Writer Harry Pearson takes a warm and witty journey around Britain in pursuit of the lost folk sports that somehow still linger on in the glitzy era of the Premier League and Sky Sports to find out how and why they have survived and to meet the characters who keep them going. When Victorian public schoolmasters and Oxbridge-educated gentlemen were taming football, codifying cricket, bringing the values of muscular Christianity to the boxing ring and the athletics field, games that dated back to the pagan era clung on in isolated pockets of rural Britain, unmodified by contemporary tastes, shunned by the media and sport’s ruling elites.  Here they remain, small, secret worlds, free from media scrutiny and VAR controversies, wreathed in an arcane language of face-gaters, whack-ups, potties, gates-of-hell and the Dorset flop; as much a part of the British countryside as the natterjack toad and almost as endangered. No Pie, No Priest! travels through Britain in search of the nation’s traditional rural sports, seeking out the championship of Knur and Spell (a Viking forefather of golf) on the West Yorkshire moors; watching Irish Road Bowling in County Armagh (once a surprising interest of England cricket captain Mike Brearley), Popinjay at Kilwinning Abbey in Ayrshire, the Aunt Sally competitions of Oxfordshire, and taking in world championship Stoolball (often considered the dairymaid’s form of cricket) and Toad-in-the-Hole in West Sussex. No Pie, No Priest! combines sports reporting, travelogue and history, and features a cast of bucolic eccentrics and many deeply impenetrable regional accents.  

The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling classic memoir, A Handful of Summers. Gordon Forbes played for the South African Davis Cup team in the 50s and early 60s and returned to the circuit as a writer and observer. In 'Too Soon to Panic' he takes the readers behind the scenes at the big tournaments - Wimbledon, Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows; Germany, Spain and Italy - and introduces them to many of tennis's most extraordinary and dynamic characters, including Mark McCormack, Rod Laver, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi. Crammed with riotously funny anecdotes and vivid evocations of the innocence and camaraderie of the game in Forbes's day - when tennis as still a gentlemanly, amateur and often rather ramshackle affair - and insightful observations on today's glamorous game - where money reigns and sheer strength sometimes seems to conquer skill - Forbes explores the remarkable changes that have come over the sport in the last forty years.

Everest has an eternal appeal for mountain lovers and the classic trek to Everest Base Camp is high on the bucket-list of many trekkers. This guidebook covers the most popular route in the Khumbu Valley, from Lukla via Namche Bazaar and Gorakshep to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, the best viewpoint for Everest. It also describes the classic route from Jiri to Lukla taken by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, as well as a trek north to Gokyo with its spectacular lakes and the peak of Gokyo Ri. Finally, the Three Passes Trek, also starting in Namche, links the region's major passes and valleys. The guidebook includes suggestions for side trips and time spent in Namche Bazaar, Pangboche, Dingboche and Gokyo, as well as one trek approaching Everest from Tibet – from Kharta to the Kangshung Face. It is packed with essential advice on trekking in the Himalayas, including planning and preparation, trekking formalities, health and acclimatisation, as well as notes on culture and the fascinating history of the region, making this a complete guide to exploring the area.

In a post-exploration world, two relatively ordinary blokes, serving Royal Marines, decided they wanted an extraordinary 21st century adventure. In this refreshingly honest account they re-live the highs and lows of sailing and rowing a tiny open boat, completely unsupported, through one of the most iconic wilderness waterways on the planet - the Northwest Passage across the top of Canada. They describe battling with an Arctic storm miles from land and being caught in the worst sea ice for more than a decade. At one point they are forced to drag Arctic Mariner, their seventeen-foot boat, across ten miles of broken pack ice to reach open water. Their story is enriched by the Inuit people and the incredible wildlife they met along the way, including all-too-close encounters with both grizzly and polar bears. And they relate with honesty how the isolation and stresses of the high Arctic shaped the bond between their two very different personalities. This is neither an expose of global warming, nor a detailed study of Inuit culture. It is not particularly long on the historical quest for the Northwest Passage. It is quite simply the tale of two blokes, up north. b/w photographs, maps, drawings

