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Take a Seat: One Man, One Tandem and Twenty Thousand Miles of Possibilities
by Dominic GillWhen Dominic Gill set out from Alaska on his bicycle, it was to be no ordinary ride. His goal was to reach Ushuaia, the southernmost city in South America, and he was starting off far from confident and with barely enough food to last a week. But Dominic had a secret weapon: the spare seat. His bicycle was a tandem and he would invite strangers to join him on his long journey.Over 26 months, Dominic covered 18,449 miles down the west coast of the Americas, passed through 15 countries, was looked after by countless strangers, crashed into a banana truck and was attacked by a man with a rusty machete. But Dominic's journey wasn't just an endurance challenge full of derring-do. While sharing his bicycle with 270 strangers who wanted to help him on his way, Dominic discovered a world that differed dramatically from the scare stories and the sensationalist press reports that had shaped his preconceptions about life in the Americas. What started as a physically demanding road trip turned into the inspirational adventure of a lifetime.
Savage!: The Robbie Savage Autobiography
by Janine Self Robbie SavageRobbie Savage could have been just another Manchester United reject. Instead, he used the Old Trafford scrapheap as a springboard to become one of the most instantly recognisable footballers in the Premier League, despite being told by Sir Alex Ferguson he was not good enough to stay in the class of '92 alongside David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.For the last 16 years, Savage has carved out a reputation as a hard man and wind-up merchant with an unerring ability to grab a headline. From deliberately getting Tottenham's Justin Edinburgh sent off in a Wembley Cup final to the 'Jobbiegate' row with referee Graham Poll and the bust-ups with John Toshack, Rio Ferdinand, Graeme Souness and Paul Jewell, the list is endless.Yet numerous footballing legends will testify to the skill of the midfielder, who has starred for Crewe, Leicester, Birmingham, Blackburn and Derby and won 39 international caps for Wales. Behind the long blond hair, the Armani tattoo and the flamboyant cars, Savage has always been the heartbeat of his team.Savage! provides a unique insight into the extraordinary life of an elite sportsman, a colourful character and loving family man. Love him or loathe him, Robbie Savage's story is a remarkable one.
Liston and Ali: The Ugly Bear and the Boy Who Would Be King
by Bob MeeSport can offer catharsis in times of crisis, but not this time. Liston was a mob fighter with a criminal past, and rumours were spreading that Clay was not just a noisy, bright-eyed boy blessed with more than his share of the craziness of youth, but a believer in a shadowy cult: the Nation of Islam. Instead of a hero and a villain, boxing had served up two bad guys.Against this backdrop of political instability, of a country at war with itself, in a time when ordinary African American people were still being maimed and killed for the smallest acts of defiance, Liston and Clay sought out their own individual destinies.Liston and Ali follows the contrasting paths these two men took, from their backgrounds in Arkansas and Kentucky through to that sixteen-month period in 1964 and 1965 when the story of the world heavyweight championship centred on them and all they stood for. Using original source material, it explores a riveting chapter in sporting history with fresh insight and in rare detail.
The Goalie: My Story
by Andy Goram Iain KingThis is the story of a genius with flaws. Lots of them. On the field, Andy Goram was a defiant figure between the sticks who, in many ways, defined the history-making nine-in-a-row team that brought so much success to Ibrox; off it, he careered through three divorces and a welter of lurid tabloid headlines sensationalising his hellraising antics.In this no-holds-barred account, Goram lifts the lid on his tempestuous life in football, from the Gers' glory days to a fairy-tale chapter with his boyhood heroes: Manchester United. His life in the Old Firm is examined in depth, from the saves that broke former Celtic manager Tommy Burns's heart to a story that was buried until now: Celtic's astonishing bid to sign him.Goram's Scotland career ended in bitterness when he walked out on the squad before France 98, and here he smashes the myths that have always surrounded his relationships with Craig Brown and Jim Leighton.This is the inside story of the man the fans voted Rangers' greatest-ever goalkeeper. He remains a genius with flaws: a legend simply known as The Goalie.
