Sports Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

I Love This Game: The Autobiography Audiobook

"LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 'Excellent and compellingly honest' Alyson Rudd, The Times In I Love This Game, the long-awaited autobiography of Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United and France star looks back on a remarkable life and career. Having played alongside some of the club's greatest legends, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, in one of United's most successful eras, Evra has now found a new role as an in-demand pundit and social media star. But, as he reveals in this frank, often shocking, but always compelling memoir, beneath the surface things were not so simple, and he had to fight all the way to get to the top. Initially, it was football that saved him from being sucked into the gang culture of his tough neighbourhood of Les Ulis in the suburbs of Paris. Then, once he achieved his dream of becoming a professional, he had to deal with racism and a notorious dispute with Luis Suarez; he also became a central figure in the infamous 'strike' by the France national team in the 2010 World Cup; and there was the moment he launched an attack against a Marseille fan while warming up. 'I Love This Game' has become Evra's catchphrase. Throughout this wonderful book, his passion for his sport shines through and there are revealing and entertaining behind-the-scenes insights about the players and managers he's worked with, from Sir Alex Ferguson to Paul Pogba, who knows him as Uncle Pat. With infectious enthusiasm and sharp observation, Evra takes the reader where few football autobiographies dare to tread. "

Patrice Evra (Author), Ben Bailey Smith, Patrice Evra (Narrator)

Audiobook

Joey Dunlop: The Definitive Biography

"With a foreword by Carl Fogarty Joey Dunlop's story is one of towering triumphs and desperate tragedies in almost equal measure. Born poor - dirt poor - with no running water, no electricity, he was the definition of the everyman hero, earning the title 'King of the Roads' in what must be considered one of the world's most extreme sports - motorcycle road racing. And as well as being voted Northern Ireland's greatest ever sportsman, he remains the most loved and most successful road racer of all time. Joey Dunlop won the hearts and minds of millions during his thirty-one-year career, culminating in his greatest triumph in the year 2000 at the Isle of Man TT when, grey-haired, bespectacled, and approaching fifty years of age, he reclaimed his reputation as the greatest TT rider in history by defeating a whole new generation of talent and regaining the F1 crown for the first time in twelve years. But in road racing, tragedy is never very far away. Joey lost his life in a racing accident in July of 2000. It was just weeks after his final TT victory. More than 60,000 people attended Joey's funeral. Over twenty years after his untimely death, the sport has never truly recovered from his loss. Everyone with an interest in motorcycling knows the legend of Joey Dunlop but now, for the first time, they can get to know the man himself. This definitive new biography is the most comprehensive ever written on the man. In turns hilarious, triumphant and tragic, this is Dunlop's story as it has never been told before - by those who were part of it."

Stuart Barker (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Autobiografía

"Hristo Stoichkov, El Pistolero del legendario Dream Team del FC Barcelona, nos trae su auténtica autobiografía. El máximo goleador de la Copa Mundial de 1994 nos revela su alma sin maquillaje, pretensiones ni cohibiciones. Directo, volcánico y fiel a su imagen de aquella época en la que millones de seguidores admiraban al mágico Nº8. En este libro el oyente encontrará decenas de historias y anécdotas protagonizadas por figuras icónicas del Deporte Rey. No solo sobre el escenario del gran juego sino también tras los bastidores de este. A través de este relato conocerán el increíble viaje de Hristo desde la Bulgaria comunista hasta Barcelona y su multitudinario estadio del Camp Nou. No me he reservado nada. No he ocultado nada. Esta es mi verdad. Mi historia. Afectuosamente, Hristo Stoichkov Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION A searing confession by one of the most incendiary players in the history of football! The only one in the world to have been awarded the Ballon d'Or after a communist regime banned him from playing professionally. Hristo Stoichkov - El Pistolero of the legendary Barcelona Dream Team stands before you with his autobiography! The top goal scorer of World Cup '94 bares his soul, unadorned, with no pretense and no holds barred. Explosive, straight to the point and true to his image from the days when millions adored the magical number 8. Dozens of stories and incidents involving iconic figures from the court of Tsar Football, not only from under the spotlights, but also from behind the scenes of the beautiful game …"

Hristo Stoichkov, Vladimir Pamukov (Author), Hristo Stoichkov (Narrator)

