The start of a love affair: 'I kicked off my shoes and prepared to climb in stocking feet, aware of an enormous sense of occasion as I laid hands on the rock and stepped up on the first rounded hold. It was not a hard climb but that was unimportant. I felt instinctively at home and at the finish experienced such a surge of happy elation that I knew then I was committed to climbing.' Martin Boysen's passion for crags and mountains springs from his deep love of nature and a strong sense of adventure. From his early days on rock as a Kent schoolboy after the war, he was soon among the most gifted climbers of his or any generation, famed for his silky technique. Boysen made a huge contribution to British rock climbing, especially in North Wales; he discovered Gogarth in the 1960s and climbed some of the best new routes of his era: Nexus on Dinas Mot, The Skull on Cyrn Las and the magisterial Capital Punishment on Ogwen's Suicide Wall. For more than two decades, Boysen was also one of Britain's leading mountaineers. A crucial member of Sir Chris Bonington's team that climbed the South Face of Annapurna in 1970, Boysen was also part of Bonington's second summit team on the South West face of Everest. In 1976 he made the first ascent of Trango Tower with Joe Brown. Along the way, Boysen climbed with some of the most important figures in the history of the sport, not just stars like Bonington and Brown, but those who make climbing so rich and intriguing, like Nea Morin and the brilliant but doomed Gary Hemming. He joined Hamish MacInnes hunting gold in Ecuador, doubled for Clint Eastwood on the North Face of the Eiger and worked on director Fred Zinnemann's last movie. Wry, laconic and self-deprecating, Martin Boysen's Hanging On is an insider's account of British climbing's golden age.

Perfect for cricket fans everywhere, Thanks Johnners is a warm and witty tribute to Brian Johnston and his time at the helm of Test Match Special.

The Test Match Special on-air incident, in which Jonathan Agnew's comment on Ian Botham's attempt to avoid stepping on his stumps "He just couldn't quite get his leg over" provoking prolonged fits of giggles, most notably from Brian Johnston, has been voted the greatest piece of sporting commentary ever. The friendship between "Aggers" and "Johnners" became immortalised through that broadcasting classic, but there was a far deeper bond between the two men, as this fascinating book reveals.

Jonathan Agnew had grown up to the sound of Johnston, Arlott, and a young Martin-Jenkins et al on TMS as he followed his father around on the family farm, ear glued to the transistor radio, but the two men met formally only when Agnew joined the BBC team at Headingley in 1991.

Thus began a great working partnership which, fuelled by a mutual passion for the noble game, bridged the generation gap and ended only with Johnston's sudden death in 1994. As this book demonstrates so convincingly, Johnners's wit, warmth and sense of fun was a feature not only of his cricket commentaries, but also in the way he lived his life. His influence on "Aggers" is clearly recognisable in the same amiable and informal manner in which his successor presents Test Match Special today.

Thanks, Johnners is a rich blend of biography and anecdote, of antics and dramas on and off the pitch, in and out of the commentary box, its pages filled with stories about the great names of cricket including Fred Trueman, Geoffrey Boycott, Vivian Richards, Michael Holding and Ian Botham. Just as TMS is the sound of summer, so Thanks, Johnners is the fresh breeze rippling the long grass of remembered pleasures."

An exploration of humanity's oldest pursuit and of its relevance today, Steven Rinella's book chronicles his evolving lifelong relationship with nature and hunting through the lens of 10 dynamic hunts, beginning when he was an aspiring mountain man at age 10 and ending as a 37-year-old father in Brooklyn.

Lee McCulloch plays for Rangers and is club captain. He signed for his boyhood heroes in July 2007 in a GBP 2 million transfer from Wigan and he has helped the club to three SPL titles and a UEFA Cup Final. His popularity with the Rangers fans has increased dramatically in recent months during the turmoil at Ibrox. When others walked out, Lee stated he would play for the club for nothing and was also the first player to pledge his future to the Rangers newco. In his explosive autobiography, McCulloch opens up on the turmoil at Rangers in the past two years as the club was sold by Sir David Murray to Craig Whyte and the historic events that followed, from administration to liquidation and to the club being reformed under Charles Green. He lifts the lid on the remarkable and fascinating inside story from the dressing room and their battles with those in power at Ibrox. From his humble upbringing in Lanarkshire where he was driven to succeed in football by his strict disciplinarian father, to joining Rangers and how his first season there left him in tears and regretting the decision to move to Ibrox, this book has it all. Lee was also a success at Wigan and was the club's record signing when he joined them from Motherwell in 2001 for GBP 700,000. He was recently voted into their all-time Greatest XI and tells the story of their rise to the English Premiership and the part he played. Lee has been capped for his country 18 times and tells what it was like to play under five Scotland managers - Berti Vogts, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, George Burley and Craig Levein. He also reveals boozing sessions with Berti Vogts that left him shocked and opens his heart on why he quit Scotland under George Burley and the bust-ups that followed with the SFA. With his high profile as Rangers captain, his loyal following including more than 50,000 Twitter followers, and his unique insight into the recent turmoil at Ibrox, Lee McCulloch's autobiography is Simp-Lee the Best.

