- Table View
- List View
Ronaldo – 2013 Edition: The Obsession for Perfection (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliFrom the author of the bestselling Torres and Messi, a revealing new biography of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. When a young Portuguese player with sublime abilities arrived at Manchester United in 2003, Alex Ferguson put the no. 7 shirt – once worn by Best, Cantona and Beckham – on his back without hesitation. The expectation was clear, and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t disappoint. Ronaldo won the FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 2008, the first Premier League player ever to do so. Since his record-breaking £80m move to Real Madrid, his goal-scoring flair has continued and made his on-going rivalry with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi even more intense. Luca Caioli tells the inside story of this global superstar both on and off the pitch, unveiling the life of one of modern football’s great players as never before.
Third Man in Havana: Finding the heart of cricket in the world's most unlikely places
by Tom RodwellWhen Tom Rodwell embarked on a cricketing tour of India, he had only ever thought of the game as great fun. But the simple joy of the local street kids when his team donated their kit to them made him realise that it could be more than that. By turns touching and amusing, and imbued with a deep love of the game, Third Man in Havana is the story of the charity cricket programmes ‘Major’ Tom Rodwell has helped run around the world, and of the people he has encountered along the way. From Be’er Sheva Cricket Club pavilion in Israel – a converted nuclear bomb shelter, useful in the face of Hamas’ regular rocket attacks – to a game of tapeball cricket with ex-Tamil Tiger child soldiers behind barbed wire in Sri Lanka, Rodwell discovered that the heart of the game is beating fast in countries more used to conflict than cricket. Third Man in Havana is a wonderfully positive story, revealing that the spirit of cricket is alive and well.
Roberto Mancini: A Footballing Life: The Full Story
by Luca CaioliWhen Manchester City’s owners appointed Roberto Mancini in late 2009, the message was clear: this was the man who would overtake the Blues’ illustrious neighbours and restore the club to the pinnacle of English football. The former Italy playmaker swiftly repaid their faith, following up an FA Cup triumph in his first full season with the Premier League title – won in the most heartstopping fashion imaginable – to continue a success story that had taken him from early stardom in Bologna to back-to-back league titles as Inter Milan manager. Now, renowned Italian sports writer Luca Caioli gives the full inside story of Mancini’s rollercoaster life in football – from his early days as a firebrand centre forward, through glory days with Sampdoria and Lazio, to his emergence as a charismatic, if controversial, pitch-side leader. Featuring insights from those who know him best – including family members, former teammates and managers, as well as an exclusive interview with Mancini himself, it provides a unique and revealing portrait of the man behind the Blue revolution.
Britain and Ireland's Top 100 Racehorses of All Time
by Robin OakleyKauto Star, Nijinsky, Arkle, Desert Orchid, Frankel, Red Rum … how do you rank the best British and Irish horses from both Flat racing and jumping? How do you compare a fleet-footed sprinter with the robust staying power of a steeplechaser? Robin Oakley’s highly personal list will provoke debate among racing fans everywhere. A lifelong devotee of racing and well known as the Turf correspondent for the Spectator, former BBC Political Editor Robin Oakley has made his selection not just on statistics but on the ‘fun factor’, giving prominence to horses who seized the public’s imagination. He brings the legendary names of past and present vividly to life with a wealth of fascinating stories behind their victories. Illuminated by archive photographs that illustrate the athleticism, character and courage of the horses, Britain and Ireland’s Top 100 Racehorses of All Time is the perfect gift for any fan of racing and its colourful history.
Can Anyone Hear Me?: Testing Times With Test Match Special On Tour
by Peter BaxterFor 34 years from 1973 Peter Baxter was BBC producer of the hugely popular Test Match Special, and during that time he reported on Test matches from around the world. This funny and revealing book takes us behind the scenes as Baxter and his much-loved TMS colleagues do battle with local conditions and sometimes bizarre red tape to bring back home the latest news of England's progress (or otherwise) on the field. It should have been straightforward, but somehow it rarely was...
