Other books that might interest you

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  Cricket in the Second World War...

  John Broom

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  As the civilised world fought for its very survival, Sir Home Gordon, writing in The Cricketer in September 1939, stated that ‘England has now started the grim Test Match with Germany’, the objective of which was to ‘win the Ashes of civilisation’.  Despite the interruption of first-class and Test cricket in England, the game continued to be played and watched by hundreds of thousands of people engaged in military and civilian service. In workplaces, cricket clubs, and military establishments, as well as on the famous grounds of the country, players of all abilities kept the sporting flag flying to sustain morale.  Matches raised vast sums for war charities whilst in the north and midlands, competitive League cricket continued, with many Test and county players being employed as weekend professionals by the clubs.  Further afield the game continued in all the Test-playing nations and in further-flung outposts around the world. Troops stationed in Europe, Africa and the Far East seized on any opportunity to play cricket, often in the most unusual of circumstances.  Luxurious sporting clubs in Egypt hosted matches that pitted English service teams against their Commonwealth counterparts. Luminaries such as Wally Hammond and Lindsay Hassett were cheered on by their uniformed countrymen.  Inevitably there was a sombre side to cricket’s wartime account. From renowned Test stars such as Hedley Verity to the keen but modest club player, many cricketers paid the ultimate price for Allied victory. The Victory Tests of 1945 were played against a backdrop of relief and sorrow. Nevertheless, cricket would emerge intact into the post-war world in broadly the same format as 1939. The game had sustained its soul and played its part in the sad but necessary victory of the Grim Test.

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  Greatest Moments of the TT Races

  Liam McCann

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  There is nothing on Earth quite like the Isle of Man TT Races. No other motorcycle race is held on such a challenging track as the 37-mile plus Mountain Course with its seemingly never-ending series of bends, bumps, jumps, stone walls, manhole covers and telegraph poles. The skill, bravery and concentration levels required are immense, with speeds approaching 200mph, and, while difficult to learn and even harder to come first, the rewards for winning on the world famous course are like no other. No other motorsport event can boast such illustrious history, rich in tradition and legends, and to have your name inscribed on a TT trophy is to sit with the gods. This unique book is a collection of the 25 greatest moments in the history of the TT. From the legendary races at the beginning of the 20th century to the stars who have made the sport their own, author Liam McCann looks at the thrills and spills that have wowed crowds and TV audiences for more than 110 years. Marvel at Geoff Duke's mastery of the Snaefell Mountain Course, the epic dices between Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini in the sport's most dangerous era, and Ian Hutchinson's remarkable clean sweep of five solo wins in 2010. Greatest Moments of the TT would not be complete without mention of the late great Joey Dunlop OBE - the TT's most decorated rider with 26 wins - and John McGuinness still trying to overtake his record while also fast approaching 50 years of age.

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  The Elements of Effort -...

  John Jerome

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  In this engaging collection of essays, author and athlete John Jerome celebrates the simplicity and freedom of running. With contagious passion, he strips away fads and myths to offer basic guidelines for participants, from beginning joggers to those preparing for marathons. For years Jerome recorded his thoughts and experiences during his daily training. As he ran, he discovered not only physical benefits, but philosophical ones as well. His wry reflections take you on a joyous journey through the most elemental aspects of the sport-stretching, falling, sweat, bugs, the food police, and more. A fount of prescriptions and wisdom, The Elements of Effort offers a disarming collection of ideas to mull over as you participate in your daily run. So grab your cassette player, lace up your running shoes, and enjoy narrator L.J. Ganser's entertaining performance.

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  The Pants Of Perspective - One...

  Anna McNuff

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  "A thrilling, coming-of-age journey that will make you yearn to go on your own adventures.” - RUNNER'S WORLD 
  Anna was never anything like those ‘real’ runners on telly – all spindly limbs, tiny shorts and split times – but when she read about New Zealand’s 3,000-kilometre-long Te Araroa Trail, she began to wonder… perhaps being a ‘real’ runner was overrated. Maybe she could just run it anyway? 
  Travelling alone through New Zealand’s backcountry for 148 days, she scrambled through forests, along ridge-lines, over mountain passes, along beaches and across swollen rivers. Running up to 52 kilometres in a day, she slept wild most nights, and was taken into the homes and hearts of the kiwi people in between. 
  The Pants of Perspective is a witty, colourful and at times painfully raw account of a journey to the edge of what a woman believes herself to be capable of. It is a coming-of-age story which will lead you on a roller coaster ride through fear, vulnerability, courage and failure. 
  For anyone who has ever dreamt of taking on a great challenge, but felt too afraid to begin – this story is for you.

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  Fight or Play Basketball - every...

  Mike Messier

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  Logline: A basketball star risks his chances at a college scholarship when he competes in a boxing tournament just hours before the big game. 
  Synopsis: Jack Scratch is the star player for his high school basketball team, on the fast track to a college scholarship and perhaps a career in the NBA. 
  Jack's journey takes a detour after single mother Janet is saved from a mugger by two boxers: Karl "Sweet Sugar" Brown, a former heavyweight contender who now trains fighters, and Paveli "Punch" Pangora, a Slovenian slugger seeking US citizenship. 
  After Janet befriends the two boxers, Jack checks out the gritty yet legendary "Sweet’s Sweat Box Gym” for himself.   Jack spars with "Bruiser" Bobby Studd, the resident gym bully, and shockingly gets up off the canvas after Studd knocks him down. Despite Bobby's bruising, Jack finds the individual nature of boxing a refreshing challenge after years of carrying his basketball teammates. 
  Sweet and Punch compete for the role of trainer to Jack as well as a romantic partner to Janet. However, Janet, as well as Jack's basketball coach, "Quick" Rick Steele, see boxing as a harmful distraction from Jack's pursuit of a college basketball scholarship. Mom and Coach are furious because Jack's bruised hands from boxing are affecting his basketball shooting abilities. 
    
  Jack, trained by Punch, enters a local boxing tournament and wins his semifinal bout to compete the following week against Bobby, trained by Sweet. However, the boxing tournament finals are scheduled mere hours before the Northeast Classic, an important basketball game that has a direct influence on Jack’s scholarship chances. As Coach Steele warns his star player, "It's your choice, Jack. Make your path, but stick with it. I know you're young, and the world seems like your oyster, but you already got people following your lead, and they need to know which way to head.” 
  Fight or Play Basketball is a found family story with a backdrop of sports.

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  Camping Tips - Turn Your Trip...

  Wesley Jones

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  Great. You’re going on a camping trip. Now what?  
  Many people have no clue what to do when they’re camping. When this is the case, it can turn into a boring, frustrating downgrade from a hotel room, or even your own home. But camping can be fun and interesting in a variety of ways. Learn to make the most of your experience in nature and become a super camper! In this book, we’ll discuss several topics, such as:  Fun activities to engage in when you are camping. Getting ready for the trip by taking the right supplies. A list of items and tips to make your camping experience easier.How to get your children ready for camping and get them excited about it before and during the trip. Ways to stay clean, avoid negative aspects, and be closer to nature. Delicious camping recipes. And much more!   
  Don’t go without knowing what you’re doing! Get this handy-dandy guide fast and listen to it so you can make the most of your camping experience! 

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