Biography: sport Books
Pitch Publishing Ltd Wilson on the Wing: The Davie Wilson Story
Book SynopsisWilson on the Wing is the exhilarating story of the life and times of Davie Wilson, one of the greatest forwards ever to play for Rangers FC. Spotted as a schoolboy, Wilson began at Ibrox in 1956. After being lauded in the Scottish press for his early performances, he became a stalwart of the great Rangers side of the early 1960s. He soon gained a reputation as not just a creator of goals but a regular scorer, and was part of an attacking trident that netted over 100 goals in the 1962/63 season. Wilson on the Wing traces Davie's life from his mining-village roots to his emergence as one of the greatest Scottish wingers of his generation. The book is filled with anecdotes and memories from Wilson's playing career - as well as his time at Rangers, there are stories from playing at Dundee United and Dumbarton, plus his 22 Scotland appearances. With contributions from, among others, Sir Alex Ferguson, Denis Law and members of Davie's family, this heart-warming tale presents the inside story of a true Scottish football legend.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd If Not Me; Who?: The Story of Tony Greig, the
Book SynopsisIn March 1977, England cricket captain Tony Greig was arguably the most famous and popular sportsman in the country, and the best all-rounder in world cricket. He had recently led England to a famous series victory in India, her first successful campaign on the subcontinent since the Second World War. Then he had conjured a doughty performance from his travel-weary troops in the dramatic, one-off Centenary Test in Melbourne, narrowly losing by 45 runs. Within weeks, though, his reputation was in tatters. He was branded a traitor and mercenary, stripped of the England captaincy and excluded from the national side. He was also relieved of the Sussex captaincy and banned from first-class cricket for eight weeks. His involvement in the controversial 'Packer Revolution' had caused his fall from grace. Soon afterwards, he left England for good for a commentary career in Australia. At 6ft 7in, Greig was a giant of the game both figuratively and literally. His life story is every bit as fascinating as the controversy that engulfed him.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Flight to Bogota: England's Football Rebel, Neil
Book SynopsisFlight to Bogota tells the incredible story of one of the most infamous episodes in English sporting history, when a group of British footballers turned their backs on club and country before the 1950 World Cup for a sporting El Dorado in Colombia. It was a rebellion led by first-choice England centre-half Neil Franklin. The book charts how the players were secretly lured away from Britain, amid Franklin's strident complaints of 'serfdom' in English football, their brief struggles to adapt to Colombian life and the fallout once they humiliatingly returned home to face the wrath of club and country. This escapade was a personal failure for Franklin and left his career in tatters. But the players' vociferous defence of their behaviour enlightened a shocked nation about how clubs mistreated footballers. Ultimately, it led to reforms that would financially benefit future footballing generations, but hopes of vast riches proved nothing more than an illusion for Franklin and his fellow 'football bandits' as they embarked on their 'Flight to Bogota'.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Cricketing Caesar: A Biography of Mike Brearley
Book SynopsisMike Brearley was one of England's greatest cricket captains. He thrice won the Ashes, including the unforgettable series of 1981, when his leadership helped England to snatch victory from defeat. Yet there was nothing inevitable about his rise. A spell out of the game in his mid-20s stymied his progress and when he returned full-time to captain Middlesex, his innovative approach found little favour with the old guard. In this first-ever biography of Brearley, award-winning cricket writer Mark Peel reveals how Brearley overcame his critics to lead Middlesex to four county championships and two Gillette Cup wins. His rise to the England captaincy was fast, but his unrivalled leadership skills contrasted with his repeated failures with the bat. Away from cricket, Brearley possessed a range of cultural interests along with a sharp intellect, which saw him achieve eminence as a psychoanalyst. Drawing on interviews with friends and team-mates, Peel assesses the many facets of this complex man to explain his phenomenal success as a leader.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Climbing the Chelsea Hil: Biography of Ken
Book SynopsisClimbing the Chelsea Hill is the gripping story of Ken Shellito, the first and only Chelsea manager to enter the job after rising through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. After joining as ground staff at 15, he turned professional in 1957. He played 123 senior games as a full-back and won England honours before a knee injury ended his playing career at age 23. Undeterred, he joined the coaching staff and became first-team manager of Chelsea after 22 years at the club. Later, Ken left the UK to coach and manage in his new home of Malaysia. Sadly, he died there aged 78, in 2018. In this authorised biography, Ken lays bare all the highs and lows of his unique footballing journey. His anecdotes - some harrowing, others hilarious - shine a light on an era when football was all about the teams, their fans and the camaraderie among players. It paints a fascinating portrait of how the game was played at the start of Ken's career and how it evolved into today's commercialised era of glitz and glamour.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Man of All Talents; the: The Extraordinary Life
Book SynopsisA Man of All Talents is the remarkable story of rugby and wrestling legend Douglas 'Duggy' Clark. Born in 1891 in the sleepy Cumbrian village of Maryport, at 14 he left school to work for his father's coal merchant business. Duggy grew into an exceptionally strong but quiet and reserved young man. His two great passions were rugby and Cumberland and Westmorland-style wrestling, and he excelled at both. By 24 he was already a rugby league great and a key member of Huddersfield's 'Team of All Talents', winning every honour the sport could offer. He represented Britain in the infamous 1914 'Rorke's Drift' tour of Australia before being called up to serve in the Great War. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery, but his war injuries were so severe he was discharged with a 20% disability certificate. Doctors gave Duggy an ultimatum: either he could stay home and live a long but sedate and ordinary life or risk his health by returning to sport. He chose the latter and went on to achieve more extraordinary and pioneering feats.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd The King of Dens Park: The Authorised Biography
Book SynopsisThe King of Dens Park is the authorised life story of Alan Gilzean, the legendary, world-class Dundee, Spurs and Scotland footballer. Exclusive insights provided by his family, closest friends and colleagues add to the author's own experience to reveal Gilzean, the man and the player. A reserved, charming and intelligent individual who shunned the limelight off the field, Gilzean played with a swagger as a maker and taker of goals. We discover how the native of the Perthshire town of Coupar Angus became one of the greatest performers in the history of both his clubs. Gilzean emerged a Scottish folk hero having scored the winning goal against England in front of 133,000 at Hampden Park - and was later welcomed back with open arms by the game after ending a self-imposed exile during which the uninformed conjured often defamatory myths. The elegant striker dubbed 'Nureyev in Boots' left us on Sunday, 8 July 2018. There will never be another like him.
