Biography: sport Books
Fernhurst Books Limited Dick Carter: Yacht Designer: In the Golden Age of
Book SynopsisNot many ‘amateur’ yacht designers would dare to enter the first boat they had ever designed into the epic offshore Fastnet Race, let alone with the intention of winning it. But that is what Dick Carter did in 1964, beating all 151 other yachts, some sailed by the most notable sailors of the day. He repeated the feat 4 years later with another of his own designs (which also won the Admiral’s Cup that year as top boat and top team), but by then he could certainly not be described as an ‘amateur’ yacht designer. His radical innovations created fast and comfortable boats which were much in demand in this, the golden age of offshore racing. They were commissioned by the top sailors and succeeded in winning the Admiral’s Cup, Southern Cross Series, One Ton Cup, Two Ton Cup and many of the biggest races. He even went on to design the massive 128-foot Vendredi Treize for Jean-Yves Terlain to sail single-handed in the 1972 OSTAR (trans-Atlantic) race – the longest boat ever to have been raced single-handed. But after just a decade at the top of his game, he quit the world of sailing and moved on to other challenges. He hadn’t been heard of for so long that sailors assumed he was dead. His surprise appearance at the funeral of Ted Hood gave rise to the suggestion that he wrote this book. It is beautifully produced with many fabulous photographs and boat plans and was first published in the US by Seapoint Books and is now published in the UK by Fernhurst Books. While his career as a yacht designer may have been brief, the impact of his innovations has lasted the test of time. Who today would think of an offshore yacht without internal halyards in the mast or that the rudder always had to be fixed to the keel? These concepts, and many more, were first introduced by Dick Carter.Trade Review“A fascinating account of his work by one man with a real ‘eye for a boat’.” (Julian Stockwin) “An excellent book” (Seahorse) “An exceptionally attractive sailing book… an educative and admirable book.” (Yachting Monthly) “Both interesting and entertaining… handsome, beautifully illustrated hardback. In my opinion it is a purchase that will not be regretted, as it is a jewel of a book for anybody who loves boats and sailing… If I was going to buy just one sailing book this year, it would be this one.” (Flying Fish)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Prologue; Introduction; 1. Early Days: Summer Sailing on Cape Cod; 2. International 14 and Racing for Yale; 3. Firefly Racing; 4. Racing and Cruising the Medalist; 5. A New Approach to Offshore Yacht Design; 6. Campaigning RABBIT; 7. The 1965 Fastnet Race; 8. TINA; 9. International Offshore Rule; 10. OPTIMIST and RABBIT II; 11. The Tower; 12. RED ROOSTER and the Admiral’s Cup; 13. The Carter 33; 14. Rothschild’s GITANA V; 15. VENDREDI TREIZE; 16. One Ton Cup Competition; 17. Cruising with the Swing Keel; 18. The Carter 30 in Poland and Russia; 19. RABBIT’s Legacy; Other Notable Boats; Epilogue; Honor Roll.
£34.00
Y Lolfa Grav - The Legend of Ray Gravell
Book SynopsisRay Gravell was undoubtedly one of Wales and rugby's greatest characters. He touched the hearts of all who met him, and his sincere interest in everyone made you feel better after being in his company. This volume brings together touching and humorous anecdotes about him by friends and acquaintances.
£7.99
Y Lolfa Hard Men of Rugby
Book SynopsisThe gruesome stories of the hardest, most ruthless rugby players from around the world since World War I. As talented as they were fiery, many were just as lively off the pitch as on it. In our era of citing commissioners, super slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are quite hard to believe! Foreword by Nigel Owens.Trade ReviewThe true stories behind 20 of the toughest players to ever play the game, from pre-WWI firebrands to modern-day YouTube sensations. They are shocking, gruesome, often very funny and sometimes tragic, but what unites these men is their total commitment to the sport. Irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, they never took a step back, and many were as lively off the pitch as they were fi ery on it. In our era of citing commissioners, slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are hard to believe. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the players themselves, insights from former teammates and a foreword from refereeing legend Nigel Owens, if you love the characters that make rugby great, then this is the book for you. -- Publisher: Y LolfaWinston Churchill described rugby as a hooligans' game played by gentlemen. And in saying so, he added to the eternal debate. Where does toughness end and thuggery begin on the rugby field? Nigel Owens in his foreword to this fascinating book goes a long way in answering that question. ‘A dirty player,’ he opines, ‘might deck someone from behind – something that in no way proves their hardness.’ And ‘Amen’, say I. Author Luke Upton has whittled down his choice of the hardest men of rugby over the past 110 years to just twenty. They represent twelve different rugby nationalities, including three stalwarts from Wales: Bobby Windsor, Scott Gibbs and Brian Thomas. Upton’s final choice is a mixture of the famous and the lesser known. The former include Shelford and Meads of New Zealand, Hadley of Canada, Chabal of France and Dooley of England. Less known to me are Bedell-Sivright of Scotland, who died in Gallipoli in 1915, Paddy Maine of Ireland, Weary Dunlop of Australia and Jacques Berger of Namibia. Upton has garnered dozens of anecdotes, some of them hilarious. He avoids the pitfall of glorifying brutality, although Bobby Windsor does admit to attempting to beat bigger packs by skullduggery. But that is typical of Windsor – hard but utterly honest with it. Just as honest is Irishman Trevor Brennan’s comment following an incident in a game against Australia after flooring an opponent with his elbow: ‘He was alright,’ he said. ‘If I was going to do it deliberately, I’d have done it right.’ Upton emphasises that his final twenty do not form an exhaustive or definitive list. They rather form snapshots from across the eras of rugby. Nor is the degree of hardness a factor. In fact, says Upton, as well as being hard men these were also very good players. Were I asked to choose my all-time hardest from among the twenty, Brian Thomas of Neath would be my choice. This is how the legendary Phil Bennett describes his first encounter with the bear-like lock nicknamed ‘The Ayatollah’: ‘He came over to toss the coin before kick-off and stood there almost blocking off the light, with a huge black eye – somehow sustained in his own dressing room.’ So, does hardness equal thuggery? Jacques Berger sums it up perfectly: ‘Rugby is a brutal game but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love it.’ -- Lyn Ebenezer @ www.gwales.comTable of ContentsForeword by Nigel Owens Introduction Paddy Mayne Brian Lima Wayne Shelford Bobby Windsor Colin Meads Jerry Collins Norm Hadley David Bedell-Sivright Scott Gibbs Gérard Cholley Trevor Brennan Wade Dooley Bakkies Botha Tomás Lavanini Jacques Burger Armand Vaquerin Martin Johnson Brian Thomas Sébastien Chabal Weary Dunlop Author acknowledgements Bibliography Notes
£9.99
Y Lolfa The Bish Its All About Me
£20.90
Sandstone Press Ltd All or Nothing at All: The Life of Billy Bland
Book SynopsisAll or Nothing At All by Steve Chilton is the life story of Billy Bland, fellrunner extraordinaire and holder of many records including that of the Bob Graham Round until it was broken by the foreword author of this book, Kilian Jornet. It is also the story of Borrowdale in the English Lake District, describing its people, their character and their lifestyle, into which fellrunning is unmistakably woven. Filled with stories of competition and rich in northern humour, All or Nothing At All is testimony to the life spent in the fells by one of their greatest champions, Billy Bland.Trade ReviewA pacy jaunt along those muddy trails where Billy Bland set records few people have approached since. Anyone with a love of running will find this an engrossing and enjoyable read.Born in the Lake District and moulded by its hills, Billy Bland is a truly fascinating characterA detailed insight into the life of legendary fell runner Billy Bland, a straight talking Cumbrian who thinks as deeply about the environment as he does about running.This tale of fortitude and formidable athleticism transports readers to the heart of the fell running scene. Billy Bland is undisputed king of the fells.An engaging look at the life of running legend Billy Bland of Borrowdale, encyclopaedic on his training, his character, and his wider contribution to life in the Dales.A truly inspirational book that highlights the importance of passion and hard work in achieving goals.Filled with stories of competition and rich in northern humour. * Cumbria Magazine *This book has inspired me to get my fell running shoes back on... A cracking read that I would recommend to anybody who is passionate about fell running and its history! * Compass Sport *‘An excellent book about an extraordinary fell runner.’ * Old Man in Tights blog *
£10.79
Vision Sports Publishing Ltd Seve: His Life Through The Lens
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£28.00
Unicorn Publishing Group At The Greatest Speed: Gordon Bennett, the Father
Book SynopsisJames Gordon Bennett was born in 1841, a spoilt only son who took over as publisher of the New York Herald from his millionaire father. Bennett tirelessly supported pioneering fields of technology and sport, always with speed in mind. In 1899, fascinated by the new motor cars, he instigated the International Gordon Bennett Cup. The inaugural race took place in 1900 between Paris and Lyon. Three countries entered, but this was just the beginning of a massive phenomenon that, thanks to Bennett, saw spectators grow from less than a hundred to eighty-thousand. The widespread anti-car sentiment, endless bureaucracy, speed limits, safety and design challenges were all obstacles to overcome. Each Gordon Bennett Cup Race is documented here with an account of the drivers, the cars, the courses and the thrilling highs and lows of the events. The 1903 Cup, which was held in Ireland, was crucial since for the very first time a closed-circuit course was used. It was also the first international race in the British Isles. His dedicated promotion of early motor-car racing gave a boost to the global auto-industry and was a firm basis to the international racing that is still a thrilling part of our lives over 100 years later.
