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Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > Sport
Stella Walsh, who was born in Poland but raised in the United
States, competed for Poland at the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, winning
gold and silver in the 100 meters. Running and jumping
competitively for three decades, Walsh also won more than 40 U.S.
national championships and set dozens of world records. In 1975,
she was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame,
yet Stella Walsh's impressive accomplishments have been almost
entirely ignored. In The Forgotten Legacy of Stella Walsh: The
Greatest Female Athlete of Her Time, Sheldon Anderson tells the
story of her remarkable life. A pioneer in women's sports, Walsh
was one of the first globetrotting athletes, running in meets all
over North America, Europe, and Asia. While her accomplishments are
undeniable, Walsh's legacy was called into question after her
murder in 1980. Walsh's autopsy revealed she had ambiguous
genitalia, which prompted many to demand that her awards be
rescinded. In addition to telling her fascinating story, The
Forgotten Legacy of Stella Walsh provides a close look at the early
days of women's track and field. This book also examines the
complicated and controversial question of sex and gender identity
in athletics-an issue very much in the news today. Featuring
numerous photographs that help bring to life Walsh's story and the
times in which she lived, this biography will interest and inform
historians of sport and women's studies, as well as anyone who
wants to learn more about a Polish immigrant who was once the
fastest woman alive.
Recounted candidly In His Own Words: Life On the Inside looks back
on the footballing life and times of Peter Mendham, Norwich City's
larger-than-life former midfielder. He offers a no-holds-barred
account of football in the 80s - and also of the incident that led
to a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the attempted murder
of his girlfriend. Peter gives his viewpoint on some of the stars
he has played with and against, and on a decade in football
characterised by falling gates, hooliganism and poor television
coverage for fans who didn't follow the fortunes of the game's
biggest clubs. The Mendham case remains one of the highest-profile
trials ever to have involved a British footballer - his punishment
and fall from grace standing in stark contrast to a playing career
at the highest level, winning medals at Wembley for two clubs.
Peter recounts his experiences in football and his time endured at
Her Majesty's pleasure in a frank, occasionally blunt manner that
will give readers an insight into a life of ups and downs.
? Kate Fagan and her father forged their relationship on the
basketball court, bonded by sweaty high fives and a dedication to
the New York Knicks. But as Kate got older, her love of the sport
and her closeness with her father grew complicated. The formerly
inseparable pair drifted apart. The lessons that her father
instilled in her about the game, and all her memories of sharing
the court with him over the years, were a distant memory. When
Chris Fagan was diagnosed with ALS, Kate decided that something had
to change. Leaving a high-profile job at ESPN to be closer to her
mother and father and take part in his care, Kate Fagan spent the
last year of her father's life determined to return to him the kind
of joy they once shared on the court. All the Colors Came Out is
Kate Fagan's completely original reflection on the very specific
bond that one father and daughter shared, forged in the love of a
sport which over time came to mean so much more. Studded with
unforgettable scenes of humor, pain and hope, Kate Fagan has
written a book that plumbs the mysteries of the unique gifts
fathers gives daughters, ones that resonate across time and
circumstance.
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Rafa
(Paperback)
Rafael Nadal, John Carlin
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What makes a champion? What does it take to be the best in the
world at your sport? Rafael Nadal has the answers. In his memoir,
written with award-winning journalist John Carlin, he reveals the
secrets of his game and shares the inspiring personal story behind
his success. It begins in Mallorca, where the tight-knit Nadal
family has lived for generations. Coached by his uncle Toni from
the age of four and taught humility and respect by his parents,
Nadal has managed the uncommon feat of becoming an acclaimed global
celebrity while remaining a gracious, hardworking role model for
people in all walks of life. Now he takes us behind the scenes,
from winning the Wimbledon 2008 final-described by John McEnroe as
"the greatest game of tennis" he had ever seen-to the family
problems that brought him low in 2009 and the numerous injuries
that have threatened his career. With candor and intelligence,
Nadal brings readers on his dramatic and triumphant journey, never
losing sight of the prize he values above all others: the unity and
love of his family. From RAFA: "During a match, you are in a
permanent battle to fight back your everyday vulnerabilities,
bottle up your human feelings. The more bottled up they are, the
greater your chances of winning, so long as you've trained as hard
as you play and the gap in talent is not too wide between you and
your rival. The gap in talent with Federer existed, but it was not
impossibly wide. It was narrow enough, even on his favorite surface
in the tournament he played best, for me to know that if I silenced
the doubts and fears, and exaggerated hopes, inside my head better
than he did, I could beat him. You have to cage yourself in
protective armor, turn yourself into a bloodless warrior. It's a
kind of self-hypnosis, a game you play, with deadly seriousness, to
disguise your own weaknesses from yourself, as well as from your
rival."
