Biography: sport Books

Book Synopsis While many of his peers began their careers as farmers and factory workers, Leo Florian Houck became a boxing sensation at age 14, enabling him to support his mother and six siblings after his father''s death. Houck''s career really took off in 1911 with a 20-round victory over world-class welterweight Harry Lewis in Paris. During 1913 Leo became the leading middleweight contender in America. This biography details Houck''s early years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, his long career in the ring--including 200 fights--and his 27 years as Penn State''s legendary boxing coach.

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Book SynopsisWhen Leigh Perkins bought the Orvis Company in 1965, the fly-fishing and bird-hunting outfitter was a sleepy business with annual sales that had leveled off at $500,000. Over the next thirty years Perkins built Orvis''s annual sales to $100 million by revolutionizing the catalog retail industry and reshaping the company''s tradition-bound culture. He achieved this by blending his love of nature with his business acumen and bringing the commonsense approach he learned in the streams and on his hunts to his boardroom decision making.The basic principles he used to run his business include: The Customer Is Always Right. . . Even When You Know Damned Well He''s Wrong: Perkins put such a high priority on customer service that he would personally man the phones at the height of the holiday season each year to keep in touch with his customers.Product Excellence: Perkins made sure that everything Orvis sold was of the highest qTrade Review"Few have done so well in business--and even fewer can say they enjoyed it as much."--William E. Simon, former Secretary of the Treasury"Leigh Perkins has combined a life of hunting and fishing with a notable career as CEO of Orvis. How he did this is a remarkable tale."—former President Jimmy Carter

