, never were the subject of books, and no one has written at length about England’s tours to the Caribbean in 1959/60, South Africa in 1964/65 and Australian in 1965/66 since those series took place. So this one is a valuable book simply for examining those long forgotten ventures, particularly as that is done with input from MJK and others... the book is well illustrated, and has a decent index. For anyone interested in English cricket in the 1960s the book is certainly recommended." -- Martin Chandler * Cricketweb.net *"I particularly enjoyed the account of the 1965-66 Ashes series, one that has not gone down in the annals of the game as one of the best, but which from reading this account was often closely contested, and played for the most part in a good and enterprising spirit... Although cricketing biographies, especially those that focus on the playing career, can all too easily fail to capture the personality of the subject, this is a not an accusation that can be levelled at Mike Thompson’s book. He has succeeded in his aim to deliver an account of Mike Smith on the cricket field, and in so doing has also captured the sometimes enigmatic but always appealing personality of one of England’s finest post-war players." -- Richard Lawrence * Association of Cricket Statisticians *"Mike Thompson is to be congratulated on the depth and breadth of his research into his distinguished subject’s career from captaincy of Oxford to leadership of the Warwickshire and England teams. I found some of the footnotes on Mike's Oxford teammates particularly fascinating. Thompson has interviewed and corresponded with a host of Smith’s fellow players and contemporaries in both the county and international game... and built up a significant relationship with his subject... [it] gives a feeling of intimacy and reality to the narrative. Thoroughly recommended to all interested in the career of a great cricketer." -- Norman Crampton * Member of MCC and ex-Member Yorkshire and Somerset *

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Book SynopsisThe Fox: Harry Hopman and the Greatest Dynasty in Tennis History is the story of how one man drove a tiny nation to dominate a global sport. The Grand Slams, Wimbledon crowns and Davis Cups his players won made Australia famous. They called him simply Mr Hopman but the New York Times called him a ''one-man dynasty''.He was revered for his success but reviled for his methods. He had no formal education as a coach or trainer but relentlessly pursued sporting excellence. Hopman''s approach was revolutionary to a genteel sport, introducing the grit of gymnasiums and endurance exercises that bordered on sadistic.This book examines the many shades of Harry Hopman: the outsider who willed himself to play for his country and battled the sport''s establishment; the schemer who saw America dominate the sport and devised a way to beat them; the unquestioned leader; and eventually the ageing coach who embraced the ''me generation''.

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Book SynopsisLa Vie Jamais Racontée is the story of sporting suffragette Alice Milliat, and a captivating exploration of a forgotten pioneer of women''s sport.In an era when women''s sport is gaining well-deserved recognition, Milliat''s work remains largely unknown, yet she played a crucial role in advancing its cause.Born in 1884, Milliat fearlessly fought against societal barriers, orchestrating four editions of the Women''s World Games and establishing a French women''s football team that toured the UK.Milliat relentlessly lobbied for the inclusion of women''s athletics at the Olympics, and although she was ultimately successful, her victory proved bittersweet. Instead of being lauded, she was sidelined and faded from public view.This book sheds light on Milliat''s extraordinary life and celebrates the sportswomen she elevated during the early 20th century. With her story finally told, her invaluable contributions can be rediscovered and

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Book Synopsis"Stunningly descriptive, compelling writing. I was moved close to tears on several occasions.” - Peter James, international bestselling crime writer 'A fabulous story guaranteed to capture people’s imagination' - Mail on Sunday In 1930, at the age of twenty-seven, Liesl Herbst was the Austrian National Tennis Champion, a celebrity in Vienna. Liesl, her husband David and their daughter Dorli came to Britain after escaping the Nazis. In London, though initially stripped of their Austrian passports and rendered stateless aliens, both Liesl and her daughter Dorli competed at Wimbledon. They remain the only mother and daughter ever to have played doubles together at Wimbledon. This moving story of escape and survival is told by Liesl’s grand-daughter. It is as much a search for the author’s own identity as for her own children and grandchildren to ensure that their remarkable family history is never lost again. Illustrated throughout with family photographs and original documents, this is a story of survival against terrible odds, an inspiring tale of resilience and hope.Trade Review"Stunningly descriptive, compelling writing. I was moved close to tears on several occasions.” * Peter James, international bestselling crime writer *'A fabulous story guaranteed to capture people’s imagination' * Mail on Sunday *'Absolutely fascinating.' * BBC Breakfast *

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Book SynopsisA national hero in his playing days, Herbert Sutcliffe belongs to a select band of all-time cricketing greats. Alan Hill’s award-winning biography of the Yorkshire and England batsman charts his extraordinary transformation from cobbler’s apprentice to urbane gentleman: one of the coolest, most determined and technically accomplished practitioners the game has ever known.Blessed with the looks of a matinee idol, Sutcliffe was a complex, often enigmatic, personality. As a cricketer, he was touched with genius. His career spanned exactly the years between the wars and he performed with distinction in every one of those seasons. He scored 50,138 first-class runs, including 149 centuries, and his remarkable Test average of 60.73 is the highest for an English batsman – higher than those of Hobbs, Hammond or Hutton.Herbert Sutcliffe: Cricket Maestro calls upon the reminiscences of Bob Wyatt, Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Len Hutton and Les Ames among other illustrious contemporaries, to evoke the splendour of Sutcliffe’s achievements for Yorkshire and England, and to bring to life the vivacious story of one of the greatest batsmen ever.