On May 30, 1958, thousands of racing fans poured into the infield
at dawn to claim the best seats of the Indianapolis 500, unaware
that they were going to witness one of the most notorious wrecks in
racing history. Seconds after the green flag, a game of chicken
spiraled out of control into a fiery 16-car pile-up that claimed
the life of 29-year-old Indiana native and rising star Pat
O'Connor. The other drivers escaped death, but the tragic 1958 Indy
500 seemed to leave its mark on them: the surviving drivers were
hounded by accidents and terrible crashes, and most would die at
tracks around the country. But the tragedy also prompted new
regulations and safety precautions like roll bars that would
ultimately save hundreds of lives. In The Curse of Indy 500: 1958's
Tragic Legacy, veteran sportswriter Stan Sutton profiles the
ill-fated race and the careers of the drivers involved,
highlighting their lives in the dangerous world of auto racing.
Be inspired by Football Legend, Lionel Messi! Football Legends:
Young readers will love finding out all about the lives of their
favourite players in this incredible biography series. Discover the
inspirational story of this star player's journey from growing up
in South America, to his legendary success at Barcelona FC and
becoming one of the greatest players on earth. Packed with footie
facts and match statscareer highlights Also in the series: Harry
Kane, Raheem Sterling, Tammy Abraham, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and
Kylian Mbappe Amazing cover artwork illustrated by Stanley Chow,
whose iconic work has found worldwide acclaim
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, this
book honors the life of Effa Manley, the trailblazing female
co-owner of baseball's Newark Eagles. The first woman inducted into
the Baseball Hall of Fame, there was no one like Effa Manley in the
sports world of the 1930s and 1940s. She was a sophisticated woman
who owned a baseball team. She never shrank from going head to head
with men, who dominated the ranks of sports executives. That her
life story remained unchronicled for so long can only be attributed
to one thing: her team, the Newark Eagles, belonged to the Negro
Leagues. In Queen of the Negro Leagues: Effa Manley and the Newark
Eagles, Negro Leagues Centennial Edition, James Overmyer brings to
light new details regarding Effa Manley's fascinating story,
including previously-unknown information about her childhood and
family. Overmyer wonderfully portrays Effa Manley's trailblazing
life, her championship baseball team, and a thriving black
community in Newark that took the Eagles into their hearts. In
addition, this book contains updates regarding the Negro Leagues,
its talented rank of players, and Manley's induction into the Hall
of Fame. This important work shines the spotlight on a previously
unsung segment of baseball history. Drawing extensively from Eagle
team records and Manley's scrapbook, Queen of the Negro Leagues is
the definitive biography of a groundbreaking female sports
executive.
***** Shortlisted for Sports Entertainment Book of the Year in the
Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2021 'A manifesto to cure modern
football's cornucopia of ills.' - i paper 'A brilliant book.' - Ian
Wright With diving players, abusive fans, feckless agents and the
dreaded VAR, football has taken a wrong turn. Now, Chris Sutton,
the nation's most forthright football pundit, takes an un?ltered
look at 25 aspects of the modern game that need to be changed right
away - and offers practical and, at times, controversial solutions.
From the standard of referees to the lunacy of the managerial
merry-go-round, from shameful racist abuse to exploitative ticket
prices and the shocking treatments of ex-players with dementia, How
to Fix Modern Football leaves no stone unturned in. As a former
top-level player, Chris knows the game inside out. Now observing
from the commentator's perch, his perspective is shot through with
passion, humour and occasionally a little anger. Sutton is a man on
a mission, determined to get under the skin of the game he loves
and to call out exactly what's going wrong.