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Book SynopsisFrom Babe Ruth to Michael Phelps, Billie Jean King to Tony Hawk, American athletes have been a source of pride and accomplishment throughout the nation’s history. While there have been plenty of athlete biographies, sports profiles, and behind-the scenes looks at various professional sports, no book has attempted to rank the greatest American athletes of all time. Until now. In The 100 Greatest American Athletes, Martin Gitlin ranks the best of the best using a point system to assess each individual’s achievements, versatility, and athleticism, as well as the physical requirements of the sport or sports in which they participated. The final tally of these points provides the ranking for each athlete in the book, which is sure to spark lively conversation. Some of the most iconic names in sports history can be found here, including Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Larry Byrd, LeBron James, Mickey Mantle, Joe Montana, Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, Tiger Woods, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. It can be difficult to compare bobsledders to boxers, figure-skaters to football players, shot-putters to skiers. This book, however, attempts to do just that in an accurate, fair manner that honors those who made valuable contributions to American sports and culture. Sports fans will undoubtedly enjoy debating the ranking of these remarkable individuals, making The 100 Greatest American Athletes a must read.Trade ReviewHaving known Martin Gitlin for many years, provocative is not a word I would use to describe him. But provocative is the best word to describe his latest work. What a great read. -- Tony Grossi, NFL and Cleveland Browns analyst for ESPN Cleveland and 850 WKNR radio, voting member of the Pro Football Hall of FameTable of ContentsIntroduction 1: Jim Thorpe: The Sports Conqueror 2: Michael Jordan: His Airness 3: Bob Mathias: The Manchild 4: Jim Brown: The Indestructible 5: Michael Phelps: The Baltimore Bullet 6: Deion Sanders: Prime Time 7: LeBron James: The Chosen One 8: Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Magnificent Heptathlete 9: Rafer Johnson: Renaissance Man 10: Muhammad Ali: The Louisville Lip 11: Willie Mays: The Say Hey Kid 12: Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat 13: Ashton Eaton: Wheels 14: Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Master of All 15: Wilt Chamberlain: Wilt the Stilt 16: Jackie Robinson: The Barrier Breaker 17: Rickey Henderson: The Man of Steal 18: Bo Jackson: The Freakish Talent 19: Jesse Owens: To Hell with Hitler 20: Henry Aaron: Hammerin’ Hank 21: Tom Brady: Tom Terrific 22: Lawrence Taylor: L.T. 23: Carl Lewis: King Carl 24: Reggie White: The Minister of Defense 25: Bruce Jenner: Bruiser 26: Ray Robinson: Sugar 27: Don Hutson: The Alabama Antelope 28: Bob Hayes: Bullet Bob 29: Bill Russell: Mr. 11 Rings 30: Deacon Jones: The Secretary of Defense 31: Sandy Koufax: The Left Arm of God 32: Mickey Mantle: The Mick 33: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The Big ‘A’ 34: Lou Gehrig: The Iron Horse 35: Emlen Tunnell: Offense on Defense 36: Jerry West: Zeke from Cabin Creek 37: Anthony Munoz: The Great Protector 38: Oscar Charleston: The Black Ty Cobb 39: Earvin Johnson: Magic 40: Joe Louis: The Brown Bomber 41: Kobe Bryant: The Black Mamba 42: Serena Williams: Momma Smash 43: Honus Wagner: The Flying Dutchman 44: Julius Erving: Dr. J 45: Gale Sayers: The Kansas Comet 46: Mary Wambach: Abby 47: Jerry Rice: Flash 80 48: Pete Sampras: Pistol Pete 49: Eric Heiden: The Record Breaker 50: Shaun White: The Flying Tomato 51: Simone Biles: Simoney 52: Stan Musial: Stan the Man 53: Willie Pep: Will ‘o the Wisp 54: Walter Payton: Sweetness 55: Althea Gibson: The Tenacious One 56: Henry Armstrong: Homicide Hank 57: Joe Montana: Joe Cool 58: Mike Tyson: The Baddest Man on the Planet 59: Dick Butkus: The Maestro of Mayhem 60: Tracy Caulkins: The Medley Sensation 61: Michael Johnson: The Duck 62: Bob Beamon: Leap of a Lifetime 63: Oscar Robertson: The Big O 64: Mike Schmidt: Iron Mike 65: Larry Bird: The Hick from French Lick 66: Lindsey Vonn: Kildon 67: Karl Malone: The Mailman 68: Mike Trout: The Millville Meteor 69: Cheryl Miller: Big Sister 70: Mark Spitz: Mark the Shark 71: Tony Hawk: The Bird Man 72: Joe DiMaggio: The Yankee Clipper 73: Peggy Fleming: The Steel-Nerved Skater from San Jose 74: Walter Johnson: The Big Train 75: Barry Sanders: The Little Fella 76: Ty Cobb: The Georgia Peach 77: Bonnie Blair: The Blue 78: Secretariat: Big Red 79: Rocky Marciano: The Brockton Blockbuster 80: Red Grange: The Galloping Ghost 81: Chris Chelios: The Godfather of USA Hockey 82: Chris Evert: The Ice Maiden 83: Al Oerter: He-Man Heave Man 84: Mary T. Meagher: Madame Butterfly 85: Lisa Leslie: Smooth 86: O.J. Simpson: The Juice 87: Billie Jean King: The Male Chauvinist Pig Tamer 88: Wilma Rudolph: The Tornado 89: Kelly Slater: King Kelly 90: Johnny Unitas: The Golden Arm 91: Ted Williams: The Splendid Splinter 92: Greg Louganis: Dynamite Diver 93: Josh Gibson: The Legend 94: Edwin Moses: The Bionic Man 95: Jack Nicklaus: The Golden Bear 96: Rogers Hornsby: The Rajah 97: Florence Griffith Joyner: FloJo 98: Gabby Douglas: The Flying Squirrel 99: Lynette Woodard: The Globetrotter 100: Eldrick Woods: Tiger Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisPalmer, a long-time friend of Bruce Lee and one of his youngest martial arts students, recounts Lee’s early years, when he would train a multicultural group of local toughs in empty parking lots and backyards around Seattle. Palmer spends a summer with Lee and his family in Hong Kong and provides fascinating insight into Lee’s personality, from his silly sense of humor and love of practical jokes to his uncanny ability to learn from different fighting traditions to hone his skills. Palmer’s stories paint a picture of a fun-loving, intense young man who worked hard to excel at his craft.

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Book SynopsisFrom legendary Ball Four author, Jim Bouton, comes the behind-the-scenes story of Bouton's valiant and determined efforts to save Wahconah Park. For the first time in two decades, enjoy Foul Ball as never before with freshly edited content and a new foreword from Jim Bouton's wife, Paula. With his trademark wit and distinctive voice, Bouton recounts his battle against the local elites' efforts to replace one of the oldest parks in the United States against the wishes and votes of local citizens. But Foul Ball is more than just a lively romp about saving an old ballpark near Bouton's home in Massachusetts. In a detailed diary–his first since Ball Four–Bouton takes us along on his wild ride, into the teeth of corporate malfeasance, anti-democratic processes, the tyranny of a one-newspaper town, and the real reason why the good old boys wanted to build a new stadium.

