Autobiographies

Looking for something to put on my kindle, anyone read any good rugby autobiographies of late they can recommend?

A rugby book I'm partial to is The Book of Fame by Lloyd Jones.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Fame-Lloyd-Jones-ebook/dp/B0049MPI52

Not the usual kind of sports book, mind you, so you might want to check it out before parting with hard cash.

Wouldn't mind reading Simon Halliday's book, but I'm English and curious to hear his take on rugby at that time.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Centre-Simon-Halliday-ebook/dp/B00H3LBAS0/

Cheers RF will give them a look. One recent ish one which was a good read was Bobby Windsors book Iron Duke not just the rugby stuff but his battle with depression.

Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary by John Daniell. Excellent. A really good look a French rugby and also 'mercenaries'.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D341689031&field-keywords=Confessions+of+a+rugby+mercenary

An obvious one, but Brian Moore's Beware of the Dog is a good read.

Actually really enjoyed Ronan O'Garas autobiography.

Favourite bit; Roy Keane is staying at the same hotel as the Lions squad before they leave for New Zealand. A lot of the Lions players are starstruck or sucking up to him. Lawrence Dallaglio is having a long chat with him before asking him how he sees the forthcoming Tour Going.

Keano; "Three nil All Blacks"

Not a man who minces his words Roy Keane   

Chester Williams 'Chester' and Francois Pienaar 'Rainbow Warrior'. Neither book is recent but both are an interesting read, and give two differing perspectives on a hugely important period in South African rugby history. The juxtaposition is fascinating.

Read Pienaars and enjoyed it, never seen Williams' about and wouldn't have given O'Garas a 2nd look but will have to get both and have read.

Spikey Watkins' one is quality. Really really good. I thought all the five star reviews on Amazon were made up, but it was an enjoyable read.

Seen that on there but wasn't sure that's another for the list lol.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Cheers RF will give them a look.  One recent ish one which was a good read was Bobby Windsors book Iron Duke not just the rugby stuff but his battle with depression.

Thanks for the reminder. You really have to keep track of sports books these days because there's almost no chance of coming across them in the few bookshops left. I meant to look out for that one but it slipped my mind. The Kindle and paperback are just over a fiver now which seems a small price to pay for his story.

Pieter De Villiers was good, shows the pressures of his job, what he came up against and I think many will change their opinion of him post read.
 
Monty's was also interesting for the valley boys' as he talks with great fondness of his time at Newport, in his mind it turned his career around from one who was lampooned weekly for "pulling a monty" (doing something absolutely stupid on the pitch) to becoming a world cup winner.

Anyone read McCaw's book?

Bedford, they aren't autobiog's  but Donald Macrae's Winter Colours and Owen Sheers'  Calon are both worth a read.
Winter Colours is the best book on rugby I have read and Calon is about a year spent with the Welsh national side and is very enjoyable for a behind the scenes look at rugby at the highest level. Hope this helps.

Cyril wrote:An obvious one, but Brian Moore's Beware of the Dog is a good read.

I'm in the middle of that at the moment. It's outstanding.

McGeechan's "Lion Man" is also good.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Cyril wrote:An obvious one, but Brian Moore's Beware of the Dog is a good read.

I'm in the middle of that at the moment. It's outstanding.

Sure is. He's an excellent writer, knows how to tell a good story and is unflinchingly honest.

Out of the ones I have read its the players from the amateur era that seem the best as they worked hard and played hard and were far more characters in the game than there is these days.

Jason Leonards was a great book.

On the subject of autobiographies; Greenwood, M Johnson and Wilko all relate the half time dressing room in the World Cup when Wales were tonking them and England came out and turned the game around. Interestingly enough they all tell very different stories of the same event. I had mentioned this to a colleague while discussing just how unreliable memories can be and how each person's viewpoint can lead to a different memory of the same incident. Shortly after this my mate was at Twickers with Jason Leonard ( apparently he is a genuine "Diamond Geezer") and he told Jason about our conversation. Would you believe that Mr Leanord's version was quite different from all three published versions? Many more expletives and much telling of Sir Clive to "shut up you ****" from the angry captain before telling various teammates that if they allowed Wales to win they didn't want to come back into the same changing room as him. Somehow I feel that the Barking Legend was probably closest to the truth!

