Rugby: An Anthology: The Brave, the Bruised and the Brilliant
£13.10£14.20 (-8%)
Inspiring and irreverent by turns, Brian Levison’s new anthology has drawn on rugby’s wealth of excellent writing. Frank Keating, P. G. Wodehouse, Alec Waugh, A. A. Thomson, John Reason and Mick Imlah are among the distinguished names who have written movingly, amusingly and entertainingly about the game they loved.
Great players such as Brian O’Driscoll, Willie John McBride, J. P. R. Williams, Chester Williams, Colin Meads, Gavin Hastings and Brian Moore give us a fascinating insider’s view, as does World Cup Final referee Derek Bevan, who reveals what it is like to try to control thirty powerful and often volatile men in a highly competitive situation. But some of the best writing and the wittiest insights come from those who played their rugby at a much less exalted level.
The origins of the game – sometimes true, sometimes fanciful – are explored as are some of its rituals like the haka. There are amusing tales including that of the four Tibetan boys sent by the Dalai Lama to learn the game at Rugby School and an account of New Zealand scrum-half Chris Laidlaw’s hostile reception at a village fête in Wales. Along with barely believable stories about the game’s hardest men, including the French coach Jean ‘le Sultan’ Sébédio, who used to conduct training sessions wearing a sombrero and wielding a long whip, and ‘Red’ Conway who had his finger amputated rather than miss a game for South Africa.
One section ‘Double Vision’ looks at the same incident from opposing viewpoints, such as when the then relatively inexperienced Irish immortal Willie John McBride took a swing at the mighty All Black Colin Meads in a line-out. Another, ‘Giving it Everything’, shows how exceptional courage was not restricted to the rugby field but extended to the battle grounds of the First World War.
From the compiler of highly acclaimed All in a Day’s Cricket, this selection covers the game from virtually every angle and is sure to delight any rugby fan.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Reprint edition (27 Aug. 2015), Robinson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 256 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1472142578 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1472142573 |
| Dimensions | 15.24 x 1.91 x 23.5 cm |
by L
This is a fantastic book for dipping into during the world cup and for a long time afterwards. Open it on any page and enjoy a fascinating story / anecdote from all ages of rugby. Buy one for yourself and for a rugby-loving friend. 5*.
by Inkadinka
A beautifully balanced book for dipping in to, containing fascinating articles about the early years of the great game of rugby. Some of the myths of rugby are dispelled. It will make a great Christmas present. Warmly recommended.
by John Emberson
Very interesting over a wide range of time, teams and famous names. Amusing also. The best book on Rugby Union I have read.
by Prospero
If you know anyone who has ever played the greatest of games, or still does, just give them a copy of this and watch their eyes light up! It’s all been said before, give or take a single word: “Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. / And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s Field.’ / Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, / But he’ll remember with advantages / What feats he did that day.” My word on it.
by Amazon Customer
In my opinion this collection of rugby stories was mostly boring (with a few exceptions). I didn’t finish the book as most of it was rather dull.
by Paintbun
Hubby loves it
by JohnKFox
This is a good anthology of Rugby writing, a lot of work from 30s, fifties etc. Some very funny anecdotes- especially re Moss Keane and John Perkins. Recommended!
by Amazon Customer
Excellently written, a must for all rugby fans.