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisMara Yamauchi is a two-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, and the UK's second-fastest female marathon runner ever with a personal best of 2:23:12. But there is much more to Mara than just running fast. This book of 42.195 insights-the number of kilometers in a marathon-distills the wealth of wisdom and experience Mara has gained as a world-class athlete. From planning training, optimizing nutrition, and preparing effectively for racing to coping with disappointments and struggles with mental illness, Mara shares everything she has learned-good and bad-as one of the world's top marathoners. Still, she does not spoon-feed her readers with training plans; instead, she encourages them to think critically to understand how to improve and set their own goals. This book also takes the reader into the revered world of distance running in Japan, one of the world's marathon superpowers. It has something for everyone, from beginner runners to competitive athletes and those aspiring to the very top. Mara's insights are also applicable beyond running and are meant for anyone who wants to realize a dream or achieve a lifetime goal in whatever field is special to them.Trade Review"Mara's book is about making the most of what you've got, discipline, having faith in yourself and learning, principally about who you are. But mostly it's about doing the hard yards. A very enjoyable book, which you can dip into whenever you have ten minutes to spare. A lovely template for success in any walk of life." DALEY THOMPSON CBE, Two-time Olympic decathlon champion

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Book SynopsisMiguel Indurain is Spain’s greatest cyclist of all time and one of the best Tour racers in history. He is the only bike rider to have won five successive Tours de France, as well as holding the title for the youngest ever race leader in the Tour of Spain. This is his story. As the all-conquering hero of the 90s, Indurain steadfastly refused to be overwhelmed by fame; remaining humble, shy and true to his country roots. Along with his superhuman calmness, iron will-power and superb bike handling skills, he was often described as a machine. Yet 1996 saw Indurain, the Tour’s greatest ever champion, spectacularly plummet, bringing his career and supremacy to an abrupt end.In Indurain, Alasdair Fotheringham gets to the heart of this enigmatic character, reliving his historic accomplishments in vibrant colour, and exploring how this shaped the direction taken by generations of Spanish racers - raising Spanish sport to a whole new level.

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Book SynopsisThe Joshua Files traces the story of Britain's latest heavyweight hero from the building site to the top of the boxing world and beyond. Anthony Joshua's fight with Wladimir Klitschko, in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, transformed the fighter not only into a national hero but also a global star. Having worked as a boxing journalist for almost 30 years for Boxing News, Boxing Monthly and Sky Sports, Matt Bozeat was perfectly placed to follow Joshua from a ringside seat from the very start of his professional career. Joshua turned pro soon after winning gold at the London Olympics in 2012, and has since surpassed all expectations, going on to dominate the division with a 100 per cent KO record. The Joshua Files tells exactly how he fought his way to the top, through revealing and insightful interviews with the fighter himself, as well as with the boxing experts, trainers, sparring partners and opponents who have the closest insider knowledge of Anthony's incredible rise.

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Book Synopsis'He's here, he's there, he's every-f*cking-where, Gerry Gow, Gerry Gow' was an anthem that could often be heard reverberating around Ashton Gate in the 1970s as Bristol City climbed towards the first division. Gow was one of football's original cult heroes that emerged throughout the seventies and eighties; often sporting long hair and bushy moustaches. Gow pulled off both with style during spells at Bristol City and Manchester City. Written with the help of the Gow family, He's Here, He's There: The Gerry Gow Story celebrates the career of the Ashton Gate 'Enforcer'. It provides a fascinating insight into a player that fans of a certain vintage consider the greatest to wear the red of Bristol City. With fresh insight from Gerry's family, friends, team-mates and opponents, including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Reid and Chris Kamara, this is a captivating insight into a cult hero, a football hardman, a Bristolian icon; but also Gerry the man, and a man sorely missed but still loved by so many.

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Book SynopsisWhen Muhammad Ali died, many mourned the life of the greatest sportsman the world had ever seen. In Redemption Song, Mike Marqusee argues that Ali was not just a boxer but a remarkable political figure in a decade of tumultuous change. Playful, popular, always confrontational, Ali refashioned the role of a political activist and was central, alongside figures such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, to the black liberation and the anti-war movements. Marqusee shows that sport and politics were always intertwined, and this is the reason why Ali remained an international beacon of hope, long after he had left the ring.Trade ReviewA beautiful book. -- Arundhati RoyAmong the slew of recent Ali books, here's one that returns the political sting to 'The Greatest' ... As Marqusee portrays him, Ali is still the righteous outlaw, as badass as ever and still in the eye of a global storm. * Time Out *A thrilling book about a true and enduring hero ... Mike Marqusee has done him, and us, proud. -- John PilgerExcellent ... Reminds us just how explosive and divisive a figure Ali was. * Independent on Sunday *Fascinating, well-written, entertaining and significant. Redemption Songprovides rare and important insights into Muhammad Ali and his immense global impact on a turbulent and ground-breaking era. -- Leon GastAs Marqusee charts how Ali helped create a global consciousness, he succeeds in knocking Ali off the respectable pedestal on which American culture had placed him, resurrecting him as the radical figure he truly was ... a vibrant historical essay. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisMohamed Salah: The Ultimate Fan Book takes you into the Egyptian football superstar's world like no other book. Learn about his amazing journey from growing up in a suburb of Cairo, to Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina, AS Roma and Liverpool, where he has become a superstar of the Premier League. Written in a lively style and filled with fun features, thrilling action photographs and enlightening quotes, Mohamed Salah: The Ultimate Fan Book celebrates his greatest moments and most famous goals, including the goals which have made him one of the world's most watchable superstars. Table of ContentsIntroduction • The Early Years • Playing for El Mokawloon • Playing for Basel • Egyptian Hero • Playing for Chelsea • On loan in Italy • Chelsea Milestones • At Home with Mohamed • Mohamed's Super Skills • Great Roma Goals • Training with Mohamed • Egyptian Milestones • Mohamed Salah in Numbers • Mohamed's Superstar Team-mates • Mohamed and his Fans • Playing for Liverpool • Reds Hero • Mohamed Salah at Africa Cup of Nations 2017 • Mohamed and his Coaches • Great Egypt Goals • Global Superstar • Record Breaker • Look inside the Trophy Cabinet • What Next for Mohamed Salah?