Messi – 2014 Updated Edition: The Inside Story of the Boy Who Became a Legend
by Luca CaioliLionel Messi is the greatest player of his generation – perhaps of all time. The talisman of a Barcelona team that has dominated Spanish and European football, and the winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or an unprecedented four times in a row, he is fast, elusive and mesmerising. Luca Caioli draws on numerous exclusive testimonies to tell Messi’s story, including his parents and extended family, his coaches, those who have played alongside him and even Messi himself. Messi is a revealing portrait of football’s most exciting star, updated to include the electrifying 2012/13 season in which the humble young sportsman rewrote the record books to the delight of fans across the globe.
Ronaldo – 2014 Updated Edition: The Obsession for Perfection (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliCristiano Ronaldo is one of football’s all-time greats: a FIFA Ballon d’Or winner with pace, trickery and extraordinary goalscoring ability. Driven by an insatiable desire to be the best he possibly can, he has inspired first Manchester United and then Real Madrid to some of the proudest achievements in each club’s recent history, and continues to push himself on to greater things each season. Luca Caioli, author of the bestselling Messi, tells the inside story of this global superstar both on and off the pitch, featuring insights from those who know him best: coaches, teammates, girlfriends and even the man himself. Ronaldo is a unique behind-the-scenes look at a true great of the game, updated to include the turbulent yet brilliant 2012/13 campaign.
Tales From the Turf: Reflections from a Life in Horseracing
by Robin OakleyBritain and Ireland's Top 100 Racehorses of All Time author Robin Oakley takes us on a canter through the colourful world of horseracing. Join him as he shares evocative personal stories of being there at racing legends’ key moments, such as Frankie Dettori riding seven winners in a day at Ascot. He debates whether jockeys are sportsmen or masochists – jump jockeys can expect a fall on average every 13 rides – and reminisces about unusual achievements, including trainer Sirrell Griffith’s Cheltenham Gold Cup win after milking his 100 cows that morning. Tales From the Turf is an extraordinary account from the Spectator’s long-running Turf columnist, and a man for whom horseracing is a lifetime’s passion.
Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo: Head to Head with the World's Greatest Players (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliLionel Messi, Neymar Júnior and Cristiano Ronaldo have risen from humble beginnings in Argentina, Brazil and Portugal to rank among the most exciting talents football has ever seen. Now Luca Caioli, author of biographies Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, asks: ‘Who is the greatest of them all?’ Comparing their contrasting styles, stories, records and awards, he gives you everything you need to decide who comes out on top. With exclusive insights from their friends, families, teammates and managers – including interviews with managers Luiz Felipe Scolari and Vicente del Bosque – Caioli presents a unique insight into what makes a modern player not just successful, but truly great.
Rock 'n' Roll Soccer: The Short Life and Fast Times of the North American Soccer League
by Ian PlenderleithSuperstars, hype, cheerleaders, razzmatazz – the North American Soccer League in its 1970s heyday was a league way ahead of its time. It lured the biggest names of the world game, like Cruyff, Best, Beckenbauer and the greatest of them all, Pelé, to play football as it was meant to be played – without inhibition, to please the fans. It experimented with rules and innovations that upset purists, and liberated players from the negative tactics of the muddy, hooligan blighted grounds of Europe; then it crashed back down to earth like a rock star’s private jet, bankrupt but laughing all the way. Acclaimed football writer Ian Plenderleith reveals in all its glory the colour and chaos of the world’s first truly international league.
Neymar – 2015 Updated Edition: The Making of the World’s Greatest New Number 10 (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliNeymar is the youngest Brazilian ever to reach 35 international goals and time is on his side as he closes in on Pelé’s long-standing record of 77. The Barcelona wünderkind has already scored more times for Brazil by the age of 22 than Rivaldo or Jairzinho did in their entire careers. Luca Caioli, author of bestselling biographies of Messi and Ronaldo, looks back on Neymar’s unstoppable rise with exclusive private access to his friends and family, coaches, teammates and adoring fans. Updated to include his headline-grabbing World Cup performances and the fallout from Brazil's spectacular collapse in his injury-enforced absence, Neymar is the inside story of football’s newest star.