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Book SynopsisBill Shankly is the man who shaped Liverpool Football Club. His legendary status on Merseyside and within the history of the game cannot be overestimated. Renowned for his commitment, restless energy and laconic aphorisms, he followed a respectable career as a player with an incredible one as a manager.Having been in charge at Carlisle, Grimsby, Workington and swiftly Huddersfield, he arrived at a struggling Liverpool in 1959 and transformed the club into one of the most successful in British football. This, together with the force of his incredible personality, ensured Bill Shankly would be remembered forever as one of the all-time great figures in football.With superb photography from sports photographer Steve Hale, prolific Merseyside writer Phil Thompson records Shankly's life in this delightful biography from his birth in Glenbuck to the glory days when Shankly laid the foundations for Liverpool's rise to domination of the domestic and European f

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Book SynopsisThey all excited and inspired me by how they fought their corners […] So I want to place them all round a fantasy dinner-table, not just to dine, but to relive how I saw them in action and how much they had in common.Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list? Over his 50 years in broadcasting, Archie Macpherson has seen many sports personalities come and go; in Touching the Heights he collects the 13 who have inspired him most around his fantasy dinner table. Some are well-known, others less so, but all shaped both their sport and those, like Macpherson, who watched their careers unfold.Tommy Docherty · Jackie Paterson · Jim Baxter Eric Brown · Jimmy Johnstone · Sandra Whittaker Dr Richard Budgett · Ally MacLeod · Jock Stein · Sir Alex Ferguson · Bill McLaren · Jim MacLean · Graeme SounessFrom football to golf, boxing to athletics, Touching the Heights celebrates the breadth of Scottish sporting achievement. Whether telling the tale of a boy who acquired new shoes by stealing them from the local baths, or that of a distinguished medical scientist at the centre of sporting transgender debates, one thing unites them all: Without them life would have been much poorer.Trade ReviewFrom football to golf, boxing to athletics, Touching the Heights celebrates the breadth of Scottish sporting achievement. ANN FOTHERINGHAM, Glasgow Times

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Book SynopsisYou've heard of David Beckham: the world-famous celebrity, actor, model, entrepreneur, philanthropist and charity ambassador. But what about the footballer behind the brand? Drawing on exclusive interviews with former Beckham team-mates, acclaimed author Wayne Barton explores Beckham's contribution as one of the greatest players of his generation.

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Book SynopsisWritten by a lifelong Liverpool fan, this is a dramatic story of highs and lows, and how the club overcame its extended wait to be Premier League Champions Again.

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Book SynopsisSteve Cauthen commenced his 14-year 'English Odyssey' in April 1979. The erstwhile 'Kentucky Kid' had taken American racing by storm. A champion jockey at 17 and a Triple Crown winner at 18, the teenage prodigy became a bona fide celebrity but a slump of 110 consecutive losers saw him cross the Atlantic seeking to resurrect his career. Within weeks of his arrival 'The Kid' won an English Classic, the 2000 Guineas. He'd go on to become the only jockey to win both the Derby and the Kentucky Derby (plus those of Ireland, France and Italy); be the most recent jockey to win an English Triple Crown courtesy of Oh So Sharp in 1985; and secure three jockeys' championships - making him the only man to win titles in both America and England. Moreover, Cauthen was a supreme stylist who transformed English race-riding: his streamlined American toe-in-the-iron seat and clock-in-the-head judgement of pace sparking widespread imitation. The list of household names benefiting from his sublime talents are legion and this most articulate of jockeys recalls every one of them in his own inimitable style along with all the attendant highs and lows in this first complete retelling of his 'English Odyssey'.

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of ‘Cockney’ Cliff Lines and his memories of 70 years spent in horseracing. Knowing nothing about racing or even how to ride, Cliff started as a 14-year-old apprentice to Noel Murless, and the book details his life, from riding a winner for the Queen, trying to make it as a jockey, through being a work rider/head lad to Michael Stoute, pre-training and eventually training himself. It covers the trials and tribulations he endured: apprentice accommodation, bullying, doping scandals, the stable lads’ strike and his own health issues including a brain tumour. The stories of famous horses he worked with, such as JO TOBIN, SHERGAR and SONIC LADY, and those he nurtured in their early years, including PILSUDSKI and FUJIYAMA CREST, the last runner in Frankie Dettori’s Magnificent Seven, are all covered, as are his travels with horses around the world by boat and plane from 1954 to the present day. And despite all the ups and downs, Cliff genuinely has no regrets about his lifetime in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

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Book SynopsisThe mystery man threw off his disguise and started to run. Furious stewards gave chase. The crowd roared.A legend was born. Soon the world would know him as 'the ghost runner'. John Tarrant. The extraordinary man whom nobody could stop. As a hapless teenage boxer in the 1950s, he'd been paid £17 expenses. When he wanted to run, he was banned for life. His amateur status had been compromised. Forever. Now he was fighting back, gatecrashing races all over Britain. No number on his shirt. No friends in high places. Soon he would be a record-breaker, one of the greatest long-distance runners the world has ever seen. This is his true story: The Ghost Runner.Trade ReviewA terrific story - a comic strip hero made flesh, with all the human complications that entails * Daily Mail *Tarrant's poignant story is wonderfully refreshing and beautifully told * The Sun *A fantastic story of the underdog * Metro *Makes fascinating reading * Manchester Evening News *Bill Jones used to make documentaries, and he retains that discipline's eye for telling details and evocative shots * The Times *

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Book SynopsisMario Balotelli has a reputation like no other in football. Since exploding on to the scene at Inter Milan in 2007, he has won league titles in both Italy and England, moving between Europe's elite clubs.Yet for all his undoubted talent, he is better known for his off-field antics - not least his infamous run-ins with both the police and Manchester's firefighters. Once described by José Mourinho as 'unmanageable', match-winning performances at the highest level have continued to convince clubs such as AC Milan and Liverpool to give him a chance.With exclusive access to friends, teammates and coaches, acclaimed football biographer Luca Caioli talks to the people best placed to explain the mystery that is Mario Balotelli.