This unique book examines how sports betting markets function. Charting recent international developments, expert contributors consider how both bookmakers and stakeholders view these changes, their prime areas of concern and the potential methods for addressing them. Providing a rigorous economic analysis throughout, this book examines the informational efficiency of betting markets and the prevalence of corruption and illegal betting in sports. Against this background, chapters explore pertinent questions such as: should gambling markets be privatized? Is the `hot hand' hypothesis real or a myth? Are the `many' smarter than the `few' in estimating betting odds? How are prices set in fixed odds betting markets? Chapters also review important policy concerns such as the health implications posed by the potential link between the accelerating popularity of sports betting and the decline in sports participation. Academics and students studying economics, sports economics and, more specifically, sports betting will find this book an engaging companion. Contemporary and up to date, it will also appeal to stakeholders looking to widen their professional insight. Contributors include: B. Buraimo, X. Che, S. Dobson, A. Feddersen, D. Forrest, J. Garcia, J. Goddard, K. Grote, B. Humphreys, V. Matheson, R. Paul, D. Peel, L. Perez, P. Rodriguez, J. Ruseski, R. Simmons, P. Westmoreland, A. Weinbach, R. Wheeler, J. Yang

Jack O'Brien is a high school basketball coach extreme in both his demands and his devotion. With monastic discipline, he has built a powerhouse program that wins state championships year after year while helping propel players to college. He does this as a white suburban guy working exclusively with black city boys who make the daily trek across Boston to attend Charlestown High School, where the last battles of the city's school desegregation wars were fought a generation ago. The Assist is a gripping, surprising story about fathers, sons, and surrogates, all confronting the narrow margins of urban life. The book follows the players on their hunt for a state title. But it also stays with them, to see how young men who seldom get second chances survive without their coach hovering over them,and how he survives without them.

Exam board: SQA Level: Higher Subject: Physical Education First teaching: September 2018 First exams: Summer 2019 Perform to the very best of your ability in Higher PE as you master the theory and overcome the challenges of the exam. This highly visual textbook contains dozens of diagrams that make it easier to understand and remember the content. > Be guided through each area of the course. All the mandatory knowledge, skills and specification points are structured into a logical sequence for students and teachers > Get to grips with the command words. Find out what each of the five command words is asking you to do and then use the strategies provided to answer questions across each area of the course > Learn through practice. Enjoy an active approach to theory, applying and developing your knowledge through lots of dynamic and varied tasks, rather than lots of reading > Feel confident about the exam. Tips throughout the book explain how to answer questions effectively. End-of-chapter exam-style questions and two practice papers help you to revise and prepare for the exam > Check your understanding. Over 30 pages of detailed answers for all tasks, exam-style questions and practice papers are included at the back of the book, to support independent learning The book concludes with a special chapter for teachers, which provides ideas for fun, interactive teaching strategies that are based on the latest pedagogical research into retrieval practice, cooperative learning and active learning.

Only Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost policy could bring you this inside look at the Soviet Union's athletic superstars -- co-authored by Yuri Khromov, dean of sportswriters of TASS, and Dr Russ Ramsey, a U.S. professor of military affairs and sports his-torian. This book contains never-before-released infor-mation on how the USSR finds its superstars ...where they do their military service ...and what happens when they lose. Yuri Khromov and Russ Ramsey are an improba-ble pair of co-authors a high TASS official and a West Point graduate and their book has alrea-dy been applauded in the official magazines of the Olympic sports.

When Vince Lombardi took the job of coaching the Green Bay Packers in 1959, he inherited a team that had gone from legendary to laughing stock. They hadn't fielded a winning team in over a decade and had gone 1-10-1 in the 1958 season despite having seven future Hall of Famers on the team. They were a team accustomed to losing and in desperate need of a turnaround. """That First Season" chronicles that turnaround at the hands of Lombardi, himself serving as a head coach for the first time. The Packers were a team of talented underachievers more used to lax coaching and late nights than grueling practices and curfews. Lombardi's no-bull coaching style helped hammer them into winners who operated with machine-like precision. Every football fan knows that the Packers under Lombardi were champions, but "That First Season" shows how he did it, bringing readers the inside story of a sports dynasty.

