Sports Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson

"True is a probing, richly-detailed, unique biography of Jackie Robinson, one of baseball’s―and America’s―most significant figures. For players, fans, managers, and executives, Jackie Robinson remains baseball’s singular figure, the person who most profoundly extended, and continues to extend, the reach of the game. Beyond Ruth. Beyond Clemente. Beyond Aaron. Beyond the heroes of today. Now, a half-century since Robinson’s death, letters come to his widow, Rachel, by the score. But Robinson’s impact extended far beyond baseball: he opened the door for Black Americans to participate in other sports, and was a national figure who spoke and wrote eloquently about inequality. This book is an unconventional biography, focusing on four transformative years in Robinson’s athletic and public life: 1946, his first year playing in the essentially all-white minor leagues for the Montreal Royals; 1949, when he won the Most Valuable Player Award in his third season as a Brooklyn Dodger; 1956, his final season in major league baseball, when he played valiantly despite his increasing health struggles; and 1972, the year of his untimely death. Through it all, Robinson remained true to the effort and the mission, true to his convictions and contradictions. Kennedy examines each of these years through details not reported in previous biographies, bringing them to life in vivid prose and through interviews with fans and players who witnessed his impact, as well as with Robinson’s surviving family. These four crucial years offer a unique vision of Robinson as a player, a father and husband, and a civil rights hero―a new window on a complex man."

Kostya Kennedy (Author), Kevin Kenerly (Narrator)

Audiobook

Everything Reminds Me of Something: Advice, Answers...But No Apologies

"The bestselling comedian returns to respond and rant on real questions about life and love, careers and cars, and everything else from fans and famous friends. Ever wonder what you would say or do if you didn’t give a f**k? Adam Carolla can tell you. In his sixth book, the comedian, podcaster, and provocateur does what he does best—doles out advice and opinions with utter disregard for our politically correct, self-righteous, virtue signaling, woke times. Thanks to decades of hosting MTV and radio’s Loveline, his Guinness World Record–breaking podcast and touring the stand-up circuit, no one in comedy is as gifted at thinking on their feet. Taking actual questions from his fans—and even some celebrity friends, including Ray Romano, Maria Menounos, and Judd Apatow—Adam dishes out hilarious rants, unpredictable tangents, brilliant inventions, sage advice, and controversial opinions in a way only a self-proclaimed asshole can."

Adam Carolla (Author), Adam Carolla (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Trotamundos del deporte: Hazañas y aventuras de un periodista deportivo

"Experto en futbol soccer y americano, golf, tenis, basquetbol, John Sutcliffe es un apasionado de los deportes y uno de los reporteros que más conoce la intimidad de sus protagonistas. Implacable en sus investigaciones, asertivo en sus comentarios, ingenioso en el relato, el autor de estas páginas tiene las mejores fuentes del mundo deportivo y comparte sin censura los hechos que han marcado su vida y la de incontables competidores célebres. En este libro nos cuenta anécdotas inolvidables sobre Tiger Woods, “El niño” Sergio García, Jon Rahm, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Rodgers, Najee Harris, “El Piojo” Herrera, Rafael Márquez, Memo Ochoa, Juan Carlos Osorio, Renato Ibarra, “El Chicharito” Hernández, Nico Castillo y muchos otros atletas mundialmente reconocidos. Además, revela sus experiencias en diversos eventos internacionales de golf, la fiebre de los Super Bowls en los que trabajó y sus experiencias delirantes en los mundiales de futbol de Alemania, Sudáfrica, Brasil y Rusia, cubriendo a la Selección Mexicana: sus luchas internas, quiénes son sus líderes, sus escándalos extradeportivos y el detrás de cámaras de periodistas y jugadores célebres, así como múltiples detalles sobre el crecimiento de la liga de soccer en Estados Unidos. Sin duda, Trotamundos del deporte es un libro inspirador para todo aquel que desee integrarse al desafiante, audaz y encendido mundo de los más osados reporteros de cancha."

John Sutcliffe (Author), Heriberto Murrieta, John Sutcliffe (Narrator)

Audiobook

Warren Spahn: A Biography of the Legendary Lefty

"To say Spahn lived a storied life is an understatement. In Warren Spahn, author Lew Freedman tells the story of this incredible lefty. Known for his supremely high leg kick, Spahn became one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. However, the road wasn’t as easy as it would seem. Struggling in his major-league debut at age twenty, manager Casey Stengel demoted the young left. It would be four years before Spahn would return to the diamond, as he received a calling of a different kind—one from his country. Enlisting in the Army, Spahn would serve with distinction, seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge and the Ludendorff Bridge, and was awarded a battlefield commission, along with a Purple Heart. Upon his return to the game, he would take the league by storm. Spahn dominated for over two decades, spending twenty years with the Braves (both Boston and Milwaukee), as well as a season with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. Pitching into his mid-forties, he would throw two no-hitters at the advanced ages of thirty-nine and forty. From his early days in Buffalo and young career, through his time and the military and all the way to the 1948 Braves and “Spahn and Sain and Pray for Rain,” author Lew Freedman leaves no stone unturned in sharing the incredible life of this pitching icon, who is still considered the greatest left-handed pitcher to ever play the game."