The Lost Cyclist: The Untold Story of Frank Lenz's Ill-Fated Around-the-World Journey
by David V. HerlihyIn the spring of 1892, Frank G. Lenz, a gallant young accountant from a modest German American family, set forth from his unhappy home in Pittsburgh to circle the globe atop a new 'safety' bicycle with inflatable tyres (the forerunner of today's road bike). He brought along a large wooden camera and arranged to send regular reports to his sponsor, Outing magazine, effectively making him a harbinger of the great bicycle boom that was about to explode with stunning social and industrial repercussions. Two years, fourteen thousand miles and many adventures later, after crossing the United States, Japan, China, Burma, India and Persia, just as he was about to enter Europe for the home stretch, Lenz vanished. His presumed murder in Asiatic Turkey jolted the American public and became an international cause célèbre.The Lost Cyclist recounts, for the first time ever, the short but remarkable life of Lenz and the heroic efforts of another American 'globe girdler', William L. Sachtleben, who was sent by Outing to unravel Lenz's mysterious death in Turkey - all set against the horrifying backdrop of the Hamidian massacres.
Tour de Lance: A Wild Ride Through Lance Armstrong's Comeback
by Bill StricklandLance Armstrong’s surprise announcement in 2008 that he would return to cycling to raise global awareness about cancer prompted widespread speculation about performance-enhancing drugs, the validity of his past victories and his true motivations.In Tour de Lance, Bill Strickland follows Armstrong’s 2009 return to racing from January’s Tour Down Under in Australia to the Tour de France in July and asks what drives someone to step back into the glare of the spotlight after walking away from adulation. Is it ego? Is it boredom? Why is it that we love a comeback?Strickland’s second-to-none knowledge of the cycling world makes Tour de Lance a compelling look at both the sport’s complex dynamics and one of the most celebrated – and controversial – cyclists of our time.
True Storey: My Life and Crimes as a Football Hatchet Man
by Peter StoreyTrue Storey is the compelling autobiography of notorious 1970s football legend Peter Storey, dubbed 'the bastard's bastard', who gained a reputation for ultra-violence on the pitch and had a capacity to find even greater trouble off it - a fact borne out by a string of criminal convictions and several jail sentences. A key member, as their midfield enforcer, of the resilient Arsenal team that won the European Fairs Cup followed by the cherished Double in 1970-71, Storey was a confirmed ladies' man who loved a drink. In the mid-'70s, Storey's pub, the Jolly Farmers in Islington, became a magnet for north London villains and he rubbed shoulders with Great Train Robber Tommy Wisbey and Howard 'Mr Nice' Marks, Britain's biggest drug smuggler. Storey talks candidly about the crimes he committed and the spells in prison that blighted his life. He reveals the truth about his feud with George Best and relays an astonishing account of how Bertie Mee tried to make him miss the 1971 FA Cup final against Bill Shankly's Liverpool side because the Arsenal manager wanted Eddie Kelly to start instead. Today, Peter is an elusive character but a man transformed and at ease with life. Only now does he feel the circumstances are right to set the record straight and tell his side of a remarkable True Storey.
Play Away Please: The Tale of the Sale of Golf's Greatest Icon - The St Andrews Old Course Starter's Box
by John P. HagenThe St Andrews Old Course Starter's Box was sold in a controversial international auction on 10 September 2001, the day before the infamy of the Twin Towers attack. 'Play Away Please' recounts the glory of the little building in St Andrews, 'the home of golf', and tells the tale of those who used its services for 77 continuous years.Unlike many epics, the story does not centre on a rich dynasty or a heroic quest for the truth. Instead, it centres on the production of the perfect round of golf and the global marketing of the Box - one of the most celebrated buildings in the world of sport - as a brand and an icon. The book also chronicles the suspense and notoriety that greeted the Box after its voyage from Scotland to California, by way of the Panama Canal, and the role it assumed as an emotional balm for many in the aftermath of the 11 September atrocity.Alas, nothing is as simple as it seems and miracles are rare. The businessman who bought the Box was imprisoned before it reached Los Angeles, accused of stealing millions from the real-estate development that was to be its home. Eight years later, a happy ending was finally brought about, but only after a healthy dose of gut-wrenching fear and suspense became a part of the story.Supplemented with exclusive photographs, 'Play Away Please' is also a personal story of patronage and odyssey to assure the Box's preservation as the sporting world's consummate symbol of integrity and fair play. Along the way, the author brings to life the unforgettable local characters of Fife, celebrating their customs, lifestyle and unique command of the English language.