Land of Tempest reveals Eric Shipton at his best - writing with
enthusiasm and humour about his explorations in Patagonia in the
1950s and 1960s. He is an astute observer of nature and the human
spirit, and this account of his travels is infused with with his
own zest for discovery and the joy of camaraderie. Undaunted by
hardship or by injury, Shipton and his team attempt to cross one of
the great ice caps in Patagonia. It's impossible not to marvel at
his determination, resilience and appetite for travel and
adventure, be it climbing snow-clad mountains, or walking in
forested foothills. Shipton takes a reader with him on his travels,
and the often-inhospitable places he visits are a stark contrast to
the warmth of the people he encounters. Land of Tempest is
essential reading for anyone who loves nature, mountains, climbing,
adventure or simply the joy of discovering unknown places.
When Spurs legend John White was killed by a bolt of lightning in
1964, the football world was rocked by the tragedy. He was just 27
years of age. Nicknamed the 'Ghost' for the way that he could drift
into space undetected, White played an inspirational role in the
great double-winning Tottenham Hotspur side of the early 1960s.
Every fan has a story about him. When White died, his son, Rob, was
only six months old and so never knew his father. The man who was
revered by hundreds of thousands of football fans across the
country was a stranger to him. Beyond the grainy Cup Final footage
and yellowed newspaper articles, there was so much Rob didn't know,
questions he had never had an opportunity to ask. To find answers
he set out to speak to White's former teammates, his family and
followers, and built up a touching portrait of a gifted young
footballer and of a lost era. 'Had John lived, he could have been
one of the greatest footballers of all time' - Jimmy Greaves With a
new afterword for the paperback.
'Essential reading for players, fans and coaches' - Steven Gerrard
'A cracking read' - Chris Evans 'I couldn't put it down' - Joey
Barton What are the greatest games ever played? From Jurgen Klopp
to Gary Neville, Xavi to David Beckham, Jamie Carragher speaks with
teammates, rivals, managers and legends of the sport to identify
and analyse football's greatest encounters. As Carra and his
contributors take you into the dressing rooms and out onto the
pitches of the world's most celebrated stadiums, they relive some
of the defining moments of their playing careers as well as many
more from the greatest football matches ever played - from title
deciders and cup finals to against-all-odds comebacks, tactical
masterclasses and old school classics. Packed full of hilarious
stories, exclusive anecdotes and refreshing appraisals, in The
Greatest Games Jamie Carragher takes you into the heart of these
matches, revealing new insights into the teams, players and coaches
that have shaped football.
Snowboarding maverick Billy Morgan has dedicated his life to
redefining what is possible. With two world firsts to his name, he
is also the first British male to win an Olympic medal on snow.
Emerging from working-class origins in Southampton, a long way off
piste, Morgan came late to the traditionally bourgeois world of
snowsports. Driven by a latent love for fun, he reaches far beyond
the cliches of stoner kids and street slang to explore the courage
required at his sport's highest levels. Morgan's specialist event,
Big Air, involves flying off a 50-metre ramp at 70 miles per hour,
spinning and twisting while airborne, then landing. Even within the
death-defying world of adventure sports, it is one of the most
dangerous disciplines imaginable. In this groundbreaking
autobiography, Morgan outlines the culture, ethos and philosophy of
his sport. A sport in which one wrong move can cause life-changing
injury. A sport whose party-animal practitioners feel peculiarly
attuned with nature. Drop In! is a testament to human potential.
Updated with a new chapter, the story of Dalglish's epic love
affair with Liverpool traces the highs and lows, the characters,
the laughter, the triumphs, and the tears Kenny Dalglish's
relationship with the Liverpool Football Club is one of the great
love stories of sports. For football fans, this revealing book
about one of the game's greatest players is a must, while for those
fascinated by how a very private man suffered after very publicly
supporting his community, Dalglish's emotional story makes
compelling reading. From the moment he first set foot in the
Anfield dressing room nervously asking for autographs while having
a trial at the club, Dalglish felt a passion for Liverpool stir
within him. After joining from Celtic in 1977, the supremely gifted
striker was embraced by Liverpool fans, and the Kop's adoration of
King Kenny has never ebbed--every game, they still sing his name.
Fans have never forgotten how Dalglish held the club together
through two tragedies, the first at the Heysel stadium in Brussels
in 1985 and then at Hillsborough in 1989. Here, Dalglish explores
both disasters at length and in emotional detail. Eventually, for
the sake of his health and his family, Dalglish resigned and
Liverpool has not won the title since. Although Dalglish walked
alone, away from Anfield, in his heart he never really left and has
now finally returned, playing a pivotal role in this turbulent
period in the club's history.