Suarez: The Remarkable Story Behind Football's Most Explosive Talent
by Luca CaioliBestselling football biographer Luca Caioli tackles his most controversial subject yet - Barcelona, Uruguay and former Liverpool forward Luis Suárez. When in late September 2013 Luis Suárez returned from a landmark ten-match ban for biting an opponent, one in a long line of high-profile misdemeanours, it seemed unlikely that he would ever win over his critics. In the months that followed he scored an astonishing 31 times, propelling Liverpool back into the Champions League following a four-year absence. The World Cup in Brazil followed but Suárez saw his action-packed tournament curtailed after just two games, two goals and one moment of madness, with favourable comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo once again overshadowed by those with Jekyll and Hyde. Acclaimed football biographer Luca Caioli provides an in-depth look at one of football’s most enigmatic characters, from humble Uruguayan beginnings to his big-money move to Barcelona in July 2014.
Messi – 2015 Updated Edition: More Than a Superstar (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliLionel Messi is a mesmerising talent who has continued to astound the world of football ever since assuming his role at the heart of a star-studded Barcelona side in 2004. Overcoming a career-threatening growth hormone deficiency, he has won almost everything there is to win, including an unprecedented four FIFA Ballons d’Or. Luca Caioli draws on numerous exclusive testimonies to tell Messi’s story, including his parents and extended family, his coaches, those who have played alongside him and even Messi himself. Messi is a revealing portrait of football’s most unassuming superstar, updated to include the dramatic 2013/14 season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in which his match-winning performances finally began to win over his harshest critics – his fellow countrymen.
Ronaldo – 2015 Updated Edition: The Obsession for Perfection
by Luca CaioliCristiano Ronaldo is known throughout the world for his devastating ability and his carefully crafted image. A two-time Ballon d’Or winner with his own fashion label, he is every inch the modern superstar, but behind the glamour lies one of the most dedicated athletes the sport has ever known. Luca Caioli, author of the bestselling Messi, tells the inside story of the Real Madrid star whose determination has driven him to the very top of his game, featuring insights from those who know him best: coaches, teammates, girlfriends and even the man himself. Updated to include all the action from his hugely successful 2013/14 campaign, Ronaldo offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of football’s all-time greats.
Suarez, Messi, Neymar: Inside Barcelona's Unstoppable Strikeforce
by Luca CaioliBarcelona has long been regarded as a home of beautiful football. In July 2014, already boasting Lionel Messi and Neymar, Barça added Luis Suárez to complete a forward line that was undeniably special, even by their own high standards. They had taken greatly differing paths from South America to the starting line-up at the Nou Camp. Messi joined Barcelona aged just thirteen, Neymar served a spectacular apprenticeship in Brazil and Suárez enjoyed spells with Ajax and Liverpool – three prestigious educations with an emphasis on attractive play. Through exclusive testimonies from friends, families, managers and teammates, acclaimed football writer Luca Caioli documents their individual journeys and examines the phenomenal success of Barça’s ‘MSN’ years to date, including the 2015/16 league and cup double.
David Gower's 50 Greatest Cricketers of All Time: The 50 Greatest Cricketers Of All Time
by David GowerFormer England captain and impeccably stylish batsman David Gower, himself inducted into cricket’s Hall of Fame, here takes a leap of faith and names his 50 greatest players of all time. Going back through the history of the game, he honours the finest run-getters, wicket-takers, glove men and captains he played with and against, as well as those he has been able to observe as a spectator or commentator, and legendary achievers from earlier eras. Full of first-hand recollections and anecdotes, this book is sure to delight – and occasionally infuriate – cricket enthusiasts everywhere. Who was the best of the great West Indian quicks? Have England heroes like Boycott, Pietersen and Flintoff made the cut? Who has been the greatest Australian batsman, post-Bradman? All is revealed in this lively and contentious celebration of cricket’s true greats.
Messi – 2016 Updated Edition: More Than a Superstar (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliLionel Messi is the greatest footballer of our time: a magician with uncanny ability to beat defenders, find space and score goals. At the peak of his powers during Barcelona’s 2015 treble win – a decade on from his first Spanish title – the four-time Ballon d’Or winner has again eclipsed his rivals and proved emphatically that he has no intention of surrendering his crown just yet. Messi is Luca Caioli’s classic portrait of modern football’s star turn, now fully updated to include all the action from 2014/15. Featuring exclusive testimony from those who know him best, including coaches, teammates and even Messi himself, it offers an unrivalled behind-the-scenes look at the life of a football superstar.