An Enduring Passion: My Ryder Cup Years
by Sam TorranceThe Ryder Cup has defined Sam Torrance's life as a professional golfer. He has played with and against some of the greatest golfers the game has ever known, in the biggest and most high-pressure team event in golf.In An Enduring Passion, Torrance recalls every great moment in the two decades he spent pursuing Ryder Cup glory and looks at how the event has changed since he was trying to qualify for it as a player in the late 1970s. He examines the tactics and techniques of the captains he played under and those he played against, and tells how his huge experience as a player, and his vice captaincy to Mark James in the bear pit of Brookline, shaped the way he conducted his own captaincy at The Belfry in 2002. Everything he had learned about the Ryder Cup went into his leadership during that event, and when he raised the trophy aloft at the end of it all he knew he had learned the lessons well.Today, Sam Torrance is one of the most identifiable faces, and voices, of golf. It is the Ryder Cup, though, that made him, and this book is his enlightening account of the competition from an insider's perspective.
The Iron Duke: Bobby Windsor - The Life and Times of a Working-Class Rugby Hero
by Bobby Windsor Peter JacksonLions legend Bobby Windsor has enjoyed triumphs beyond the dreams of most international players but has also suffered personal tragedy. His rugby career as the best hooker in the British Isles during the second golden era of Welsh rugby in the 1970s is a turbulent tale of blood and thunder on the pitch. There are riotous incidents off the pitch, including unscheduled fights with professional boxers, revelations about illegal payments during the so-called amateur era and what Windsor did to upset the Establishment and become blackballed by one of the most famous clubs in the world.Windsor's irrepressible sense of humour comes shining through on every page, except when he gives chapter and verse on the personal crisis that drove him to plan suicide.The Iron Duke is the no-holds-barred, warts-and-all story of a working-class Welsh folk hero who rose from humble beginnings to become a permanent member of the greatest Lions team in the history of rugby union.
Voices from the Back of the Bus: Tall Tales and Hoary Stories from Rugby's Real Heroes
by Stewart McKinneyVoices from the Back of the Bus provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at international rugby at the height of a golden period. Recounted with genuine warmth and much humour, over a hundred players recall the scrapes, the games, the laughs, the glory and the gritty reality of the pre-professional game.Packed with true rugby tales from the days when men played purely for the love of the game and of their nation, and multimillion-pound contracts and sponsorship deals were unheard of, this refreshing, revealing and often hilarious collection will inspire sports fans of all generations.
A Day to Die For: 1996: Everest's Worst Disaster - One Survivor's Personal Journey to Uncover the Truth
by Graham RatcliffeOn the night of 10-11 May 1996, eight climbers perished in what remains the worst disaster in Everest's history. Following the tragedy, numerous accounts were published, with Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air becoming an international bestseller. But has the whole story been told?A Day to Die For reveals the full, startling facts that led to the tragedy. Graham Ratcliffe, the first British climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice, was a first-hand witness, having spent the night on Everest's South Col at 26,000 ft, sheltering from the deadly storm. For years, he has shouldered a burden of guilt, feeling that he and his teammates could have saved lives that fateful night. His quest for answers has led to discoveries so important to an understanding of the disaster that he now questions why these facts were not made public sooner.History is dotted with high-profile disasters that both horrify and capture the attention of the public, but very rarely is our view of them revised to such devastating effect.
The Manual Of Horsemanship: The Official Manual Of The Pony Club (Pony Club Guide Ser.)
by Pony ClubThe Manual of Horsemanship is a complete basic guide to horsemanship and horse care, suitable for all ages and containing an amalgam of expert knowledge. Boasting numerous improved, updated features and enjoying its biggest overhaul in a decade, the manual has been comprehensively revised with an exciting new format and design. This new edition has been brought up to date by members of the Training Committee of The Pony Club to include major updates to the Bridle, Bitting and Additional Saddlery, Shoeing and Worm Control chapters. With The Training Scale now included, along with an addition of an extensive glossary of terms, the chapters within the book have been re-arranged and grouped into three themed sections Part One: The Horse, Part Two: The Rider and Riding and Part Three: Saddlery and Lorinery, which makes reading the manual more logical. New photographs, charts and diagrams feature throughout and the increase in page size to 270 x 200mm provides ease of reference.