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Book SynopsisOver the last thirty years, the English Premier League has grown to become the richest and most popular league in football – and the Irish have been at the heart of its success since the very beginning. In exclusive interviews with thirty former and current players, and an in-depth analysis of Irish players’ involvement, Gareth Maher celebrates the astounding contribution that the Republic of Ireland has made to the most famous league in the world of sport. With insights from Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Niall Quinn, Shay Given, Jonathan Walters, Richard Dunne, Andrew Omobamidele and many more, Away Days uncovers the good, the bad & the ugly of a league that has been home to almost two-hundred Irish players. This is the story of Ireland’s impact on the Premier League as told through the experiences of the players who have lived through the title wins and the relegation scraps, the big-money moves and the cancelling of contracts, the villian's disdain and the hero’s acclaim over three whirlwind decades.Trade Review"An absorbing study, Away Days is a fascinating read. Just perfect for a football nut like me.” -- George Hamilton * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisStories from the lives of some of Ireland’s greatest sports stars. From the highs of lifting trophies and overcoming the impossible, to the lows of battling injury and facing defeat, these are inspiring stories written in plain English for emerging readers. Drawn from bestselling autobiographies and other first-hand accounts, the book features stories from: AP McCoy, Barry McGuigan, Bonnar Ó Loingsigh, Cora Staunton, Gavin Bazunu, Henry Shefflin, Katie Taylor, Keith Earls, Niall Quinn, Paul O’Connell, Philly McMahon, Ronnie Delany, Rosemary Smith, Sonia O’Sullivan and Valerie Mulcahy. An Open Door initiative, published in association with the National Adult Literacy Agency.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, this is the first ever biography of Harold Larwood. Larwood, one of the most talented, accurate and intimidating fast bowlers of all time is mainly remembered for his role in the infamous Bodyline series of 1932-3 which brought Anglo-Australian diplomatic relations to the brink of collapse. Larwood was made the scapegoat - and despite the fact he was simply following his captain's instructions, he never played cricket for England again. Devastated by this betrayal, he eventually emigrated to Australia, where he was accepted by the country that had once despised him. Acclaimed author Duncan Hamilton has gained unprecedented access to the late sportsman's family and archives to tell the story of a true working-class hero and cricketing legend.Trade Review'An excellent storyteller, Hamilton looks beyond the dry detail of Bodyline to illuminate its principal perpetrator' The Cricketer. * The Cricketer *'Wonderful ... Meticulously researched and beautifully written. Please read it.' Mike Selvey, Guardian. * Guardian *'Finally Larwood's memory is honoured with the biography it deserves' Independent on Sunday. * Independent on Sunday *'A near-masterpiece... a magnificently written, intensely moving story of... a great England fast bowler. ... If you want to know why the Ashes matter, you could do worse then lose yourself for a few days in the story of this great and humble man.' Mike Atherton, the Times. * The Times *This is cricket biography of the highest stamp, fit to compare in recent memory with Gideon Haigh's excavation of the life of Jack Iverson, David Foot's dramatic revisionism on Wally Hammond and Leo McKinstry's remarkably even-handed portrait of Geoff Boycott. Five stars' Wisden Cricketer. * Wisden Cricketer *Table of ContentsForeword: Kicking Bradman Up the Arse. Bloody Hard Work, April 1923-June 1925. Captains, Oh My Captains, August 1925. His Master's Voice, June 1926-September 1927. Beer, Fags and a Cheese Sandwich, September 1929. The Little Bastard, August 1932-September 1932. We Conduct Cricketers' Funerals, December 1932-January 1933. It Wasn't Your Fault, Harold, January 1933-February 1933. Why Didn't You Bowl Underarm? April 1933. I'm Afraid You'll Have to Apologize, May 1933-November 1934. No Bugger Can Drive Me, August 1936. A Lonely and Desolate Chap, June 1948. Our Fate is in the Hands of the Gods, April 1950-December 1950. It's Not Like the Old Days, Don, December 1950-February 1971. I Love a Sunburnt Country, March 1977-1995. Afterword, February 2008. Acknowledgements. Appendices: Who's Who; Harold Larwood, First-Class Record; Australia v England, 1932-33; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisKeith Farnsworth writes from the heart with the humour and honesty of an inverterate romantic who, despite a background and circumstances which were often far from ideal, finally achieved success and fulfilment as a writer and journalist. Whether recalling his grandfather''s mysterious disapperance at sea, or the injustice of being expelled from school, A Sheffield Boy tells a colourful and entertaining tale of life in this great city after the Second World War.