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Book SynopsisVictory is a life well lived or a day enjoyed.'In this inspiring memoir, Frank recounts his life and experiences as an elite runner, as well as his fourteen-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is well aware that Parkinson's will ultimately win, but he is determined to not get ahead of himself, as after all tomorrow is another day.

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Book SynopsisWidely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Shane Warne was a giant of his time. A sporting hero and national icon, young cricketers today are inspired by his leg spin legacy.Perhaps the most charismatic personality of any sport, Shane Warne's triumphs restored craft and subtlety to the foreground of the game. Taking the highest number of Test wickets when he retired – 708 at 25.14 apiece, he was chosen by Wisden as one of the five outstanding players of the 20th century. The rebel who used his injury in his early years to build strength in his wrists and upper body, his unwavering optimism and unassailable competitive spirit became a defining feature of the leading man of cricket.Packed with quotes and insights The Little Book of Shane Warne explores the man who, by unanimous consent, pitched the ball of the century, and earned his place in the pantheon of exceptional players.'He was the best of them all and you can't say any more than that.' Michael Parkinson'People put down their beer every time Shane Warne came on to bowl.' Ian ChappellTable of ContentsShane Warne on the Way Up: Childhood accidents and teenage rejections to ten-pint nights and a lot of hard work. Shane Warne on the Ashes: From the Ball of the Century to the art of sledging and everything inbetween. Shane Warne on Cricket: The smartest captain Australia never had, Shane Warne on the game he loved. Shane Warne on Leg Spin: Big hands, strong wrists and an abundance of natural talent. Shane Warne on Life: Making friends and winning respect, the streetwise king who did it his own way. Life on Shane Warne: Thoughts and messages of love and respect from around the world.

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Book SynopsisGilly: The Turbulent Life of Roy Gilchrist is the tragic account of a cricket meteor who crashed to earth all too quickly because of his flawed temperament. Born into grinding poverty in rural Jamaica in 1934, Gilchrist's prowess as a phenomenal fast bowler quickly gained him international recognition, but the failure to curb his unstable temperament saw him sent home from the West Indies tour of India in 1959 for dangerous bowling. A victim of the class-ridden clique that ran West Indies cricket, Gilchrist hardly helped his cause by refusing to alter his aggressive demeanour. Excessive gamesmanship and constant fights on and off the field, culminating in a prison sentence for attacking his wife with a hot iron, not only put paid to any hopes of reviving his Test career; it also tainted his reputation irrevocably. Sadly, he lived his final years as a pauper afflicted by disease.Trade Review“In truth however the real surprise is just how long it has taken for a writer to decide to commit the Gilchrist story to paper, as even a moderate author would surely have been able to write a decent book on him. The fact that the man who eventually took on the task, Mark Peel, has a track record as an accomplished biographer is, effectively, a copper-bottomed guarantee that Gilly was going to be well worth reading… As far as the book itself is concerned it is one of those, relatively rare amongst cricketing biographies, that once picked up is difficult to put down. I suspect that come awards time Gilly will be on every long list, most short lists, and surely will come out on top somewhere. As cricket books go it is just about perfect… Gilly is a superb read, and highly recommended.” -- Martin Chandler * Cricket Web *"A compelling read... Peel’s biography reveals a typically exhaustive trawl through assorted books and local newspapers, while a phalanx of old league cricketers have been happy to share memories that enrich the many descriptions of crucial league matches." * Association of Cricket Statisticians *“I enjoyed the book immensely and it’s a cracking read. One of Mark Peel’s best... A player removed from Test and pretty much first-class cricket after some antics on the sub-continent. Written off as a sort of ignorant thug, it’s about time that someone looked afresh at a cricketer who was destructive on the field and self-destructive off it. Fortunately, Peel is just the kind of detached, intelligent writer to give us a more balanced and rounded view. It’s a tale that has more than a feel of Bruce Hamilton’s fictional account of a cricketer about it, with a story of a talented man from the wrong side of the tracks who finds success and then catastrophic failure with blame that can be apportioned to the player and many others, and happy endings in short supply.” * The Cricket Society Journal *"Gilly, the turbulent life of Roy Gilchrist, is a rollicking, astonishing read." -- Ken Piesse * Pavilion, the Australian Cricket Society Magazine *