£8.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tortured: The Sam English Story
Book SynopsisTortured: The Sam English Story is the fascinating yet tragic tale of a footballer destined to become one of the greatest goalscorers in Scottish football history, but who by his own admission became 'an embarrassing, grizzly peep show'. English was a veritable goal machine at Yoker Athletic in the late 1920s, netting nearly 300 in three seasons, and was soon being chased by a posse of big-name clubs. Legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman offered him a blank cheque, but 22-year-old English chose Rangers. He hit 44 league goals in his debut season - still a record today - but tragedy struck early in the campaign. In the first Old Firm match of the season, Celtic keeper John Thomson lost his life after bravely diving at the feet of the entirely blameless English. In an instant, English became one half of a tragic accident and his life changed forever. He moved to Liverpool, but was haunted by the fatality and its accompanying demons. He was cast as a villain and made a pariah. His life would be defined by that one tragic incident.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd He's Here; He's There: The Gerry Gow Story
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.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Golden Boy of Centre Court; the: How Bjorn Borg
Book SynopsisFor five incredible years from 1976 to 1980, Bjorn Borg ruled the men's singles at Wimbledon by carrying off consecutive titles. It was a phenomenal feat, all the more so because it was achieved on the lawns of the All England Club when the young Swede was essentially a clay-court specialist. No player in tennis's modern era had ever pulled it off and only one, Roger Federer, has subsequently matched it. Featuring vivid accounts of some of his most memorable matches, The Golden Boy of Centre Court tells the story of Borg's entire Wimbledon odyssey - from his first appearance in 1972 (when he won the Junior title) to his last in 1981. It's a journey that saw him evolve from a teeny-bopper heart-throb into a hero almost unanimously loved by the British tennis-watching public, and one of the greatest champions in the tournament's long history.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Great Benny Leonard: Mama'S Boy to World
Book SynopsisBenny Leonard was arguably the greatest lightweight champion of all time. With superb boxing skills and potent punching power, he fought over 200 times and suffered just five defeats. He spent his boyhood in a crime-ridden ghetto in Manhattan's Lower East Side, and was the greatest of a long line of Jewish boxers to emerge from the slums. Leonard was still only 19 when he knocked out Freddie Welsh to become world lightweight king in 1917. He defended the title eight times and retired as undefeated champion in 1925, to please the only woman he loved, his mother. But the 1929 Wall Street Crash wiped out his fortune and he was forced to make a comeback at 35. Leonard fought the best of his era: Johnny Dundee, Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Jack Britton, Ted Kid Lewis and Lew Tendler among them. Apart from being a sublime boxer, Benny was a first-class showman who helped to put boxing on a higher plane. He died as he lived - in the ring - while refereeing a fight at age 51. This is the definitive account of his remarkable life and career.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tommy Lawton: Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
Book SynopsisDuring a stellar 20-year career punctuated by the Second World War, such was Tommy Lawton's prowess in front of goal he was a magnet for spectators at a host of top-level clubs. Prior to the war, he served Burnley and Everton with distinction; enlisted to the British army for the war effort, he guested for a host of clubs. After VE Day he maintained his career average of more than one goal every other game - with Everton, Chelsea, Notts County, Brentford, as player manager, and Arsenal; before another spell as player boss at Kettering. In 46 England games either side of the war and including wartime fixtures, he plundered 46 goals. Those impressive stats would surely be even more so but for the war. Deadly in the air or with either foot, and renowned for his sportsmanship - he was never booked throughout his career - Head and Shoulders Above the Rest is an ode to a swashbuckling centre-forward and the man Stanley Matthews described as: 'Quite simply, the greatest header of the ball I ever saw.'
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Andrew Watson; a Straggling Life: The Story of
Book SynopsisThe son of a Scottish plantation owner and a free woman of colour, Andrew Watson was provided for by his wealthy father. Receiving a first-class education in English public schools, he would later reject university to become a footballer in Glasgow. Schooled by the most advanced practitioners of the game at that time, he became one of the best footballers in Glasgow and captained Scotland's invincible national team. He played for the greatest clubs of the day on both sides of the border and as a 'Scottish professor', brought his talent to England and shared his knowledge with the Southern amateurs, helping the game evolve from a public-school pastime to a national obsession. He played alongside and educated many who would represent the English national team, changing the game forever. But the record of his achievements faded as the game he helped change took over the world, leaving his memory in the shadows. Over 100 years later, he was rediscovered in an old photograph, and after years of research, his achievements were finally recognised.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord
Book SynopsisIn 1983, aged 36, Johan Cruyff, one of the world's most iconic football superstars, guided Ajax to a league and cup double. Out of contract, most people, including the player, expected a valedictory final season and a one-year extension. Inexplicably, Ajax let him go. They grossly underestimated the fierce genius of Johan Cruyff. He signed for bitter rivals Feyenoord, leading them to a league and cup double, silencing his critics and thrilling football fans everywhere. Fierce Genius analyses this incredible season, as he evolves from player to coach. It is a fascinating insight into his professional and private life. Imperious on the park, off it, he dealt with kidnappings and bankruptcy after being defrauded by a conman. Bollen gets inside Cruyff's mind, helping the reader understand the mentality which made him a top player and successful coach. Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord is compelling, insightful and poignant. Written with a journalistic tone, by an accomplished comedy writer, this is a warm, affectionate and informative portrait of one of world football's greats.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Too Black to Wear Whites: The Remarkable Story of
Book SynopsisToo Black to Wear White is the compelling story of Krom Hendricks, the first black South African sporting hero. Co-authors Jonty Winch and Richard Parry explore the colonial roots of racism in cricket and the nefarious role Cecil Rhodes played in the origins of segregation when he barred Krom Hendricks from the South African tour to England in 1894. Hendricks's long struggle for recognition exposed a cruel system. It is a compelling human drama. Hendricks played for the South African 'Malay' team against English professionals in 1892. He was, they said, the best fast bowler in the world. He struck fear into the white establishment and targeted elite South African batsmen who feared his express pace and the prospect of humiliation at the hands of a 'coloured' player. Denied the chance to play Test cricket against Lord Hawke's side, his courage, perseverance and passion for cricket never diminished over several decades; and at the age of 60 he led representative 'coloured' teams in fundraisers during the First World War.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Life and Death of Andy Ducat