I do think that Sir Clive met more resistence from his senior players than was ever really publicised. Martin Johnson has suggested on numerous occasions that he vetoed a number of Sir Clive's more eccentric tendencies, and that Sir Clive had a propensity for being indecisive.

Still, you can hardly say they didn't work well together as a captain and head coach.

Nigel Owens' book is a bit of an interesting read, it is quite shocking how f'ed up he is, yet still manages to be a top ref. (also available yn cymraeg).

Not sure if anyone's reading this thread but it occurred to me that Rod MacQueen's book is worth a look.

Not sure why an old edition of it is selling on Amazon from £0.01 to £2,499.50

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-step-ahead-field-boardroom/dp/1740511735/

His ideas on managing teams and players are fascinating. Woodward had the same approach but his book was only interesting to me because I knew so many of the principals.

Rugby Fan wrote:Anyone read McCaw's book?

My old man sent me a signed copy. It's a good read-not really an autobiography as his career's not finished (though it is in there). It's more the journey from 2007 to 2011. Shows quite a human side really.

disneychilly wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:Anyone read McCaw's book?

My old man sent me a signed copy. It's a good read-not really an autobiography as his career's not finished (though it is in there). It's more the journey from 2007 to 2011. Shows quite a human side really.

Don't you just hate humble sportsman??? I'm sure they are out there but I find it difficult to see how guys who got to the top didn't have an ounce of arrogance about them.

One of my favourite videos online is watching Michael Jordan's HoF speech. He literally s*** on everyone for 40 mins. People hated him after that but realised what it took become the ultimate competitor.

Now Percy Montgomery, that's a good read, comes across as a complete a**hole.

Confessions of a rugby mercenary is a great read as is muddied oafs.

Would recommend Muddied Oafs - also the Final Whistle.

BOD's is out in 2 weeks and there are big revelations.

Apparently he is going to out ROG as a tranny!!!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/14/richard-parks-wales-rugby-union

The list of inspirational Welsh rugby union players is a long and evocative one. Even kids in England grew up calling them simply by their initials or first names – JJ, JPR, Merv the Swerve, Barry, Gerald, Gareth.

I can’t have been the only English schoolboy to spend his youth trying to torpedo the ball from right to left like Phil Bennett. Every time a current player opts for a dull, conservative AFL-style straight-on punt to the corner, another tiny chunk of the game’s romantic appeal heads for Row Z.

To the great individuals on this distinguished roll of red-shirted honour, however, can now be added a modern-day superhero. He won just four caps for Wales but what does that statistic actually mean? That he transcended the ability he was born with, or that he underachieved? That he was the unluckiest of men, or among the most blessed? Often it is not until such players retire and their professional body armour is stripped away that you really discover the truth.

Which brings us to Richard Parks, once a flanker for Pontypridd, Leeds Tykes, Perpignan and Newport Gwent Dragons among other clubs, who retired from rugby through injury in 2009. Some of today’s young internationals may not be familiar with his CV; it is, after all, more than a decade since he won the last of those four caps for Wales, against Scotland in August 2003. Not many kids used to run around their local park pretending to be Parks.

Frankly, they should start doing so immediately. The 37-year-old has just written a book* and contained within it are some of the most honest, heartfelt, insightful passages you will find in any sporting autobiography. He was assisted in the task by Michael Aylwin of this parish and, between them, they have done an exceptional job in whipping away the emotional screens which so often separate professional athletes from the rest of us.

Even those who vaguely know of Parks’ extraordinary latter-day achievements in the field of mountaineering and endurance – he has become the first person in history to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents and ski to the north and south poles in the same calendar year– will be startled when they learn the full circumstances of how his unprecedented wilderness odyssey was triggered.

Specifically they will wince at the way he frequently felt during his playing days – “Fear informed every move of my rugby career … the fear of making mistakes, being dropped and, worst of all, letting down my team-mates” – and share his pain during the desperate days after it all abruptly ended. For three weeks he shut himself away in his parents’ spare room as the horror – the horror! – swirled around him, emerging only for an operation on his shattered shoulder.