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Book SynopsisHenry Armstrong: Boxing's Super Champ is the story of arguably the most incredible fighter in the history of boxing - told by one of the few surviving writers to have been around during Armstrong's unique world championship reign. When Henry had his arm raised on 17 August 1938, after winning a blood-spattered 15-round decision over Lou Ambers, he became the first boxer to simultaneously hold world titles at three different weights - and somehow he managed the feat in an era of just eight weight classes, with no 'junior' or 'super' divisions. He had entered Madison Square Garden as the reigning world feather and welterweight champion, and left with the world lightweight belt strapped around his waist. Now in his 90s, veteran boxing journalist and author John Jarrett looks back on the life and career of this ring hero of his youth: a 5ft 51/2in buzzsaw they nicknamed 'Homicide Hank'. In the 85 years that have passed since then, nobody has matched Armstrong's amazing triple-championship feat. It's likely no one ever will.Trade Review"A colourful and controversial career (and life) – including financial help from actress Mae West – is covered in full, with alcoholism awaiting 'Homicide Hank' in the blue corner, and Bible-bashing awaiting 'Hammerin' Hank' in the red… One ring, twenty-two chapters, 352 pages, in 1938, real name, Henry Jackson Jr, became the only boxer in history to hold the following [world titles] at the same time – featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. Quite an achievement – just like this very well-written book, which lives and relives some great boxing action." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"Jarrett's Armstrong study is one of the more well-researched and immersive boxing books I’ve been fortunate enough to read. The colourful characters of the black and white era have rarely been so well-rendered as they are here. Jarrett takes you into the gyms, small halls, arenas and stadiums of boxing’s golden age... The 92-year-old is by most measures the oldest scribe in all of fistiana. Jarrett is also one of the most uniquely qualified. He is a vital through-line from the wonderful fighters of the mid-20th century... Jarrett lovingly compiles fight reports from the day to allow the reader to experience Armstrong's journey in real-time. 'Super Champ' leaves the reader invigorated by a time when boxing's stars spent more of their time in the ring and took on all-comers. A must-read for curious modern fans and wistful vintage watchers alike." -- Joey Mills * The Sportsman *"Henry Armstrong: Boxing’s Super Champ is John Jarrett’s retelling of the career of genuine boxing legend Henry Armstrong, the only boxer to ever simultaneously hold world titles at three different weights... [it is] the product of an enormous amount of research and editing. It might also be truer to say (and I mean this as a compliment), that Jarrett is less the author of this book and more the compiler, with the text mainly being taken from archival sources of printed material contemporary with Armstrong’s career. There are numerous sections of opinion pieces, lifted from The Ring magazine and a number of LA and New York based newspapers, by writers who have gone down in legend and/or been inducted into the various national and international boxing halls of fame." -- David Turner * Writers on Boxing *

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Book SynopsisSweeper Keeper is the compelling story of legendary goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, one of the heroes of Bill Shankly''s Liverpool, who has been called the first ''sweeper keeper''. A chance interview with the BBC in 2015 made Tommy Lawrence a viral sensation. The one-in-a-million-chance meeting led to a heart-warming recollection of his playing days for Liverpool.Lawrence''s story has a lot more to it than meets the eye. Known affectionately as ''the Flying Pig'', the fabled goalkeeper led a roller-coaster life. After moving to Warrington with his family as a child, Tommy became friendly with local brothers Peter and Roger Hunt. Lawrence and Roger Hunt went on to be mainstays of Shankly''s Liverpool revolution, winning league titles and the club''s first FA Cup.The romance at Anfield ended abruptly, though, and there was no testimonial. From riches on the pitch to rags on the streets, Tommy''s life story is told b

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Book SynopsisToo big for the Primary School reps, and in his day the tallest man to have played on Lancaster Park, Nugget Pringle won Wellington caps in his first season of senior rugby with the Oriental Club, and went on to win an All Black cap the following year, 1923. In the training camp before the first test against New South Wales he proved a great entertainer and his Salome was a scream, but a cauliflower ear (one of many) led to his withdrawal from the match. He scored a try in the second test, which the All Blacks won handsomely, but, despite every endeavour for the next 4 years, failed to gain a second cap. En route he played for and against the All Blacks and against New Zealand Maoris, winning all three and scoring a try in two. Fate’s fickle fingers nonetheless conspired, through injury, illness, selection policy and sheer misfortune, to cause him to miss further home internationals as well as tours to Australia and South Africa. Most importantly, although a hot favourite all season, he missed out by a whisker on a place with the 1924/25 Invincibles. With the benefit of contemporary press cuttings in the family scrapbook, and from the archives, we follow here his playing career at club, representative and national level, while we also learn of his achievements in the worlds of athletics and cricket, and how he gained the unusual distinction of playing both rugby and cricket, as well as winning the shot put, on Athletic Park. A genial giant who gave his all for the game he loved, but, in terms of his playing career and All Black appearances, was he the Unluckiest All Black? Judge for yourself.

