Biography: sport Books

Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisBEFORE, DURING AND AFTER MANCHESTER UNITEDAlex is the most up-to-date biography of Sir Alex Ferguson-the most decorated manager in British football history.Find out how he recovered from his brain surgery in 2018.Why he appointed David Moyes as his successor.How livid he was when Moyes was sacked ten months later.What he thought of Louis van Gaal''s tenure as Manchester United manager. What he thought of Jose Mourinho''s reign. And just how big a role he played in the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.This book also takes a deep dive into Alex''s relationship with the Glazer family and how he views the work carried out by Ed Woodward.From nought to eighty, this is the most complete biography ever written about Sir Alex Ferguson.?????Eamonn Holmes (Respected broadcaster and friend of Alex Ferguson):"A portrait of a genius for anyone wanting to know what makes Fergie tick. This is the Fergie factor explained."?????Ken O''Doherty (World champion snooker player and friend of Alex Ferguson):"A fitting and wonderful tribute to the greatest football manager of all time."?????Mike McGrath (The Daily telegraph):"A terrific journey"

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Book SynopsisMIKE HAWTHORN, BRITAIN'S FIRST WORLD MOTOR RACING CHAMPION, was internationally famous by the time of his death. The dashing young Englishman had just won an epic battle for the title against Stirling Moss in a classic last race duel; similar to that between James Hunt and Nicki Lauda in 1976, and Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in 2014. However, back in the 1950s, Formula 1 was a quasi-amateur sport, in which prizes were modest, the risk of death unimaginably high and where there was scant reporting of the drivers' off-track activities. Mike's penchant for fast driving was matched by an appetite for pretty girls, beer, aeroplanes and practical jokes - all of which got him into a great many scrapes. What usually got him out was his charm. In this re-telling of Mike's story, 'Too Fast A Life' endeavours to paint an unbiased picture of a troubled young man, focusing more on feelings than feeler-gauges, and uniquely questions whether his life could have ended differently.

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Book SynopsisThe story of Sir Alex Ferguson is a true rags-to-riches fairytale. When he announced he was to step down as manager of the world's biggest football club after 27 years in charge, he signed off in style with an honours list that confirmed him as the most successful manager in British history. Born in Govan, Glasgow, he played for Queen's Park, Dunfermline and Rangers before retiring in 1974 to begin his managerial career. Before joining Manchester United, he led a Rangers side to the league title and the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup and, although he struggled initially at United, his bargain-signing of Eric Cantona secured their first league title in 26 years. An incredible run of success followed, shaped by the emergence of 'Fergie's Fledglings' - Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, and Nicky Butt. His finest moment was in 1999 when United romped to an unprecedented Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies. Ferguson was knighted in the same year. This in-depth biography charts Fergie's unstoppable rise and pays tribute to the greatest manager the world has ever seen.

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Book SynopsisHard-hitting Rory McIlroy was always destined to become a professional golfer, from the moment he recorded a 40-yard drive aged just two. His first hole-in-one came when he was nine, and he played in his first professional European tour event as a 16-year old in 2005. Despite high expectations, Rory keeps a cool head on his young shoulders and lets his golf do the talking. His maiden victory came in the nail-biting 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, and he has since gone on to win multiple titles around the world. After falling apart at the 2011 Masters, his breakthrough came in June 2011 when he won his first major, the US Open. An incredible 2012 followed, where he ended up ranked number one golfer in the world. But in 2013, despite high aspirations, Rory did not fare well in major tournaments until the end of the year, when he won the Australian Open by one stroke. This is the story of one of golf's greatest ever talents.

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Book SynopsisJohn Terry, footballing legend and Chelsea hero, graduated from Chelsea youth academy to become an international star. His imposing strength, natural skill and bulldog spirit have made him the backbone of both Chelsea and England's staunch defences. Born in London, and raised through the Chelsea youth teams, Terry's extraordinary talent soon had him replacing World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf to become a first team favourite amongst the Stamford Bridge faithful. But Terry's progress has not all been plain sailing. In 2002, when he was on the verge of realising his dream of playing for England after some outstanding displays in the under-21 team, he was involved in an incident outside a nightclub. With his career in the balance, Terry battled back and, having been cleared of any charges, he became stronger than ever before. For years he was an indomitable force in the national side before retiring in 2012, having won 78 caps and appearing in two separate World Cups. He was even presented with the ultimate English honour when, in 2010, he captained his country during their World Cup campaign. Truly though, Terry is Chelsea through and through.Handed the captain's armband under Jose Mourinho's inspirational regime, backed by Roman Abramovich's formidable buying power, Terry is proof that some qualities simply can't be bought. His immense leadership skills have earned him the respect of his fellow pros and fans alike. With five FA Cups, four Premier Leagues - including an incredible 2014/15 campaign, and even a Champions League medal hanging in his trophy cabinet, John Terry must go down as one of the greatest Englishmen to ever play the game.