Lew Freedman (Author), Brian Troxell (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bat, Ball and Field: The Elements of Cricket

"Bat, Ball and Field is a wonderful foray into the history and culture of cricket. ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best’ Cricketer Chronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments as well as tragedies, Jon Hotten lifts the seemingly impregnable veil from the Laws, batting strokes, types of bowling and the sometimes absurd names given to where fielders stand, allowing anyone a pathway into enjoying the sport, and an introductory immersion into its long history. This book is divided into the three parts that make up the fundamental elements of cricket: bat, ball and field. Their harmony produces cricket’s unique environment; their centuries’ long conflict provides its innovation, adaptability and vast psychological hinterland. These sections unite to map out in a completely original way the story of the sport that began as a country pursuit and is now followed by billions across the world."

Jon Hotten (Author), David Thorpe (Narrator)

Audiobook

First of the Summer Wine: George Hirst, Schofield Haigh, Wilfred Rhodes and the Gentle Heart of York

"The remarkable story of three Yorkshire cricketers from the Golden Age - George Hirst, Wilfred Rhodes and Schofield Haigh - who transformed their county's fortunes, inspired a generation of cricketers and left a unique legacy on the game. Between them, Hirst, Rhodes and Haigh scored over 77,000 runs and took almost 9000 wickets in a combined 2500 appearances, helping Yorkshire to seven County Championship triumphs. The records they set will never be beaten, yet the three men - known throughout England as The Triumvirate - were born in two small villages just outside Huddersfield, in Last of the Summer Wine country. Hirst pioneered and perfected the art of swing and seam bowling, Rhodes took more first-class wickets than anyone else in history, while the genial Haigh's achievements as a bowler at Yorkshire have been surpassed only by his two close friends; their influence would extend far beyond England, as they all went to India to coach, laying the foundations of cricket in the subcontinent. Pearson, whose biography of Learie Constantine, Connie, won the MCC Book of the Year Award, brings the characters and the age vividly to life, showing how these cricketing stars came to symbolise the essence of Yorkshire. This was a time when the gritty northern professionals from the White Rose county took on some of the most glittering amateurs of the age, including W.G.Grace, C.B.Fry, Prince Ranji and Gilbert Jessop, and when writers such as Neville Cardus and J.M.Kilburn were on hand to bring their achievements to a wider audience. The First of the Summer Wine is a celebration of a vanished age, but also reveals how the efforts of Hirst, Rhodes and Haigh helped create the modern era, too."

Harry Pearson (Author), Simon Slater (Narrator)

Audiobook

Adrenaline: My Untold Stories

"Brought to you by Penguin. Football's most prolific and controversial goalscorer has nothing left to prove on the pitch. There is only one Zlatan. In the decade since his megaselling memoir I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he has played at Paris Saint-Germain (2012-2016), Manchester United (2016-2018), LA Galaxy (2018-2019) and Milan (2020-). This outrageous and hilarious follow-up is bursting with personal confessions and revealing anecdotes about the world's best players and managers. Packed with revelations, in Adrenaline we hear for the first time what Zlatan really thinks about his time in the Premier League and what it was like to score that glorious bicycle kick against England. We hear about the club he very nearly signed for, and see his hilarious run-ins with the French media - and the French in general, really. Plus so much more. Zlatan transports you into the world of top-flight football like no one else. Filled with revelations - including Zlatan's life lessons on happiness, friendship and love - you'll be talking about this book a long time after finishing it. 'He is an amazing talent, one of the best around' Pep Guardiola © Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022"

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Author), James Hillier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Just Tyrus: A Memoir

"Pro wrestler and political commentator Tyrus goes deep into his wild but triumphant life story, from his painfully dysfunctional upbringing to bodyguarding for Snoop Dogg, to becoming a wrestling icon and one of the most provocative on-air voices today. The product of a 1970s mixed marriage, George Murdoch learned to fight early in life, fending off both race-baiting bullies and the demons of a dysfunctional home. Couch surfing all through high school and most of college, the quick-witted, sharp-tongued giant played football, ran drugs, and bounced at clubs to try to survive. After a false start with the WWE, he eventually became Snoop Dogg's bodyguard and traveled the world with the hip hop legend, biding his time and honing his rap. When the WWE urged him to return, George became 'Brodus Clay' and, for the next several years, reinvented himself numerous times under the watchful mentorship of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, 'the American Dream.' He was eventually christened 'Tyrus,' and shortly after, a chance social media encounter with Greg Gutfeld at Fox News resulted in Tyrus finding a new skill: sage social commentator. Ferociously funny, blunt, and tenacious, Just Tyrus traces his unlikely and spectacular rise. As always with Tyrus, it's in-your-face and offers no apologies."