Book SynopsisThe Life and Death of Andy Ducat is the fascinating and captivating biography of one of England's earliest sporting heroes. The story starts in the reign of Queen Victoria and ends, tragically, on the hallowed turf of Lord's Cricket Ground during the Second World War. History has not been kind to Andy Ducat, and his untimely death in 1942, while playing at Lord's, is the only fact known by many about this sporting idol. Andy is one of a select band of men to represent England at football and cricket. In football, he captained Aston Villa to FA Cup glory in 1920 and made Arsenal's 'Greatest 50 players'. In cricket, Andy scored more than 23,000 first-class runs and played for Surrey in a team of greats such as Hobbs, Sandham and Fender. Andy was a gifted sportsman with a core philosophy of fair play, which made him universally liked. However, his contribution to English sport in the early years of the 20th century has been forgotten. It is time for a new generation of sports fans to discover Andy's story.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Ron Greenwood: A Biography of English Football's
Book SynopsisThis is the first full-length biography of Ron Greenwood, West Ham United's most successful trophy-winning manager - a man who was instrumental in the development of 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters. Ron lacked the ruthlessness of his more feted contemporaries, Bill Shankly and Don Revie, with whom his trophy success did not compare. But his West Ham team of the mid-1960s had its own moments of heady triumph - an FA Cup win in 1964 (the club's first), a European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1965 (only the second European win by an English club) - and crucially they were always easy on the eye, even in defeat. Then there was the little matter of supplying three team members to England's World Cup victory in 1966, at a tournament in which their perfection of Greenwood's near-post cross ploy proved devastating. After 16 years at West Ham, Greenwood became England manager in 1977 and led them to the 1982 World Cup. An impeccable sportsman, deep thinker and skilled communicator, he was a noble servant to football.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Eye of the Tiger: The Jock Shaw Story
Book SynopsisEye of the Tiger is the story of one of the most legendary figures in Glasgow Rangers' rich history, a man who epitomised what it meant to be a Ranger. Jock Shaw was a no-nonsense full-back whose fierce, uncompromising tackling earned him the nickname 'Tiger' from club supporters. He joined the Gers from Airdrie in 1938 for GBP2,000 and was a key figure in the Ibrox defence in the immediate post-war years. That defence was dubbed the 'Iron Curtain' because it seemed as unyielding as the barrier that divided Europe at the time. The book charts Jock's extraordinary journey from the coal pit at Bedlay (Annathill) to becoming Rangers' first treble-winning captain. His signing for Rangers started a remarkable association with the club, which lasted over 40 years and saw him serve as team captain, third-team coach and groundsman. He also captained Scotland and shared the distinction of beating England with his brother David. Ian Stewart worked with Tiger Shaw's family to bring you the inside track on his life and career.Trade ReviewIan Stewart has worked with Tiger Shaw's family to write his life story. Ian has written two other books: My Helicopter Sunday and Mr Struth: The Boss with David Mason. He is a civil servant, married to Yvonne, and they live in Glenboig in North Lanarkshire with their youngest daughter, Iona. He is a proud grandpa to John, Andrew and Ollie.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Never Surrender: The Life of Douglas Jardine
Book SynopsisNever Surrender: The Life of Douglas Jardine is the enthralling story of England's most controversial cricket captain, forever associated with bodyline bowling on MCC's tour to Australia in 1932/33. Despite his privileged upbringing and amateur status, Jardine's steely personality and win-at-all-costs ethos was more akin to the professional game. Confronted with the run-making genius of Australia's Don Bradman in 1932/33, Jardine resorted to a form of intimidatory bowling that helped England regain the Ashes, but his tactics shocked Australia and brought relations between the two countries to the point of collapse. To restore harmony, Jardine was disowned by the MCC cricket establishment and shunned thereafter, but now - in a more modern, competitive age - his reputation has undergone a rehabilitation, not least in Australia. Drawing on fresh material, award-winning cricket author Mark Peel reappraises an outstanding leader whose care for those he valued knew no bounds.
£16.99
£22.49
Icon Books Griezmann: 2020 Updated Edition
Book SynopsisUPDATED TO INCLUDE HIS CONTROVERSIAL TRANSFER TO BARCELONA Quick, incisive and versatile, Antoine Griezmann is the ultimate modern forward. But did you know that he had to leave France in order to find a professional club willing to take a chance on him?Or that he wears the number 7 shirt as a tribute to his idol, David Beckham? Or that Real Sociedad fans came to affectionately refer to him as 'The Little Devil'? Find our about all this and more in Luca Caioli and Cyril Collot's tirelessly researched biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best.Includes all the action from the 2018/19 season
£7.59
Icon Books Messi
Book SynopsisFROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RONALDO AND NEYMAR.Prolific, cool-headed and unerringly consistent, Lionel Messi is one of the most revered footballers in history. But did you know that his transfer to Barcelona was first agreed on a paper napkin?Or that an x-ray of his hand was to thank for identifying his growth hormone deficiency? And do you know why he refused to collect his first ever Champions League winner's medal?Find out all this and more in Luca Caioli's classic portrait of a footballing icon, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best and even Messi himself.
£11.69
Biteback Publishing Bloody Southerners: Clough and Taylor at Brighton
Book SynopsisImagine Pep Guardiola quitting Manchester City to take over at Rochdale. Or Jose Mourinho walking out on United to join Southend. That sort of thing just wouldn't happen, would it? Except that in 1973, it did. At that time Brian Clough was managerial gold dust, having taken Derby County to the Football League title and to the semi-finals of the European Cup. After those feats, he and his sidekick Peter Taylor could have managed anywhere. And yet the most famous men in British football decided to take the reins at Brighton & Hove Albion, sixth bottom of the old Third Division, for what would prove a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful spell that would test their friendship to breaking point. The move to a sleepy backwater football club made little sense then and, forty years on, it remains a mystery. It seems especially odd considering Clough's aversion to the south and refusal to relocate his home from Derby. Featuring candid interviews with the men who played under Clough and Taylor at Brighton, Bloody Southerners attempts to make sense of the strangest managerial appointment in English post-war football. What shines through in page after page of never-before-heard stories is the profound complexity of both characters.