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Book SynopsisFrom the tennis court to the boxing ring, the athletics track to the football pitch, the visibility of women in sport has been gathering pace. Women's competitions are increasingly popular. In Roar Sam takes a deep dive into the experiences of some of sport's most high-profile female athletes - some have overcome heartbreaking adversity to reach the top of their game; others have succeeded in the face of prejudice. Like Sam, all have been propelled by sheer grit and determination to succeed. Many now campaign for women's equality and acceptance in sport, knowing the confidence it can bring young girls and the message that they can achieve anything. Featuring a series of candid interviews from some of sport's most successful women, Sam lifts the lid on what it takes to reach those heights: from coping with puberty to foregoing teenage fun to pursue a dream; from the punishing physical training schedule to the mental power needed to win or bounce back from defeat; and coping with the pressure of the media spotlight. And, what it feels like in that magical moment when you step up to the podium knowing every sacrifice has been worth it.Roar is a celebration of the bold and fearless - the women empowering future generations to follow in their footsteps - but it is also an inspiring look at how sport can change lives and challenge society.Table of Contentsi: Foreword: Gabby Logan MBE ii: Introduction: Sam Quek MBE 1: Making History - Paula Radcliffe MBE 2: Into the Unknown - Amy Williams MBE 3: Unlocking Potential - Dame Katherine Grainger 4: Never Give Up - Dame Sarah Storey 5: Strength and Power - Fatima Whitbread MBE 6: In the Moment - Sky Brown 7: Breaking Down Barriers - Shaunagh Brown 8: For the Love of Sport - Sheila Parker MBE 9: Trust and Responsibility - Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE 10: Digging Deep - Rebecca Adlington OBE 11: Conquering Expectations - Christine Ohuruogu MBE 12: Building a Legacy - Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE iii: Afterword: Sam Quek MBE iv: Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisMike Tucker was born into a life of farming and horses. His passion and hard work enabled him to progress from international groom to successful international event rider, top level Eventing official and television commentator. The pinnacle of Mike's career as a commentator was covering Nick Skelton's Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the BBC. In `The Man Behind the Mike' we learn about Mike's family history and the connection with the Badminton Estate where his grandfather farmed; The Beaufort Pony Club, a huge influence in his life with many top level riders being members; a visit to Australia, staying with the Roycroft family, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his efforts to become a successful event rider; and about Mike's second place at Badminton, which laid the foundations of his credibility as a rider and commentator. The `voice behind the microphone' had the experience and knowledge to commentate with authority and to command respect from the listening public at venues of not just horse trials but also show jumping, dressage, and shows in general. The wealth of experience and lifetime involvement in the world of equestrian sport has enabled him to travel all over the world meeting many different people and sharing his expertise. We are told many funny, revealing, fascinating and sometimes sad anecdotes of his experiences of the successes and failures along the way and we are given a true insight into the real stories behind the headlines, and `The Man Behind the Mike'.Trade ReviewJane Wallace has done a heroic job in completing this book and has thoroughly done justice to a quite irreplaceable man of great passion, kindness and, above all, humour. -- Kate Green * Country Life *A fantastic book which gives a tremendous insight of the late Mike Tucker. The Man Behind the Mike should be on everyone's read list – a superb tribute to someone who gave so much to the sport. * British Showjumping *Table of Contents Revisiting the Pinnacle To Be a Farmer's Boy Schooldays and Pony Club Eventing Begins in Earnest Antipodean Invasion The Mexico Olympics Return from Mexico New Life Together Dalwhinnie and Bugle Commentating – Mike on the Mike Official Roles Field Master and Steward Farming and Family Life