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Book SynopsisOne of the finest players football has ever seen, Alan Hudson is still revered at Chelsea, Stoke City, Arsenal and Seattle Sounders, and yet his professional success was dogged by injuries and enormous personal challenges. His love of the glitzy 'footballer lifestyle', dominated by hard-drinking and glamorous women, saw Alan descend into rampant alcoholism, depression, and frequent brushes with authority. Huddy - his official biography - reveals for the first time, the full story of the real Alan Hudson, the man behind the lurid newspaper headlines and booze-fuelled anecdotes. A straight-speaker who doesn't suffer fools gladly, he has as many enemies as close friends. Speak to either and you'll get a vastly differing perspective on just who the man is. Even his team-mates were evenly split; they either loved or loathed him. The one thing that couldn't be taken away from him, however, was his talent for the beautiful game. Some years after retiring from the sport he loved, Alan embarked on a new career in the media but, on December 15, 1997, he was the victim of a 'hit-and-run' car accident near his East London home and his 'life well-lived' changed forever. He sustained injuries that the medical profession thought would kill him. Huddy, lovingly written by his friend Jason Pettigrove, describes Alan's determined fight for life and how his single-mindedness enabled him, along with the brilliance of the NHS and the support of his closest family and friends, to recover from his horrendous injuries and rebuild his life. Alan Hudson's fascinating story is one that has never been fully told ...until now.Trade Review'A total one-off footballer. There's never been anyone quite like him, in his ability and what he was able to do with a football.' Malcolm McDonald; 'I was fortunate enough to play with a few great players and Alan was up there with the very best.' Denis Smith; 'Alan was a top quality, gifted player.' Gordon Taylor; 'Gazza's sitting there, with Gary Lineker and Gary Mabbutt, and the first thing he shouted out was, "Where did you get that shirt from?" so I told him that Al was my uncle. With that, Gazza's literally jumped off the treatment table, dived at my feet and started bowing. "His uncle's the Guv'nor" he kept saying over and over!' Billy Hudson, nephew.Table of ContentsForeword by Jeff Powell 1. Childhood 2. Chelsea 3. Marriage and the 'Good Life' Don't Mix 4. Mr. Waddington 5. Stoke 6. England 7. Arsenal 8. Seattle Sounders 9. Chelsea and Stoke ... Again 10. The Accident 11. Recovery 12. Keep Moving Forward

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Book SynopsisThe book that inspired the major motion picture 'I loved it ... extremely funny. A must-read for anyone who loves football.' Peter Crouch In the late 1960s, in the warm glow of England winning the World Cup, Dave Roberts, like most teenage boys his age, was football mad. There was just one difference: rather than supporting the likes of Arsenal or Manchester United, Dave’s team of choice was the ever so slightly less glamorous Bromley Football Club – one of the last genuinely amateur football teams left, fighting for survival in the lowest non-league division. This book is the story of Bromley’s worst ever season. It is a funny and heart-warming tale of football at the very bottom: Dave turns up to each match with his football boots in his bag, just in case the team are a player short; the crowd is always announced as 400 as no-one can be bothered to count; the team ship so many goals that in one match, the taunting opposition fans actually lose count of the score. It’s easy being a football fan when your team are always winning. The Bromley Boys is the touching true story about supporting a club through thin and even thinner: proof that the more your team may lose on the pitch, the more there is to gain on the terraces.Trade Review'Will strike a chord with football fans everywhere' Adrian Chiles

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Book SynopsisIn 1968, Yorkshire County Cricket Club won a record 29th outright County Championship title. Blessed with the talents of Brian Close, Fred Trueman and Geoffrey Boycott, they dominated their opponents through sheer desire, skill and belief. It was a golden era for the club, and no one saw it coming to an end. But over the next few years, everything changed. Yorkshire's star players departed and their rivals benefited from the introduction of overseas professionals like Garry Sobers, Viv Richards and Clive Rice. As they decided only to hire those born within the county, Yorkshire struggled to compete with their contemporaries and became one of the worst-performing teams in the land. It was a dire time for the club. But when a young Sachin Tendulkar arrived at Headingley in April 1992, a revolution began. Through his talent and personality, Yorkshire's first overseas player modernised a failing institution and gained experience that helped him become the greatest international batsman of his generation. This is the story of how a promising 19-year-old became an Honorary Tyke... and, in the process, changed the history of England's most successful club.

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Book SynopsisThe 1989 Tour de France is arguably the greatest ever. It saw American rider Greg LeMond overturn a 50-second deficit to France's Laurent Fignon on the final stage on the Champs Elysees to snatch the title by a mere eight seconds. After three weeks and more than 2,000 miles in the saddle, these few seconds remain the smallest margin of victory in the race's 100+ year history.But as dramatic as that Sunday afternoon on the streets of Paris was, the race wasn't just about that one time-trial. During the previous fortnight, the leader's yellow jersey had swapped back and forth between LeMond and Fignon in a titanic struggle for supremacy, a battle with more twists and turns than the maziest Alpine mountain pass. At no point during the entire three weeks were LeMond and Fignon separated by more than 53 seconds.In Three Weeks, Eight Seconds, Nige Tassell brings one of cycling's most astonishing stories to life, examining that extraordinary race in all its multi-faceted glory with fresh interviews and new perspectives and laying bare that towering heights of adrenaline, agony, excitement, torment and triumph that it produced.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book Awards Biography of the Year 'A splendid new biography. How good was young Tom Morris? Stephen Proctor makes his case cogently. Young Tom Morris was one of the greatest of them all' - Allan Massie Young Tom Morris, the son of the legendary pioneer of golf, Tom Morris, was golf’s first superstar. Born at a pivotal moment in history, just as the new and inexpensive ‘gutty’ ball was making golf affordable and drawing thousands of new players to the game, his genius and his swashbuckling personality would set a game that had been frozen in amber for four centuries on the pathway to becoming worldwide spectator sport we know today. Exhaustively researched and beautifully illustrated, Monarch of the Green is a stirring and evocative history of Tommy’s life (which also includes, for the first time, a compilation of his competitive record in stroke-play tournaments, singles matches, and foursomes) and demonstrates how, in one dazzling decade, this young superstar dominated the sport like few others have ever done.Trade Review'Brings to sharp focus the impact this young golfing genius had on the formative years of the game. Proctor’s clean and readable style, grounded in solid research … puts into context what the prodigy accomplished. …Proctor paints Young Tom in a fresh light, as the young man who revolutionized the way the game was played and whose brilliant star was so quickly extinguished in tragedy. If you would know Young Tom and his impact on golf [this] is the book you must read' * The Golf (the Golf Heritage Society) *'Very ably convinces us young Tom was a giant on the links, equally as talented as anyone that came after him—Ballesteros, Hagen, Jones, Nicklaus, Woods ... but he saves his best, most moving and poignant writing for Morris’s tragic death, on Christmas Day 1875, at just 24 years old' * Links Magazine *'To write about Tommy Morris is a very brave thing to do. [Proctor] has been successful in bringing something new to the table. … An informative, charming book' * Through the Green *'The short but very intense life of this star of golf is told with detail and passion in this compelling book' * Il Mondo del Golf Today *'Tells of the short but significant life of golfing legend young Tom Morris. Proctor sets his achievements within the context of the time. A useful book to newcomers to the game of golf, who want to understand its history and traditions' * Scots Magazine, Book of the Month *'A splendid new biography. How good was young Tom Morris? Stephen Proctor makes his case cogently. Young Tom Morris was one of the greatest of them all' -- Allan Massie'a stirring work and a great read for any golfer who appreciates the history of the game' * Flagstick, Holiday Gift Guide (US) *

