Sports Biographies

'One of the best accounts ever written of deep-water diving and its staggering, haunting dangers' Robert Kurson, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow DiversDeep underwater lurks a mysterious man-made illness. It has gone by many names over the years - Satan's disease, diver's palsy, the chokes - but today, medics call it decompression sickness. You know it as the bends.That's the devil British diver Martin Robson faces each time he plunges beneath the surface. In the winter of 2012, Robson was part of an expedition to Blue Lake, southern Russia, which sought to find a submerged cave system never seen by the human eye. On the final day of the expedition, as Robson returned from diving deeper into the lake than anyone had before, disaster struck: just seventy-five feet down, he was ambushed by the bends.Robson knew that if he continued up to the surface he would probably die before help arrived. Instead, he sank back into the water, gambling on an underwater practice most doctors believe is a suicidal act. Soon the only hope he had of saving his life would rest in the hands of a dramatic mercy mission organised at the highest levels of the Russian government.Between the Devil and the Deep is the first book to tell the terrifying true story of what it feels like to get the bends, taking you inside the body and mind of a man who suffered the unthinkable. Writer Mark Cowan also explores the grimly fascinating history of decompression sickness, the science behind what causes the disease, and the stories of the forgotten divers who pushed the limits of physical endurance to help find a solution.

Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann shares how she turned her failed Olympic dreams into making history as the first—and only—person to ever swim the 21-hour Maui Nui Tri-Channel CrossingI wasn’t afraid of the ocean. I wasn’t afraid of the unseen depths beneath the water, or what lurked below. I was afraid of being trapped in my own mind.Record-breaking swimmer Becca Mann was a young swimming prodigy. A two-time USA National champion, she was the youngest person ever to place in the Top 10 in four events at a single Olympic Trials and represented Team USA at four World Championships. But after years of sacrifice, relentless drive, and coming heartbreakingly close to Olympic glory—three times—Becca’s dreams came crashing down.In Outside the Lanes, Becca shares her journey from the disappointment of Olympic defeat to making history as the first—and only—person to conquer the grueling, 21-hour, 40-mile Maui Nui Tri-Channel Crossing. She also opens up about the mental battles that shaped her: confronting the sacrifices she endured, OCD, and the relentless pressure to succeed.More than just a story of a young athlete, Outside the Lanes is a powerful exploration of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to win. This is an inspiring read for anyone who has ever dared to chase a dream by adventuring outside the lanes.

Brushes with a Stroke is the inspirational account of how the human spirit need not be crushed by the debilitating effects of a stroke. Veteran sportswriter and stroke victim Neil Harman tells seven vivid sporting stories: tales of doubt, fear and ultimately of fierce determination in the face of a frightening condition.

Jon Attenborough, a visually impaired football fan,embarks on an extraordinary journey with his guide dog, Sam, across Scotland,visiting every single one of the 42 Scottish Professional Football League(SPFL) grounds. Jonand Sam conquer the 42 making Scottish Football History!

At age 20, Luke Chadwick had the world at his feet. A Premier League champion with Manchester United, he was tipped for stardom by Sir Alex Ferguson. But unbeknown to his colleagues, he was battling depression and anxiety brought on by personal abuse from the national media. A brutally honest yet often hilarious tale of resilience.

With 96 losses from 100 fights, Johnny Greaves was one of boxing's best (or worst) journeymen. Often drunk, hungover or horribly unfit, Johnny would stuff down a Tesco meal deal, neck a can of lager and smoke a few fags as he prepared for battle. This shocking yet poignant portrayal of a man on the edge will make you gasp, laugh and cry.

The story of Remco Evenepoel, multiple world champion, double Olympic gold medallist and winner of classics and tours, including the Vuelta.

Iconic darts showman Bobby George reflects on his extraordinary playing career and recalls some epic encounters with his contemporaries. Enjoy Bobby's transition from the oche to the small screen, with appearances on top TV game shows, in big-budget movies, plus a controversial TV documentary and a BAFTA-nominated travel series.

Ted Peate was rated by W. G. Grace as the world's best spin bowler. Ten Drunks and a Parson traces his rise and fall, from his days touring the country with a troupe of clowns to his dramatic breakthrough to England fame. His character flaws led to his sacking by new Yorkshire captain Lord Hawke when he was at the peak of his powers.

From the bestselling author of The Master, an intimate biography of tennis's living legend Rafael Nadal, and the first to cover his entire career.

Marc Mrquez is the apex predator of the MotoGP world: arguably the greatest motorcycle racer who ever lived, he is an eight-time world champion. He is the man who dethroned Valentino Rossi, and who changed the sport of MotoGP forever. Mrquezs hyper aggressive riding style has made him many enemies, and his epic championship battle with Valentino Rossi in 2015 led to one of the most controversial moments in the history of MotoGP. But his story off the track is also incredible: devastating accidents, surgeries and recoveries. Racing on despite a diagnosis that him one more head injury could leave him blind.His self-admittedly ruthless personality and desire to win make him an explosive, dominant and at times controversial character - to the point that even his own tight-knit family often struggle to understand what drives him.Told by bestselling author Stuart Barker, with the insight of rivals, team members, pundits, managers and many close to his story, experience in this book that rare thing: pure sporting theatre and white-knuckle speed twinned with real human drama. Everything or Nothing is the Mrquez story told like never before.

Women now often beat men in ultra-endurance events. Two journalists explore the physiological and psychological battle of the sexes and meet the gutsy women who triumph despite society's expectations.

Grit, guts and gumption defined Amarnath's rollercoaster career. According to both Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan, Amarnath was the best batsman of their era. But strangely, he kept getting dropped from the Indian team, and subsequently became famous for his comebacks, earning him the moniker 'the comeback king'. He was a player who didn't flinch in the face of fire: a fearless cricketer and a man who just wouldn't be defeated or denied.

Tennis is one of the only sports in which women have consistently played on the same stage as men for the past 50 years, creating their own culture and narrative. Building Champions explores the complex, remarkable stories of winning players from across the globe and asks what this generation can tell us about the future of women's tennis.