£21.25
Moyhill Publishing Back From The Brink: How Rod Bransgrove Saved
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£17.99
Moyhill Publishing An Outsider at Lord's: The real story behind my
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£17.99
Polaris Publishing Limited When Lions Roared: The Lions, the All Blacks and
Book SynopsisBy 1971 no Lions team had ever defeated the All Blacks in a Test series. Since 1904, six Lions sides had travelled to New Zealand and all had returned home bruised, battered and beaten. But the 1971 tour party was different. It was full of young, ambitious and outrageously talented players who would all go on to carve their names into the annals of sporting history during a golden period in British and Irish rugby. And at their centre was Carwyn Jones – an intelligent, sensitive rugby mastermind who would lead his team into the game’s hardest playing arena while facing a ferocious, tragic battle in his personal life, all in pursuit of a seemingly impossible dream. Up against them was an All Blacks team filled with legends in the game in the likes of Colin Meads, Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Sid Going and Bryan Williams. But as the Lions swept through the provinces, lighting up the rugby fields of New Zealand the pressure began to mount on the home players in a manner never seen before. As the Test series loomed, it became clear that a clash that would echo through the ages was about to unfold. And at its conclusion, it was obvious to all that rugby would never be the same again.Trade Review'Brilliantly written – evocative, powerful and utterly gripping' * Rugby World *'Outstanding . . . On all sort of levels, it is a compelling read. The quality of the Lions backs, the coaching intelligence of Carwyn James, the shrewd management of Doug Smith, the growing Kiwi horror at what was unfolding: all of it feels strangely fresh, partly because it is so well told and partly because so much fascinating detail has lain untouched for ages' -- Robert Kitson * Guardian *'Special. Wondrous insights into the Lions' only New Zealand win ... loved it' -- Stephen Jones * The Sunday Times *'enthralling ... brilliantly chronicled through the eyes of those that were there' * Western Mail *'splendid ... not only for those of us well steeped in nostalgia, but of a wider and more immediate interest' * The Scotsman *
£11.69
Polaris Publishing Limited Five Rings and One Star: From Bergen-Belsen to
Book Synopsis5 September, 1972. 4.30 a.m. The Munich Olympic Village. Black September, a group of Palestinian terrorists, break into the Israeli team's apartments. It is the beginning of the most tragic event in Olympic history and, after twenty hours, the day will end in a massacre, with the deaths of eleven Israelis, five Palestinians and a German policeman. This is the story of the race-walker Shaul Ladany: a survivor. But more than just a member of the Israeli team from those terrible events in Munich, Ladany was a survivor of the darkest period in twentieth century history, having been interred as a child at the Nazi concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, the camp where Anne Frank died. For the second time in his life, Ladany has survived history. Ladany, the world record holder in the fifty-mile walk and a professor of industrial engineering, is one of Israel’s most successful athletes, having won dozens of national championships and competed at both the 1968 and 1972 Olympics; he was a student at Columbia University in New York, a soldier in the Six Days War and the Yom Kippur War. From Eichmann to Sharon, from Bikila to All Blacks, from Nixon to Thatcher: they are all a part of Ladany’s walk through the twentieth century. Award-winning author and journalist Andrea Schiavon tells Ladany's extraordinary life and, walking with him, chronicles a whole century of events in this astonishing, touching and epic biography.
£9.49
Ad Lib Publishers Ltd Sir Alex: Simply the Best
Book SynopsisA must-read biography of one of the greatest football managers of all time. Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, born 31 December 1941, is a former Scottish football player and was manager of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his 26 years in charge of United, he won more trophies than any other manager in the history of football. Packed with nearly 80 entertaining and exclusive interviews from those who know Ferguson best – friends, colleagues, associates and those who worked with him at both Aberdeen and Manchester United share their unique insight into the innermost secrets of Ferguson’s fascinating life and hugely successful career.
£8.54
Gemini Books Group Ltd Saved
Book SynopsisSteph and Peter bravely tell both sides of their journey with a direct honesty and an empathy born of real-life experience, offering advice and hope to not only those affected by gambling, but sufferers of other chronic addictions.