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Book SynopsisSelwyn Francis Edge, invariably known simply as ‘SF’, was a highly significant pioneer of motoring in Britain. When, in 1902, he drove a Napier to victory in the Gordon Bennett Cup, a mighty event on public roads between Paris in France and Innsbruck in Austria, he initiated serious British endeavour in motor racing. He was deeply involved in the birth of Brooklands, setting a 24-hour solo driving record there when the circuit opened in 1907. As a towering industry figure most closely associated with Napier and AC Cars, he played an important role in the growth of car manufacture in Britain. In the words of ‘Bentley Boy’ S.C.H. ‘Sammy’ Davis, ‘His keen grey eyes, the bushy eyebrows and the hawk-like face… made him a notable figure in any assembly.’ This biography uncovers the life of an extraordinary man whose achievements deserve to be far more widely recognised.

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Book SynopsisSex, Lies and Handlebar Tape is the astonishing biography of French cycling star Jacques Anquetil. For the first time since his death in 1987, it reveals the extraordinary truth behind the legend, the man and the cyclist.His list of 'firsts' alone makes him worthy of a place in the cycling pantheon: the first man to win the Tour de France five times; the first man to win all three grand tours - the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España; and the first man to win both the Tour and Vuelta in the same year.However, the extraordinary life of Anquetil does not stop at his achievements on a bike. He candidly admitted to using drugs, offended legions of fans by confessing that his only motivation for riding was financial and infamously indulged his enthusiasm for the high life. He also seduced and married his doctor's wife, had a child with her daughter and then sustained a ménage à trois with both wife and stepdaughter under the same roof for 12 years. When this 'family' eventually imploded, he attempted to inspire jealousy in his former lovers by having a child with his stepson's ex-wife.Containing exclusive contributions from Anquetil's family, friends, teammates and rivals, Sex, Lies and Handlebar Tape untangles myth from reality and confirms that fact is definitely stranger than fiction.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary biography * The Times Magazine *Paul Howard has not allowed Anquetil's astonishing love life to overwhelm his equally extraordinary career . . . an impeccably researched book (Book of the Week) * Independent on Sunday *An excellent work * Daily Telegraph *A stunning story * Shortlist *

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Book SynopsisDavid Prentice is the Sport Editor of the Liverpool Echo, the city's famous newspaper. His fascinating book charts almost half-a-century of Everton Football Club's history - from a unique insider. It is a fan-fare and a news report. A travelogue and a social comment - and a poignant reflection of how football and journalism has changed forever.

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Book SynopsisFrom his home in the Cairngorms of Scotland, in There’s Always the Hills Cameron McNeish reflects on a life dedicated to the outdoors. A prolific author, McNeish has led treks in the Himalayas and Syria, edited The Great Outdoors magazine, establishing it as Britain’s premier walking publication, created new long-distance walks and made television series, contributed a monthly column to Scots Magazine, campaigned for Scottish independence and raised a family with his wife, Gina. In this long-awaited autobiography, he candidly recalls the ups and downs of a full life, much of it in the public eye, much of it until now unseen.Trade Review‘There’s Always the Hills flows like a friendly conversation, shared over three or four single malts, and develops into an engaging tale...’ * The Great Outdoors Magazine *‘A gifted storyteller, he peels back the layers of his life and offers a personal and emotional look behind the scenes of his success. This is a great read for anyone who enjoys our great outdoors and the wealth of tales that can be told about it - it's both one man's story and a candid, absorbing account for those with an interest in Scotland's awe-inspiring wildlife.’ * Rachel Scorgie, The Courier *‘There’s Always the Hills is a sure-fire hit. The author’s eye for minor details and honest accounts of his experiences, bring his anecdotes to life.’ * Scottish Field *‘Cameron McNeish's autobiography is everything we hoped it would be, and a "must buy" for anyone who's ever felt the pull of Scotland's mountains. ’ * Undiscovered Scotland *‘Cameron is a born raconteur and his book flows easily, being both informative and full of interest.’ * Helen Todd, Walk Magazine *‘There's Always the Hills is an inspiring story of a life well lived. Or, at least, the first installment.’ * Roger Cox, Scotland on Sunday *‘A vivid travelogue through the breathtaking vistas, towering peaks and rugged islands of Scotland and a tribute to the warmth and hospitality of the Scots people... McNeish's encyclopaedic knowledge of the lochs and glens, Highlands and islands, the bealachs and coires and the myriad myths and legends that reside therein is unrivalled.’ * BBC Countryfile Magazine *