Since the thoroughbred horse was first developed over three centuries ago, these magnificent creatures have given the global race-going public limitless joy, and filled our memories with wonder and respect, and Punch a Hole in the Wind focuses on the stories of 50 champion Flat racehorses since the dawn of film. Taking a far more global look than other attempts to capture the lives and victories of the greats from the past, it celebrates our heroes from the UK, France, US, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, and each story is told with a mixture of humour, passion and solid research. Every horse that has ever raced has given its connections a thrill but very few can truly by thought of as great and this is a celebration of them, rather than an artificial competition between them, and it is an essential companion to race lovers around the world. Featuring 32 pages of stunning photographs and statistics for each horse, this is sure to appeal to any horseracing fan.

Traffic-Free Cycle Trails South East England by Nick Cotton and Kathy Rogers features over 100 great cycling routes across the South East, London and into Eastern England. A companion guide to Nick Cotton's much-loved and bestselling Traffic-Free Cycle Trails, this guidebook provides an additional 50 routes to discover across the south-east of England - all away from traffic. As well as more off-road trails for gravel bikes and the latest cycle paths, this book also includes a variety of routes on former railway paths, canal towpaths and forest trails, allowing you to discover previously unknown local trails. Presented in an easy-to-use format, this guide includes information on public transport, repairs and bike hire, as well as updated refreshments and parking details. From friends looking for a fun-packed day out on the trails to parents planning safe rides with children, let Traffic-Free Cycle Trails South East England take the work out of finding your next favourite cycling route.

'Blissfully funny, staggeringly informative, a joyful companion' Caroline Quentin 'Tells the endlessly fascinating tale of Britain's natural history in a way that makes every delicate detail sparkle with life' Charlie Corbett, author of 12 Birds to Save Your Life When we go for a walk, whether in the countryside or city, we pass through landscapes full of natural beauty and curiosities both visible and invisible - but though we might admire the view, or wonder idly about the name of a flower, we rarely have the knowledge to fully engage with what we see. When we do, our sense of place is expanded, our understanding deepened and we can discover richness in even the most everyday stroll. John Wright has been leading forays around Britain for decades. As an expert forager, he shows people how to identify the edible species that abound - but he also reveals the natural history, stories and science behind our surroundings. Here, he takes us with him on eight walks: from verdant forests to wild coastlines, via city pavements, fields and rolling hills, he illuminates what can be found on a walk across any British terrain, and how you might observe and truly understand them, for yourself. Warm, wise and endlessly informative, with helpful illustrations and suggested routes, this book will help you to see the world around you with new eyes: no walk will be the same again.

Part of the Ernest Press series of mountain bike guidebooks with 24 varied routes.

Conquer the cycle climbs, scratch off the map. An inspired fun gift!This Collect and Scratch print shows our selection of hill climbs ideal for cycling in the UK. Scratch off the hill climbs you have conquered and be inspired to climb more!Supplied in protective poster tube showcasing the product. Size A3 (297mm x 420mm).

Lonely Planet's Best Day Walks Japan is your passport to 60 easy escapes into nature. Stretch your legs away from the city by picking a walk that works for you, from just a couple of hours to a full day, from easy to hard. Climb Mt Fuji, walk the Tohoku coast, and enjoy the views in Kamikochi. Get to the heart of Japan and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Best Day Walks Japan Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Special features - on Japan's highlights for walkers, kid-friendly walks, accessible trails and what to take Best for... section helps you plan your trip and select walks that appeal to your interests Region profiles cover when to go, where to stay, what's on, cultural insights, and local food and drink recommendations to refuel and refresh. Featured regions include: Tokyo, Mt Fuji & Around, Japan Alps & Central Honshu, Kansai, Hiroshima & Western Honshu, Tohoku, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu Essential info at your fingertips - walk itineraries accompanied by illustrative maps are combined with details about walk duration, distance, terrain, start/end locations and difficulty (classified as easy, easy-moderate, moderate, moderate-hard, or hard) Over 60 maps The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Best Day Walks Japan, our most comprehensive guide to walking in Japan, is perfect for those planning to explore Japan on foot. Looking for more information on Japan? Check out Lonely Planet's Japan guide for a comprehensive look at what the country has to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)

Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022 THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 A WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022 'A marvellous book' Maxine Peake Cyclist Beryl Burton dominated her sport much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, with a longevity that surpasses sporting legends like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams. Practically invincible in time trials, Burton - also known as BB - finished as Best All-Rounder for 25 years and broke the record for the '12-hour' endurance race; an achievement unrivalled to this day. She won multiple world titles, but her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities. Yet she carried on winning, beating men and - infamously - competing against her own daughter, whilst working full-time on a Yorkshire farm and running a household. With previously unseen material and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow sporting giants, Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most overlooked, yet compelling characters in cycling history.

From Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, all along the shore of the Jurassic Coast to Lyme Regis, via the glowing summit of Golden Cap and the one-eyed winking lighthouse at Portland Bill, Dorset is a walkers' wonderland. The 40 routes in this book roam over hills and across heathland, go through forests and voluptuous valleys, trace ridgelines and precipitous cliffs, passing caves, castles, coves, country pubs and stunning viewpoints, to find vibrant villages and secret beaches. Here you'll come face to-face with history, walk with the words of Thomas Hardy ringing in your ears, witness wondrous wildlife and encounter all manner of cottage industries, from community cake- and marmalade-makers to microbreweries bubbling away in back streets.

'EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING...REMARKABLY FRANK' DAILY TELEGRAPH 50 GREATEST SPORTS BOOKS OF ALL TIME After finishing as runner-up three times in the drivers' world championship, in 1992 Nigel Mansell finally secured the title. It was the crowning achievement of a hugely successful career, in which he won 31 Grand Prix, a record for a British driver that stood until Lewis Hamilton overhauled him in 2014. Always an aggressive driver, his exciting style meant he was hailed as a hero by his millions of fans in the UK and around the world. Out of the car, he was outspoken and charismatic, which merely served to enhance his reputation. Now, 20 years after he retired from F1, Mansell looks back on a stellar career in which he battled against many legends of the sport, from Niki Lauda through the Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost years and on to Michael Schumacher. He provides vivid insights into what it was like to race against those greats in an era when the risks to drivers were enormous. He explains what motivated him to get to the top, and takes the reader behind the scenes to give an unrivalled insight into the sport and the key moments of his career. Still closely involved in Formula One, Mansell assesses how F1 has changed, and gives his authoritative verdict on the sport, the cars and the drivers. It is an unmissable account from one of Britain's greatest sporting heroes. THE MASSIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.

An illustrated compendium of kickass women in sport, from around the world and throughout history, including legends like Billie Jean King and modern-day superstars like Simone Biles and Dina Asher-Smith. The perfect book to inspire any sports fan. Meet your new superheroes Discover the fascinating stories behind 38 iconic and internationally renowned women in sport, all of them record-breakers, trailblazers and game-changers. Whether from the world of soccer, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, boxing or skiing, every one of these women has been a ground-breaker in her field. It's time these individuals took centre stage and had their achievements celebrated the world over. Be empowered and inspired by their extraordinary stories, their awesome achievements and their wonder-words of wisdom with this pocketbook of remarkable women from across the globe and throughout history. Among others, you will learn about the incredible lives and achievements of: Simone Biles Serena Williams Dina Asher-Smith Rachael Heyhoe Flint Jessica Ennis-Hill Nicola Adams Danica Patrick Paula Radcliffe Michelle Kwan Megan Rapinoe Ellen MacArthur Ibtihaj Muhammad Ronda Rousey Each inspiring profile also features a bespoke illustration.