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Book SynopsisWidely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, seven-time Ballon d’Or and six-time Golden Shoe winner, Lionel Messi, enjoyed a record-breaking 17-year career at FC Barcelona during which time he scored more goals, played more games, won more titles and provided more assists than any other player in the Catalan club’s history. Adored by Barça fans, Messi reigned supreme until August 2021, when he made a tearful farewell to a stunned global audience. Messi: The King of Camp Nou is the definitive story of Lionel Messi’s entire Barça career, written by Jason Pettigrove, a football journalist who worked for FC Barcelona during Messi’s final years in Catalonia. Charting Messi’s rise as a hopeful 13-year-old Argentinian boy from Rosario to becoming the best footballer in the world, Pettigrove’s comprehensively researched book features exclusive interviews with key individuals in Messi’s story - team-mates, opponents, managers, agents and fellow journalists - including: Joan Laporta, Lionel Scaloni, Victor Font, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Jamie Carragher, Mike Phelan, Josep Maria Minguella, Horacio Gaggioli, Tony Watt, Santi Padro and Jorge Barraza. From being signed by Barça on a napkin to Champions League glory and becoming FC Barcelona captain, Messi: The King of Camp Nou reveals the inside story of Leo’s remarkable reign at Barça including breaking Pelé's incredible record for most goals scored at one club, how the longed for Copa América title was won and how he, season-on-season, mesmerised the football world.Trade Review'I guarantee this will be the best book on Leo Messi you haven't yet read.' Graham Hunter; 'He was born to play football and it’s on the field where we see the happiest version of Lionel. It’s what he does best and what gives him the most joy.' Lionel Scaloni; 'I don't think any have been better than Lionel Messi.'Sir Kenny Dalglish; 'Messi's the best club footballer of all time.' Jamie Carragher; 'You can fit Pele's best moments into a one-hour video, or you can make a two-hour video for the best of Maradona. With Messi's best, it's a 24-hour long video.' Jorge Barraza; 'Messi makes more correct decisions than anyone on a football field. He doesn't pigeonhole himself into a specific role because his role was to be the difference, and that's what he did at FC Barcelona.' Mike PhelanTable of ContentsForeword by Graham Hunter 1. Rosario to Barcelona 2. Signed on a Napkin 3. Five Teams in One Season 4. First Barca Goal 5. The New Maradona 6. An El Clasico To Remember 7. Olympic Glory 8. 'Tiki-Taka' 9. Ballon D'Or 10. El Clasico Overkill 11. Masterclass v Man Utd 12. 91 Goals in a Calendar Year 13. The Double Treble 14. A World Champion ... Again 15. 500 Up For Barca 16. More Than a Club 17. One Goal From Invincibility 18. Nightmare at Anfield 19. A Sixth Golden Shoe 20. 'Barcagate' and the Burofax 21. Beating Pele's Record 22. Laporta's Promise Epilogue Index Statistics and Record of Achievement

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Book SynopsisIn this first biography of David Henry Lewis, Ben Lowings examines his lifetime of adventure forensically yet sympathetically, and unlocks the secrets of his determination. This British-born New Zealander was the first person to sail a catamaran around the world, the first — in Ice Bird — to reach Antarctica solo under sail, and the first to make known to Westerners how ancient navigators reached — and could reach again — the Pacific islands. His many voyages resulted in thirteen books published and translated worldwide; many were bestsellers — We, the Navigators has not been out of print since first publication in 1972. David Lewis’s achievements have been acknowledged with a series of awards, including that of Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. But the price of David Lewis’s adventures had ultimately to be paid by others in the succession of families he created, then broke apart; and many of his actions brought him into conflict with the feelings of friends and contemporaries. We may legitimately ask 'was it really all worth it?' For the first time his six marriages are revealed, through more than a year of original research in Britain, Australia and New Zealand — including interviews with all surviving family members, as well as friends and fellow voyagers. Events thinly-sketched or omitted in his own writings, such as his father’s own failings, are investigated. His kayaking, mountain-climbing and sailing were struggles all the more difficult because of a fractured backbone, shattered elbow and impaired vision. David Lewis’s early years get the comprehensive documentation they deserve — in his own memoir he jumps straight from child to fully-fledged explorer. Inaccuracies are corrected in his tale of kayaking four hundred miles home from school. As playboy medical student, British paratrooper fighting in Normandy, and political activist in Palestine, Jamaica and London, he grappled with academic and colonial prejudice, and fought anti-Semitism and inequality; all is examined. As a general practitioner in the East End’s impure 1950s air he worked where the new National Health Service was most needed. Professional frustrations and marital disappointments were not soothed by weekend sailing. He would join a pioneering single-handed yacht race to America in 1960, leaving his first daughter to find him on board in Plymouth to say farewell only at the last minute. In 1964 he would race again, but this time in a catamaran, and then, with Fiona, his new wife, and their daughters, girdle the earth in it. For the first time, their circumnavigation is described in part from Fiona’s perspective. Media accounts and passages from his many books build up a picture of a consistently experimental, and utterly untypical, middle aged man. Every word in the Antarctic logbook of Ice Bird — scrawled with freezing hands — is closely compared with literary sources, National Geographic articles and his commercially successful book-length account. A new critical appreciation shows the white heat at the core of his being. He has abandoned his children again, and been drugged by ocean solitude. But in the act of writing he is earning his place among humanity. To hell with the frozen hands.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Hutchison Murray (1913 - 1996) was one of Scotland's most distinguished climbers in the years before and after the Second World War. As a prisoner of war in Italy he wrote his first classic book, Mountaineering in Scotland, on rough toilet paper which was confiscated and destroyed by the Gestapo. The rewritten version was published in 1947 and followed by the, now, equally famous, Undiscovered Scotland. In 1951 he was depute leader to Eric Shipton on the Everest Reconnaissance Expedition. In later years he became a successful novelist and pioneer conservationist.