Audiobook

Centered: Autism, Basketball, and One Athlete's Dreams

"'They don't know me. They don't know what I'm capable of.' Diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, as a toddler, Anthony Ianni wasn't expected to succeed in school or participate in sports, but he had other ideas. As a child, Ianni told anybody who would listen, including head coach Tom Izzo, that he would one day play for the Michigan State Spartans. Centered: Autism, Basketball, and One Athlete's Dreams is the firsthand account of a young man's social, academic, and athletic struggles and his determination to reach his goals. In this remarkable memoir, Ianni reflects on his experiences with both basketball and the autism spectrum. Centered, an inspirational sports story in the vein of Rudy, reveals Ianni to be unflinching in his honesty, generous in his gratitude, and gracious in his compassion. Sports fans will root for the underdog. Parents, teachers, and coaches will gain insight into the experience of an autistic child. And everyone will triumph in the achievements of Centered."

Anthony Ianni, Rob Keast (Author), Anthony Ianni (Narrator)

Audiobook

Did Not Try: Misadventures in Running, Cycling and Swimming

"After signing his wife Rachel up for her first marathon without her knowledge and living to tell the tale, George is now struggling to keep up with her. He risks her wrath once again by entering her into a half-Ironman triathlon against her will: a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Did Not Try sees George and Rachel travel to Barcelona, Cornwall and the Cotswolds, and helps answer the age-old question: what happens when you are bursting for a wee while riding your bike, but an injured ankle means you can’t unclip your cycling shoes? Did Not Finish is a series of books about George and his family’s adventures in running, cycling and swimming. From ultramarathons to triathlons, 10k swims to European cycling adventures, George promises fun and laughter every step, pedal, and paddle of the way."

George Mahood (Author), Nathaniel Priestley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me

"Believe, Sachin Tendulkar told him - and he took it to heart, getting the word etched on his arm as a tattoo. In this book, Suresh Raina takes us through the challenges he faced as a young cricketer. He was bullied in school and at cricket camps, but he always punched above his weight, overcoming every adversity life threw at him and never giving up. This is the story of the lessons he learnt and the friendships he built. Peppered with invaluable insights - about the game and about life - that Raina acquired from senior colleagues like M.S. Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, among others, this book will make you believe in the power of hard work, love, luck, hope and camaraderie. It is a journey through the highs and lows in the cricketing career of a man who saw his world fall apart and yet became one of the most influential white-ball cricketers India has ever seen."

Bharat Sundaresan, Suresh Raina (Author), Siddhant (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Michael Schumacher: Eine einzigartige Karriere

"Michael Schumacher - ein Leben auf der Überholspur. Siebenfacher Formel-1-Weltmeister und Aushängeschild der Autofahrernation. Michael, der Superdeutsche. Diszipliniert, detailverliebt, fleißig, tapfer, ehrlich. Vor 30 Jahren, am 25. August 1991 startete Michael Schumacher seine Formel-1 Karriere in Belgien. Vermutlich kam der Jordan Deal nur durch eine kleine Schummelei seines Managers Willi Weber zustande. Weber versicherte Teamchef Eddi Jordan, Michael kennen den anspruchsvollen Kurs von Spa-Francorchamps aufgrund seiner Nähe zu Kerpen sehr gut. Dem war aber nicht so. Michael war den Kurs gerade mal mit dem Fahrrad abgefahren. Da Stammpilot Bertrand Gachot gerade im Gefängnis saß, bekam Schumacher aber seine Chance und beeindruckte. Es war nur ein sehr kurzes, aber nachhaltiges Gastspiel. Direkt nach dem ersten Rennen in Belgien wurde Flavio Briatore auf Michael aufmerksam und holte ihn auf spektakuläre Weise ins Team Benetton. Im Jahre 1996 wechselte Schumacher auf Empfehlung des Ferrari-Beraters Niki Lauda zu Ferrari und hob die krisengebeutelte Scuderia in die Weltklasse der Formel-1. Doch das Leben des Superstars kennt leider nicht nur Erfolge. 2013, Méribel, in den französischen Alpen. Ein Skiunfall verändert das Leben von Michael Schumacher und das seiner Familie. Aber die Familie steht zu ihm. Informationen zum Gesundheitszustand werden lange zurückgehalten und seit dem 29. Dezember 2013 ist er aus der Öffentlichkeit verschwunden. Am 15. September 2021 startete ebenso eine Netflix Dokumentation über das Leben des Formel-1-Superstars."

