Author:Ian Rush
Ian Rush is one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. This will be his full and long-awaited autobiography and as such its publication this autumn will be a key event in sports publishing. In it 'Rushie', one of Liverpool's most revered and long-standing players, reveals in depth the trials and triumphs of his career, playing under such great Liverpool managers as Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish and Evans; and his thoughts and feelings about fellow players John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler. Aside from Liverpool, Rush takes a frank look at his time playing for home country Wales, where he is the record goal scorer. It will also deal with his views on the game and where it is heading, as well as his own future after playing in the FA Cup Final when he leaves Liverpool at the end of the 1996 season.
Hayles is held in great affection and is renowned for his laid back and affable charm - both of which are evident throughout his humorous and engaging memoir.
—— Wheelsuckers' 2013 Christmas Books GuideAn excellent book, written in a compelling manner and a fitting tribute to one of the all but unsung heroes of British cycling. I think it fair to say that if Rob Hayles didn't exist, we'd need to invent him... Not only readable, but enticingly so.
—— The Washing Machine PostCompelling... Hayles never gives the air of arrogance about his achievement - the surprise is how ignorant he is of his place in the vanguard of British cycling; every sport needs trailblazers who capture the imagination of the many and the respect of his peers.
—— Next to the AisleAn impressive collection of tales, the story of many two-wheeled greats as well as his own.
—— London CyclistA great autobiography and a history lesson on the early days of the British Cycling Academy... he doesn't have the aloofness that befits some other riders and the story is more humbling. If I was Rob I would be bloody proud of what he has done! It is well written and has a nice easy pace (a bit like Rob himself?) A damn good story of a British lad who loved racing bicycles.
—— Headset PressThe success of track cycling began to take off after British success at the Athens 2004 Olympics, eventually to be translated into success on the road too. Rob Hayles was one of the pioneers of that breakthrough and provides a fascinating account of the reasons why British cycling became, and remains, such a success story.
—— Mark Perryman , Philosophy Football autumn sports books reviewAn elegant book... Surprising and illuminating
—— Ian Bell , HeraldThis is a valuable book with some great stories. Deeply-researched and well-written, it’s an enjoyable read that shouldn’t be rushed
—— The Inner RingFascinating… Without losers, there are no winners
—— London CyclistThoughtful, witty
—— Times Literary SupplementIn this lively, rear-view account of largely unsung heroes, and a few villains, Leonard has managed the difficult feat of coming up with an original angle on Le Tour
—— Simon Redfern , Independent on SundayLeonard extracts the dignity that sometimes exists in sporting failure; this is not the world of Armstrong, Keane or Pietersen and all the more appealing because of that
—— Tim Lewis , ObserverCelebratory and hilarious in equal measures, The Last Man revels in the travails of the underdog
—— Ben East , MetroThis book does a great job of revealing some of the less well known stories from le Tour: well written, entertaining, and informative
—— Richard Peploe , RoadThis book is an entertaining account taking in everyone from stage winners and former yellow jerseys who couldn’t hang on, to a breakaway leader who stopped for a bottle of wine and then took a wrong turn, to a doper whose drug cocktail backfired
—— Bike RadarWe know the winners of the Tour de France, but Lanterne Rouge tells the forgotten, often inspirational and occasionally absurd stories of the last-placed rider
—— Miss Dinky