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BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR. SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2017. SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. WINNER OF THE PEN/ESPN AWARD FOR LITERARY SPORTS WRITING. THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR. The most comprehensive and definitive biography of Muhammad Ali that has ever been published, based on more than 500 interviews with those who knew him best, with many dramatic new discoveries about his life and career. When the frail, trembling figure of Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996, a TV audience of up to 3 billion people was once again gripped by the story of the world's most famous sporting icon. The man who had once been reviled for his refusal to fight for his country and for his fast-talking denunciation of his opponents was now almost universally adored, the true cost of his astonishing boxing career clear to see. In Jonathan Eig's ground-breaking biography, backed up with much detailed new research specially commissioned for this book, we get a stunning portrait of one of the most significant personalities of the second half of the twentieth century. We are not only taken inside the ring for some of the most famous bouts in boxing history, we also learn about his personal life, his finances, his faith and the moments when the first signs of his physical decline began to show. Ali was a symbol of freedom and courage, a hero to many, but this is also a very personal story of a warrior who vanquished every opponent but was finally brought down by his own stubborn refusal to quit. An epic tale of a fighter who became the world's most famous pacifist, Ali: A Life does full justice to an extraordinary man. 'Ali: A Life is the business - 640 pages of patient scholarship and intelligent reassessment written in crackly prose' Giles Smith, The Times '[A] richly researched, sympathetic yet unsparing portrait ... Ali: A Life is an epic of a biography' Joyce Carol Oates, New York Times ISBN 9781471155956 -
Rule #6: Free your mind and your legs will follow. THE VELOMINATI embrace cycling not as a pastime, but as a way of life, as obsessed with style, heritage, authenticity and wisdom as with performance. Rule #9: If you cycle in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period. THE RULES is their Bible. It is an essential part of every cyclist's arsenal - whether you're grudgingly cycling to work in the rain or gearing up to be the next Bradley Wiggins, Chris Hoy or Victoria Pendleton. Rule #12: The correct number of bikes to own is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. ISBN 9781444767537 -
Cup Final Day, 1986, and the eyes of the world are on Liverpool and Everton. The two best teams in Europe are about to engage in a gladiatorial battle at Wembley. But this no ordinary cup final. On this warm May day, the future of English football - and a city's reputation - is on the line. A year before this momentous final, Liverpool fans had been involved in the Heysel disaster - a tragedy which cast a long, dark shadow over the sport. With English clubs banned from Continental competition, football reached its lowest point. Set against a backdrop of social and political turmoil and the burgeoning anti-establishment vibe on the streets, Tony Evans's Two Tribes vividly recalls the tumultuous 1985-86 season and the titanic struggle for supremacy between two great Merseyside clubs. Giving voice to players, managers, politicians and musicians, it follows the remarkable twists and turns of an exceptional era. It is also the story of Liverpool's renaissance and Everton's private agony, masked by a show of solidarity and communal spirit on the day, and how a season which began in shame ended in pride. ISBN 9780857503206 -
One of the bestselling Irish sports memoirs of 2018, At All Costs is the story of one of Ireland's most recognisable and polarising figures in his own words. Possessed of an unshakeable work ethic and determination to succeed, Davy Fitzgerald is an All-Ireland winning hurler and manager who has established a reputation as one of the finest hurling talents of his generation. For Davy, however, a man every bit the perfectionist, victory has always come at a cost. In this raw and surprisingly vulnerable account of his life in hurling, Fitzgerald confronts his legacy, his fiery reputation and the most enduring controversies of his career, all the while considering the cost pursuit of victory has taken on himself and those closest to him. 'Davy to the max. Davy is here, in all his complicated glory, never less than interesting, always ready to fight his corner' The Irish Times ISBN 9780717184873 -