The definitive account of the life and tragic death of baseball legend Lou Gehrig.
Lou Gehrig was a baseball legend--the Iron Horse, the stoic New York Yankee who was the greatest first baseman in history, a man whose consecutive-games streak was ended by a horrible disease that now bears his name. But as this definitive new biography makes clear, Gehrig's life was more complicated--and, perhaps, even more heroic--than anyone really knew.
Drawing on new interviews and more than two hundred pages of previously unpublished letters to and from Gehrig, "Luckiest Man" gives us an intimate portrait of the man who became an American hero: his life as a shy and awkward youth growing up in New York City, his unlikely friendship with Babe Ruth (a friendship that allegedly ended over rumors that Ruth had had an affair with Gehrig's wife), and his stellar career with the Yankees, where his consecutive-games streak stood for more than half a century. What was not previously known, however, is that symptoms of Gehrig's affliction began appearing in 1938, earlier than is commonly acknowledged. Later, aware that he was dying, Gehrig exhibited a perseverance that was truly inspiring; he lived the last two years of his short life with the same grace and dignity with which he gave his now-famous "luckiest man" speech.
Meticulously researched and elegantly written, Jonathan Eig's "Luckiest Man" shows us one of the greatest baseball players of all time as we've never seen him before.

This is the first full biography of Sydney Wooderson, Britain's most popular sportsman during the 1930s and 1940s. A more unlikely sports hero is hard to imagine - he was small, shy and ran in thick glasses and baggy shorts. The public loved seeing him beat bigger and more muscular `Johnny Foreigners', symbolising Britain's bulldog spirit. At the 1936 `Hitler Olympics' Sydney secretly photographed the Fuhrer, a snap recently uncovered in a dusty attic and published here! Against all odds he broke world records and won titles galore, and for years was the world's fastest miler. He was widely expected to be first under four minutes, only for war to intervene. Despite his fame, Sydney took the daily train to his London office job, happy to be anonymous in dark suit, hat and briefcase. Bad eyesight meant his war service was restricted to the home front, doing his bit running for war charities before falling seriously ill. He bounced back to become the European 5,000 metres champion and English national cross-country champion. Sir Roger Bannister was among many to name him their No.1 inspirational figure. During his glory days Sydney was best-known sportsman in the land, but his shyness and dislike of publicity saw him become a forgotten hero. The book covers every race from his school days to retirement, describes his life in austerity Britain.

In 1964, in Australia's remote outback, on the dazzling saltpan of Lake Eyre, Donald Campbell set out to drive his Bluebird car at over 400 miles an hour - faster than any man in history. Things went wrong from the start: unseasonal rains, a sodden lake bed in which every high-speed run slewed dangerously, money running short...even an Aboriginal curse. WIth death shimmering on the horizon before him, the lonely Campbell tried to hold his nerve until he broke the record. Campbell would lose his life eventually on Coniston Water, with over thirty years passing before his body was recovered in 2001, but this strangest - and greatest - of all his world record attempts was witnessed by a young reporter. John Pearson's classic book about Donald Campbell is an extraordinarily compelling and moving portrait of a modern tragic hero, fighting a battle with inhospitable elements and the outer limits of technology - and, above all, with himself.

The Sunday Times Bestseller The exclusive behind-the-scenes story of the Mauricio Pochettino revolution at Spurs, told in his own words Since joining the club in 2014, Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Tottenham from underachievers into genuine title contenders. In the process, he has marked himself out as one of the best managers in the world. He has done so by promoting an attacking, pressing style of football and by nurturing home-grown talent, fully endearing himself to the Spurs faithful along the way. Guillem Balague was granted unprecedented access to Pochettino and his backroom staff for the duration of the 2016-17 season, and was therefore able to draw on extensive interview material with Pochettino, his family, his closest assistants, players such as Dele Alli and Harry Kane, and even a very rare conversation with Daniel Levy to tell the manager's story in his own words. From Pochettino's early years as a player and coach to his transformation of Tottenham into one of the best teams in England, the book uniquely reveals the inner workings of the man and of his footballing philosophy. It also lays bare what it takes to run a modern-day football team competing at the highest level over the course of a single campaign. The result is the most comprehensive and compelling portrait of a manager and of a club in the Premier League era.