£18.00
Ad Lib Publishers Ltd Tyson Fury: Gypsy King of the World
Book Synopsis"He is the greatest fighter alive today" Daily Express Tyson Fury is colossal - six feet nine inches tall and a whisker under 20 stones in weight. He is spectacularly fast. He has a punch that could knock over a rhino and he can dance and weave like no one since the great Muhammad Ali. When he destroyed the fearsome Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas to become two-time world heavyweight champion in February 2020, the world held its breath. Fury was born in 1988 and named after Mike Tyson, who was then the world heavyweight champion. Tyson comes from a long line of gypsy bare knuckle fighters. His father, Gypsy John Fury and grandfather, Tiger Gorman, both fought as professionals. Tyson's success has not come easily, but he has fought the terrible battles of his personal life as bravely as those in the ring. In this extraordinary biography you will read how he overcame addiction to cocaine and alcohol and lost a staggering eight stone in weight to make his comeback. His bravery in talking about his mental health problems is an inspiration to many. Now he is happy and at the top of his game. There seems little doubt that, for Tyson Fury, Gypsy King of the World, the best is yet to come...
£7.64
Birlinn General Silversmith: The Biography of Walter Smith
Book SynopsisWalter Smith was one of the most respected managers in British football. This insightful biography casts a reflective and analytical eye over his life and career, examining this shrewd professional through the many highs and lows that he has experienced as a player and manager. He enjoyed an illustrious career in management at Rangers, joining the Souness revolution in 1987, winning nine successive league titles, a domestic treble in the 1992-93 season and winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup three times. In 1998, Smith accepted a position in England with Everton, where he was the manager until 2002, before being reunited with Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2004. In December of that year, Smith was appointed as Scotland manager and his effort subsequently earned him the title of 'Scot of the Year' at the prestigious Glenfiddich 'Spirit of Scotland' awards in 2006. Midway through the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008, however, and with the Scots leading their group, he controversially accepted an offer to return to Ibrox in January 2007. Upon returning to Glasgow, Smith led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final and triumph in the Scottish Cup in 2008, a domestic League and Cup double in 2009 and another double - this time in the domestic League and League Cup - in 2010. He retired from management in 2011 and died in October 2021.Trade Review'Walter had football running through his veins. What he achieved was remarkable andI have huge respect for him' -- Sir Alex Ferguson'A timely and sympathetic portrait of the boss' * BBC Sportsound *
£9.49
Birlinn General Little Wonder: Lottie Dod, the First Female
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2021 One of The Times 50 Best Sports Books of 2021 Little Wonder tells the epic, and until now largely unchronicled, story of Lottie Dod, the first great heroine in women’s sports. Dod was a champion tennis player, golfer, hockey player, tobogganist, skater, mountaineer, and archer. She was also a first-rate musician, performing numerous choral concerts in London in the 1920s and 1930s, including in a private performance before the King and Queen. In the late 19th century, Dod was almost certainly the second most famous woman in the British Isles, bested only by the fame of Queen Victoria. She was fawned over by the press, and loved by a huge fan base – which composed poems and songs in her honor, followed her from one tournament to the next, voraciously read every profile published on her and every report on her sporting triumphs. Yet, within a decade or two of her retirement from sports, Dod was largely a forgotten figure. She lived, unmarried and childless, until 1960, and for the last half of her life she was shrouded in obscurity. In this new book, Sasha Abramsky brings Lottie's remarkable achievements back into the public eye in a fascinating story of resilience and determination.Trade Review'Abramsky traces [Lottie Dod's] pioneering life with a reporter's zeal' * The Times, Best Sports Books of 2021 *'Eighty-five years before Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs fought the 'battle of the sexes,' a Victorian teenager showed what women could do . . . [Abramsky] celebrates her as a brave and talented and determined original. In sports, the battle of the sexes is far from over, but Dod won more than a few break points simply by living her own life to the fullest' * The Atlantic *'Masterfully captures the life of this little-known sportswoman, a versatile female athlete ... In an eloquently written narrative, spiced with vivid descriptions of the Victorian era and the early twentieth century, he shines a light on Dod' * Booklist, STARRED Review *'Lottie Dod is one of the world’s great unsung sporting heroes. There wasn't a glass ceiling she didn't succeed in breaking, and in Little Wonder, Sasha Abramsky takes readers on an amazing journey across continents and decades as she shattered records and destroyed stereotypes along the way' -- Billie Jean King'Abramsky has lifted Dod out of obscurity with a refreshing narrative that is both descriptive and informative' * Sport in American History *'An adroitly written biography . . . Abramsky offers a fascinating portrait of the life of this forgotten sports heroine in fluid prose. Little Wonder is a worthy addition to the sports literature' * New