£11.69
Biteback Publishing Sacre Bleu: Zidane to Mbappe - A football journey
Book SynopsisRemember when Zinedine Zidane lifted the World Cup in 1998? Kylian Mbappe doesn't. The gifted young forward wasn't born when the French team became world champions for the first time. But it was Mbappe's unique talent that helped France to reach the summit of world football once again in 2018, erasing years of failure, rancour and shame. These two crowning achievements made Les Bleus the envy of the world, but the road between these two highs was blighted by bitterly painful lows. Zidane's headbutt; a players' strike; infighting and recriminations; even sex scandals and blackmail. This was also a turbulent time for French society, as the promise of racial harmony in 1998 gave way to rising tensions and riots. Mbappe witnessed it all, honing his prodigious talent in the banlieues of Paris as the nation threatened to implode. His story embodies France's journey from disaster to triumph; football's hottest new property growing up in a troubled neighbourhood and inspiring a divided country on and off the pitch. In Sacre Bleu, Matthew Spiro traces the rise, fall and rise again of Les Bleus through the lens of Kylian Mbappe. Featuring a foreword by Arsene Wenger and interviews with leading figures in French football, including Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, Robert Pires and Olivier Giroud, Spiro asks what went wrong for France and what, ultimately, went right.Trade Review"Winning the World Cup in 1998 was the highlight of my career. In this brilliant book, Matt Spiro captures the significance of that event and explains how it changed football in France for ever." - Frank Leboeuf, former France international "When I lived in France in the early 1990s I am not sure that I would have predicted the effect that the country would have not only on UK football, but on global football. Certainly, when they made such a mess of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, winning the next one seemed a long way off. Having worked with Matt many times, it is no surprise that he has perfectly captured the essence of this beautiful country and its beautiful game." - Mark Chapman, broadcaster "A detailed and sensitive account of France's turbulent journey from one World Cup triumph to another; a fascinating story of football but also of far wider issues." - Jonathan Wilson, The Guardian "Glory, influence and the sheer volume of talent are clear themes of French football over the past twenty-five years. Matt Spiro goes deeper and covers the complications of culture and race, too. This is a book about modern France as well as modern French football." - Michael Walker, The Athletic "During my six seasons in France I saw the way Les Bleus brought an entire nation together. When they won the World Cup in 1998, I was kissing my teammates at pre-season training, thinking I was French. This fantastic book brings back some wonderful, vivid memories and truly encapsulates the complex relationship France has with football." - Tony Cascarino, former Marseille, Nancy and Republic of Ireland striker "An amazing tale... Spiro skilfully traces the emergence of world-class players from city ghettos imbued with strife through a volcanic mix of inhabitants from former French colonies." - Eric Brown, Sports Journalists' Association "A brilliantly insightful and entertaining read." - Jon Spurling, FourFourTwo
£16.14
Biteback Publishing Sacre Bleu: From Zidane to Mbappe - A football
Book SynopsisRemember when Zinedine Zidane lifted the World Cup in 1998? Kylian Mbappe doesn't. The forward wasn't born when the French team first became world champions. But it was Mbappe's unique talent that helped France reach the summit of world football once again in 2018, erasing years of failure, rancour and shame. For Les Bleus, the road between these two highs was blighted by bitterly painful lows. Zidane's headbutt; a players' strike; infighting and recriminations; even sex scandals and blackmail. Mbappe witnessed it all as he honed his prodigious talent in the banlieues of Paris, and his story embodies France's journey from disaster to triumph. In Sacre Bleu, Matthew Spiro traces the rise, fall and rise again of Les Bleus through the lens of Kylian Mbappe. Featuring a foreword by Arsene Wenger and interviews with leading figures in French football, Spiro asks what went wrong for France and what, ultimately, went right.
£7.99
Biteback Publishing Newbon, Bloody Hell: A Life in Sports
Book SynopsisOver the past fifty years, Gary Newbon has established himself as an icon of sports broadcasting. He interviewed Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester United clinched a historic treble in 1999. He was in the ring when Gerald McClellan collapsed after suffering life-changing injuries in his fight with Nigel Benn. Nigel Mansell was his neighbour. This is the tale of a man who has spent his life in close proximity to legends; he interviewed them, befriended them and shared their defining moments until he became part of the DNA of Britain’s sporting history. Many of his interviews are still used in TV shows today. In his highly anticipated memoir, Newbon tells all. Encompassing a plethora of anecdotes that reveal the depth and wit of figures such as Brian Clough, Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King and many others, this book considers how these people felt and thought during the pivotal sporting moments of the past half-century. From the Hand of God goal to the Munich massacre, Gary Newbon was there for it all. This, for the first time, is his story.
£17.00
Biteback Publishing Death of a Boxer
Book SynopsisSince 1995, there have been four deaths following fights in Britain and forty around the world. In Death of a Boxer, Pete Carvill sets out to explore the psychology of those who choose to fight and what draws them towards this most dangerous of pursuits. But to write about the death of fighters would only be half the story. Carvill, who has written extensively on boxing and combat sports for fifteen years, will take off his own gloves and pick up a pen to explore the lives of fighters, from the early days in amateur clubs, to established professionals, to those down on their luck and to the retired still hankering for the feeling of being able to do what once came so easily to them. A deep and powerful meditation on the nature of boxing that asks why people do it, what it does for them – and ultimately to them. This may be the most important book on the sport for decades.
£17.00
Biteback Publishing Glory Days for the Waifs and the Strays
£18.70
John Blake Publishing Ltd Bale: World's Greatest
Book SynopsisGareth Bale is the new man-to-watch of the footballing world. Success both nationally and internationally have ensured his place amongst the footballing greats.Bale began his professional football career at Tottenham Hotspurs and soon became one of their most valued players. During his last season with the Club, Bale won PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. Joining Real Madrid for a record breaking transfer fee in 2013 broadened his horizons and his already loyal following multiplied. The Spanish press named him as `The Canon’ as he secured Real Madrid’s recent win in the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League. Bale`s recent success as a member of the Welsh international team has added yet again to his popularity as a professional footballer. Wales reached the semifinal of the UEFA European Championship for the first time in the country’s history, attracting the attention of the world as it took on some of the great footballing nations.Written by acclaimed sports biographer Frank Worrall, this book will relate Bale’s journey through his football career so far; from humble beginnings to becoming a sporting hero. Worrall is the author of numerous best-selling sports biographies, including Jamie Vardy, Luis Suarez and Lewis Hamilton.
