Other books that might interest you

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  The Black Widow - A Memoir

  Jeanette Lee, Dana Benbow

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  A candid and moving autobiography by the 'Black Widow' of billiardsJeanette Lee was 18 years old when she walked into a New York City pool hall and became enamored by theelegant geometry of the game. Before long, she was an unmistakable figure on the international competitioncircuit, dressed head-to-toe in black, stalking the billiards table and gazing down her cue as if tracking her prey.In this new memoir, the woman nicknamed 'The Black Widow' opens up about her legendary career and therich, unpredictable life she's woven around it. Lee details her upbringing in a Korean-American household inthe Bronx, her single-minded drive to reach the pinnacle of her sport, and her unlikely entry into the realm ofmainstream celebrity in an era where female athletes rarely got their share of the limelight.Lee also reflects on her lifelong struggle with scoliosis, which necessitated over twenty operations during herplaying career; her public battle with Stage 4 ovarian cancer; the communities that gave her strength throughout.Written with warmth and candor, this the definitive story of a true icon.

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  Behind the Thistle - Playing...

  David Barnes, Peter Burns, John...

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  A rugby history based on exclusive interviews that “takes the reader as close to the action as it is possible to get, short of invading the pitch” (The Scotsman). Based on exclusive interviews with players past and present, Behind the Thistle gives a unique insight into the drama and emotion of representing Scotland in that most rarefied of environments—Test match rugby. Drawing on firsthand interviews from a vast array of former and current players, from Russell Bruce and Frank Coutts in the 1940s all the way through to the present day, the authors uncover the heart and soul of Scottish rugby, recounting the ecstasy of victory and the despair of defeat, drawing out innumerable humorous anecdotes and heartwarming memories.Behind the Thistle provides inside access to the private moments in the changing and team rooms, on tour, and on the pitch itself. From the tension before kick-off to the tumultuous heat-of-battle and the high jinks thereafter, this is the story of what it is like to play for Scotland, and the sacrifices and joys experienced by those who have shed blood, sweat, and tears in pursuit of glory in the international jersey. Absorbing, illuminating, and compelling, this is a must-have for all supporters who have dreamed of playing for Scotland. “Really good reminiscences from hosts of Scottish rugby greats about a host of great Scotland rugby occasions.” —Sunday Times

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  Everest & Conquest in the...

  Richard Sayle, George Rodway

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  A history of those who have scaled Mount Everest—and the advances in mountaineering over a century.   At one time, the summits of the world’s highest peaks—Everest included—were beyond reach. Pioneering attempts to overcome the dangers of climbing at extremely high altitudes ended in failure, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Yet today, high-altitude ascents are frequent, almost commonplace. Everest can be conquered by relatively inexperienced mountaineers, and their exploits barely merit media attention—unless they go fatally wrong.   This dramatic history of Everest climbs describes in vivid detail the struggle to conquer the mountain and the advances in scientific knowledge that made the conquest possible. It also offers compelling insight into the science of mountaineering—as well as the physical and psychological challenges faced by individuals who choose to test themselves in some of the harshest conditions on earth.

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  The Insider's Guide to Choosing...

  Duncan Kent

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  This book offers practical advice to ensure you choose the right yacht for your sailing needs and budget. Potential buyers are guided through every stage of the process, from deciding on hull design and accommodation to deck layout and keel shape. There is information on construction materials and help in deciding what sort of craft would best suit your needs, including clever ways to 'try before you buy'. Expert guidance will help you decide whether to buy a new or used yacht, and both buying processes are carefully explained to ensure your investment is protected. Hidden costs are revealed and there are tips on conducting your own boat test and initial survey. Sections on registration, VAT and insurance will help you cut through the red tape. Don't buy a yacht without reading this first!

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  Black Gods of the Asphalt -...

  Onaje X. O. Woodbine

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  J-Rod moves like a small tank on the court, his face mean, staring down his opponents. "I play just like my father," he says. "Before my father died, he was a problem on the court. I'm a problem." Playing basketball for him fuses past and present, conjuring his father's memory into a force that opponents can feel in each bone-snapping drive to the basket.On the street, every ballplayer has a story. Onaje X. O. Woodbine, a former streetball player who became an all-star Ivy Leaguer, brings the sights and sounds, hopes and dreams of street basketball to life. He shows that big games have a trickster figure and a master of black talk whose commentary interprets the game for audiences. The beats of hip-hop and reggae make up the soundtrack, and the ballplayers are half-men, half-heroes, defying the ghetto's limitations with their flights to the basket.Basketball is popular among young black American men but not because, as many claim, they are "pushed by poverty" or "pulled" by white institutions to play it. Black men choose to participate in basketball because of the transcendent experience of the game. Through interviews with and observations of urban basketball players, Onaje X. O. Woodbine composes a rare portrait of a passionate, committed, and resilient group of athletes who use the court to mine what urban life cannot corrupt. If people turn to religion to reimagine their place in the world, then black streetball players are indeed the hierophants of the asphalt.

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  The Pompey Quiz Book - 1000...

  Mart Matthews

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  How much do you really know about Portsmouth FC? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up the new Pompey Quiz Book.
  This latest quiz book from Mart Matthews is a quirky, challenging affair for real Pompey fans who can test themselves or take each other on, with the emphasis on enjoyment and discovery.
  Try these questions for size?
  •Which two post-second world war Portsmouth managers had, as players, scored a goal in an FA Cup Final?
  •Who is the only player with a colour for a surname to appear in an FA Cup Final for Portsmouth?
  •Which is the only ground that Pompey have played on in an FA Cup semi-final replay?

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