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Book SynopsisWINNER of the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year 2023 WINNER of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022 WINNER OF THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 A TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A DAILY MAIL SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 Cyclist Beryl Burton - also known as BB - dominated her sport much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, but with a longevity that surpasses even sporting legends like Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams and Sir Steve Redgrave. She was practically invincible in time trials, finishing as Best All-Rounder for 25 consecutive years and setting a world record in 1967 for the distance covered in 12 hours that beat the men. She won multiple world titles, even when the distances didn't play to her strengths. But her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities, and by her strictly amateur status against state-sponsored rivals from Eastern Bloc nations. Yet she carried on winning, beating men and - infamously - competing against her own daughter, while working on a farm and running a household. Her motivation, sparked by appalling childhood illness, is as fascinating as her achievements are stunning. With access to previously unseen correspondence and photographs, and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow giants from across sport, acclaimed journalist Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most complex, enigmatic and compelling characters in cycling history. For the first time, he also provides the jaw-dropping answer to how fast she would still be on modern cycling technology. Long ignored by sporting history, Burton's life story - recently told by Maxine Peake in a stage and radio play - is finally getting the recognition she deserves.Trade ReviewThe least publicised, least rewarded great woman athlete ever to be disregarded by her own country. * The Times *The subtitle may not even be hyperbolic. Beryl Burton, an almost forgotten amateur cyclist who worked on a rhubarb farm in Yorkshire, was not simply the undisputed ruler of British women's cycling for 25 years, but also broke the men's record in a 12-hour time trial. Jeremy Wilson retrieves an astonishing life. -- Simon Kuper * Financial Times *To my mortification, I had not heard of Beryl Burton, so pretty much all the material in this was new to me. The subtitle - In Search of Britain's Greatest Athlete - is not hyperbolic: Burton dominated cycling, that most unforgiving of sports, in the 1960s, winning world championships on the road and the track, in 1967 setting a record for the 12-hour time trial (277.25 miles!) not beaten by a man for another two years. A phenomenon. -- Robert Crampton * The Times Best Sports Book of the Year 2022 *An incredible story about one of the greatest cyclists of all time * Irish Times *Britain's greatest ever cyclist is given the literary treatment she so richly deserves in Wilson's rigorously researched biography of the complex and enigmatic Beryl Burton. * Waterstones Best Books of 2022 *I simply cannot exaggerate how bloody great this book is and how inspiring Beryl's story is -- Emma Cole * Cyclist *My 97-year-old mother-in-law has no interest in cycling but picked it up from our kitchen table, took it home, and loved it! -- Alastair CampbellThe most comprehensive chronicle of its kind * Yorkshire Post *Remarkable -- Ilkley GazetteOne of the greatest figures in the history of British sport. -- Matthew SyedThe DiMaggio, the Muhammad Ali ... of British cycling. -- Gordon BurnA marvellous book. Gives a real insight into Beryl and the times. For the first time I feel like I really know her and questions have been answered. So wonderfully researched, so many things I didn't know! It really puts her on the roster of legends. -- Maxine PeakeLudicrously ahead of her time. Ruthless, relentless, brilliant, belligerent - and quite possibly the greatest Olympian Britain never had. What a story. -- Alistair Brownlee, author of Relentless: Secrets of the Sporting Elite and double Olympic championThe scale of unsung achievement is awe-inspiring. The finest Olympian we never had -- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, 11 times Paralympic championJeremy Wilson finds the human heart of a story that gets more extraordinary as a unique athlete recedes into history. Very highly recommended. -- Richard WilliamsJeremy Wilson brings alive this extraordinary woman's achievements (and problems, too - she wasn't always the best mother) in this fabulous biography. -- Sports Books of the Year * Daily Mail *I had never realised the longevity and scale of achievement. I'm in awe. -- Dame Katherine GraingerWhat a story Wilson has uncovered. No one in the history of sport can have worked with quite the self-sacrificing single-mindedness ... a woman of thermonuclear levels of competitiveness -- Jim White * The Oldie *This is not a hagiography, and all the better for it. Wilson brings her personality to life, faults and all. Meticulously researched. Compelling -- Isabel Best, author of Queens of PainA beacon is a guiding light, or a warning signal... a fire in a high place. Beryl Burton was, and is, all of those things. Her flame burns all the brighter thanks to Jeremy's fine book. -- Carlton KirbyA beautiful book that tells us not just what she did, but who she truly was. -- Michael Hutchinson, author of FasterThis is an inspirational story that just had to be told. There are few athletes, male or female, that had the success and longevity of Beryl Burton - but for too long her name and achievements have remained in the shadows. No longer! This fabulous book brings the person and her phenomenal, groundbreaking achievements to light - I couldn't put it down. -- Chrissie Wellington, four times world Ironman champion:Subtle, full of insight, extensively researched and a joy to read -- Paul Jones, author of End to EndImpressively thorough ... worth every page * Road.cc *A superb book about someone who was great before her time * Pez Cycling News *A long overdue and remarkable biography of a remarkable cyclist -- Charlie Connelly * The New European *The fascinating [and] extraordinary story of Yorkshire's very own ... it is an excellent book [and] well worth a read * Cycling Europe Podcast *Jeremy Wilson provides a convincing case in his tribute to this elusive and remarkable figure -- Best Sport Books of the Year * The 42 *Charts the incredible story of cyclist Beryl Burton, who set a world record in 1967 and was Britain's best all-rounder for 25 successive years. Given her myriad achievements across several decades, it is surprising that Burton is relatively unknown among the wider public; this book aims to address that. -- Nathalie Issa * The Daily Telegraph *A fascinating book ... brilliant story [and] definitely well worth checking out. There's been many plaudits for Jeremy's amazing book, but a common thread that runs through them is how thoroughly well researched it is. -- Anthony Walsh and James Spender * Cyclist Magazine Podcast *Beryl is a worthy winner of the award, because it charts the most incredible of sporting endeavours and gradually reveals Burton to be both admirable and troubling ... it is not a book just for cycling enthusiasts. Burton would have stormed the Olympics had it allowed female cyclists to compete, and her story demanded the attention to detail that Wilson affords it. -- Alyson Rudd, chairwoman of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award * The Times Best Sports Book of The Year *Hands up if, like me, you had never heard of Beryl Burton. Shame on us. The truth is she was a cycling phenomenon [and] ferociously competitive Yorkshire girl, who swept the board in all the various British national championships. Jeremy Wilson brings alive this extraordinary woman's achievements (and problems, too - she wasn't always the best mother) in this fabulous biography. -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *An incredible story about one of the nation's greatest-ever athletes that you probably haven't heard of - until now. * The Sport Review *The Telegraph chief sports writer Jeremy Wilson set out to learn more about Beryl Burton and at the end of a long investigative odyssey ended up convinced that Burton was the greatest athlete this country has ever produced. Who are we to argue? * Cycling Weekly Gift Guide *I loved it, as everyone else has [and] recommend people get it, read it cover to cover and be amazed by the life of Beryl Burton. * Spokesmen Cycling Podcast *