£11.83
John Blake Publishing Ltd Anthony Joshua: King of the Ring
Book SynopsisOn the night of 29 April 2017, at Wembley Stadium, Anthony Joshua knocked down and defeated the Ukraine's former world heavyweight champion, Vladimir Klitschko. In doing so, he added the WBA and IBO heavyweight titles to the IBF belt he already held. That bald statement of fact does little justice to what proved to be one of the finest heavyweight contests of all time, in which a brilliant but relatively inexperienced fighter took on, and eventually defeated, one of the finest boxers of his or any other age. It was a twelve-round fight before a record post-War crowd, and for eleven of those rounds it could have gone either way; indeed, in Round 6 it looked as though Joshua was finished when a massive right hand from Klitschko sent him to the canvas.
£8.99
Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd Bring Me My Chariot of Fire: The Amazing True
Book SynopsisThis book tells the story of two of Great Britain's finest Olympic athletes, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. Their achievements at the 1924 Paris Olympics, immortalised in the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire, are the stuff of legend. They both won Olympic gold medals and became heroes of the day. But they also went on to lead fascinating lives after they retired from running. This beautiful book tells their remarkable stories with great charm and confirms the view that, as men, they shall always rank as among the finest this great sport of athletics has ever produced.
£19.94
Cicerone Press Joss Naylor's Lakes, Meres and Waters of the Lake
Book SynopsisKing of the Fells. Iron man. Lake District fell running legend. Joss Naylor is all of these things and more. His achievements are astounding, his records stand the test of time. In 1983 he completed the 105-mile Lakes, Meres and Waters (LMW) route in a staggering 19hr 14min and to this day, describes it as one of the best routes he ever ran. High praise indeed and yet, so few know of it. Part guidebook, part inspirational regaling, this book interweaves tales of past and present as Naylor reflects on his 1983 epic on a re-walk 37 years later. In the company of award-winning author, Vivienne Crow, Naylor recalls that magical day, sharing stories and anecdotes from, not just his run, but the 1980s fell running scene, his working life and growing up in the Wasdale Valley. Naylor's tales, together with breathtaking photography, are accompanied by basic guide notes for the LMW route, sticking as closely to his 1983 run as possible. These notes divide the route into ten stages (ranging from 9 to 14 miles), allowing runners and walkers to follow in the footsteps of the King of the Fells, albeit on a more relaxed schedule. From Loweswater to Over Water, visiting 27 of the Lake District's largest bodies of water, the LMW route guarantees vistas of unparalleled beauty and an unforgettable experience in true fell country.Table of ContentsMap Key Overview map ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOREWORD INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Loweswater to Ennerdale Chapter 2 Ennerdale to Eskdale Green Chapter 3 Eskdale Green to Dunnerdale Chapter 4 Dunnerdale to Coniston Chapter 5 Coniston to Skelwith Bridge Chapter 6 Skelwith Bridge to Troutbeck Chapter 7 Troutbeck to Haweswater Chapter 8 Haweswater to Glenridding Chapter 9 Glenridding to Keswick Chapter 10 Keswick to Over Water Appendix A Marshals and split times for Joss's 1983 LMW Appendix B Glossary of dialect terms and topographical features Appendix C The 27 lakes, meres and waters Appendix D Route summary table Appendix E Some of Joss's challenge runs
£17.95
Verso Books Redemption Song: Muhammad Ali and the Spirit of
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 *
£12.99
Veloce Publishing Ltd Jim Redman
Book SynopsisFrom humble beginnings in 1930s London, to winning six world titles, Jim Redman MBE is one of GPs most extraordinary characters, and a true legend of motorcycle racing. After migrating to South Africa, he started his racing career in the mid-fifties, and was awarded an MBE in 1964--a year that also saw him win three World Championships in a single day, a feat, to this day, matched only by Mike Hailwood.Jim Redman is Redman’s own account of his life and racing career. The story spans decades, from his first races in the 30’s, to his career ending accident, and subsequent shift to business ventures.
£15.99
David & Charles MIKE THE BIKE - AGAIN: New Edition
Book SynopsisIn June 1978, 11 years after he quit Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Mike Hailwood returned to the Isle of Man TT races, probably the most prestigious, and certainly the most demanding, road race in the world. On a privately entered V-twin Ducati he won the Formula One race, beating the works Hondas of Phil Read and the late John Williams, and breaking the lap and race records. It may have seemed a fluke; it was certainly a fairy tale that continued into 1979, when he was fifth in the Formula One race, despite losing top gear and his battery, first in the Senior, and second by only 3.4 seconds in the Classic - probably the finest and closest-fought race the Island has ever seen, Hailwood proved, if anyone doubted, that he was still the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. This book, written by his manager and friend, Ted Macauley, is the account of his dramatic comeback, from the original wild idea to his final race. More than this, though, it is a study of a remarkable man in a remarkable world, and of the races, the machines, and the men who ride them.Trade ReviewThis book I couldn't put down! Coinciding with this year's 40th anniversary celebrations at the IoM Classic TT of Mike Halewood's incredible win on the Ducati, Veloce has published this new edition of 'Mike the Bike - Again,' now in paperback and with some previously unpublished photos. If you were, or indeed still are, a fan of Mike, this is an ideal volume for you. An excellent read, a 'must have' for any sports fan, highly recommended. - Desmo. The full story is an interesting and enlightening read about the man many believe was the greatest rider of all time. The new publication is a soft-back A5 of 106 pages including quite a number of black and white and colour images. - Isle of Man Examiner. I could not put it down until I'd read the last page, and neither will you. - Nacelle. Impressively informative and nicely illustrated with both black and white and colour photo, this book is a must read for all dedicated motorcycle fans. - Midwest Book Review. With 40 glossy photographs to reflect the anniversary, virtually all of them about Mike's comeback, the book traces the build-up to the amazing event that drew record crowds to the TT when Mike had just ended an 11-year Formula 1 career. - Old Bike Mart.Table of Contents1. A spirit reborn 2. Disguised among the amateurs 3. The bandwagon begins to roll 4. The hard way back 5. A frightening dawn 6. A fairy tale come true 7. Senior drama 8. Here we go again 9. The unforgettable finale
£14.44
David & Charles John Chatham - `Mr Big Healey': The Official
