The Greatest Comeback: From Genocide To Football Glory: The Story of Béla Guttman


David Bolchover - 2017
    Having narrowly dodged death by hiding for months in an attic near Budapest as thousands of fellow Jews in the neighbourhood were dragged off to be murdered, Guttmann later escaped from a slave labour camp. He was one of the lucky ones. His father, sister and wider family perished at the hands of the Nazis.But by 1961, as coach of Benfica, he had lifted one of football's greatest prizes: the European Cup - a feat he repeated the following year. Rising from the death pits of Europe to become its champion in just over sixteen years, Guttmann performed the single greatest comeback in football history.This remarkable story spans two visions of twentieth-century Europe: a continent ruptured by barbarism and genocide, yet lit up by exhilarating encounters in magnificent cities, where great players would strive to win football's holy grail. With dark forces rising once again, the story of Béla Guttmann's life asks the question: which vision of Europe will triumph in our times?

José Mourinho - Made in Portugal: the official biography by Luis Lourenço


Luis Lourenco - 2005
    He arrived in London in the summer of 2004, to take on the role of the manager at Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea FC. His impact on English football was immediate, with his unmistakeable self-confidence, style, drive and ambition. Now he has moved on to Inter Milan where, once again, he has become the focus of media attention. But how did his career start? What led him to becoming one of the great enigmas of World Football?  This fascinating book charts his rise from relatively humble beginnings as assistant coach to Sir Bobby Robson, to become the most sought-after club manager in Europe.Readers will gain an insight into Mourinho’s management skills, as well as his whole footballing philosophy, and his approach to motivating his players. Mourinho himself writes of his move to Roman Abramovich's Chelsea FC and of approaches by other clubs; his ‘mind games’ with Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United are knocked out of Europe; and his fears for his personal safety and that of his family after receiving a death threat on the eve of what should have been the biggest night of his life.Long-term family friend, Portuguese journalist Luís Lourenço guides us through the formative years in Mourinho's coaching career, as he returns to Portugal from Barcelona at the turn of the millennium and embarks on the remarkable four-year journey which will lead him to Chelsea FC. A journey which includes short-lived yet turbulent spells at Portuguese giants Benfica and minnows União de Leiria, and culminates in a night of unforgettable glory for FC Porto and José Mourinho as they are crowned Champions of Europe.

What Sport Tells Us About Life: Bradman's Average, Zidane's Kiss And Other Sporting Lessons. Ed Smith


Ed Smith - 2009
    Sport makes them think, engage and argue. Given that people already take sport so very seriously, and at such an intense level of enquiry, then Ed Smith concludes we should draw out some of sport's intellectual lessons and practical uses What Sport Teaches Us About Life gives us a rare glimpse into the world of sport as seen from an extraordinarily keen, and closely-involved observer. In one chapter Smith extols the virtues of amateurism in today's professional world; in another he explains why there'll never be another sportsman as dominant as Don Bradman. He unearths the hidden dimensions of England's 2005 Ashes win, examines the impact of the free market on cricket and football, argues that cheating is not always as clear cut as it might seem.

Tuffers' Cricket Tales


Phil Tufnell - 1994
    Phil Tufnell, aka 'Tuffers', is the much-loved English cricketer from the 1990s who has now become one of this country's favourite broadcasters. Not cast from the same mould as other players of his generation, Tufnell became a cult figure for his unorthodox approach to the game ... and to life in general. 'Tuffers' Cricket Tales' is a collection of the great man's favourite cricket stories that will amuse and inform in equal measure. Tufnell's unmistakably distinctive voice, as heard to such good effect on 'Test Match Special', steers fans through dozens and dozens of terrifically entertaining and insightful anecdotes, garnered from his 25-year playing and broadcasting career. He introduces a cast of genuinely colourful characters found in dressing-rooms and commentary boxes from around the world, and in the process offers a uniquely warm and quirky homage to his sport. A perfect Father's Day gift for all cricket fans.

Best of Rivals: Joe Montana, Steve Young, and the Inside Story Behind the NFL's Greatest Quarterback Controversy


Adam Lazarus - 2012
    From 1987 to 1994, the two future Hall of Famers spurred each other on to remarkable heights, including three Super Bowl wins and four MVP awards, and set new standards for quarterback excellence. The two men couldn't have been more different in background, personality, and playing style, and their competition created as much tension as it did greatness, forcing Montana to prove that he was still the game's best quarterback and Young to prove that he was a worthy successor. Featuring candid interviews with Montana, Young, Jerry Rice, George Seifert, and many more, Best of Rivals brings to life the story of two sports legends, the golden era of football their rivalry presided over, and the amazing legacy it produced.

Moments


Cristiano Ronaldo - 2007
    Football fans recognise instantly how he dribbles the ball, but there's a great deal about him that has never been made public before. Cristiano recognises that his youth does not yet give him the right to produce an autobiography, and Moments does not set out to be one. It is an invitation to the reader to share with him some of the most fantastic moments of his career so far, and get to know him a little better. As well as an array of sumptuous photographs Cristiano Ronaldo gives his thoughts about his life so far, both on and off the pitch.Moments relates the story of his love of football from early childhood in Madeira; the homesickness he suffered as a result of the move, aged 12, to a football academy in Lisbon; through to his time with Manchester United, the club which has really made him famous and turned him into a football idol at only 22 years of age. He speaks of his love of playing for his country and the love and support of his family, as well as the sad moments in his life such as the death of his father. The book also shows glimpses of him training and enjoying his leisure time, the charity work he involves himself in, as well as off-field activities in both his professional capacity and for pleasure. He hopes that through these stories, and beautiful photographs by Jorge Monteiro, you will get to know Cristiano Ronaldo a little better. As you finish reading the last line he also trusts you will have enjoyed the book with the same enthusiasm you would get from watching him play football.

Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant


Keith Dunnavant - 1996
    The impact he had on the state of Alabama and the entire college football world cannot be overstated. For twenty-five years as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, and thirteen years before that at Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A&M, Bear Bryant’s outsized personality and deep charisma made him the dominant figure in the world of college football, turning boys with ordinary talent but extraordinary heart into winners—both on the gridiron and off. At Alabama, Bear Bryant would go on to become the winningest coach of all time, achieving the best record in the country in both the 60s and 70s. He is the only coach to win national championships with both segregated teams and integrated ones. His secret lay not in any strategic brilliance he brought to the game, but in his gift for molding individual talents into a cohesive unit that could achieve far more than the sum of its parts would suggest. That ability made him a great coach, but to many, Bryant represented more than just a coach: He was everything a southern gentleman was supposed to be—tough, principled, charismatic, modest in victory yet quick to assume blame in defeat, and as mindful of where he’d come from as where he was going. Coach is not only about the man and his tremendous ability to succeed, it’s also a tribute to the South and the legacy Coach Bryant left behind. In a divisive era, Bryant gave Alabamians something to be proud of. And, he was simply the greatest football coach of all times.

All Round View


Imran Khan - 1988
    He tells of his life and the game he loves: from his childhood in Lahore, to his student days at Oxford (where he led the University team), his time at Worcester and thence to Sussex, culminating in his captaincy of Pakistan. A self portrait emerges of a man who has spent fifteen years at the top: years which have wrought changes - political, commercial and tactical - in the way cricket is played and promoted; changes too, in the man himself, as he reconciled his Muslim upbringing with the professional and personal pressures of being an international sportsman.

Ben Cousins: My Life Story


Ben Cousins - 2010
    He's perhaps the most gifted player of his generation - a former captain of the West Coast eagles, a Brownlow medallist, a premiership winner, voted the AFL's Most Valuable Player - but he's best known for what he's done off the footy field rather than on it. Ben is a self-confessed drug addict, whose drug binges would last for days and involve incredible amounts of cocaine, crack and ice. But what's really remarkable about Ben's story is that the two sides of his life - the captaincy, the premierships, the Brownlow, the accolades, and the frenzy and squalor of the drug scene were actually done at the same time, side by side.Ben's book is an account of this double life, and what it's cost him, his family and his friends. It's also an account of his battles to beat his addiction, and his battle to keep playing football - which was his lifeline - against the entrenched opposition of a large number of people in the game. And as if the story is not extraordinary enough, what distinguishes it above all else is the approach Ben's taken to writing it. It is a work of searing emotional and factual honesty. Ben hides nothing, and the result is one of the most remarkable sporting memoirs ever published in Australia.

The Illustrated History of Football: Hall of Fame


David Squires - 2017
    Pitch invaders aside, few of us get to experience that adrenalin rush. Of those who do make it as a professional footballer, even fewer realise the giddy heights of success. In the Illustrated History of Football: Hall of Fame, cartoonist David Squires returns to celebrate those who straddle the game like giants; those talented, determined souls who were juggling tennis balls in the back streets before they could talk. There’s more than one way to attain football immortality though, and Squires also turns his comic eye to the mavericks, the pioneers, the forgotten legends and the anti-heroes. From Pele to Meazza, Maradona to Socrates, you will be taken on an unforgettable journey through the good, the bad and the Hagi.

Building the Yellow Wall: The Incredible Rise and Cult Appeal of Borussia Dortmund


Uli Hesse - 2018
    Now they are an international phenomenon - one of the most popular clubs and fastest-growing football brands in the world. Every fortnight, an incredible number of foreigners eschew their own clubs and domestic leagues and travel to Dortmund to watch football, while people from all corners of the world dream of doing the same - of standing on the largest terrace in the world, the Yellow Wall.How did this happen? How could a club that hasn't won a European trophy in twenty years so thoroughly capture people's imaginations?Building the Yellow Wall tells the story of Dortmund's roller-coaster ride from humble beginnings and lean decades to the revolution under Jürgen Klopp and subsequent amazing success and popularity. But it also tells the story of those people who have done as much for the club's profile as any player, coach or chairman - Dortmund's unique supporters.

Beating Patellar Tendonitis


Martin Koban - 2013
     The author’s story: “Back when I suffered from patellar tendonitis, I thought I was doing everything possible to treat this injury. I was stretching regularly, warming up before games, strengthening my legs, and doing whatever else doctors suggested might help. However, the pain never stopped. Sure, some days were better than others were, but I was still in pain and my athletic performance was severely handicapped. I was frustrated with my lack of progress, and I couldn’t believe that for all the effort and dedication I put into my training, I was being punished with pain that was impossible to get rid of. The worst part was that every time I thought I had made progress, the pain returned. The whole experience was so depressing that I almost quit playing my sport. Today, my knees are completely pain-free. I can play my favorite sports and train exercises that are extremely tough on my knees, such as deep single-leg squats, without having to worry about knee pain. I would have never imagined this to be possible. Today, my legs are stronger than before my injury, and the best part is that I know exactly how I can continue to get them into even better shape without any risk. The reason I struggled with patellar tendonitis for so long wasn’t my fault. I already knew some of the things I had to do, but to beat the odds, I needed to fix a number of hidden causes for patellar tendonitis and learn how to strengthen my weakened knees without reinjuring them. It took 3 years of research and self-experimentation to collect this knowledge, but now it is easily available in this book.” – Martin Koban, Author of Total Knee Health The reason people struggle with healing jumper’s knee is because they’re using an outdated treatment approach that is based on research just as outdated. Your rehab efforts are doomed to fail if you don’t eliminate all hidden causes for patellar tendonitis. These often ignored causes determine how much stress you patellar tendon is subjected to when you’re moving and if you don’t correct them, you will continue to overload your patellar tendon and the injury will simply reappear.Beating Patellar Tendonitis will hand you a proven treatment formula to fix these hidden causes of jumper’s knee and give you the tools you need to stay pain-free for life. The advice in this book is based on 3 years of self-experimentation through trial and error, hundreds of research studies published in academic journals, and the combined knowledge of thought leaders in the fitness industry. You Need to Buy This Book If: You’re an athlete with patellar tendonitis and you want to set new personal records You want to get rid of tendonitis knee pain once and for all You play volleyball, basketball, or any other sport that requires a lot of jumping and you want to stay on top of your competition You’re an athletic trainer and want your clients to stay healthy You’re a doctor and want to learn more ways how you can help your patients beat patellar tendonitis

Coach: The Complete Series (Alpha Male Bad Boy Romance)


Nella Tyler - 2016
    After an evaluation, the service pairs him with a "dating coach," Natalie Leathers, to give him tips and pointers on how to make the most of his future dates. Zeke is annoyed at having to go through any kind of training, and initially blows off his first meetings with the woman, thinking that he'll breeze through and get his clearance as quickly as possible. Natalie is initially frustrated at the gaffes and arrogance of her client; but when he reacts to her need to cancel one of their sessions due to her three-year-old son's illness, she begins to see a different side to him. A make-up date brings them closer than either is comfortable with--and both Zeke and Natalie have to remind themselves of their need to keep things professional, even while they begin to develop more personal feelings. * This steamy alpha bad boy romance has a HEA *

Rap Star Wifeys Miami: Season 1


Love N. Lee - 2013
    When given the opportunity to collaborate with popular rapper AK, she can’t believe her luck. But a taste of the limelight comes with consequences… ones her newfound fortune and fame may not be able to pay.Lavisha yearned for the good life since growing up in the rough neighborhood of Deepside. When she hooked up with rapper Yamajesty Brown as a teenager, she became acquainted with the good life. However, tolerating his drama and growing drug habit isn’t worth it… or is it?Sonya has always believed if it’s too good to be true, it probably is… even when it comes to her man, Amari “AK” King. She has the perfect man in him but her insecurity threatens their relationship. After a tragedy, Sonya feels them growing further apart and suspects that another woman has stolen his heart. Is it just her imagination? Sonya’s determined to find out and she’s not giving up without a fight.This juicy tale proves that being the wifey to a rap star comes with more than just exotic cars, designer clothes, and money… the material possessions that are bragged about in songs. It’s deeper than rap… this is reality… everything is not always as it seems.

Mike (Delta Forces #1)


Elizabeth Lennox - 2020
    But Colonel Mike Cain, Delta Force Team Commander, is extremely good at discovering secrets. It’s his job, his mission. So when he discovers that Lexie is hiding something, Mike is determined to unveil her secrets. But when he finds out what she’s hiding, he’s…stunned!Lexie is unable to resist the uber sexy Army Colonel. Mike is big and strong and enticing. But would he understand her secret? Or would he laugh at her? She’s revealed her secret to others in the past and had come away humiliated. Was Mike different? She trusts him with her body, but can she trust him with her heart?