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Book SynopsisThis updated edition features a new introduction, and an exclusive interview with long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe. It is the world's most iconic road race. It is twenty-six-point-two miles of iconic landmarks, cheers, tears, sweat, pain, courage, determination and inspiration. It is triumph over adversity on a colossal scale. It is the London Marathon - and it's an event unlike any other. Running The Smoke tells the story of what it's like to take part in this race in the most enlightening and enriching way possible: from the perspectives of twenty-six different people who have participated in it since its inception in 1981. Candid and inspiring if you are preparing for your first marathon or your 100th, Running The Smoke will give you the encouragement, insight and belief you need to cross that line.Trade Review'Reveals inspirational stories of endurance and triumph . . . heart-breaking and heartwarming' * Athletics Weekly *'Remarkable stories of endurance and joy' * The Scotsman *

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Book SynopsisDive into the thrilling life of Raymond Chester, the Oakland Raiders legend.While America was convulsed following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, Chester was central to the move of black American football into the mainstream. From his college glory at Morgan State to his iconic moments on the NFL field, Chester's story is one of resilience and triumph which resonates far beyond the world of sport.Based on extensive conversations and interviews with Chester himself as told to Welsh author and rugby fan Jon Gower, Raider brings a unique perspective to his life and career.Perfect for sports fans around the world, Raider is a love-letter from Wales to an American football icon whose legacy transcends the game.

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Book SynopsisBefore Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, there were only nineteen men, throughout history, who played in the Major Leagues of baseball and in the National Football League, in the same season. Only one man from that group, Walter French, can lay claim to having played for a World Series winner and an NFL Championship team. In 1925, he starred for the Pottsville (PA) Maroons in their win over the Chicago Cardinals, in what was believed to be the NFL championship game, only to see the title stripped by a league office decision, a controversial move still being argued about today. Then in 1929, he was on the Philadelphia Athletics when they beat the Chicago Cubs in five games to win the World Series. Walter E. French was born in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1899 and he just might have been the best, but least known, all-around athlete to emerge from the decade of the 1920s, commonly referred to as the Golden Age of Sports. One analyst ranked him as the fastest man in football at the time, even pl

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Book SynopsisPublished by Lapwing Publishing ServicesOne wintry afternoon in 1943, a solitary airman lies injured and exhausted in an inflatable life raft. The debris of his Liberator bomber has disappeared beneath the waves of the Atlantic leaving behind a slick of black oil. He is the only survivor of a crew of eight. His name is Wing Commander Hugh ''Jumbo'' Edwards, one of the greatest oarsmen of all time.Eleven years earlier, at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Hugh Edwards thrilled thousands with an astonishing two gold medals won in a single hour. On this winter afternoon, in the loneliness of the Atlantic and with darkness descending, he is now rowing to save his life.Water''s Gleaming Goldis the incredible true story of the most extraordinary oarsman, Olympian, pilot, war hero and legendary British rowing coach. This is the tale of a man of courage and conviction - on a pursuit to redemption from public humiliation.One hell of a story (Daniel James Brown, author of Boys in the Boat')A true Olympic and rowing hero, and a story that is both fascinating and truly dramatic (Dan Snow, Oxford Blue, Historian, Broadcaster)We modern oarsmen and women are sometimes asked to row as if our lives depended on it lt is only Jumbo Edwards from the British Olympic rowing family who had to do that literally (Sir Matthew Pinsent Olympian, Oxford Blue)

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Book SynopsisFrom his cricket debuts in 2007 and 2013 respectively, Rohit Gurunath Sharma has grown to be one of the vital pillars of the Indian cricket team. A modern-day entertainer who refused to compromise his approach to batting, his contribution to India''s domination in one-day cricket and victories in the Premier League is indisputable. This is the story of his journey, of the years of hard work and the confidence that has allowed him to keep his place in the team--and his amazing capacity to come up with big scores. His combination of aggression and caution, his lazy elegance and his deadly shots have brought a whiff of fresh air to the cricket field.

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