York Journal of Books *'Abramsky combines descriptive writing with research that pulls back the curtain to reveal an athlete whose feats remain stunning 60 years after her death and more than a century after her glory days' * New Books in History *'Abramsky documents in this engrossing page turner the inspiring life of forgotten sports phenomenon Lottie Dod (1871–1960), who blazed a trail for women sports superstars today . . . This astute history is a must read for sports fans and women's studies' students' * Publishers Weekly *'A book that brings well deserved attention to Dod . . . Abramsky has done a masterly job researching Dod's story and calling attention to the achievements of this pioneer who should be recognized by all interested in sports' * Library Journal *'Even though Dod was a phenom in her day, she was largely forgotten without TV, movies, or social media to carry her name forward. Fortunately for sports fans and students of women's studies, Dod won't be overlooked thanks to Abramsky's thorough biography ... A welcome resurrection of a true pioneer' * Kirkus Reviews *'It's so important to remember the past champions, especially the women who tend to be forgotten in the history books' -- Martina Navratilova'Lottie Dod should be a name we still refer to … why did she sink into obscurity? She’s out of it now, because of Sasha Abramsky’s wonderful new book. The perfect summer read' -- Jo Good * BBC Radio London *'I'd love to read this first biography of the great but now largely forgotten sportswoman Lottie Dod, who won Wimbledon when she was only 15, a Silver medal at the 1908 Olympics, the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, and played hockey for England among many other dazzling achievements' * The Bookseller *'a revelatory read' * Philosophyfootball.com *
£11.63
Birlinn General Running the Smoke: 26 First-Hand Accounts of
Book SynopsisThis updated edition features a new introduction, and an exclusive interview with long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe. It is the world's most iconic road race. It is twenty-six-point-two miles of iconic landmarks, cheers, tears, sweat, pain, courage, determination and inspiration. It is triumph over adversity on a colossal scale. It is the London Marathon - and it's an event unlike any other. Running The Smoke tells the story of what it's like to take part in this race in the most enlightening and enriching way possible: from the perspectives of twenty-six different people who have participated in it since its inception in 1981. Candid and inspiring if you are preparing for your first marathon or your 100th, Running The Smoke will give you the encouragement, insight and belief you need to cross that line.Trade Review'Reveals inspirational stories of endurance and triumph . . . heart-breaking and heartwarming' * Athletics Weekly *'Remarkable stories of endurance and joy' * The Scotsman *
£9.49
Birlinn General Revolution
Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Football Book of the YearUnknown in Scotland upon his arrival and unheralded in the English game, Ange Postecoglou revelled in his status as an outside agitator. He transformed a Celtic team in turmoil into serial winners, sweeping up five trophies over the course of two spectacular seasons. His appointment by Tottenham Hotspur made him the first Australian manager to take charge of a Premier League club and he had immediate success there.Revolution charts the dramatic story of Postecoglou's instant impact on British football and explores his life and times in the sport, through the eyes of those who know him best.Examining the traits that set him apart from his peers, Revolution provides an insight into the making of a man and the unique football philosophy that has reinvigorated teams and transformed playing styles at a succession of clubs across the globe.
£11.69
Wordwell Leeside Legends
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£18.04
2QT Publishing Services From One Extreme to the Other
Book SynopsisBehind every successful athlete is a dreamer. Mike’s dream was to achieve the ultimate physical and mental state. He turned his dream into records and some remained unsurpassed for over thirty years. This book tells his story from schoolboy to international ultrarunner.
£16.99
Reach plc Duncan Edwards: Eternal: An intimate portrait of
Book SynopsisNEVER in the history of the game has one life brought both joy and tragedy in such huge measures. Duncan Edwards was the jewel in the crown of the Busby Babes, an all-time legend at just 21, who was denied the chance to achieve even greater footballing success by the Munich Air Disaster in 1958. This fascinating new biography, with support from friends and relatives, includes rare and unseen pictures and tells the story of the boy who left his home in Dudley to earn his Manchester United debut at the age of 16 – and made such an impression that he was an England international at 18. The most forensic account of this remarkable life and career includes new interviews, as well as contributions from icons of United and the wider English game – plus quotes from Edwards himself. He packed so much into a short career, collecting 18 caps, winning the First Division title twice, and helping Matt Busby’s team take their first steps in European football, but it was an all-round game that had no weakness that impressed most. Team-mate Bobby Charlton summed Edwards up best: “Sentiment can throw a man’s judgement out of perspective. Yet it is not the case with him. A few are great, and deserve respect. But Duncan Edwards was the greatest.” ‘Eternal’ is the complete story of an extraordinary footballer, whose influence on Manchester United and the success that followed can still be felt today.