PONY CLUB GUIDE TO BITS AND BITTING: A Pony Club Guide (Pony Club Guide Ser.)
by Carolyn HendersonRiding is all about communication with your horse or pony, whether you're enjoying your first lessons or competing in the Pony Club championships. Choosing the right bit and using it correctly plays a vital part. This new title has been commissioned by The Pony Club to explain the subject in the clearest way possible. With photographs, illustrations and diagrams throughout, this book describes the equipment, how to use it, when to use it why they should (or should not) use it, and the effects it will have as well as problem-solving and lots of other useful facts and information.
PONY CLUB GUIDE TO ENDURANCE RIDING: A Pony Club Guide
by Pony ClubEndurance riding is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and this guide is a perfect introduction to the sport. This book describes the origins of the sport and also the equipment, preparation, veterinary, training and practical considerations which are involved, with hints on developing skills in map-reading and pacing the ride. Practical information takes you through the day of a ride and explains the critical part that the 'crew' plays. Its aim is to help riders of all ages and abilities enjoy the sport.
PONY CLUB GUIDE TO EQUESTRIAN DRESS: A Pony Club Guide
by Judith DraperThis book is a completely new and important guide to correct, safe and practical clothes for people involved with leisure riding, Pony Club activities, handling and grooming horses. Riding clothes, like all other sportswear, are based on practical design with a certain amount of fashion. This book describes the most suitable type of dress for each activity. The authoritative text, clear design and extensive illustrations make this a must-buy for any young rider.
SO YOU WANT TO BUY A PONY
by Pony ClubBuying a pony is an exciting prospect, but it can also be daunting and full of pitfalls for the unwary. This publication from The Pony Club helps novice or first time buyers to make the right decisions and avoid slipping up when purchasing a pony. It deals with making plans and working out the likely cost of owning a pony; where to keep him; what sort of pony to buy; assessing conformation of the pony before purchase; viewing and trying; arranging insurance; and making him feel at home.
POCKET EQUINE DICTIONARY
by Judith DraperFrom ABSCESS to ZONKEY, this dictionary clearly explains over 500 equine words and terms in clear and straightforward language. With a clear design, it will be the perfect companion for any young person keen to increase their understanding of the world of ponies and horses.
CARING FOR A HORSE OR PONY: A Practical Guide To Caring For A Horse Or Pony (Pony Club Guide Ser.)
by Carolyn HendersonThe new name for one of The Pony Club's longest lasting and most popular publications - Keeping a Pony at Grass. Revised and rewritten by Carolyn Henderson to combine the latest research, this book will help you look after your horse or pony conscientiously, sympathetically, and correctly. A must have title!
TRAINING STARTS EARLY: THE PONY CLUB'S GUIDE TO BACKING AND BRINGING ON YOUNG HORSES AND PONIES
by Lis Clegg'Training Starts Early' is the ideal guide for those looking to start a young horse or pony. Starting a horse is a long-term investment that takes patience and commitment, but is also fun and rewarding: you really do get out what you put in. Discipline, kindness, firmness and routine are very important, and this book will guide you through the steps and stages necessary to educate the horse in a way he understands and make allowances for his lack of experience and physical ability while he's growing and learning.
The Flying Pineapple (Quick Reads)
by Jamie BaulchWith his blonde dreadlocks and his speed on the running track, Jamie Baulch earned the nickname 'The Flying Pineapple'. This is Jamie’s story about his life as one of the most decorated British athletes. He puts his success down to his adopted parents who inspired him to be the best he could be. His sporting potential was quickly spotted from an early age by his teacher, Mr Atkins. Jamie's story is about the fun he had competing in school and around the world. His life on the track was always about how fast he could run. When he retired in 2005, he was determined not to slow down. He is now head of a sports management company and continues to inspire a new generation of sportsmen and women.About the author:Jamie Baulch was born in Nottingham, adopted by Welsh parents and brought up in Newport, South Wales. From an early age he was one of the best in his school at sport. Discovered by his teacher, Mr Atkins, Jamie became one of the most recognisable athletes in Welsh and World athletics.His first medal was in the 1991 European Junior Championships where he won gold in the men’s 4x100m relay team. He became one of Britain’s most decorated athletes with a huge haul of five World Championship medals, one Olympic Games medal, two European Championship medals, two Commonwealth Games medals and two IAAF World Cup medals.Recently, he was awarded a World Championship gold medal as part of the 4x400m relay team after the Americans were disqualified for using drugs.
Rugby Rivals: My Top 10 Players (Quick Reads)
by Martyn WilliamsIn his 15-year career as one of the most popular figures in Welsh rugby, Martyn Williams has played against some of the giants of the sport. Known as ‘Nugget’ to the fans, Martyn has captained his country on many occasions and was a key player in two Welsh Grand Slam-winning campaigns.In Rugby Rivals he picks his personal top ten players from all the world rugby stars he’s ever played against. From Martin Johnson and Shane Williams to Jonah Lomu and Richie McCaw he gives an insight into what makes them tick and reveals what they are really like off the pitch. Rugby Rivals is a compelling read that will provoke debate among rugby fans and provide a great starting point to anyone interested in the game.Author InformationKnown as “Nugget”, Martyn Williams is one of the most popular figures in the rugby world. He first made his name as a young flanker for his home-town club Pontypridd in the mid-1990s.For the past 15 years has been a major player in the Welsh squad. He has featured in two Grand Slam-winning campaigns and was named Player of the Six Nations in 2005. He has captained his country on many occasions and has been on three British Lions tours, to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. After leaving Pontypridd in 1999, he joined Cardiff Blues and has been with the club ever since. In 2010 he was granted a testimonial.
Physiof Cricket: From Hotspot to Statistics
by Mark KidgerSpin, swing, seam, irregular bounce, using the pace of the ball, Hawkeye - cricket is littered with technical terms and, increasingly, with technology. The Pakistani bowlers who, in the 1980s, discovered that under certain circumstances they could get the ball to swing through the air in the opposite sense to the way that all logic suggested (so-called “reverse swing”) were actually applying fluid dynamiand the modification of airflow over a surface in a quite brilliant way, although probably ignorant of the hydrodynamical principals involved.
Physiof Scuba Diving
by Marlow AndersonThis book provides a fun introduction to the mathematiand physineeded to really understand scuba diving; it was written by an enthusiastic scuba diver, who is also a mathematician. The book is written for the lay person, and assumes only a willingness to express basic scientific relationships using mathematical equations. The book describes all of the basiregarding pressure, depth and density, covered more completely than in the typical open water diving course. But in addition, it looks at the mathematical background for dive tables and dive computers, tools divers use to avoid getting decompression sickness.The book explains the basic Haldane theory of nitrogen on-gassing and off-gassing, in more depth than is found in the popular literature. The book would appeal to divers interested in a bit more background that is available in the popular literature, and to people interested in how basic science and mathematihas a large impact on the sport of scuba diving. The book has been used as a textbook for a popular introduction to mathematical thinking.
Narrow Minds: The Narrow Boat Books (The Narrow Boat Books #2)
by Marie BrowneIn her debut memoir Narrow Margins Marie Browne saved her family from financial ruin by moving her long-suffering husband three children and a dog on to a houseboat called Happy Go Lucky in search of a less stressful, alternative way of life.Now in Narrow Minds the family find themselves sucked back into normality, they’re pretty much back where they started, horrible house, no boat and the kids are beginning to threaten mutiny.Facing perky postmen, ice skating cows, psychotic villagers and outraged rodents, they’re running out of time, their financial situation is getting desperate and there’s every chance life has conspired against them to make sure they never get back afloat. Until they find the answer to their dreams lies with Minerva, a narrow boat even more run-down than the first. This hilarious follow-up shows the lengths to which a desperate woman will go just to restore her preferred lifestyle.