Author:Stephen Jones,Simon Roberts
Since making his national debut in 1998, Stephen Jones has emerged from the shadows of the true greats of Welsh rugby, such as Barry John, Phil Bennett, Jonathan Davies and Neil Jenkins, to make the fly-half position his own. In this revealing autobiography, he provides a rare insight into the demands and pressures of wearing the almost mythical number 10 jersey that has such a pre-eminent status in the Welsh psyche.
As well as playing an integral role in Wales's two Grand Slam victories, Jones has appeared in three Rugby World Cups and was part of the 2005 British and Irish Lions squad. He has witnessed at first hand how the Welsh rugby establishment has struggled with the transition to professionalism, and in this candid memoir he recounts the many highs he has experienced, as well as the challenges he has faced, throughout his career so far.
Jones gives an intriguing account of how he became one of the few Welsh players to play in France, recalling the brutality of the game there and how he became a cult figure amongst fans of Clermont Auvergne, where he was twice voted fly-half of the season.
In Stephen Jones - A Thinking Man's Game: My Story, the Welsh rugby star reveals how his steely resolve, utter determination and sheer passion for rugby have allowed him to bounce back from numerous setbacks to become one of the most popular and respected figures in the game today.
Men don't come much tougher than daredevil climber and adventurer, Bear Grylls
—— SunWorld-famous 'extreme adventurer' Bear Grylls had so far avoided telling his life story - until now. Well told, personable, fast-paced, and undoubtedly a fascinating read
—— Daily TelegraphFriday Night Lights offers a biting indictment of the sports craziness that grips ... most of American society, while at the same time providing a moving evocation of its powerful allure.
—— New York Times Book ReviewJust about everything you could ask for in a sports book
—— New York TimesLike a hardboiled detective story... The first must-buy book on its subject
—— Men's HealthA flawless and singular account of fights that remain potent and important decades after the final bell . . . Four Kings will, unquestionably, be ranked as a classic boxing book that will take future generations back to those smoky, raucous ringside nights in Vegas
—— Irish TimesFight fans wanting a good read on their summer holidays should grab a copy
—— Colin Hart , The SunCertainly the best value of any book out there at the minute as well as being comfortably among the best . . . probably the best boxing book since Kevin Mitchell's War, Baby
—— Sunday TribuneA born storyteller, [Kimball] throws in enough yarns and anecdotes to fill three or four books
—— Sunday Business Post