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Book SynopsisNot many ‘amateur’ yacht designers would dare to enter the first boat they had ever designed into the epic offshore Fastnet Race, let alone with the intention of winning it. But that is what Dick Carter did in 1964, beating all 151 other yachts, some sailed by the most notable sailors of the day. He repeated the feat 4 years later with another of his own designs (which also won the Admiral’s Cup that year as top boat and top team), but by then he could certainly not be described as an ‘amateur’ yacht designer. His radical innovations created fast and comfortable boats which were much in demand in this, the golden age of offshore racing. They were commissioned by the top sailors and succeeded in winning the Admiral’s Cup, Southern Cross Series, One Ton Cup, Two Ton Cup and many of the biggest races. He even went on to design the massive 128-foot Vendredi Treize for Jean-Yves Terlain to sail single-handed in the 1972 OSTAR (trans-Atlantic) race – the longest boat ever to have been raced single-handed. But after just a decade at the top of his game, he quit the world of sailing and moved on to other challenges. He hadn’t been heard of for so long that sailors assumed he was dead. His surprise appearance at the funeral of Ted Hood gave rise to the suggestion that he wrote this book. It is beautifully produced with many fabulous photographs and boat plans and was first published in the US by Seapoint Books and is now published in the UK by Fernhurst Books. While his career as a yacht designer may have been brief, the impact of his innovations has lasted the test of time. Who today would think of an offshore yacht without internal halyards in the mast or that the rudder always had to be fixed to the keel? These concepts, and many more, were first introduced by Dick Carter.Trade Review“A fascinating account of his work by one man with a real ‘eye for a boat’.” (Julian Stockwin) “An excellent book” (Seahorse) “An exceptionally attractive sailing book… an educative and admirable book.” (Yachting Monthly) “Both interesting and entertaining… handsome, beautifully illustrated hardback. In my opinion it is a purchase that will not be regretted, as it is a jewel of a book for anybody who loves boats and sailing… If I was going to buy just one sailing book this year, it would be this one.” (Flying Fish)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Prologue; Introduction; 1. Early Days: Summer Sailing on Cape Cod; 2. International 14 and Racing for Yale; 3. Firefly Racing; 4. Racing and Cruising the Medalist; 5. A New Approach to Offshore Yacht Design; 6. Campaigning RABBIT; 7. The 1965 Fastnet Race; 8. TINA; 9. International Offshore Rule; 10. OPTIMIST and RABBIT II; 11. The Tower; 12. RED ROOSTER and the Admiral’s Cup; 13. The Carter 33; 14. Rothschild’s GITANA V; 15. VENDREDI TREIZE; 16. One Ton Cup Competition; 17. Cruising with the Swing Keel; 18. The Carter 30 in Poland and Russia; 19. RABBIT’s Legacy; Other Notable Boats; Epilogue; Honor Roll.

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Book SynopsisRay Gravell was undoubtedly one of Wales and rugby's greatest characters. He touched the hearts of all who met him, and his sincere interest in everyone made you feel better after being in his company. This volume brings together touching and humorous anecdotes about him by friends and acquaintances.

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Book SynopsisThe gruesome stories of the hardest, most ruthless rugby players from around the world since World War I. As talented as they were fiery, many were just as lively off the pitch as on it. In our era of citing commissioners, super slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are quite hard to believe! Foreword by Nigel Owens.Trade ReviewThe true stories behind 20 of the toughest players to ever play the game, from pre-WWI firebrands to modern-day YouTube sensations. They are shocking, gruesome, often very funny and sometimes tragic, but what unites these men is their total commitment to the sport. Irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, they never took a step back, and many were as lively off the pitch as they were fi ery on it. In our era of citing commissioners, slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are hard to believe. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the players themselves, insights from former teammates and a foreword from refereeing legend Nigel Owens, if you love the characters that make rugby great, then this is the book for you. -- Publisher: Y LolfaWinston Churchill described rugby as a hooligans' game played by gentlemen. And in saying so, he added to the eternal debate. Where does toughness end and thuggery begin on the rugby field? Nigel Owens in his foreword to this fascinating book goes a long way in answering that question. ‘A dirty player,’ he opines, ‘might deck someone from behind – something that in no way proves their hardness.’ And ‘Amen’, say I. Author Luke Upton has whittled down his choice of the hardest men of rugby over the past 110 years to just twenty. They represent twelve different rugby nationalities, including three stalwarts from Wales: Bobby Windsor, Scott Gibbs and Brian Thomas. Upton’s final choice is a mixture of the famous and the lesser known. The former include Shelford and Meads of New Zealand, Hadley of Canada, Chabal of France and Dooley of England. Less known to me are Bedell-Sivright of Scotland, who died in Gallipoli in 1915, Paddy Maine of Ireland, Weary Dunlop of Australia and Jacques Berger of Namibia. Upton has garnered dozens of anecdotes, some of them hilarious. He avoids the pitfall of glorifying brutality, although Bobby Windsor does admit to attempting to beat bigger packs by skullduggery. But that is typical of Windsor – hard but utterly honest with it. Just as honest is Irishman Trevor Brennan’s comment following an incident in a game against Australia after flooring an opponent with his elbow: ‘He was alright,’ he said. ‘If I was going to do it deliberately, I’d have done it right.’ Upton emphasises that his final twenty do not form an exhaustive or definitive list. They rather form snapshots from across the eras of rugby. Nor is the degree of hardness a factor. In fact, says Upton, as well as being hard men these were also very good players. Were I asked to choose my all-time hardest from among the twenty, Brian Thomas of Neath would be my choice. This is how the legendary Phil Bennett describes his first encounter with the bear-like lock nicknamed ‘The Ayatollah’: ‘He came over to toss the coin before kick-off and stood there almost blocking off the light, with a huge black eye – somehow sustained in his own dressing room.’ So, does hardness equal thuggery? Jacques Berger sums it up perfectly: ‘Rugby is a brutal game but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love it.’ -- Lyn Ebenezer @ www.gwales.comTable of ContentsForeword by Nigel Owens Introduction Paddy Mayne Brian Lima Wayne Shelford Bobby Windsor Colin Meads Jerry Collins Norm Hadley David Bedell-Sivright Scott Gibbs Gérard Cholley Trevor Brennan Wade Dooley Bakkies Botha Tomás Lavanini Jacques Burger Armand Vaquerin Martin Johnson Brian Thomas Sébastien Chabal Weary Dunlop Author acknowledgements Bibliography Notes