Book SynopsisThis is the authorised biography of one of the best-liked bad boys in British motorsport. John Chatham, driver, racer, repairer, rebuilder, tuner, trader and lover of Austin-Healeys, was, according to Geoffrey Healey, "uncontrollable" in his youth, and has only mildly mellowed with age. Burly and genial, but formidably competitive, and not above bending the rules when he thought he could get away with it, to many he is the archetypal club racer. John is so synonymous with Austin-Healeys that the most famous racing Healey in the world, DD300, is so well-known mainly because John campaigned it for decades, notching up tens of thousands of racing miles. But his career embraces far more than one car, and until this biography no-one had attempted to fill in the gaps. The book is not a dry description of one club race after another. It does include a list of John's principal sporting achievements, but no complete record exists of the hundreds of events which made up his competitive career, so the writer has not attempted to compile one. Instead Norman Burr, who was himself acquainted with John in his youth, has created a more rounded and personal account, full of motoring and sporting anecdotes, but also telling the story of John's family, his work, his business, his three wives and his lovers. John has a comprehensive photo library from which the book is generously illustrated, with cartoons added to illustrate some of the moments that a camera was not around to record. Thoroughly politically incorrect even by the standards of the 1960s, it's an account which will strike a chord not only with admirers of Big Healeys, but also with anyone who believes that independent thinking, and the courage to apply and enjoy it, is the greatest virtue of all. This book is now available in paperback format, due to popular demand.Trade ReviewNow over 79 years of age, Chatham is remembered fondly in this book, which is crammed with more than 150 pictures in its 160 pages of engaging text. There is a lot to admire in this excellent book. - Iain P W Robertson, Freelance. If you didn't get a copy [in 2010] or are new to the life and times of JC I encourage you to get a copy now. - REVCOUNTER. It's a rollicking ride (and read) telling of a life lived at top speed. - Classic Car Weekly. Although a book that will mostly appeal to Austin-Healey enthusiasts, more general readers should also enjoy reading about Chatham's motoring exploits. - New Zealand Classic Car. All racing enthusiasts will surely enjoy this tale. - Victory Lane. Incredibly worthwhile book. - klassiekerrally.nl. If you missed out on getting a copy of this book when first released in 2010, don't miss the opportunity available now. – Healey Torque.Table of Contents1 Early years: life before the driving licence 2 First Healeys: SAL 75 and DGL666 3 DD300 and the Modsports years 4 The MGC and the Targa Florio 5 DD300 returns 6 Team Healey 7 The London-Mexico 8 The Conclave Challenge 9 Tailpiece: John Chatham in (semi) retirement
£21.25
David & Charles A Race with Infamy: The Lance Macklin Story
Book SynopsisOn June 11, 1955, Lance Macklin became a central player in motor racing's worst tragedy. Not only did that day at Le Mans scar him forever, but it went on to become his most lasting legacy. Who, many over the years have asked, was that ‘gentleman driver’ in the Healey? One thing's for sure: he was no amateur. That day overshadowed the remarkable career of one of British racing's leading lights, of a driver who befriended and mentored champions, who was stunningly quick on the track and charming off it. Featuring a wealth of archival material and new interviews, this book finally tells the fascinating story of one of motorsport's most underrated and misunderstood talents.Table of ContentsChapter One: Noel Chapter Two: Mischief Maker Chapter Three: War Chapter Four: The Racetrack Beckons Chapter Five: Heroics at Chimay; from Invicta to Aston Martin Chapter Six: On the Rise Chapter Seven: Drama at the Targa Florio; Success with Aston Martin Chapter Eight: Professional Racing Driver Chapter Nine: Dashing around the Continent: a Podium at Le Mans Chapter Ten: Victory at Silverstone Chapter 11: No Fun at HWM Chapter 12: Never, Ever Interested Chapter 13: Adventures with Austin Healey Chapter 14: Tragedy Chapter 15: One Last Shot Chapter 16: When the Party's Over Chapter 17: The (Wayward) Family Man Chapter 18: An Irish Misadventure Chapter 19: In Love Chapter 20: New Zealand Days Chapter 21: Years of Struggle Chapter 22: Twilight in Spain Chapter 23: "Nobody Would be Interested in That" Epilogue
£18.00
Vintage Publishing Kaiser: The Greatest Footballer Never To Play
Book Synopsis1980s Rio de Janeiro.There’s only one king in this city and he’s got the mullet, swagger and fake ID to prove it.Introducing Carlos Henrique Raposo, known to all as KAISER.This guy’s got more front than Copacabana beach. He’s the most loveable of rogues with the most common of dreams: to become a professional footballer. And he isn’t about to let trivial details like talent and achievement stand in his way. . . not when he has so many other ways to get what he wants.In one of the most remarkable football stories ever told, Kaiser graduates from abandoned slumdog to star striker, dressing-room fixer, superstar party host and inexhaustible lover. And all without kicking a ball. He’s not just the king… he’s the Kaiser.Trade ReviewRaposo's story is brought to life in Rob Smyth's brilliant Kaiser!…a book that exhibits all the verve and skill that its subject never could -- Nooruddean Choudry * Joe.co.uk *[An] almost unbelievable biography -- Ben East * Observer *Both hilarious and unbelievable, Kaiser! is a preposterously good football read * FourFourTwo *Smyth does a solid job of showing how Raposo’s unlikely path might have been smoothed by the chaotic nature of Brazillian football at the time…and the vagaries of the pre-social media world -- Paul Rees * When Saturday Comes *
£14.24
Vintage Publishing Everybody Wants to Rule the World: Britain, Sport
Book Synopsis1980s Britain, told through the sport of the time.Travel back to the 1980s - to Botham's Ashes and the Brixton riots; the Moscow Olympics and the miners' strike; the Crucible Theatre and the Falklands - to explore how we got to where we are now. Discover how sport became fully entwined in our national story; how sporting heroes were made, and destroyed; how 'wars' were fought on the pitch; and how sport responded to - and drove cultural change in - our society.From Sebastian Coe to Margaret Thatcher, John Barnes to the ZX Spectrum, Martina Navratilova to Section 28, Everybody Wants to Rule the World speaks to our treasured memories of eighties sports while also throwing light on where things went deeply wrong. In so doing it tells nothing less than the story of how British sport came into the modern era.Trade ReviewAn entertaining romp, a comfortable armchair ride crammed with colourful detail -- Barney Ronay * Literary Review *Comprehensive… Illuminates our own time too -- Simon Kuper * Spectator *[A] compelling case... of how the way that Eighties sport was interwoven with its surroundings * New Statesman *
£19.00
Vintage Publishing Vuelta Skelter
Book Synopsis*A FINANCIAL TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021*Tim Moore, the author of the Sunday Times bestselling French Revolutions, completes his epic (and ill-advised) trilogy of cycling's Grand Tours. Julian Berrendero's victory in the 1941 Vuelta a Espana was an extraordinary exercise in sporting redemption: the Spanish cyclist had just spent 18 months in Franco's concentration camps, punishment for expressing Republican sympathies during the civil war. Seventy nine years later, perennially over-ambitious cyclo-adventurer Tim Moore developed a fascination with Berrendero's story, and having borrowed an old road bike with the great man's name plastered all over it, set off to retrace the 4,409km route of his 1941 triumph - in the midst of a global pandemic. What follows is a tale of brutal heat and lonely roads, of glory, humiliation, and then a bit more humiliation. Along the way Tim recounts the civil war's still-vivid tragedies, and finds the gregarious but impressively responsible locals to
£18.00
Headline Publishing Group Mohamed Salah: The Ultimate Fan Book
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?