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Book Synopsis**DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK**Soon to be an AppleTV+ series, this is the definitive account of how Enzo Ferrari became the master of motor racing, and one of the most complex, important and imposing figures in the 20th century.The book draws upon years of original research, conducted in Italy and abroad, and unveils hidden aspects of Ferrari''s career - from his early days as a racer, to how he founded the Ferrari company, and even his dealings with the Italian Fascist government and Communist leaders.Learn how Ferrari pushed his drivers to the brink of disaster, revolutionised the automobile industry and overcame family and company infighting on his rise to greatness.

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Book SynopsisIn this follow-up to his autobiography, Michael Rutter changes his focus and now reflects on his father's life - the victories, defeats, scrapes with the law and practical jokes. He also looks at his father's close brushes with death, including the horrific career-ending crash of 1985, and its aftermath. Tony Rutter (1942-2020) is best known for his four world TT-F2 championship wins, seven Isle of Man TT wins, nine North West 200 wins, and two British Championship titles during his twenty-two-year career - but the man himself has remained something of an enigma to everyone including his own son Michael, who himself went on to have a hugely successful career and keep the Rutter name alive in the world of motorcycle racing to the present day. Through his own memories, as well as those of longstanding teammates and friends, Michael pieces together his father's values, what mattered to him the most, his odd - sometimes maddening - traits. What unfolds is a profile of the man behind the incredible talent and singular focus of an elite racer. With a foreword by Carl Fogarty, this is the first-ever book about one of the finest racers in a great generation of racers, by those who knew and loved him the most.Table of ContentsContents Dedication vii Foreword by carl Fogarty MBe ix Introduction xiii Chapter 1: Giving up Chapter 2: From nobody to Somebody Chapter 3: Behind every Great Racer Chapter 4: We aren't normal Chapter 5: Endurance Chapter 6: World champion Chapter 7: 1985 Chapter 8: The Pull of the TT Chapter 9: Paying the Price Chapter 10: Remember to enjoy yourself Chapter 11: Respect Chapter 12: Friends Reunited Chapter 13: How Did i Get here? Chapter 14: A State of Mind Chapter 15: Tributes

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Book SynopsisIn his 12 seasons at the club, the world-class Fenchman has developed the Gunners into a team capable of challenging for top domestic and European honours every year. His three Premiership titles - two of which came in 'Double' winning campaigns - are evidence of Wenger's unique tactical skill and his famous ability to spot talented young footballers. The phenomenal Gunners boss, nicknamed 'The Professor', has signed a new contract which commits him to the club until 2011 and Arsenal fans can look forward to a bright red future.

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