Allez Allez Allez is the inside account of Liverpool FC during the Klopp era, including the 2018/19 campaign which saw the club compete in the most gripping Premier League title race in history and become Champions of Europe for the sixth time. Featuring access to management, players and staff, Allez Allez Allez explains how Liverpool have emerged from what Jurgen Klopp described as the "depression" of 2015 to achieve feats that have eluded an entire generation of supporters. Through original research and exclusive interviews, Simon Hughes takes readers into Melwood, the club's training ground, and behind the dressing room door. He takes them to Chapel Street, where the club's business is determined, and to America, where it is owned. He takes them into Anfield, where many of the most important moments are defined, and he takes them on to the pitches of the Premier League and the Champions League, as we revisit how Liverpool stormed their way to the top of the Premier League this season.. 'WE ARE LIVERPOOL - THIS MEANS MORE.' JUERGEN KLOPP ISBN 9780552176774 -
He's back - and this time he's got company. The Secret Footballer has teamed up with one of the most highly respected physios in the game to bring you the stories of a football season through the eyes of someone who has covered over 1000 games in his career and who knows the most intimate details about every player he treats. From the pre-season pressures of a new manager and players who have overindulged on their summer breaks, to witnessing some truly horrific (and sometimes career-ending) injuries; from star players who think nothing of using him as their personal family doctor to revealing some of the more unconventional treatments players choose to experiment with, the physio has truly seen it all. Alongside this privileged glimpse into the physio's world, The Secret Footballer will be telling his own tales of injury, pain and perseverance with his trademark insight and wit. ISBN 9780552174183 -
The long-awaited autobiography of the legendary hurler Henry ShefflinIn an era when Kilkenny established itself as the dominant force in hurling, one man stood out from a remarkable group of players: Henry Shefflin. Now widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, Shefflin has more All-Stars, Hurler of the Year awards and All-Ireland medals than any other hurler. But beneath the surface image of calm efficiency and effortless genius, his hurling life has included its share of bitter disappointments, agonizing injuries and intense rivalries. Now, in what will be an essential read, Shefflin tells his own story. 'The greatest player of this, or perhaps any, generation' Sean Moran, Irish Times ISBN 9780241961711 -
lanterne rouge (French | noun): The competitor who finishes last in the Tour de France Froome, Wiggins, Merckx - we know the winners of the Tour de France, but what about the men who finish last?Lanterne Rouge tells the forgotten, often inspirational and occasionally absurd stories of the last-placed rider. We learn of stage winners and former yellow jerseys who tasted life at the other end of the bunch; the breakaway leader who stopped for a bottle of wine and then took a wrong turn; the doper whose drug cocktail accidently slowed him down and the rider who was recognised as the most combative despite finishing at the back. Flipping the Tour de France on its head and examines what these stories tell us about ourselves, the 99% who don't win the trophy, Lantern Rouge forces us to re-examine the meaning of success, failure and the very nature of sport. 'A lively account of largely forgotten men... It's not easy to come up with an original angle on Le Tour, but with this rear view Leonard has managed the feat in style' Independent on Sunday ISBN 9780224092005 -
'I'd like to be remembered as a player who showed that you can be incredibly professional but also a lot of fun - a bit of a joker in the changing room, but the ultimate competitor on the pitch. That should have been the subtitle of this book, really...' One of rugby's most ferocious flankers and biggest characters, James Haskell has had an extraordinary, global experience of the game, having played for the Wasps, Northampton and England, and in New Zealand, France and Japan. After seventeen years and with 77 international caps under his sizeable belt, he has a shitload to say about rugby life - from pitch to pub and everywhere in between. In What A Flanker, Haskell sheds fresh light on the dynamics and the day-to-day of the game. Whether he's recalling the most brutal team socials; dispelling the myths surrounding New Zealand's dominance; introducing his Japanese teammates to manscaping or calling out play-acting in the modern game, no subject is off limits. Side-splittingly funny and ruthlessly honest, What A Flanker delves into the touring, drinking, training, eating and sometimes unconscionable antics of the professional rugby player. It's an unforgettable read, even if there are some stories you'd rather forget...[Correction: in the author biography and on p.22 of this book, it is stated in error that the House of Rugby podcast is now known as The Good, The Bad and The Rugby. The House of Rugby podcast continues and The Good, The Bad and The Rugby is a separate podcast.] THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Hilarious, and straight talking but also articulate and insightful - I am just hugely fond of this guy' -Eddie Jones 'James Haskell: what a flanker, what a book'-Rugby World ISBN 9780008403690 -