£17.09
Scribe Publications Campese: the last of the dream sellers
Book SynopsisIn the 1980s and early 1990s, David Campese thrilled spectators both in Australia and overseas with his footloose, crazy-brave style of free running. This book tells the story of his rise from humble beginnings to the very top of a global sport. As a rugby player, David Campese seemed to operate on cross-grained pure instinct, one that left many a defender clutching at him in vain, stranded in the slipstream of his audacity. Hailed as the ‘Bradman of rugby’ by former Wallaby coach Alan Jones, and the ‘Pele’ of rugby by others, Campese was a match-winner. The refrain ‘I saw Campese play’ now speaks to much more than wistful reminiscences about a player widely regarded as the most entertaining ever to play the game of Rugby Union. It has come to represent a state of chronic disbelief that the Wallaby ascendancy of Campese’s era has been seemingly squandered. Campese occupies a unique intersection in rugby’s history: one of its last amateurs, and one of its first professionals. He had shown, too, that coming from outside the traditional bastions of rugby — the private schools and universities — was no barrier to reaching the top. Indeed, he challenged that establishment and unsettled it, warning in the early 1990s that the code risked ‘dying’ if more was not done to expand its appeal. David Campese revolutionised how the game was played and appreciated. His genius, most visibly manifest in his outrageous goosestep, captured the national and sporting imagination. The rigid, robotic rugby of today appears incapable of accommodating a player of his dash and daring.Trade Review‘Campese … is an intelligent and deeply felt meditation on the rugby player's genius, as well as an erudite analysis of Campese's complex position in the wider context of Australian sport … the book is an immense success. Unlike Campese's on-field opponents, Curran, a historian, sociologist and passionate rugby fan, is able to understand this quixotic sportsman.’ -- Barnaby Smith * Australian Book Review *‘Curran is not so much interested in Campese’s life… but with the aesthetics of his play, analysing it as you might a poem or mythology. The result - astute, imaginative and very accessible - is the kind of superior sports writing that comes along rarely. You don’t have to be a rugby fan to appreciate it.’ -- Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘A smart writer pursues one of Australia’s most elusive and enigmatic champions. The result is shrewd, measured, evocative, and, at times, transporting.’ -- Gideon Haigh, author of On Warne‘David Campese could impact a rugby field like a shooting star in the night sky, and James Curran’s masterful account lifts us into that stratosphere … As a rugby entertainer and show stopper, Campese was simply the best. Finally, here is a book that does this one-off player justice.’ -- Gordon Bray, veteran sports commentator
£13.49
Canbury Press Nobrainer
Book SynopsisA heart-breaking but still inspiring insight into the real-life impact of the biggest issue facing the world’s biggest sport.” Jeremy Wilson, Chief Sports Reporter, The Telegraph ''It is beautifully written, immaculately researched and pulls no punches.'' Ian Herbert, Daily Mail This is the story of the ‘real’ Bill Gates. A famous footballer, a successful millionaire and a global philanthropist. This is the story of an incredible man and his remarkable wife, who in his final years made a commitment to use his brain to save the next generation of football players. Bill was Britain’s first £50 a week teenage superstar who played 333 games for Middlesbrough, where he was the PFA representative. He was the first entrepreneur/businessman to make sports shops the centre of high-street fashion. He was a philanthropist who travelled the world using football to change the lives of millions of children
£13.49
SunRise Publishing Ltd UFFA: Yachting's Eccentric Genius
Book SynopsisUffa Fox was the most celebrated and successful yacht designer in the world. Much more than a sailor and boat designer, he was an irrepressible extrovert and novel thinker, as well as a singer, musician, journalist, author, painter, sportsman, campaigner, controversial businessman and friend of royalty. In the years since his death his reputation has grown rather than diminished. This new biography, the first for fifty years, celebrates a Universal Man who not only changed his sport, his Island, and the lives of his friends, but also left an unfillable void. Such people are rare, and his story deserves to be remembered.Trade ReviewIt's a surprise more hasn't been written about Uffa Fox. Yet this is the first biography of the polymath, irrepressible extrovert and original thinker to be published in fifty years. Author Malcolm Turner gained the cooperation of many of Uffa’s friends, acquaintances and former employees. The book casts new light on his life and many achievements and contains many previously unpublished images. -- Rupert Homes * Practical Boat Owner *"The friendship between Fox, the Duke and his closest aide Commander Michael Parker included off-the-water carousing with a whiff of scandal, as well as impressive racing successes. Fox praises the Duke’s ‘ability to take the boat across the tide with a free wind’ and explains why this matters. His clear analysis reflects his own brilliance as a racing sailor as well as a designer." Julia Jones, Yachting Monthly, October 2023.... a working-class legend who transformed dinghy sailing through his visionary designs and fine craftsmanship. A fearless renegade who took on the establishment and poked fun at social norms... Fox makes a compelling subject and his life is packed with good stories... I do agree with the book's subtitle. Uffa certainly was eccentric and he was, by most measures, a genius. Nic Compton WoodenBoat Magazine 01/01/24
£14.39
Chronos Publishing Fantastic Disappointment: The Story of Spurs -
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£13.49
University of Wales Press Raider
Book SynopsisDive into the thrilling life of Raymond Chester, the Oakland Raiders legend.While America was convulsed following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King, Chester was central to the move of black American football into the mainstream. From his college glory at Morgan State to his iconic moments on the NFL field, Chester's story is one of resilience and triumph which resonates far beyond the world of sport.Based on extensive conversations and interviews with Chester himself as told to Welsh author and rugby fan Jon Gower, Raider brings a unique perspective to his life and career.Perfect for sports fans around the world, Raider is a love-letter from Wales to an American football icon whose legacy transcends the game.
