Author:Jim Stynes
Moving, thrilling, inspirational: the autobiography of Jim Stynes.
In July 2009, Jim Stynes was diagnosed with cancer and given less than a year to live. The diagnosis caught him by surprise - he was 42, healthy, fit - and he didn't have time for illness: he was director of a foundation for young people, president of Melbourne Football Club, father of two primary school-aged kids, husband of Sam. Knowing his odds weren't good, but with so much to lose, Jim put everything he had into trying to beat the disease.
He was well equipped to beat the odds - he'd been getting the most out of himself in every aspect of life since
his childhood in Dublin. Jim's ability to use mind over matter and his will to succeed gave him two extra years on the prognosis. He had more than 25 tumours removed from his brain and stomach, and defied expectations time and time again.
This book is Jim's legacy. Unflinching in its detail, Jim talks about what he found out about himself when things were at their worst - about what really counts when you're stacking it all up. It's a moving, inspiring story of a life lived fearlessly.
'Remarkable' Brent Pope, Irish Independent
'Enormously moving' Sunday Independent
'A moving, inspiring story of a life lived fearlessly. A superb read from start to finish' Evening Echo
'A great story, well told, and you'll do well not to cry while reading certain chapters' Sunday World
Remarkable
—— Brent Pope , Irish IndependentEnormously moving
—— Barry Egan , Sunday IndependentA moving, inspiring story of a life lived fearlessly. A superb read from start to finish
—— Rory Noonan , Evening EchoA great story, well told, and you'll do well not to cry while reading certain chapters
—— Sunday WorldRichly rewarding ... one hell of a story
—— Irish ExaminerIf the book spontaneously combusted in your hands, you wouldn't be a bit surprised.
—— Private EyeConnors was the real thing: a genuine rebel; he was very good at tennis because he was very good at getting angry. Now he's angry about people not understanding his anger. This doesn't make for an easy read, but it does make for a good one.
—— The SpectatorAn examination of a legendary American pugnaciousness... no one ever made winning look quite the rutting alpha-male necessity that Connors made it appear.
—— ObserverThe Outsider, a rather overdue autobiography by Jimmy Connors, reads like the American played: full of testosterone and attitude. As a study of the making of an alpha male it is fascinating. Even if [Connors] didn't deal with his successes very well - succumbing to the trappings of fame all too easily - boy, did he work for them. No doubt there have been more gifted players, but no one has won as many tour victories and none, surely, have given themselves so totally to the animal spirit of competition.
—— The TimesClear as flying chalk: The Outsider takes in a volley of vignettes.
—— Independent on SundayAn ace.
—— Daily MailA gutsy streetfighter on court, the brash US tennis star covers rivals, romances and revelations with unsurprising candour, but also a welcome dash of humour.
—— Sport magazineEssential reading... With characteristic humour Connors sets the record straight on the tennis circuit on and off the court.
—— Daily ExpressThe atmosphere of the Sixties is re-created brilliantly.
—— The TimesHamilton through the stories and backstories of others broadens his horizons to explain the phenomenon that was Best and the world that destroyed him. Offering up new material and new perspective, Hamilton, as one reviewer would opined, mastered biography.
—— Irish Examiner