In horse racing greatness is defined by speed. Being the second fastest counts for little. You have to win. And win. And keep winning until every challenger of your generation is put to the sword. Of the twelve horses lined up on Newmarket Heath that 2011 day, one would do just that. And more. To become the greatest racehorse that has ever lived.Frankel was born on 11 February 2008, with four white socks and a blaze, from impressive equine lines on both his parents' sides. Simon Cooper revisits the whole of the horse's life, giving readers an inside tour of the calm oasis that is life a stud farm, where a foal will live with his mother for the first year of his life. Next, the atmosphere of heady possibility that marks the early days of training. Roadwork. Gallops. Trials. Turning raw potential into something more. Frankel begins to set himself apart.A detailed and fast-paced narrative breathlessly recounts the racing career of the horse who, by his retirement to stud at the age of 4, would be rated the greatest of all time. Cooper weaves the horse's tale with those of his trainer, battling cancer, the stablehands who coped with his explosive nature, the work rider who tamed him, the the jockey who rode in all fourteen of his races, and the owner who saw his potential from the very beginning. The result is a rich and multifaceted tale of modern horse racing, the lives of everyone involved, human and equine, and the unadulterated glory of winning. And winning everything. ISBN 9780008307042 -
Within the staggeringly dangerous and high-pressure sport of professional motorcycling, Jonathan Rea's achievements are unprecedented. A legendary World Superbike Champion withmore race wins than any rider in history, Rea's trailblazing success shows no sign of slowing down. Now, for the first time, this remarkable sportsman tracks his life and career. Seemingly destined for the racing world, Jonathan grew up in the paddocks - his grandfather was the first sponsor of five-times World Champion Joey Dunlop and his dad was a former Isle of Man TT winner. He owned his first bike before his hands were big enough to reach the brakes. But while racing may be in his blood, it is through sheer determination and relentless perseverance that Rea has gained huge victories in this ultra-competitive world. Topping several of the most prestigious motorcycling championships, he rules the sport - so much so that regulations are being introduced to curb his dominance. The fact that Rea has endured several potentially career-ending scrapes - including smashing his femur at the age of seventeen and being told that he would never race again - makes his achievements even more incredible. 'Dream. Believe. Achieve,' is Rea's mantra and in this gripping autobiography, we go behind the visor and into the mind of a man who has risen to the top of one of the most skilled and dangerous sports in the world. 'If I had to lose my record to anyone, I couldn't be happier that it was Jonathan. Family connections aside, there is nobody more talented, more determined or more deserving.' - Carl Fogarty ISBN 9780008305109 -
Instagram sensations and debut cookbook authors Gina and Karol Daly had a massive hit in 2020 with their first cookbook, The Daly Dish. Now they are back with more food that looks so decadent, you will find it hard to believe it will help you to achieve your slimming goals. Just ask Gina and Karol - between them they have lost over 10 stone and feel better than ever!Compatible with the principles of many popular diet programmes, you will find fan favourites such as Tasty Tacos, No Stress Stew and Perfect Pizza. The Daly Dish Rides Again will have you looking forward to dinner every night and looking forward to weighing in on the scales too! ISBN 9780717190454 -
How can we think about the future? What do we need to do - and who do we need to be? In her bold and invigorating new book, distinguished businesswoman and author Margaret Heffernan explores the people and organisations who aren't daunted by uncertainty. We are addicted to prediction, desperate for certainty about the future. But the complexity of modern life won't provide that; experts in forecasting are reluctant to look more than 400 days out. History doesn't repeat itself and even genetics won't tell you everything you want to know. Ineradicable uncertainty is now a fact of life. In complex environments, efficiency is a hazard not a help; being robust is the better, safer option. Drawing on a wide array of people and places, Margaret Heffernan looks at long-term projects developed over generations that could never have been planned the way that they have been run. Experiments, led by individuals and nations, discover new possibilities and options. Radical exercises in forging new futures with wildly diverse participants allow everyone to create outcomes together that none could do alone. Existential crises reveal the vital social component in resilience. Death is certain, but how we approach it impacts the future of those we leave behind. And preparedness - doing everything today that you might need for tomorrow - provides the antidote to passivity and prediction. Ranging freely through history and from business to science, government to friendships, this refreshing book challenges us to resist the false promises of technology and efficiency and instead to mine our own creativity and humanity for the capacity to create the futures we want and can believe in. 'An urgent read ... Karl Popper for the 21st century' Robert Phillips, former CEO, Edelman EMEA and author of Trust me, PR is Dead 'Heffernan is ... a deft storyteller. Uncharted is ... wise and appealingly human' Tim Harford, Financial Times ISBN 9781471179822 -