Ronaldo – 2016 Updated Edition: The Obsession For Perfection
by Luca CaioliSeason after season, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to prove that he is one of football’s true greats. A three-time winner of the FIFA Ballon d’Or and the man whose astonishing goalscoring feats have fired much of Real Madrid’s recent success, he is driven by an insatiable desire to succeed and to improve himself year after year. Here Madrid-based journalist Luca Caioli tells the inside story of the global superstar, featuring insights from those who know him best: coaches, teammates, girlfriends and even the man himself. Updated to include all the action from 2014/15 – a campaign in which he claimed the European Golden Shoe for a record fourth time – Ronaldo lays bare the career of a modern footballing icon.
Neymar – 2016 Updated Edition: The Unstoppable Rise of Barcelona's Brazilian Superstar (Luca Caioli Ser.)
by Luca CaioliFrom a young age, Neymar Junior was identified as a future great of world football. Since then there have been both highs and lows, with triumphs at Santos sometimes overshadowed by the controversies and disappointments of his early days at Barcelona and at the Brazil World Cup. But his pivotal role in Barça’s spectacular 2015 treble has reconfirmed him as one of football’s most devastating attacking forces and he now stands on the brink of greatness. Fully updated and drawing on exclusive interviews with those who have known and worked with him, Neymar paints a compelling picture of the life and career of a global icon.
Suarez – 2016 Updated Edition: The Extraordinary Story Behind Football's Most Explosive Talent
by Luca CaioliLuis Suárez is one of the most brilliant and controversial players in world football. Signed by Barcelona in 2014 despite a lengthy ban for biting an opponent, he quickly became a central figure in their sensational treble-winning campaign, setting the seal on it with the decisive goal in the Champions League final. However, a history of violent on-pitch incidents has left supporters wondering whether the maverick centre forward can ever completely conquer his demons. This updated biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who have known and worked with him, offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the life and career of one of football’s most enigmatic stars.
And Now The Shipping Forecast: A tide of history around our shores
by Peter JeffersonPeter Jefferson presented The Shipping Forecast for over 40 years, and his familiar voice continued to be heard reading quotations on BBC Radio 4's Quote... Unquote. This book is both an affectionate memoir and a history of the science and BBC programming behind the forecast.Peter explains how it came out, who collects all the information and what it's like to read this bulletin. Even though the information in the forecast is now readily available in many formats, The Shipping Forecast is something of a 'must listen' for fans gathered over the decades.For reasons not quite understood, it has become a much-loved part of the British cultural landscape with an avid following of listeners who find its poetry is the perfect cure for insomnia. This book is perfect for those fans.
Climate Change for Football Fans: A Matter of Life and Death
by James AtkinsClimate policy hits Turf Moor: race through an unconventional take on climate policy, while following Burnley's adventure in Europe and their roller-coaster struggle for survival in the Premier League. An amusing and enlightening look at climate change and football, this book consists of a series of conversations between Joe, a Burnley lad who is football mad, and Professor Igor who's obsessed with climate change. Joe thinks that worrying about climate change is a waste of time. Igor can't understand why 22 grown men would put on shorts and run around after a ball. Igor agrees to spend a season with Joe going to every Burnley game, and in return Joe and his family listen to the Professor rattle on about climate policy.Written in earthy and irreverent language, Climate Change for Football Fans examines why preventing climate change is so difficult, and explains why it is more a social and political problem than a technological one, and how the need to change our lifestyle makes finding a solution so difficult. Notes at the back of the book summarise all the serious climate-change material so the reader can look up the important messages in the book without having to stand on the terraces.Accessible, informative and fun, Climate Change for Football Fans puts a refreshingly lighthearted spin on a complicated, serious and important issue.
