Best Autobiographies

[Mr Plow 933]

In need of something to read during this lockdown, any recommendations for autobiographies? 

[getdownmonkeyman 281]

Coaches: Both Wayne Bennett's are good reads. Jack Gibson's too. 

Players: Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and Barrie McDermott are really candid books.

[dkw 4,187]

Cec Thompson and Tom Mitchell's are both brilliant reads, both people led incredible lives. 

[marklaspalmas 1,463]

Terry Clawson.

Hilarious and honest.

[Mr Frisky 696]

17 minutes ago, getdownmonkeyman said:

Coaches: Both Wayne Bennett's are good reads. Jack Gibson's too. 

Players: Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley and Barrie McDermott are really candid books.

Yep Jamie peacocks book is a great read.

[Angelic Upstart 14]

I've read Jamie Peacock's, Sean Long's, Terry Newton's and Stanley Gene's. All good reads.

[terrywebbisgod 1,922]

Malcolm Alker's

[Harry Stottle 3,059]

Not many I have not read I would also add, Lee Crooks, Mal Reilly, the Shangri-La series of Dave Sampson and Simply Rad (Kris Radlinski)

[Welsh RL & RU watcher 15]

Malcolm Reilly's, Sean Long's, Malcolm Alker's and Adrian Morley's would be my top 4 if i had to pick a top 4. But there are quite a few Aussie players' biographies i haven't read. 

[Gooleboy 861]

34 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said:

Terry Clawson.

Hilarious and honest.

The best, I read it all in one go. It is called, All the wrong moves.

[Clogiron 1,830]

Would agree with Gene, Clawson, Reilly, Thompson & Mitchell and add Millward, Beetson & Hartley to that list.

One I would really like to read but doubt that we will ever see is Ellery Hanley's.

[Harry Stottle 3,059]

One to avoid is Kevin Ashcroft's "Last of the Dinosaur's" by Maurice Bamford, after a couple of introductory opening paragraphs it is basically match reports, probably the worst biography I have ever read.

[Mumby Magic 609]

Robbie Pauls would have been better without the fitness instructuons interrupting every episode. If you want a steady read Keith Seniors fits the bill.

Good ones as mentioned above are Gene Newtons Morley and Mcdermott

Inspiring Steve Prescotts

Best for me is Tawera Nikaus

[Futtocks 13,319]

3 hours ago, dkw said:

Cec Thompson and Tom Mitchell's are both brilliant reads, both people led incredible lives. 

Both of these are excellent and fascinating, but if you're more keen on the laddish behaviour type of tell-all, look elsewhere.

Stanley Gene's autobiography Daydream Believer is informative, touching and quite unhinged.

[Wigan Riversider 162]

2 hours ago, Mumby Magic said:

Robbie Pauls would have been better without the fitness instructuons interrupting every episode. If you want a steady read Keith Seniors fits the bill.

Spot on

 

[ELBOWSEYE 745]

Sean long, even as a wire the book is brilliant warts and all read. I have read loads of auto biography from many sports but when i speak to fans who have read it there are plenty of talking points. 

[Man of Kent 6,082]

Yes, ‘Longy’ is very entertaining. Makes most other autobiographies seem dull in comparison (which, to be honest, they often are).

[Cheshire Setter 1,003]

2 hours ago, ELBOWSEYE said:

Sean long, even as a wire the book is brilliant warts and all read. I have read loads of auto biography from many sports but when i speak to fans who have read it there are plenty of talking points. 

Seconded.

Whether you like him as a player or not, this is one book you never get bored of.   You do wonder how he and Gleeson managed to stay employed as professional sportsmen and win so much silverware. 
 

I feel a bit sorry for some of the other players mentioned in the book though. Nobody is spared embarrassment!  

[Mr Plow 933]

2 hours ago, ELBOWSEYE said:

Sean long, even as a wire the book is brilliant warts and all read. I have read loads of auto biography from many sports but when i speak to fans who have read it there are plenty of talking points. 

Definitely gonna get Longs book, I’ll add Stanley Gene to my wish list as well

[Bedfordshire Bronco 1,362]

10 hours ago, Clogiron said:

 

One I would really like to read but doubt that we will ever see is Ellery Hanley's.

The early chapters I'd especially be interested in given what Leeds fans have told me over the years

[Bedfordshire Bronco 1,362]

4 hours ago, Cheshire Setter said:

Seconded.

Whether you like him as a player or not, this is one book you never get bored of.   You do wonder how he and Gleeson managed to stay employed as professional sportsmen and win so much silverware. 
 

I feel a bit sorry for some of the other players mentioned in the book though. Nobody is spared embarrassment!  

OK I'm sold....just bought it

[THE RED ROOSTER 869]

18 hours ago, ELBOWSEYE said:

Sean long, even as a wire the book is brilliant warts and all read. I have read loads of auto biography from many sports but when i speak to fans who have read it there are plenty of talking points. 

Totally agree and not just because Longy signed a copy for me at Wardlesworth's. It in many ways a tribute to his Ghost Writer, Nick Appleyard. Most autobiographies are written in the vein of a primary school teacher reading to a group of 7-8 year olds. But this one in the style of someone sidling up to you in the bar, pint in hand ready to spin a yarn and in Longy's case what a yarn it was...

 

[Bedfordshire Bronco 1,362]

On 24/05/2020 at 23:19, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

OK I'm sold....just bought it

Just read 'Longy'...... Dear oh dear  northerners are funny folk

If I had ever pooed myself on a night out in Blackpool wearing white linen trousers then I'd never write it in a book. Imagine people knowing I'd worn white linen trousers.... Or worse still knowing I'd been to Blackpool

He really sla gs off the international game... Quite shocking actually. I also disagree with him.... I think players main motivation for playing for their country should be the prestige and not money.... Besides being a successful international in itself directly and indirectly helps the player economically anyway! 

[Bedfordshire Bronco 1,362]

On 25/05/2020 at 10:53, THE RED ROOSTER said:

Totally agree and not just because Longy signed a copy for me at Wardlesworth's. It in many ways a tribute to his Ghost Writer, Nick Appleyard. Most autobiographies are written in the vein of a primary school teacher reading to a group of 7-8 year olds. But this one in the style of someone sidling up to you in the bar, pint in hand ready to spin a yarn and in Longy's case what a yarn it was...

 

Yep.... Very unusual tone with lots of swearing..... Was interesting if nothing else 

[Sports Prophet 1,078]

There is a new biography about Olsen Filipaina which takes a deeper look inside a player considered the trailblazer for players of pacific heritage.

Perhaps have a listen to the recent podcast episode of The Rugby League Project which includes an interview with the writer.