£7.59
Cornerstone Life, Laughs and Football
Book Synopsis***Includes a new foreword by Gary Lineker about football in lockdown***Shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book Awards'Lineker is nearly as good a presenter as I was a footballer' DIEGO MARADONA'Hilarious, almost as funny as me' ALAN SHEARER'This is Lineker unleashed. As a non-football nut I didn't expect to enjoy it, but between laddish anecdotes are passages of sudden tenderness. . . Lineker opens up, dislodging memories and reflections, not just about football but his whole life.' THE TIMES_______________________________________________________________'Football is a simple game. 22 players chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end the Germans always win.'This book is inspired by the stories Danny and I have shared with each other about what life in football is really like: in the dressing room, in the commentary box, on the pitch and - with the appropriate pixellation - in the showers afterwards.What's it really like to play with Messi? I wouldn't know, but I have starred alongside him in an advert for Walkers crisps. And, well, his performance was world-class.And what is a life in football really like? You won't learn much from the dull-as-dishwater post-match interviews - it's a world of secrets, superstitions, laughs and personalities, and let me tell you, half of it you won't believe.I've looked back at my playing days, from England to Leicester, Everton to Barcelona, Tottenham to, er, Nagoya Grampus Eight, and shared the chaotic behind-the-scenes secrets of Match of the Day - and Danny has chipped in with stories from a lifetime following the game as a fan.From Italia '90 to Leicester's Premier League fairytale, from yellow cards to World Cup trophies (I've never been awarded either), from Gascoigne to Maradona, you'll find it all here - everything you always wanted to know about football, but didn't realise that you did.Inspired by the No.1 podcast Behind Closed DoorsTrade ReviewThis is Lineker unleashed. As a non-football nut I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but between laddish anecdotes are passages of sudden tenderness. Lineker recalls deathbed conversations with his father, Barry, a Leicester market trader who’d taken him and his childhood team-mates to matches in his fruit and veg van. The process seems to have acted as a sort of talking therapy for Lineker, opening him up, dislodging memories and reflections, not just about football but his whole life. -- Janice Turner * THE TIMES *Gary Lineker and Danny Baker relate stories both honest and hilarious about the world of football. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Without doubt, it’s one of the funniest books around. * FourFourTwo *Is there anything Gary Lineker can’t do? * RADIO TIMES *This personal and often hilarious book is the perfect gift for any footie fanatic. * OK! MAGAZINE *
£10.44
Quercus Publishing The Three Kings
Book SynopsisThree of the greatest football clubs: Celtic, Liverpool and Manchester United. Their three greatest managers: Jock Stein, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby.Three men born within a 20-mile radius of each other in the central lowlands of Scotland; forged in mining communities to subsequently shape the course of modern football. More than the sum of its parts, THE THREE KINGS, promises a narrative beyond any single biography of its three subjects could. The track record of Jonny Owen and his producers promises a film of critical and commercial importance - loved by all fans of the beautiful game, as well as by fans of the three greatest clubs in the UK. Together these three clubs have a combined 170,000 season-ticket holders, and social-media followings worldwide of over 200,000,000 people.
£11.24
Transworld Publishers Ltd Run Britain: My World Record-Breaking Adventure
Book SynopsisIn the spring of 2021, as the UK's latest pandemic lockdowns were lifted, Nick Butter set out from the Eden Project to become the fastest person to cover every mile of Britain's mainland coastline on foot.Battling the most extreme winds Britain had seen in 100 years, days of torrential rain and the unrelenting hills of Western Scotland and Cornwall, Nick suffered two broken bones and countless injuries, whilst taking on two marathons a day, every day, for 100 days.Covering an extraordinary 5,250 miles, running for over 12 hours a day, struggling to take in the 8,000 daily calories required to fuel his body, Nick battled sleep deprivation and extreme weight loss as he pushed his body and mind to their limit.Supported by close friends and family (including his ever-dependable right-hand man, Andy Swain, whose diary extracts feature in this book), Nick experienced spiralling lows and euphoric highs. As he traversed footpaths, country lanes and busy A roads, he passed through over two thousand coastal communities, buoyed along by supporters cheering from windows, balconies, passing cars and pavements, by school children and fellow runners, and by the stunning sights and sounds of the British coast.Run Britain is Nick's account of his extraordinary adventure.