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Book SynopsisBy 1971 no Lions team had ever defeated the All Blacks in a Test series. Since 1904, six Lions sides had travelled to New Zealand and all had returned home bruised, battered and beaten. But the 1971 tour party was different. It was full of young, ambitious and outrageously talented players who would all go on to carve their names into the annals of sporting history during a golden period in British and Irish rugby. And at their centre was Carwyn Jones – an intelligent, sensitive rugby mastermind who would lead his team into the game’s hardest playing arena while facing a ferocious, tragic battle in his personal life, all in pursuit of a seemingly impossible dream. Up against them was an All Blacks team filled with legends in the game in the likes of Colin Meads, Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Sid Going and Bryan Williams. But as the Lions swept through the provinces, lighting up the rugby fields of New Zealand the pressure began to mount on the home players in a manner never seen before. As the Test series loomed, it became clear that a clash that would echo through the ages was about to unfold. And at its conclusion, it was obvious to all that rugby would never be the same again.Trade Review'Brilliantly written – evocative, powerful and utterly gripping' * Rugby World *'Outstanding . . . On all sort of levels, it is a compelling read. The quality of the Lions backs, the coaching intelligence of Carwyn James, the shrewd management of Doug Smith, the growing Kiwi horror at what was unfolding: all of it feels strangely fresh, partly because it is so well told and partly because so much fascinating detail has lain untouched for ages' -- Robert Kitson * Guardian *'Special. Wondrous insights into the Lions' only New Zealand win ... loved it' -- Stephen Jones * The Sunday Times *'enthralling ... brilliantly chronicled through the eyes of those that were there' * Western Mail *'splendid ... not only for those of us well steeped in nostalgia, but of a wider and more immediate interest' * The Scotsman *

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Book Synopsis5 September, 1972. 4.30 a.m. The Munich Olympic Village. Black September, a group of Palestinian terrorists, break into the Israeli team's apartments. It is the beginning of the most tragic event in Olympic history and, after twenty hours, the day will end in a massacre, with the deaths of eleven Israelis, five Palestinians and a German policeman. This is the story of the race-walker Shaul Ladany: a survivor. But more than just a member of the Israeli team from those terrible events in Munich, Ladany was a survivor of the darkest period in twentieth century history, having been interred as a child at the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, the camp where Anne Frank died. For the second time in his life, Ladany has survived history. Ladany, the world record holder in the fifty-mile walk and a professor of industrial engineering, is one of Israel’s most successful athletes, having won dozens of national championships and competed at both the 1968 and 1972 Olympics; he was a student at Columbia University in New York, a soldier in the Six Days War and the Yom Kippur War. From Eichmann to Sharon, from Bikila to All Blacks, from Nixon to Thatcher: they are all a part of Ladany’s walk through the twentieth century. Award-winning author and journalist Andrea Schiavon tells Ladany's extraordinary life and, walking with him, chronicles a whole century of events in this astonishing, touching and epic biography.

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Book SynopsisA must-read biography of one of the greatest football managers of all time. Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, born 31 December 1941, is a former Scottish football player and was manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his 26 years in charge of United, he won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football. Packed with nearly 80 entertaining and exclusive interviews from those who know Ferguson best – friends, colleagues, associates and those who worked with him at both Aberdeen and Manchester United share their unique insight into the innermost secrets of Ferguson’s fascinating life and hugely successful career.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Football Book of the YearUnknown in Scotland upon his arrival and unheralded in the English game, Ange Postecoglou revelled in his status as an outside agitator. He transformed a Celtic team in turmoil into serial winners, sweeping up five trophies over the course of two spectacular seasons. His appointment by Tottenham Hotspur made him the first Australian manager to take charge of a Premier League club and he had immediate success there.Revolution charts the dramatic story of Postecoglou's instant impact on British football and explores his life and times in the sport, through the eyes of those who know him best.Examining the traits that set him apart from his peers, Revolution provides an insight into the making of a man and the unique football philosophy that has reinvigorated teams and transformed playing styles at a succession of clubs across the globe.

