Other books that might interest you

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  The Not So Secret Football Agent

  Barry Silkman

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  In his memoir Barry Silkman tells the incredible story of his career from player to agent with colourful anecdotes of all the characters he encountered along the way, along with some touching, personal recollections of his life so far. Silkman boasts an impressive playing career which lasted 16 years, playing for 11 different clubs including Manchester City. A gifted and skilful player, he was your archetypal Cockney, with Romany gypsy appearance with a shock of black curly hair, tan and socks rolled around his ankles. He always felt he had an eye for a good player and when a friend was without a club, he brokered a deal to get him a 2-year contract – soon all the player’s friends started calling Silks, and his life as a football agent began. He went on to become one of the 10 most influential agents in football (Metro 2013) representing Jaap Stam, Yakubu, Patrik Berger, Soucek (West Ham) and organised Zidane to join Newcastle. Silk’s talents transferred across to the showbiz industry where he organised artists and tours in a fascinating post-playing career. Some of the names he worked with were Mickie Most, David Gest, Rod Stewart. Kim Wilde, Phil Collins, and Dionne Warwick.

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  How to Catch a Cricket Match

  Harry Ricketts

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  Rudyard Kipling called cricketers 'flannelled fools'. Groucho Marx asked halfway through a cricket match when it would begin. But despite the game's slow pace, strange language, eccentric umpires and frequent scandals – or perhaps because of them – cricket is one of the world's most loved sports. Indians, Australians, West Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Zimbabweans, Bangladeshis and South Africans all claim it as their national game. In New Zealand, watching a match stirs strong emotions – so when cricket-obsessed writer Harry Ricketts and his Australian friend Tony take themselves to a test against the West Indies, things are bound to get lively.

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  Blessed by the Best - My Journey...

  Brian Dawkins, Michael Bradley

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  Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996, Brian Dawkins fought to elevate not only his own game but that of his entire team. He sweat, bled, and dominated through sixteen season in the NFL all the way into the Hall of Fame, but not for a moment did he believe his strength alone brought him that glory. Every step of the way the Lord had his back. From coaches that wanted to break him to defeats and bitter lessons in humility, his career is a testament to his faith and an homage to the countless people that helped him along the way. 
   
   
   
  In the wake of his success, Dawkins comes forward to describe his journey to become one the best safeties in the NFL. Physical training wouldn't cut it. Blessed by the Best follows Dawkins trials to train his mind and faith along with his skill. As a nervous kid from Jacksonville, he never dreamed of one day standing in front of a crowd to accept that golden jacket. But one way or another, he made it. Dawkins tells his story straight, unafraid of exposing his own weaknesses; his over competitive spirit that takes losses to hard, the tunnel vision that estranged him from his kids, and the self-doubt that plagued much of his early years. Triumphs, pitfalls, love, and struggles Dawkins shares them all, not for himself, but in gratitude of those who have helped him along the way.

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  The Art of Horsemanship and On...

  Name Xenophon, Morris Morgan

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  Xenophon’s The Art of Horsemanship is a highly unusual text in the corpus of Classical Greek literature. It is a short survey on the various aspects of care for horses as seen by a highly experienced rider from the 5th century BCE. It is particularly notable because so many of its observations are relevant to the modern rider. Xenophon, friend of Socrates and professional soldier, is best known as the author Anabasis, the vivid account of a failed military expedition deep into Persia.  
   
  The Art of Horsemanship is very different in tone and content – a practical study from deep personal knowledge gained from working with horses, but none the less fascinating. 
   
   Xenophon considers what features and qualities to look for in a horse – among them broad chest, wide nostrils, prominent eye, supple knees, positive manner– and the sound of the hoof, which indicates good feet. (The ancient Greeks did not shoe their horses). There are even useful tips on approaching the horse to avoid conflict. He discusses training over different terrains and many other useful tips. The translator, Morris H. Morgan, provides extensive notes, not just on technical pointers such as mounting without stirrups or saddle, but also by comparing contemporary sculptures where artists took licence over reality. Furthermore, Morgan provides a fascinating essay The Greek Riding-Horse, which is an extended commentary on Xenophon.  Also on this recording is Xenophon’s On The Cavalry General, a second treatise on horsemanship, but taking a different perspective.

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  Flirting with Mermaids - The...

  John Kretschmer

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  Over the course of twenty years of delivering sailboats to far-flung quaysides, John Kretschmer has had innumerable adventures, both humorous and terrifying. In Flirting with Mermaids, he recounts the most memorable of them. 
   
   
   
  He crosses the Western Caribbean with a crew of eccentric Swedes researching ancient Mayan mariners, lands in Aden at the outbreak of civil war, and endures a North Atlantic crossing during which he discovers the existence of Force 13 winds. Approaching Japan at the end of a particularly trying delivery, he finds himself sailing in "a high impact debris zone," but his resolve is unshaken. "If a piece of rocketship jetsam fell out of the sky and sank [me] after encounters with Hurricane Floyd, General Noriega, a tsunami, an erupting volcano, and Typhoon Roy, then it was meant to be."

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  Pilgrimage - Lessons Learned...

  J.F. Penn

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  Do you enjoy travel memoirs with a combination of personal reflection and practical tips? Are you interested in solo walking, or are you considering walking the Camino de Santiago or other multi-day walks? 
  In this book, I share my lessons learned and insights from walking three ancient ways — the Pilgrims' Way and the St Cuthberts Way in England, and the Camino de Santiago Portuguese Coastal route.  
  It also includes historical, religious, and cultural aspects, and plenty of tips and questions for you to consider around your own journey.Part 1 goes into practical and spiritual preparation before pilgrimage, including how to make decisions about the route and whether to walk solo, as well as what to take with you, and how to face the fears that might hold you back.Part 2 covers the journey itself with the practicalities of the pilgrim’s day, as well as how walking the path of history and facing the challenge of the way can give you much-needed perspective on life — and perhaps even a glimpse of the divine.Part 3 addresses the arrival at your destination, and how to leave room for the gifts of pilgrimage to emerge after your return home, as well as how my three walks impacted my experience of mid-life.Plus, appendices with practical tips, a gear list and bibliography

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