£15.29
Titan Books Ltd Muhammad Ali, Kinshasa 1974
Book SynopsisAward-winning writer JD Morvan and renowned photographer Abbas' stunning graphic novel masterpiece which uses iconic photos to uniquely illustrate the historical 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. "The drawings and photos allow us to revel in the imagery and history of that unforgettable night, and the torrid pace of the storytelling, the many flashbacks allow us to see the full context of the fight" - The Ring Award-winning writer JD Morvan and renowned photographer Abbas' stunning graphic novel masterpiece which uses iconic photos to uniquely illustrate the historical 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. On the 30 th October 1974, the most famous boxing match of the 20 th Century took place. Nicknamed the "Rumble in the Jungle", it pitted Muhammad Ali, desperate to win back his world champion belt, and George Foreman, the current holder, against each other. Foreman had just KO'd the only two boxers to have ever beaten Ali. By his own admission, Ali was terrified of facing him in the ring... Now, the photojournalist Abbas immortalises this legendary meeting, having kept his photos in his personal archives for 36 years before unveiling them to the world. In a cross between a documentary, photo report and graphic novel, this book reveals the context of the most powerful photographs taken by one of the greatest photographers of the Magnum Photos agency. Enriched by the testimony of Abbas himself, Jean-David Morvan's script is rigorously brought to life by artist Rafael Ortiz.Trade Review"A graphic novel turns the Rumble in the Jungle into a visual gut punch" - The New York Times"A Powerful Combination of rarely seen photographs and comic book art in a new graphic novel" - The New York Times"Muhammad Ali as you’ve never seen him...powerful" - The New York Times “The drawings and photos allow us to revel in the imagery and history of that unforgettable night, and the torrid pace of the storytelling, the many flashbacks allow us to see the full context of the fight” - The Ring“[A] gritty, action-packed hybrid work of photography and comics art ... lands plenty of punches” - Publishers Weekly“One of the most interesting sports documentary graphic novels I’ve read, and one of my favorite reads of 2021” - Comic Book Herald “One of the pleasures of reading Muhammad Ali, Kinshasa 1974 is how seamlessly Abbas’ photos mesh with Ortiz’ artwork. Combined with Morvan’s prose it is as though you are ringside witnessing history while viewing the spectacle from Abbas’ perspective ... Using a new lens on a spectacle that has been chronicled many times over it delivers from start to finish and adds another layer to one of the most famous sporting events of all time” - Comix Asylum “A must-have book for boxing fans ... Abbas’s photographs combined with Rafael Ortiz’s art elevates this legendary fight to a new level” The Fandom Post“Equal parts sports journalism and comics history, it's the celebration of one of the all time greats viewed through the lenses of art as history, and history as art” - AlastairStewart.com
£20.24
Octopus Publishing Group Iconic Women in Sport: A Celebration of 38
Book SynopsisAn illustrated compendium of kickass women in sport, from around the world and throughout history, including legends like Billie Jean King and modern-day superstars like Simone Biles and Dina Asher-Smith. The perfect book to inspire any sports fan. Meet your new superheroesDiscover the fascinating stories behind 38 iconic and internationally renowned women in sport, all of them record-breakers, trailblazers and game-changers. Whether from the world of soccer, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, boxing or skiing, every one of these women has been a ground-breaker in her field. It's time these individuals took centre stage and had their achievements celebrated the world over.Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary stories, their awesome achievements and their wonder-words of wisdom with this pocketbook of remarkable women from across the globe and throughout history. Among others, you will learn about the incredible lives and achievements of:- Simone Biles- Serena Williams- Dina Asher-Smith- Rachael Heyhoe Flint- Jessica Ennis-Hill- Nicola Adams- Danica Patrick- Paula Radcliffe- Michelle Kwan- Megan Rapinoe- Ellen MacArthur- Ibtihaj Muhammad- Ronda RouseyEach inspiring profile also features a bespoke illustration.
£6.64
Profile Books Ltd Beryl - WINNER OF THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF
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 *
£18.00
Profile Books Ltd Beryl - WINNER OF THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF
Book SynopsisWinner of the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year 2023 Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022 THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 'A marvellous book' Maxine Peake Cyclist Beryl Burton dominated her sport much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, with a longevity that surpasses sporting legends like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams. Practically invincible in time trials, Burton - also known as BB - finished as Best All-Rounder for 25 years and broke the record for the '12-hour' endurance race; an achievement unrivalled to this day. She won multiple world titles, but her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities. Yet she carried on winning, beating men and - infamously - competing against her own daughter, whilst working full-time on a Yorkshire farm and running a household. With previously unseen material and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow sporting giants, Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most overlooked, yet compelling characters in cycling history.Trade ReviewObsessed by Beryl. This is an incredible book -- Gabby LoganA story with the ingredients that Hollywood would recognise ... The least publicised, least rewarded great woman athlete ever to be disregarded by her own country * The Times *Quite simply a Tour de Force -- Alyson Rudd * William Hill Sports Book of the Year Chair of Judges *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 *An incredible story about one of the greatest cyclists of all time * Irish Times *Absolutely extraordinary. I feel like we ought to have a statue to her -- Mishal Husain * BBC Radio 4 *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 *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 -- 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: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 *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 -- The New European * Charlie Connelly *The fascinating [and] extraordinary story of Yorkshire's very own ... it is an excellent book [and] well worth a read * Cycling Europe Podcast *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 *Beryl was a woman ahead of her time, she was an incredible athlete with an inspirational mindset, and we are only left to imagine what she would have achieved given the same opportunities as the women's peloton now has. We are grateful to Beryl and the women like her who paved the way for our generation to enjoy the professionalism and recognition that she so richly deserved -- Lizzie Deignan MBE, Professional CyclistBeryl 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 *Jeremy Wilson provides a convincing case in his tribute to this elusive and remarkable figure -- Best Sport Books of the Year * The 42 *An incredible story about one of the nation's greatest-ever athletes that you probably haven't heard of - until now. * The Sport Review *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 *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 *Wilson's account is thoroughly-researched, comprehensive, engaging and accessible. This is not a story of a neatly compartmentalised double life of super-human achievement and domestic bliss; it is the tale of a champion driven by childhood trauma who forced colossal sacrifices at home in her relentless pursuit of competition ... [and] he skilfully guides the reader through a rich collection of first-hand accounts, carefully arranged to allow a balanced view * Critic *
£10.44