The only British-born boxer to have won the world heavyweight crown
was Bob Fitzsimmons, who reigned from 1897-1899. Since then, a host
of challengers had attempted to duplicate Fitzsimmons' success and
bring the championship back to British shores. They were duly
turned back by the defending title-holders, who were vastly
superior in every department. Many fans had come to the depressing
conclusion that they would never see a Briton wear the crown in
their lifetime. When Frank Bruno emerged, followed later by Lennox
Lewis, it appeared that Britain finally had two fighters who could
compete with the elite in the division, succeed where others had
failed, and win the big prize. Bruno and Lewis: The Boxing Years
gives an account on how these two fighters changed the global image
of British heavyweights by their respective successes inside the
square ring. The road to the top was not always easy, and both men
had to overcome setbacks along the way. The pair eventually clashed
in an exciting historical contest in 1993-a fight which pitted two
Britons against each other to contest the world heavyweight crown
for the first time.
When pro football players formed a union to stand up against the
NFL for their own interests, they chose lawyer Ed Garvey as their
Executive Director. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA), would take
on the NFL over player contracts, collective bargaining agreements,
and antitrust suits. It lobbied for players' free agency, contract
rights, and impartial arbitration of disciplinary disputes. Garvey
navigated strikes, lockouts, scabs, stooges, lies, as well as the
sports media complex-to maintain players' dignity. According to the
league, the players were to take what they were given and "never
ask why." In Never Ask "Why," journalist Chuck Cascio presents the
late Garvey's rich account of the early years of the NFLPA, taking
readers among the players as they held the league accountable to
play fair. Learning from their mistakes, the NFLPA would succeed in
curbing commissioner Pete Rozelle's disciplinary power and striking
down the Rozelle Rule's absolute control over free agency. Garvey
tells the intimate stories of how pro football players, rivals on
the field, rallied together to stand up for themselves. He worked
tirelessly to change a system that exploited players and even
controlled the media. In the end, Garvey shows how the NFLPA
transformed the state of pro sports leagues today and how, even
still, they work to keep down the players on whose backs they
profit.
This first-ever history of the Illinois State University football
program chronicles Redbird legends and lore, from the 1880s team to
today's Missouri Valley Football Conference powerhouse. Dan Verdun
covers the early years (1887 to World War II) and the post-war era
(late 1940s to 1950s) before delving into a decade-by-decade
examination of the program. The 1950 Corn Bowl team, playoff
appearances, NFL draft picks, and the 2014 team's second-place
finish in the FCS National Championship are all included. Opening
with a foreword by James "Boomer" Grigsby, an ISU all-American
linebacker who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005,
Illinois State Redbirds Football includes many names that will be
familiar to Illinois State fans, including Frank Chiodi, Guy
Homoly, Kevin Glenn, Laurent Robinson, Brock Spack, and Tre
Roberson. Informed by extensive research and personal interviews,
Verdun relays the inside stories of several players and explores
the details of where they came from, how they arrived at ISU, what
they accomplished on the playing field, and the paths their lives
took after graduation. This engaging account retells the greatest
moments in ISU Redbirds history with fresh new insight. It will
appeal to ISU fans and alumni, and those fascinated by sports
history and the history of the region will also find much of
interest in this comprehensive volume.
Over and Out is the remarkable story of a neglected cricket hero.
Albert Trott was good enough to play for Australia and England, but
at the height of his powers no Test team would pick him. He brought
an Ashes series to life by taking 8-43 on debut and his batting
average for Australia was 102.5. This was the man who cleared the
Lord's pavilion with the biggest of hits. Over and Out celebrates
his exploits on the field, which for far too long have been hidden
by the taboo of suicide. It also addresses the mystery of Albert
Trott, how he responded to the external forces that fashioned his
life and ultimately why he did what he did. From fame to broke and
broken, from Melbourne to Middlesex his story is compelling. While
lesser men have found their place within the cricketing pantheon,
it has been the fate of 'Dear Trotty' to be excluded, the permanent
outsider. There is no portrait of Albert Trott in the Long Room in
the Lord's pavilion. It is time for him to take up his rightful
place in the history of the game.