£15.29
Empire Publications Ltd Duncan Edwards: A Black Country Colossus
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£13.46
Empire Publications Fightback
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£17.00
Empire Publications Ltd NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
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£17.00
New Haven Publishing Ltd Lennart Johansson
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£17.09
De Coubertin Books Blue Dragon: The biography of Roy Vernon
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£18.04
Chiselbury Publishing Not The Red Baron
Book SynopsisOn 20th July 1995, Robin Bowes, one the last great twentieth century barnstormers, died at the controls of his replica Red Baron' Fokker DR1 triplane just as he was about to commence an aerial dogfight display at Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire.
£8.99
James Ward The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography
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£16.10
Vertical Editions Played Up Pompey Four
Book SynopsisPlayed Up Pompey Four contains fresh interviews with 23 individuals whose immense contributions left an indelible mark on a truly special football club. The fourth in the Played Up Pompey series, this book explores the Blues careers of those whose outstanding performances established them as household names and heroes among the Fratton faithful.
£17.09
Max Books Peter Eckersley
Book SynopsisPeter Eckersley wasn't among the greatest of Lancashire cricketers with bat and ball but no other player can match his qualities of Charisma, Loyalty, Leadership, Bravery, Courage and Sacrifice. The author has brought to life this largely forgotten Lancashire Cricketer.
£11.40
Sydney University Press Golden Blues: 150 Years of Sydney University
Book SynopsisSydney University Cricket Club is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Australia. Only a few years after the University was founded in 1850, the University fielded a cricket team against the Garrison Club, and played on what was once called the Garrison Ground, and is today the Sydney Cricket Ground. Over the next 150 years, the club fielded players of all levels of ability, and has been fortunate to have some very talented players on its teams. This book details the people and events that have shaped the development of the club: from Tom Garrett, the University's first Test player, men of prominence such as Edmund Barton and Doc Evatt, through to today's elite players like Ed Cowan.
£18.00
Wilkinson Publishing Fagans Way
£19.12
Text Publishing Naomi Osaka
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Wilkinson Publishing Kyrgios: The Smash Hits: Nick vs the World
Book SynopsisKnown as Australias tennis bad boy, Nick Kyrgios is a staple name in the world of tennis. With his unconventional playing style, constant battles with authority and a knack for showing off his boorish behaviour and uncontrollable temper mid-game, Nick is a the poster boy that continues to make headlines in sport whether hes winning, losing or anything in-between. Kyrgios - The Smash Hits celebrates Australias ultimate tennis headliner featuring yarns, quotes, interviews and stats on the small-town boy discovering his natural talents at a sport he initially didnt like.
£17.99
Wilkinson Publishing Pat Cummins
Book SynopsisWhen skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bowl first in the Cricket World Cup final in 2023 against an undefeated Indian team, he knew he was going against conventional wisdom. A fast bowler whose appointment to captaincy was a stroke of genius, Pat Cummins was a leader both on the field and off. Courage, Controversy, Conviction takes a bold look at 'Captain Woke' as he navigates the three-year journey in the limelight featuring his captaincy, his conscience and his controversies.
£19.12
Wilkinson Publishing The Bull - David Warner: Daring to be Different
Book SynopsisDavid Warner: Daring To Be Different Unveiling cricket''s greatest entertainer!The first Australian cricketer to play 100 internationals across all three levels (Tests, ODIs and T20s), David Warner is a champion of his generation; fabulous but flawed. No Australian opener in history has surpassed his rapid-fire strike rate in excess of 70 runs per 100 balls. Only one other has surpassed his aggregate of 45 centuries across all levels.Feisty, flamboyant, verbose and villainous, few have been as entertaining or as polarising as the great David Warner.
£20.39
Melbourne Books Oppy: The Life of Sir Hubert Opperman
Book SynopsisThis meticulously researched biography gives readers a thrilling insight into the brutal world of professional cycling and an intimate portrait of an extraordinary Australian.