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Book SynopsisNEVER in the history of the game has one life brought both joy and tragedy in such huge measures. Duncan Edwards was the jewel in the crown of the Busby Babes, an all-time legend at just 21, who was denied the chance to achieve even greater footballing success by the Munich Air Disaster in 1958. This fascinating new biography, with support from friends and relatives, includes rare and unseen pictures and tells the story of the boy who left his home in Dudley to earn his Manchester United debut at the age of 16 – and made such an impression that he was an England international at 18. The most forensic account of this remarkable life and career includes new interviews, as well as contributions from icons of United and the wider English game – plus quotes from Edwards himself. He packed so much into a short career, collecting 18 caps, winning the First Division title twice, and helping Matt Busby’s team take their first steps in European football, but it was an all-round game that had no weakness that impressed most. Team-mate Bobby Charlton summed Edwards up best: “Sentiment can throw a man’s judgement out of perspective. Yet it is not the case with him. A few are great, and deserve respect. But Duncan Edwards was the greatest.” ‘Eternal’ is the complete story of an extraordinary footballer, whose influence on Manchester United and the success that followed can still be felt today.

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Book SynopsisOn 20th July 1995, Robin Bowes, one the last great twentieth century barnstormers, died at the controls of his replica Red Baron' Fokker DR1 triplane just as he was about to commence an aerial dogfight display at Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire.

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Book SynopsisPeter Eckersley wasn't among the greatest of Lancashire cricketers with bat and ball but no other player can match his qualities of Charisma, Loyalty, Leadership, Bravery, Courage and Sacrifice. The author has brought to life this largely forgotten Lancashire Cricketer.

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Book SynopsisDavid Warner: Daring To Be Different Unveiling cricket''s greatest entertainer!The first Australian cricketer to play 100 internationals across all three levels (Tests, ODIs and T20s), David Warner is a champion of his generation; fabulous but flawed. No Australian opener in history has surpassed his rapid-fire strike rate in excess of 70 runs per 100 balls. Only one other has surpassed his aggregate of 45 centuries across all levels.Feisty, flamboyant, verbose and villainous, few have been as entertaining or as polarising as the great David Warner.

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Book Synopsis“The story of Ike Ibeabuchi is one of the strangest in modern boxing history and Luke G. Williams has told it with great clarity, sensitivity, and skill. President of Pandemonium is crammed with raw and revealing details as Williams draws us into the unsettling world of a man as vulnerable as he was destructive. It is a gripping read.”—Donald McRae, The Guardian Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi had the boxing world at his feet in 1997 after vanquishing David Tua in a battle for the ages in Sacramento. The Nigerian heavyweight’s subsequent descent into a vortex of mental illness and crime and punishment was as shocking as it was tragic. Was Ibeabuchi a vulnerable man exploited by a ruthless sport and a dysfunctional criminal justice system, or was he guilty-as-charged for his deeds and rightly punished? Somewhere amid a colorful cast of characters including Republican politicians, crooked promoters, and demons hiding in air-conditioning units, lies the uncomfortable truth. In President of Pandemonium, Luke G. Williams vividly recreates Ibeabuchi’s life in and out of the ring. Combining exclusive interviews with those who guided his career and observed him closely, as well as firsthand testimony from “The President” himself, this is a story of brilliance destroyed by dark forces, both real and imagined.

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Book SynopsisA riveting, revealing portrait of tennis champion and global icon Serena Williams that combines biography, cultural criticism, and sports writing to offer “a deep, satisfying meditation” (The New York Times) on the most consequential athlete of her time.There has never been an athlete like Serena Williams. She has dominated women’s tennis for two decades, changed the way the game is played, and—by inspiring Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and others—changed, too, the racial makeup of the pro game. But Williams’s influence has not been confined to the tennis court. As a powerful Black woman who struggled to achieve and sustain success, she has emerged as a cultural icon, figuring in conversations about body image, working mothers, and more. Seeing Serena chronicles Williams’s return to tennis after giving birth to her daughter—from her controversial 2018 US Open final against Naomi Osaka through a 2020 season that unfolded against a backdrop of a pandemic and protests over the killing of Black men and women by the police. Gerald Marzorati, who writes about tennis for The New Yorker, travels to Wimbledon and to Compton, California, where Serena and her sister Venus learned to play. He talks with former women’s tennis greats, sports and cultural commentators—and Serena herself. He observes Williams from courtside, on the red carpet, in fashion magazines, on social media. He sees her and writes about her prismatically—reflecting on her many, many facets. The result is an “enlightening…keen analysis” (The Washington Post) and energetic narrative that illuminates Serena’s singular status as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time and a Black woman with a global presence like no other.Trade Review“Thoughtful. . . . Marzorati has written a deep, satisfying meditation on Serena’s path.” —The New York Times “What would a year spent watch­ing every Serena Williams tennis match yield? A portrait both on and off the court of one of the greatest ath­letes of all time. New Yorker tennis writer Gerald Marzorati’s Seeing Serena captures Williams’ return to tennis follow­ing the birth of her daughter and her influence and presence as a cultural icon.” —Parade, “Books We Love” column "With just enough backstory and supportive interviews, [Marzorati] effectively incorporates relevant history of Williams' previous Grand Slam tournaments while also examining her roles in challenging cultural norms and fighting for gender equality. Marzorati has an easy-to-read style and reveals the complexity of Williams' life, not just as an athlete, but also as a celebrity." —Booklist “Readers who know more about Williams than her tennis career will learn about the game's intricacies while those already familiar with the game will benefit from subtler details.” —Kirkus Reviews "The level of this analysis is quite impressive.” —Library Journal "Well written. . . . This is a solidly reported book." —Publishers Weekly“Seeing Serena is a masterful, multifocal portrait of an icon at the height of her power. But it is more than that. It illuminates, and complicates, not only Williams, but also those who watch her.” —Louisa Thomas, author of Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams

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Book SynopsisThe moving story of a bond between sportswriter and fan that grew over several decades into an extraordinary friendship.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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