The Football Pocket Bible: Everything You Need To Know About The Beautiful Game (Pocket Bible Ser.)
by Gavin CookeThe perfect gift for every football fanWhen was the first World Cup held? Which football team has the smallest ground? And what exactly is the Cruyff turn? Find the answer to all these and more inside The Football Pocket Bible, a compendium of football trivia and titbits about the world's most popular sport. Inside, debate the tactics and the transfers, the teams and the triumphs, defend the clubs, the competitions and the kits and indulge in the books, the films and the infamous songs. You'll also find practical information like the best pubs for away supporters, how to explain the offside rule and even how to set up a grassroots football club. This pocket guide will answer all your football questions, from the lowest attendance record to the highest wages paid to a footballer. Find out about memorable World Cup moments, the history of the Premier League, as well as the Bosman ruling and the Hillsborough disaster. Whether you're a seasoned supporter or a budding football fanatic, whether your favourite football film is Bend it Like Beckham or The Damned United, The Football Pocket Bible is guaranteed to entertain and enlighten every lover of the beautiful game. So if you want all the football facts at your fingertips, kick back and climb to the top of the league with The Football Pocket Bible today.You won't need any substitutes."Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors." Frank Gifford"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." Bill Shankly"There is only one word to describe football and that is 'if only'" Bobby Robson"Football and cookery are the two most important subjects in this country" Delia SmithThis beautiful hardback edition has both dust-cover and gold embossing on the spine making it the perfect gift. Every Pocket Bible is lovingly crafted to give you a unique mix of useful references, handy tips and fascinating trivia that will enlighten and entertain you at every page. There is a Pocket Bible for everyone...Other titles in the series: The Rugby Pocket Bible, The Camping Pocket Bible, The Cricket Pocket Bible, The Dad's Pocket Bible and The DIY Pocket Bible.
The Rugby Pocket Bible (Pocket Bible Ser.)
by Ben ColesWant to know the difference between rugby league and union? How to spot a knock on? Whether the number on a player's shirt has any relation to their position? Find the answers to all these questions and more in The Rugby Pocket Bible, packed full of fun trivia and essential knowledge for any rugby fan. If you've just joined an amateur rugby league and need some pointers, or you're an avid supporter and want to learn more about your club's history this is your ultimate guide to rugby.Discover the history of rugby and how it changed over time, developments in the rules and regulations plus the introduction of the video referee and how it works. Learn all about the positions of the players, what their job is on the field and much more, including: All about the best stadiums around the world; Profiles of tournaments from the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations to Rugby Sevens at Twickenham; Top ten home grown and international players; Advice for playing, training and setting up your own team; Fan facts for the top world teams including Australia, Wales and New Zealand's All Blacks; A breakdown of the scoring - explaining trys, penalties and conversions; History of rugby tours and suggested destinations. The perfect gift for any rugby fan!The Rugby Pocket Bible provides you with history, facts and essential statistics. Beautifully packaged it is a perfect gift for any rugby player or spectator. With a simple layout and manageable chapters you can either dip in and out of this pocket bible to find your rugby facts quickly or read cover to cover to learn everything there is to know about rugby.Every Pocket Bible is lovingly crafted to give you a unique mix of useful references, handy tips and fascinating trivia that will enlighten and entertain you at every page. The is a Pocket Bible for everyone... Other titles in the series: The Golf Pocket Bible, The Dad's Pocket Bible, The DIY Pocket Bible, The Wine Pocket Bible and The Allotment Pocket Bible.
Three Lions Versus the World: England's World Cup Stories from the Men Who Were There
by Mark Pougatch***FOREWORD BY FABIO CAPELLO***Since their first appearance in the competition in 1950, England's World Cup story has been one of broken dreams, bad luck, shock losses and penalty nightmares, with one shining exception in 1966, when they famously won the Cup after beating Germany 4-2. In Three Lions Versus the World, Mark Pougatch talks to those who have shaped England's World Cup odyssey, from Brazil 1950 when England lost to the amateurs of America, through the triumph of 1966 and the subsequent failure to retain the Cup in 1970, to the spirit-sapping quarter-final defeats in Japan 2002 and Germany 2006.Household names such as Sir Tom Finney, Don Howe, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Gary Lineker, Tony Adams, Glenn Hoddle and Danny Mills share their personal recollections of playing for England both on and off the pitch in the World Cup. Some reveal how they were affected by the demands placed upon them and by the mounting pressure of expectation from the English public. Others comment candidly on the myriad controversies to befall the England squad over the years. Massive highs are recounted and crushing lows painfully recollected. The contributors are united in the pride they shared in wearing the Three Lions shirt for their country in this most special of tournaments. The players' stories and anecdotes woven around the narrative of the World Cup itself, this is an unbeatable, entertaining and enlightening journey through half a century of English World Cup action that no football fan can afford to miss.