In October 1972, Nando Parrado and his rugby club teammates were on a flight from Uruguay to Chile when their plane crashed into a mountain. Miraculously, many of the passengers survived but Nando's mother and sister died and he was unconscious for three days. Stranded more than 11,000 feet up in the wilderness of the Andes, the survivors soon heard that the search for them had been called off - and realise the only food for miles around was the bodies of their dead friends ... In a last desperate bid for safety, Nando and a teammate set off in search of help. They climbed 17,000-foot-high mountains, facing death at every step, but inspired by his love for his family Nando drove them on until, finally, 72 days after the crash, they found rescue.

The Alpine Fourthousanders are 52 magnificent mountains that make up one of the mountaineering world's major tick-list challenges. Barbara Swindin describes, with verve and honesty, her attempts to reach the summits, her triumphs and shortfalls, and her slowly dawning awareness that she just might become the first British woman to climb them all. But, although the goal was a heady one, still more important is her enduring delight in the mountain environment. Alongside Barbara's own exploits on foot and ski are insights into the 'petticoat pioneers', women who dared to tackle alpine routes at a time when alpinism was strictly the preserve of men. She also looks at the progress that has been made by women since. Barbara grew up in 1950s Gloucestershire (where, as she points out, nothing exceeds 350m above sea-level) and has never regarded herself as a natural sportswoman. Nevertheless, she is a member of the Alpine Club who succeeded in climbing the Alpine Fourthousanders - all but one.

One of racing's best loved families, opens up about life in the sport. Michael Scudamore, the patriarch of a racing dynasty, rode in 16 consecutive Grand Nationals including the 1957 renewal, which he famously won on Oxo. Peter Scudamore was a record-breaking eight-time Champion Jockey and now assists his partner Lucinda Russell, with whom they trained 2017 Grand National winner, One For Arthur. Tales from the saddle in the 50s and 60s from Michael make remarkable reading especially interspersed with those from the 80s and 90s from Peter. Tom Scudamore, one of the current leading jockey's, brings experience of riding today and together with stories from his father and grandfather, a fascinating new light is shed on the National Hunt game. This was a unique undertaking involving a unique family and will be a joy to read for every jumps racing fan.

The Legendary Life of Ken Stabler

Bottled tells the story of English football's complicated relationship with booze through the experiences of the players who found themselves in crisis when they could no longer put it down - from George Best and Paul Gascoigne to Tony Adams and Paul Merson, as well as many others who escaped the headlines. Footballers play under intense pressure in the unforgiving glare of the media spotlight. But what do their stories tell us about ourselves? Are some challenges they face specific to a player's lifestyle? With insights from those at the sharp end, here is an examination of footballers in need and the help available from the industry. Untangling the complex web of links between alcohol and the beautiful game, Bottled explores the stories that characterised the origins of many of England's clubs, as churches and breweries vied for the souls of young men. From trashed hotel rooms to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous via the China Jump club, Bottled navigates the journey from the stars to the gutter and, sometimes, back again.

One of the last youth players to be brought to the club by Sir Matt Busby, Brian Greenhoff spent eleven years at Old Trafford, during one of the most infamous periods in Manchester United's history. Signed as an apprentice just weeks after the legendary European Cup triumph of 1968, injuries prevented Brian making his debut senior appearance until 1973. When he did it was part of the only United side to have been relegated since the war. Nevertheless, Brian was named "Supporters' Player Of The Year" that season and went on to form an iconic defensive partnership with captain Martin Buchan as the club won the Second Division title before taking the top flight by storm under the flamboyant management of Tommy Docherty. Brian was man of the match in the treble-busting FA Cup Final of 1977 helping defeat fierce rivals Liverpool at Wembley. In "Greenhoff!", Brian shares his experiences of the famous youth policy of Busby and Jimmy Murphy, the players who did not make it, his fascinating relationship with Tommy Docherty and his struggle with Dave Sexton that brought an untimely end to his time at United. An England international, he also lifts the lid on his troubled times at Leeds and Rochdale and reveals the breakdown of the relationship with his brother James, one of the most famous footballing brothers in the history of the game. "Greenhoff!" is the story of one of the best loved players from a fascinating period of footballing history told with honesty and no little humour.

'I believe we so far forgot ourselves as to shake hands on it.' - H. W. Tilman, on reaching the summit of Nanda Devi.In 1934, after fifty years of trying, mountaineers finally gained access to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary in the Garhwal Himalaya. Two years later an expedition led by H.W. Tilman reached the summit of Nanda Devi. At over 25,000 feet, it was the highest mountain to be climbed until 1950.The Ascent of Nanda Devi, Tilman's account of the climb, has been widely hailed as a classic. Keenly observed, well informed and at times hilariously funny, it is as close to a 'conventional' mountaineering account as Tilman could manage.Beginning with the history of the mountain ('there was none') and the expedition's arrival in India, Tilman recounts the build-up and approach to the climb. Writing in his characteristic dry style, he tells how Sherpas are hired, provisions are gathered (including 'a mouth-blistering sauce containing 100 per cent chillies') and the climbers head into the hills, towards Nanda Devi.Superbly parodied in The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman, The Ascent of Nanda Devi was among the earliest accounts of a climbing expedition to be published.Much imitated but rarely matched, it remains one of the best.