THE STORY BEHIND THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED THE FACE OF BOXING FOREVER,
OBE NICOLA ADAMS At London 2012, Nicola Adams made history when she
became the first woman ever to win an Olympic Gold medal for
boxing. In Rio 2016, with the nation cheering her on, she did it
all over again. Years of relentless training, fundraising and
determination have seen Nicola battle through injury, prejudice and
defeat to become one of Britain best-loved athletes and an
inspiration to all those who are chasing after a seemingly
impossible dream. From a leisure centre in Leeds to the Olympic
Stadium in Rio, Nicola with her famous smile has become an LGBTQ+
icon and the poster girl for women in sport. This is her story of
grit, talent and the real person behind the smile. Nicola is soon
to be a contestant on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in the show's
first same-sex pairing. ____________________ WHAT READERS ARE
SAYING ABOUT NICOLA: 'One book every woman or girl should read'
Reader Review 'Fascinating to see how Nicola and her family had to
fight to get women's boxing recognised' Reader Review 'Nicola tells
this story from the heart, very honest, very open' Reader Review
'The positivity, strength, determination of Nicola is uplifting. I
really appreciated how she fought for women's rights to do boxing'
Reader Review
Following an extraordinary debut--17th place in 1911 Boston
Marathon--Penobscot Indian Andrew Sockalexis returned to run a
spectacular Boston Marathon on muddy, rainy course on April 19,
1912. Only 20 years old, running just his third marathon ever, he
came in second and narrowly missed breaking the record time for
that course. That same year he became the first Native American to
compete in the Olympics, returning to his home of Indian Island,
Maine, a champion. Ed Rice chronicles the tragically short life of
Sockalexis--he died at the age of 27 from what was likely
tuberculosi--focusing on his running and the races that earned him
recognition from the sports community and made him revered at home.
Mike Ryan, who beat Sockalexis in that 1912 Boston Marathon, had
this to say about his rival: "He is a wonder, and when he gains a
little more experience he will be a tough one to beat."
Joe Sealey was watching his son play for Manchester United's
Under-14s when a man came up to him and said: "I've got your dad's
book." Joe's father, Les, had been Manchester United's goalkeeper
but had died of a heart attack in 2001 at the age of 43. His death
tormented Joe, who had been West Ham's reserve keeper. Joe had
given up on football, slipping into an alcohol and drug addiction
that almost killed him. He had forgotten what his father's voice
sounded like. Now, here it was in form of a Tupperware box full of
cassette tapes. The centrepiece of the tapes is the most important
game in the modern history of Manchester United, the 1990 FA Cup
final. After three barren years at Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson was
on the brink of dismissal. There was just the FA Cup final left. He
knew that, if it was lost, he would almost certainly be sacked.
After the first game against Crystal Palace was drawn 3-3, he
dropped his goalkeeper, Jim Leighton, who had been with Ferguson
for most of his managerial career, and replaced him with Sealey,
who had played just two matches in a year. The replay was won and
by the time Sealey left Old Trafford in 1994, Manchester United had
become the dominant force in English football. On Days Like These
is an intimate portrait of a club dragged from the brink. It is
also the story of Joe Sealey's journey to the edge and back. Many
years later Joe met Ferguson. 'Your father saved my career,'
Ferguson said. 'And you saved his,' was the reply. On Days Like
These is a story of two rescues.
They called him 'Hands of Stone'. In his own words, and for the
first time, Roberto Duran tells his unbelievable story in I Am
Duran: The Autobiography of Robert Duran. From the mean streets of
Panama to the bright lights of Las Vegas, blazing a trail through
the golden decade of boxing, Duran, in unflinching form, dispels
myths and lays bare the cost of conquering the world. He also
returns to the debacle that entered sporting folklore during his
rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, when he uttered the infamous words
'no mas' - no more. Starting life in abject poverty as the
illegitimate son of a serving US soldier, Duran quickly realized
that his fists could both protect him on the streets and put food
on the table. His reputation in and out of the ring travelled the
corridors of boxing power on the day, for a bet, he knocked down a
horse with a single punch. From his stunning debut in New York to
the glorious defeat of Sugar Ray Leonard, the world titles and the
chaos that ensued after the No Mas encounter, Duran's explosive
life in the ring was matched only by the volatility outside of it,
as he lurched from kingmaker to bankruptcy, before the ultimate
ending of a bloody comeback and, finally, redemption.
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