Author:Patrick Robinson,Daniel Topolski
WINNER OF THE FIRST WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK AWARD Strikingly reminiscent of Chariots of Fire, this classic bestseller tells the story of the sporting event which shook both Oxford University and its Boat Club to the very foundations during the harsh winter of 1986/7.
A group of American students arrives at Oxford, hoping to put some steel into a Boat Race crew still reeling from their recent humiliating defeat at the hands of Cambridge. But disagreements over training methods soon bring to a head a bitter clash between the elected President of the Dark Blues and a fiery-tempered rower from California.
Much more than the race is at stake in this clash between the amateur sporting tradition of the Boat Race and New World big-star sportsmanship. In the resulting battle, which made headline news worldwide, the rebels, having failed to remove the Boat Club President, pull out six weeks before the race.
Can Oxford Coach Topolski, against all odds, mould an inexperienced and demoralized reserve crew of no-hopers into a winning team?
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