Kylian Mbappe: The Ultimate Fan Book takes you into the young French superstar's world like no other book. Just to look at the records Kylian has broken, equalled or come close to breaking shows just what a special star he is. When he breaks Thierry Henry's record, or matches Pele, you realise he is moving in exalted company. When the FIFA World Cup 2018 ended, Kylian was still five months short of his 20th birthday and he had a resume and medal/honours collection that would be coveted by successful players in their 30s. Written in a lively, buzzing style and filled with fun features, fantastic photographs and enlightening quotes, Kylian Mbappe: 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.

He was featured on the covers of both Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. He has the scouts of every pro basketball team drooling. He has been touted wildly on national TV by basketball experts from Dick Vitale to Bill Walton. He has a reported $20 million dollar shoe contract pending.

And he's still in high school.
Why the big deal about LeBron James?
The odds were against LeBron from the start. Born in poverty to a 16-year-old, drug-addicted single mom, without a father, raised by various family and neighbors . . . he could have become just another scarred product of a rough childhood in the projects.
Instead, he's the darling of the sports world--and he plays the part well.
Sportswriter David Lee Morgan has covered the LeBron phenomenon for the Akron Beacon Journal since the kid's freshman year and has been granted unequaled access to LeBron, his family, and his close friends. He's seen the exceptional play on the basketball court. But he's also seen how surprisingly well LeBron has handled the pressure, the scrutiny, the criticism that arrived with the early onset of stardom. (Just imagine how most of us would have handled that as a teenager )
An unusual inside look at the rise of sport's hottest young prospect, now poised at the brink of superstardom.

Peter Sagan, at just 29 years of age, is already one of cycling's greatest riders of all time. With six Tour de France points jersey victories, three road race world championships, the 2018 Paris-Roubaix, and multiple spring classics among Sagan's palmares, the world of cycling agrees that this intense, yet fun-loving rider is among the most dominant and fun-to-watch riders of his generation. In My World, for the very first time, bike racing fans will have the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of Sagan's cycling life, revealing the full extent of his dedication to competition and determination to win. They will read about his relationship with fellow riders, his heroes, and how he copes with the expectation of success. He will share technical details about his preparation, dissect the art of the sprint, and analyze the tactics that play out during a fiercely competitive stage or race. Sagan also gets personal, inviting us into his entourage as he blasts through races--then blows off steam with a few well-played pranks on friends. He shares his love for stunts like popping uphill wheelies on his road bike or lip-synching to John Travolta--and explains why bets lost and promises to friends sometimes end with a chicken dance across the finish line. If the rainbow jersey comes with a curse, what happens when you win three? Meet the real Peter Sagan in My World and find out why cycling's most interesting personality never takes winning too seriously.

This biography tells the story of one of the most colourful - some might say eccentric - people of the Canadian West, who also happens to be a climber. Forest didn't take up the sport until he was in his mid-40s. At a time when most men are thinking of retiring from strenuous activities, Don was busy setting records: the first person to climb all the 11,000-foot peaks in the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains and the oldest person to climb Mount Logan, Canada's highest mountain. Apart from Don's climbing achievements, for which he received the Banff Mountain Festival's Summit of Excellence Award in 1990, Don is renowned for his idiosyncrasies, which the author and Don's friends have documented in detail.

Graham Jarvis has been at the top of off-road motorcycling for the best part of twenty-five years and has competed in hundreds of competitions and races all over the world, from TV's Junior Kickstart in the early 1990s to the fabled and ridiculously perilous Erzberg Rodeo, which Graham has won a record-equalling five times and is one of motorsport's most feared events. Having excelled at Trials and Enduro, Graham then moved into the high-octane world of Hard Enduro, one of the most exhilarating sports on two wheels. Since then, he has all but dominated the sport and has won Hard Enduro's five major events - the Erzberg Rodeo, the Red Bull Sea to Sky, the Red Bull Romaniacs, the Tough One and Hell's Gate - on no fewer than thirty occasions, making him one of motorsport's most successful athletes. In Conquering the Iron Giant, Graham will take us from his early years in Canterbury, where he started pulling wheelies from the age of four on a bike that his dad had rescued from the tip, to competing against up to 1,800 riders in races where dozens are often airlifted to hospital, and only three or four finish . . . with Graham usually at the head of the field. It is a story of dedication, skill and, above all, an extreme passion for off-road motorcycling.