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Books > Biography > Sport
In the 1970s, a decade before bumper stickers and T-shirts bearing the phrase Eddie Would Go began popping up all over the Hawaiian islands and throughout the surfing world, Eddie Aikau was proving what it meant to be a "waterman." As a fearless and gifted surfer, he rode the biggest waves in the world; as the first and most famous Waimea Bay lifeguard on the North Shore, he saved hundreds of lives from its treacherous waters; and as a proud Hawaiian, he sacrificed his life to save the crew aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule'a.
Eddie Would Go is the compelling story of Eddie Aikau's legendary life and legacy, a pipeline into the exhilarating world of surfing, and an important chronicle of the Hawaiian Renaissance and the emergence of modern Hawaii.
All or Nothing At All is the life story of Billy Bland, fellrunner
extrordinaire 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.
The Honourable Mrs Victor Bruce: record-breaking racing motorist;
speedboat racer; pioneering aviator and businesswoman - remarkable
achievements for a woman of the 1920s and '30s. Mildred Bruce
enjoyed a privileged background that allowed her to search for
thrills beyond the bounds of most female contemporaries. She raced
against the greats at Brooklands, drove 200 miles north of the
Arctic Circle and won the first ladies' prize at the Monte Carlo
Rally. Whilst Amy Johnson was receiving global acclaim for her
flight to Australia, Mildred learned to fly, and a mere eight weeks
later she embarked on a round-the-world flight, becoming the first
person to fly solo from the UK to Japan. Captured by brigands and
feted by the Siamese, Japanese and Americans, she survived several
crashes with body and spirit intact, and became a glittering
aviation celebrity on her return. A thoroughly modern woman, she
pushed similar boundaries in her unconventional love life and later
became Britain's first female airline entrepreneur. This is the
story of a charismatic woman who defied the conventions of her
time, and loved living life in the fast lane.
The long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador,
former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein.
There's no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and
influential figures in British football for over three decades -
operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in
the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the
England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with
Arsene Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football
Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected
to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend,
rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major
turning points in the game. Calling the Shots is part memoir, part
inspirational meditation on leadership, teamwork and how to invest
in people. It tracks the full story of David's remarkable life and
career to date, recounting never-before-told stories from the
inside, intriguing characters met along the way, and discussing the
past, present and future of football. An entertaining and
motivational read for football and non-football fans alike, Calling
the Shots is a dynamic masterclass in how to succeed in business
and life.
As the son of Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, a former NBA player and star of various European teams, Kobe spent his childhood watching professional basketball. From the moment he could pick up a ball, he was learning to dribble and shoot. His basketball education was unique -- a combination of lessons on basic fundamentals, one-on-one games against his dad, and observation and analysis of the world's best players.
At age eighteen, Kobe was given the chance to prove his skills when he was drafted into the NBA. Fresh out of high school, Kobe showed that he had the talent and heart to make it in the pros -- and the rest is history.
This biography gives readers a courtside seat to the achievements of one of basketball's greatest legends as it traces Kobe's life from childhood to his five NBA championships to his successful career outside of the game to his tragic death and lasting legacy.
Le Loop: How to Cycle the Tour de France is the incredible tale of
how one man took on the world's toughest bike race. Ceri Stone is
an ordinary guy. He wanted to do something extraordinary just once
in his life. This book is the exhilarating story of that adventure.
He lays out a template for personal success, garnered from some
rich life experience, and he puts his theories to the test by
cycling Le Loop. Le Loop is an annual charitable event where riders
cycle the route of the Tour de France one week before the pros.
This is an inspiring adventure for athletes of all levels that
proves we can achieve our wildest dreams and laugh along the way.
Much like the tour itself, there are extreme highs and lows, and
Ceri faces them with a searingly honest sense of reflection and a
trivial sense of humour. This story is warm, empowering and leaves
you itching to get off your sofa - but with a template to succeed
at the same time. Join Ceri in his quest to live a life less
ordinary.
In the most candid and compelling sports memoir since Andre
Agassi's riveting bestseller Open, former San Francisco 49er, Super
Bowl champion, NFL MVP, and Hall of Famer Steve Young gives readers
an unprecedented and stunning inside look at what it takes to
become a super-elite professional quarterback. Steve Young produced
some of the most memorable moments in NFL history. But his most
impressive victories have been deeply personal ones that were won
when no one was watching. His remarkably revealing memoir is the
story of a Mormon boy with a 4.0 GPA, a photographic memory, and a
severe case of separation anxiety. As an eighth-string quarterback
at Brigham Young University, it was doubtful that he would ever see
any playing time. But Young became an All-American, finished second
in the Heisman voting, and was the top draft choice out of college.
Then, after signing the largest contract in sports history, anxiety
nearly drove him to walk away from football completely. In short,
Young's quest in life was always about grit. Now, he shares the
experience of being inside his helmet while he faces down his
toughest adversaries, both on and off the field. "This book is
gold."--Peter King "Intense."--San Francisco Chronicle "Steve Young
is a hero of mine, and his story is a source of inspiration for me.
His perseverance, intelligence, and, most of all, grace under
pressure, NFL-style, make this book a fascinating read. Thanks,
Steve, for sharing your story with one of your biggest fans!"--Tom
Brady
Tony Kelly was football crazy from the age of seven. At sixteen
Nyrere Anthony Kelly was the youngest ever player in the first team
at Bristol City and in his twenties he went professional, playing
for clubs such as Stoke City, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient and Bury
in the second and third divisions of the Football League and
starring in a Swedish side. But his blossoming soccer career was
marred by a series of mishaps and misdeeds which drove him to
disaster. Ruined by an addiction to gambling, he lost his job, his
career, his partner and all his money. Now he has written his story
- as Kelly puts it, to "invite the public, my family and my friends
into my secret hell of racism, despair, depression, stardom,
gambling addiction and ultimately self-destruction". Red Card is a
tragic yet uplifting story of a sportsman's battle with his demons,
on and off the pitch. Published with the kind assistance of the
Professional Footballers' Association
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