“Rugby had controlled every decision of my adult life. I had sacrificed so much to be the best I could be. Rugby had determined when I ate and slept. Ninety per cent of my social life was in rugby. And now it was gone, with no chance of coming back. I was petrified. What do I do? Where do I go? Who am I?”

Be honest. How many of us would not feel the same if the central pillar of our universe were suddenly to be removed? That sense of dislocation from the brotherhood of rugby, in Parks’s case, was profound. A “crushing melancholy” descended, not so much a consequence of self-pity but of no longer belonging. “The feeling that you’re part of something bigger. The team, the club, the town, the country. To be cut loose from that …”

Parks, thankfully, found an alternative form of self-expression. After tattooing on his arm a phrase he recalled from his grandmother’s funeral – “The horizon is only the limit of our sight” – and reading about the adventures of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery which has transcended the confines of the rugby fields he once inhabited. To read his story is not simply to salute the strength of the human spirit but to recognise that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy.

There is a lesson here for every professional rugby player preparing to line up in European fixtures this week, whether in the Champions Cup or the secondary Challenge Cup. In hindsight, Parks reckons the personal insecurity he once regarded as a curse has become a strength, a powerful inner force which can be harnessed when required. Anyone with a tendency to doubt themselves – or who wonder if they have it in them to prosper in the wider world – should buy his book.

* Beyond the Horizon – Extreme Adventures At The Edge Of The World (Sphere £14.99)

The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson. Story of a 20 year old rugby player in the age grade system at a top club who was tipped for big things. One horrific injury later and he can't even wipe his own backside. Poignant, surprisingly humorous in places and inspirational as he founds a charity backed by the Tigers community to support injured sports people.

Best autobiography you'll read, there's no ego it's all honest, brutally so at times.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Nigel Owens' book is a bit of an interesting read, it is quite shocking how f'ed up he is, yet still manages to be a top ref.  (also available yn cymraeg).

Yes, I would recommend this and also Brian Moore's book - again, a man who made a modern sculpture from the large pile of poo which he was dealt up as a young man.

Jonathan Davies ones were good, the first was the better one as it was the one where he just left for rugby league and had a lot to say about the union, his second was a bit more diplomatic.

I was a bit disappointed with Ieuan Evans one as it was too polite and diplomatic in fact the only remotely bad thing he was having a pop at Paul Thorburn for singing "always look on the birght side of life" after getting hammered by Australia.

Jason Leaonards and Martin Johnsons are both exceptional, lots of info and a fantastic read. David Campese is another who is worth a good read he goes into what he was paid to play in Italy in the off season and lots of talk on his opinions on British rugby and lots about Wales and how sad he was that their game at the time had collapsed into such a bad state.

Going back to Jason Leaonards one, the stroies he has in the book are brilliant. My favorite was when England were on a tour to Australia in the early 90's. Micky Skinner saw bungee jumping for the first time and was crazy to have a go, he maaged to talk most of the England squad into having a jump with him. As he marched up to jump with the squad behind him he realised the boys wallets might fall out of their pockets on the way down, but luckily he just happened to have a bag with a zip on it, so he went down the line letting the boys put their items safe in it. he was at the front now hes at the back. one by one the lads jump off, and all wait at the bottom of the ravine until only Skinner is left. But Skinner never does the jump, after waiting down there for ages one of the boys realised skinner has all their wallets, and launch a search party. to cut a long story short he staggers into the team hotel the following morning totally hammered, have gone on the mother of all benders with their money.

George Carlin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Nigel Owens' book is a bit of an interesting read, it is quite shocking how f'ed up he is, yet still manages to be a top ref.  (also available yn cymraeg).

Yes, I would recommend this and also Brian Moore's book - again, a man who made a modern sculpture from the large pile of poo which he was dealt up as a young man.

Reading Moores at the moment after quite a few recoomendations about it and it is very good indeed.

I'm reading McCaw's book now and its worth a look.

Must admit, I was a bit sniffy about it beforehand because I thought it might be dismissive of English rugby and feel a bit arrogant about the All Blacks. I was wrong.

Well, I was also right. He doesn't have much to say about English rugby but, then again, why would he? It was never a threat to his side even when we made a World Cup final and he didn't. I can't really fault him for not thinking a lot of my team.

Arrogant is the last word you'd want to use about McCaw after reading his book (not that it was top of the list beforehand). I found it fascinating to read about how he actively trains to be the best in the game, and how he feels about playing alongside other key All Blacks.

Sure, I don't agree with how he sees everything in rugby but he is pretty clear about how he approaches the game. It's not always easy to read accounts of success by opposing players but I'd put it up there with books by or about Rod McQueen and John Eales. By contrast, I found Graham Henry's book hard work.

Alun Carter's "Seeing Red" is his account of being in the Wales coaching team - as an analyst - between 1998 and 2007. It's a real insider's story and is pleasingly frank - you get a pretty clear idea of what he thinks of Henry, Hansen, Scott Johnson (drama queen), Gareth Jenkins (weak discipline) etc

rumpelstiltskindoh wrote:Alun Carter's "Seeing Red" is his account of being in the Wales coaching team - as an analyst - between 1998 and 2007. It's a real insider's story and is pleasingly frank - you get a pretty clear idea of what he thinks of Henry, Hansen, Scott Johnson (drama queen), Gareth Jenkins (weak discipline) etc

It was said that this book would go some way to explaining the Ruddockgate affair but didn't from what I can remember. Not rugby related really but jsut started reading Richard Parks' book Beyond The Horizon. What this guy has done since retiring is absolutely amazing and such a shame that more hasn't been made of it though C5 are doing documentary on it end of year I think.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

rumpelstiltskindoh wrote:Alun Carter's "Seeing Red" is his account of being in the Wales coaching team - as an analyst - between 1998 and 2007. It's a real insider's story and is pleasingly frank - you get a pretty clear idea of what he thinks of Henry, Hansen, Scott Johnson (drama queen), Gareth Jenkins (weak discipline) etc

It was said that this book would go some way to explaining the Ruddockgate affair but didn't from what I can remember.  Not rugby related really but jsut started reading Richard Parks' book Beyond The Horizon.  What this guy has done since retiring is absolutely amazing and such a shame that more hasn't been made of it though C5 are doing  documentary on it end of year I think.

Coming from someone who enjoys the mountains Parks book is brilliant.

I also enjoyed Stuart Barnes - smelling of roses

To dig this thread back up, and go off rugby, if anyone wants a good read try Keith Gillespies how not to be a football millionaire, it's one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Some of the stories he says about are hilarious.

I don't really like football as a sport, but I have bought some of the autobiographies of the more colorful football players.

A lot of hard Yakka - by Simon hughes. A great insight into a 'average' county crickter. Some great stories and a real eye opener. Amusing to boot!

Loved McCaw's. Just wish it didn't stop in 2011. Though if he did similar for the four years up to 15, I would happily buy it.

Bought Ian Gough's. Was a bit disappointed to be honest, as I thought it would have a few more stories etc.

The latest from Dan carter I found very disappointing - Its got nothing in it.

Often the better players don't make the best autobiographies. Carter is a fine player but doesn't strike me as particularly interesting. Similarly, I imagine Wilkinson's book will be full of training tips, good advice and the odd anecdote but not riveting.

Carter is still playing so he's probably not going to dish any dirt yet and doesn't seem to type to go after his own team mates for those spear tackles etc.

Cyril wrote:Often the better players don't make the best autobiographies. Carter is a fine player but doesn't strike me as particularly interesting. Similarly, I imagine Wilkinson's book will be full of training tips, good advice and the odd anecdote but not riveting.

Carter is still playing so he's probably not going to dish any dirt yet and doesn't seem to type to go after his own team mates for those spear tackles etc.

He mentions the Brian O'Driscoll incident in the book, Carter's take on it was that Tana Umaga was the innocent victim of a UK witchhunt, and when the ABs went to Ireland a few months later they were surprised that people were still talking about it.

If Carter think that then he's either just sticking up for a mate or is seriously misinformed.

He's just saying it for what it was, He probably had a better view of it than anyone.