£26.34
Wilkinson Publishing Greg Miles My Lucky Life
Book Synopsis
£27.96
Wilkinson Publishing Barty: Arise, Queen of Oz
Book Synopsis
£17.99
Ingram Publishing LeBron James: The Inspiring Story of NBA
Book Synopsis
£11.39
Great Plains Publications Ltd The Hot Line: How the Legendary Trio of Hull,
Book SynopsisWhen Anders Hedberg, Bobby Hull and Ulf Nilsson took to the ice they created a dynamic line that saw the Winnipeg Jets win two World Hockey Association championships. Their chemistry on the ice and impact on the game is explored in The Hot Line: How the Legendary Trio of Hull, Hedberg and Nillson Transformed Hockey and Led the Winnipeg Jets to With a foreword from acclaimed General Manager, Glen Sather.
£18.36
Paradise Cay Publications As Long as it's Fun: The Epic Voyages and
Book Synopsis
£17.06
Yosemite Conservancy Valley Walls: A Memoir of Climbing and Living in
Book SynopsisHalf a century ago a rag-tag group of innovators was building a foundation for modern American rock climbing from a makeshift home base in Yosemite. Photographer Glen Denny was a key figure in this golden age of climbing, capturing pioneering feats on camera while tackling challenging ascents himself. In entertaining short pieces enlivened by his iconic black-and-white images of Yosemite's big wall legends, Denny reveals a young man's coming of age and provides a vivid look at Yosemite's early climbing culture. He relates such precarious achievements as hauling water in glass gallon jugs up the east face of Washington Column, nailing the 750-foot Rostrum in a punishing heat wave, and dangling overnight on El Capitan's Dihedral Wall in a lightning storm. Each true tale captures the spirit of historic Camp 4, where Denny and others plan the next big climb while living on the cheap and dodging park rangers.Trade ReviewWALL STREET JOURNAL, September 2, 2016: "Oh, to have lived such riches! To have been a peer and partner of legends like Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Tom Frost, Chuck Pratt, Steve Roper, Layton Kor and Yvon Chouinard! I cracked "Valley Walls" with dread, knowing that to settle in with Mr. Denny's stories would mean surrendering myself to searing envy: I'd rather have made the first ascent of one of the classic El Capitan routes than founded Microsoft. "Valley Walls" isn't a traditional narrative. Each of its 21 chapters tours an alcove of Mr. Denny's memory. Anecdotes of camp life drop between stories of wild vertical adventure, approximately in chronological order... So perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that the stories in "Valley Walls" read more like literary snapshots than fully developed dramatic episodes... But despite the lack of connective tissue in "Valley Walls," its anecdotes are vivid and emotionally poignant." ALPINIST, June 10, 2016: "The memoir richly describes the 1960s era of Yosemite big walls, crack climbs, and Camp 4 culture in twenty-one essays...Denny's tales humanize the climbing icons of the 1960s, portraying them as individuals with goals, dreams, disappointments, triumphs, deaths and sadness. It's a book to tote along on climbing trips, to read while resting in roadside pullouts at Indian Creek or snuggled in a mummy bag in Camp 4." Tommy Caldwell, professional rock climber: "Glen Denny's photos preserved and romanticized the era now referred to as the Golden Age of American rock climbing. His memoir, Valley Walls, brings those photos to life. A superbly written portrait of larger-than-life characters and go-for-broke ideals brings forth a sense of great envy for a time when purity came from the fact that we did not yet know if these walls could be climbed." Beth Rodden, professional rock climber: "Glen Denny was part of an age that is iconic to every generation of climbers and epitomizes Yosemite's spirit and soul. His photographs and stories are as famous as the time, and now his book gives us an even deeper glimpse into such an incredible era." Yvon Chouinard, co-founder, Patagonia, Inc.: Not many of us old guys are left who can remember the history of Yosemite climbing in the sixties. Thankfully, Glen Denny has put together these stories of the great days that were so important. LIBRARY JOURNAL, April 15, 2016: Denny (Glen Denny: Yosemite in the Sixties) is a well-known photographer who captured the golden age of rock climbing in Yosemite National Park, along with life in the park's Camp 4 campground, during the late 1950s through the 1960s. The author states that this memoir is "based on my notes and photographs and especially my vivid recollections." Essays illustrate daily life at the camp and the Yosemite Valley during this time period, relating Denny's experience being the first to ascend El Capitan's Dihedral Wall, among other routes. Climbing partners, coworkers, and others are remembered with fondness and joy as the author shares stories of various climbs (whether solo, "firsts," or partnered). During these years, Denny climbed with many partners including rock climbers Warren Harding and Royal Robbins. As plastic water bottles hadn't come to market yet, Denny describes hauling water in glass jugs, repurposed bleach bottles, and heavy metal canteens. Readers will also learn climbing terminology such as open book, zipper, flake, and liebacking. VERDICT Climbing newcomers will benefit from the glossary, but the love Denny has for the climbs, climbers, and life during this era make this a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts.
£13.29