This year has demonstrated how quickly our lives can change completely without warning. But every day we face change - whether it's small changes such as an unscheduled meeting or plans going awry, to bigger changes such as a change of job or coping with the loss of a loved one. Our lives are constantly moving and we, in turn, must move with them. In his latest book, bestselling author Dr Harry Barry shows us how to not only cope with change but learn in the process, and therefore grow and develop as a human being. Dr Barry, with the benefit of over thirty-five-years-experience as a family doctor assisting people in crisis, shares the practical tools and techniques required to manage change effectively and live your life to the fullest. Revealing how to become the ultimate pragmatist - accepting that there is no such thing as the perfect solution, just the best solution one can find at that moment in time. Embracing Change is a practical, compassionate companion for anyone looking to boost their resilience, adapt to life's challenges, and by smoothly navigating through them, reach calmer waters. ISBN 9781409199892 -
The German bestseller - a powerful and deeply affecting graphic memoir that explores identity, guilt and the meaning of home. Nora Krug grew up as a second-generation German after the end of the Second World War, struggling with a profound ambivalence towards her country's recent past. Travelling as a teenager, her accent alone evoked raw emotions in the people she met, an anger she understood, and shared. Seventeen years after leaving Germany for the US, Nora Krug decided she couldn't know who she was without confronting where she'd come from. In Heimat, she documents her journey investigating the lives of her family members under the Nazi regime, visually charting her way back to a country still tainted by war. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically told, Heimat is a powerful meditation on the search for cultural identity, and the meaning of history and home. ISBN 9780141980102 -
In this graphic novel, what begins as an affectionate reminiscence of the author’s 1990s teenage infatuation with the late actor River Phoenix morphs into a remarkable, sprawling account of the city of Portland and state of Oregon's dark history of white nationalism. Murphy is a Portland native who has a genuine affection for River Phoenix, and her heart-racing descriptions of scenes like the infamous campfire kiss My Own Private Idaho serves as a moral anchor to a deeply amoral history. Murphy details the relationship between white supremacist Tom Metzger, former KKK Grand Wizard and founder of the White Aryan Resistance, and the "Rose City" street kids like Ken Death that infiltrated Van Sant's films - a relationship that culminates in an infamous episode of Geraldo. This story brilliantly weaves 1990s alternative culture - from Kurt Cobain to William Burroughs to Keanu Reeves to the Red Hot Chili Peppers - with two centuries of the Pacific Northwest's shameful history as a hotbed for white nationalism: from the Whitman massacre in 1847, to the Ku Klux Klan's role in Portland's city planning in the early 1900s; to the shameful treatment of black people displaced in the 1948 Vanport flood; and through the 2014 armed standoff with Cliven Bundy's cattle ranch. Told in the style of an illustrated diary, with wet, blue ink washes, the other protagonist in this tale is Murphy herself, a gender queer kid trying to process all of this. ISBN 9781683964100 -
In late l991 and early 1992, at the time of the first Intifada, Joe Sacco spent two months with the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, travelling and taking notes. Upon returning to the United States he started writing and drawing Palestine, which combines the techniques of eyewitness reportage with the medium of comic-book storytelling to explore this complex, emotionally weighty situation. He captures the heart of the Palestinian experience in image after unforgettable image, with great insight and remarkable humour. The nine-issue comics series won a l996 American Book Award. It is now published for the first time in one volume, befitting its status as one of the great classics of graphic non-fiction. ISBN 9780224069823 -
They're back! Writer Meg-John Barker and artist Jules Scheele once again team up in this cheeky and informative comic-book follow-up to Queer and Gender. Sex is everywhere. It's in the stories we love - and the stories we fear. It defines who we are and our place in society ... at least we're told it ought to. Sex and sexuality can seem like a house of horrors, full of monsters and potential pitfalls. We often live with fear, shame and frustration when it comes to our own sexuality, and with judgement when it comes to others'. Sex advice manuals, debates over sex work and stories of sexual "dysfunction" only add to our anxiety. With compassion, humour, erudition and a touch of the erotic, Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele shine a light through the darkness and unmask the monsters. ISBN 9781785786532