Tyrus (Author), Tyrus (Narrator)

Audiobook

The War: Hagler-Hearns and Three Rounds for the Ages

"The battle between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns is remembered as one of the greatest fights of all time. But in the months before the two finally collided on April 15, 1985, there was a feeling in the air that boxing was in trouble. With Hagler–Hearns looking like boxing's last hurrah, promoter Bob Arum embarked on one the most audacious publicity campaigns in history, hyping the bout until the entire country was captivated. Could Arum possibly get a memorable fight out of these two moody, unpredictable warriors? The Hagler–Hearns fight is now part of history, but The War explores the factors behind the event, and how it helped establish what many feel was boxing's greatest era. No book, not even George Kimball's classic, Four Kings, has focused solely on this legendary fight involving two of those 'Four Kings' that boxing fans have revered for their skills and willingness to take on challenges that many fighters do not take in today's boxing landscape. With additional commentary from many who were there, Stradley shows the unlikely path taken by two fighters searching for greatness. When the fight was over, however, each learned that fame inflicted its own kind of damage."

Don Stradley (Author), Chris Andrew Ciulla (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Alta negra: Fuerza, perseverancia y liderazgo

"La historia de Evelina Cabrera, la entrenadora y ex jugadora de fútbol que pasó de vivir en la calle y cuidar coches a ser la presidenta de la Asociación Femenina de Fútbol Argentino y disertar en la ONU. Si cuento mi vida es porque tiene algunos hechos extraordinarios que la convirtieron en una existencia más visible que otras. Pero también porque tiene gran parte en común con la de muchas niñas y jóvenes que pueden sentirse identificadas y acompañadas y eso, creo, le da más valor a esta historia. La historia de Evelina Cabrera es una entre millones. Tiene, como ella dice, 70 años comprimidos en sus 33. Pasó de una infancia vulnerable a ser una referente del fútbol femenino, crear la Asociación Femenina de Fútbol Argentino y dar una conferencia en la ONU sobre su trabajo social con las mujeres, a quienes brinda herramientas para empoderarse y cambiar su vida. Hoy es un ejemplo de superación, de búsqueda y de una activa militancia contra toda forma de discriminación. Evelina forma parte de una época en que las mujeres marcan un rumbo diferente, alejado de roles estereotipados, liberadas de mandatos restrictivos, y en este mundo nuevo alza su voz. Una historia que es, y puede ser también, la historia de todas nosotras."

Evelina Cabrera (Author), Eliana Gamba (Narrator)

Audiobook

Michael Jordan: Life Lessons from His Airness

"Michael Jordan: Life Lessons from His Airness contains the secrets to success from the greatest basketball player of all time. “Sometimes a winner is just a dreamer who never gave up.” Michael Jordan defied gravity, transcended the world’s expectations, and exceeded the limits of age, soaring to fame as the world’s greatest basketball player of all time. While his talent was breathtaking to behold—those flying dunks and record-breaking sixty-point games have inspired generations—the unseen forces behind his success are the kind we can all harness for our own. M. J. and his accomplishments were founded on discipline, hard work, and knowing how to channel the deep, competitive drive within. Michael Jordan: Life Lessons from His Airness offers a courtside seat to the wild ride that made Michael Jordan a star and reveals valuable insights for anyone trying to make their own lofty dreams come true."

David H. Lewis (Author), Cary Valentine (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Italian] - Sulle vette più alte. Cesare Maestri, il ragno delle Dolomiti

"Cesare Maestri è stato uno dei più straordinari arrampicatori del mondo. Il suo soprannome di 'Ragno delle Dolomiti' già anticipa quella che è la sua folgorante carriera di rocciatore. Precursore nell'apertura di vie ardite con l'utilizzo di mezzi artificiali ai tempi delle Direttissime, è però anche noto come il più prolifico arrampicatore solitario della storia dell'alpinismo internazionale. Sono centinaia le sue ascensioni solitarie nelle Dolomiti, come sono parecchie decine le vie nuove aperte sulle pareti verticali dei Monti Pallidi. Tutti i libri di Alpinismo che parlano di Cesare Maestri si soffermano principalmente sulla vicenda del Cerro Torre, il quale è solo la cruna dell'ago di una vita vissuta tra le grandi pareti. Questo libro, per la prima volta a livello internazionale, racconta in una biografia autorizzata dalla famiglia e da Maestri stesso, tutto quello che sta dietro al nome 'Ragno delle Dolomiti', e cioè una serie infinita di arrampicate solitarie e vie nuove compiute nelle Alpi."

Lorenzo Carpané (Author), Daniel Magni (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sports Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir