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Coming Back to Me: The Autobiography of Marcus Trescothick

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Marcus Trescothick

September 01, 2008
I enjoy cricket and have suffered depression and anxiety so both aspects of this book interested me and I found both really well dealt with. There was a good insight into the career of a successful cricketer and its incessant lifestyle living away from home and in hotels. It is a wonder that more of them don't shout Enough and go home.

Marcus' story of his depression and anxiety was heartbreaking and it came across clearly how much he went to the depths and continues to deal with the illness. I confess it came across so strongly that I shed a tear because it brought back to me my worst times. I think it is excellent to see it brought into the open - too often mental issues are hidden away.

The story about his ... Read More:

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Carra: My Autobiography

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Jamie Carragher

September 11, 2008
I've read quite a few autobiographries from players who are still playing, and always found them to be a little restrained, and with little to say. Carragher's book is entertaining, a little controversial (considering he criticizes some of the people who still pay his wages), but more than anything else a well-informed, intelligent and, as a result, fascinating read. I already had bucket-loads of respect for Carra as a player and that has been added to by reading his thoughts on the club, his fellow players and the game of football itself.
So much more than just a "cash-in" than most football autobiographies are, this is written by a player who has thought long and hard about his experiences and his profession and then got it all off his chest. ... Read More:

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Lewis Hamilton: My Story: Special Celebration Edition

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Lewis Hamilton

November 27, 2008
A beautiful book. All of the photos, especially covering this year, really bring it to life. I enjoyed his autobiography when it came out last year, and this book with the additional pictures and story of the season is something that really captures his rise to champion.

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Heroes, Villains and Velodromes: Chris Hoy and Britain's Track Cycling Revolution

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Richard Moore

September 15, 2008
Like so many people in the country I was blown away by the success of the recent Olympics in Beijing, but especially by the amazing performances of the GB cycling team. So when i noticed "Heroes, Villains & Velodromes" on the shelf of my local book shop I thought I'd give it a try. I wasn't sure what to expect really but what i got was a lively, entertaining and extremely well written read about the revolution in british cycling and Hoy's part in it over the last ten years. As Moore says in his comments it's not nessecarily a story just about Chris Hoy but he is the principal character and 'star of the show'
Hoy comes across a phenomenal athlete, ferocious competitor but also a genuinely nice guy who's dedicates hiimself completely to his sport, not for the money ... Read More:

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Better Than Sex: My Autobiography

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Mick Fitzgerald

November 10, 2008
One of my better presents this Christmas - I read Mick Fitzgerald's informative, well written book at a single sitting. In Donn Maclean Mick Fitzgerald has a fine co-author who has helped him to tell his story in a way that never loses one's interest. As a racing presenter, Mick comes across as well informed, thoughtful and articulate, and all of these qualities are echoed in the pages of this book.

I particularly enjoyed Mick's pen portraits of other characters in racing - notably his descriptions of other jockeys.Not only did I feel that I got to know Mick a lot better but many others too.

Mick never pulls a punch in his retelling of a story. The refreshing honesty that led to the comment that gave the book its title is threaded throughout the book. ... Read More:

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Tackling Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Jonny Wilkinson

October 02, 2008
One of my better presents this Christmas - I read Mick Fitzgerald's informative, well written book at a single sitting. In Donn Maclean Mick Fitzgerald has a fine co-author who has helped him to tell his story in a way that never loses one's interest. As a racing presenter, Mick comes across as well informed, thoughtful and articulate, and all of these qualities are echoed in the pages of this book.

I particularly enjoyed Mick's pen portraits of other characters in racing - notably his descriptions of other jockeys.Not only did I feel that I got to know Mick a lot better but many others too.

Mick never pulls a punch in his retelling of a story. The refreshing honesty that led to the comment that gave the book its title is threaded throughout the book. ... Read More:

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What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Haruki Murakami

August 07, 2008
I don't even run but I loved this book. Murakami is a truly gifted writer who manages to draw his reader into his work and keep them entertained, interested and challenged by his writing. This little gem of a book gives us a small insight into the man himself and how a little part of his psyche works. For the runner or the non-runner like me, well worth a read.

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My England Years: The Autobiography

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Bobby Charlton

September 18, 2008
A year after the publication of Bobby Charlton's outstanding `My Manchester United Years' comes volume two - concerning his England career, which spanned 106 caps and an unprecedented four World Cup Finals.

No living player is better qualified to write about their experiences with England than Charlton, whose time in an England shirt spanned from the monochrome era of Tom Finney to that of Peter Shilton (whom even I, a thirty year old, recall as an England player).

The problem with it, particularly in the pre-Ramsey years, is that too little material is stretched out. Most other players combine their club and international volumes into a single volume. The length of Charlton's England career allows him to do two books - but in the context of a player's career, 106 ... Read More:

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Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Duncan Hamilton

May 06, 2008

What a Waste, to quote the man himself.Lamenting the passage of time he allowed to snub his one time friend Mr.Taylor. The Partnership they both enjoyed went the way so many do as one takes the other for granted or rifts occur and eventually parts them. Humble beginnings saw them reach for the sky shooting for the top with unerring accuracy.
It's ironic that his short time at Leeds was over shadowed by his predecessor, Revie. Clough felt his omnipresence like a resident ghost but this would also be the legacy he left at Forest. I also feel that what Clough despised in Revie was a reflection of his own failings. Clough accused Revie of cheating with bribery of referees but when you read about a suitcase full of money..around £15,000 then their traits were quite similar.
A ... Read More:

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Crashed and Byrned: The Greatest Racing Driver You Never Saw

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Sport
by: Tommy Byrne

September 04, 2008
An excellent and personal view of one man,s motor racing career.Do not expect a race by race account but instead get the inside story of a meteoric rise to success and an even quicker fall from the spotlight in the competitive world of British and then European racing.
To say he got screwed by McLaren would be an understatement!
There are,however,some hilarious accounts of racing in the early 80,s
Buy it!