Julius Schreiber (Author), Sebastian Pappenberger (Narrator)

Audiobook

All In: The Autobiography of Billie Jean King

"Brought to you by Penguin. An inspiring and intimate self-portrait of the champion of equality that encompasses her brilliant tennis career, unwavering activism, and an ongoing commitment to fairness and social justice. In this spirited account, Billie Jean King details her life's journey to find her true self. She recounts her groundbreaking tennis career -- six years as the top-ranked woman in the world, twenty Wimbledon championships, thirty-nine grand-slam titles, and her watershed defeat of Bobby Riggs in the famous 'Battle of the Sexes.' She poignantly recalls the cultural backdrop of those years and the profound impact on her worldview from the women's movement, the assassinations and anti-war protests of the 1960s, the civil rights movement, and, eventually, the LGBTQ+ rights movement. She describes the myriad challenges she's hurdled -- entrenched sexism, an eating disorder, near financial ruin after being outed -- on her path to publicly and unequivocally acknowledging her sexual identity at the age of fifty-one. And she talks about how her life today remains one of indefatigable service. She offers insights and advice on leadership, business, activism, sports, politics, marriage equality, parenting, sexuality, and love. She shows how living honestly and openly has had a transformative effect on her relationships and happiness. Hers is the story of a pathbreaking feminist, a world-class athlete, and an indomitable spirit whose impact has transcended even her spectacular achievements in sports. © Billie Jean King 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Billie Jean King (Author), Billie Jean King (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Baseball 100

"NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Winner of the CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year "An instant sports classic." —New York Post * "Stellar." —The Wall Street Journal * "A true masterwork…880 pages of sheer baseball bliss." —BookPage (starred review) * "This is a remarkable achievement." —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A magnum opus from acclaimed baseball writer Joe Posnanski, The Baseball 100 is an audacious, singular, and masterly book that took a lifetime to write. The entire story of baseball rings through a countdown of the 100 greatest players in history, with a foreword by George Will. Longer than Moby-Dick and nearly as ambitious, The Baseball 100 is a one-of-a-kind work by award-winning sportswriter and lifelong student of the game Joe Posnanski. In the book's introduction, Pulitzer Prize–winning commentator George F. Will marvels, "Posnanski must already have lived more than two hundred years. How else could he have acquired such a stock of illuminating facts and entertaining stories about the rich history of this endlessly fascinating sport?" Baseball's legends come alive in these pages, which are not merely rankings but vibrant profiles of the game's all-time greats. Posnanski dives into the biographies of iconic Hall of Famers, unfairly forgotten All-Stars, talents of today, and more. He doesn't rely just on records and statistics—he lovingly retraces players' origins, illuminates their characters, and places their accomplishments in the context of baseball's past and present. Just how good a pitcher is Clayton Kershaw in the 21st-century game compared to Greg Maddux dueling with the juiced hitters of the nineties? How do the career and influence of Hank Aaron compare to Babe Ruth's? Which player in the top ten most deserves to be resurrected from history? No compendium of baseball's legendary geniuses could be complete without the players of the segregated Negro Leagues, men whose extraordinary careers were largely overlooked by sportswriters at the time and unjustly lost to history. Posnanski writes about the efforts of former Negro Leaguers to restore sidelined Black athletes to their due honor and draws upon the deep troves of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and extensive interviews with the likes of Buck O'Neil to illuminate the accomplishments of players such as pitchers Satchel Paige and Smokey Joe Williams; outfielders Oscar Charleston, Monte Irvin, and Cool Papa Bell; first baseman Buck Leonard; shortstop Pop Lloyd; catcher Josh Gibson; and many, many more. The Baseball 100 treats readers to the whole rich pageant of baseball history in a single volume. Engrossing, surprising, and heartfelt, it is a magisterial tribute to the game of baseball and the stars who have played it."

Joe Posnanski (Author), Cary Hite (Narrator)

Audiobook

Carra: My Autobiography

"Brought to you by Penguin. For the Anfield faithful, Jamie Carragher represents everything that is great about Liverpool Football Club, prompting the Kop to sing 'we all dream of a team of Carraghers'. The club's vice-captain, longest-serving player and one of a select band of players to have made more than 500 appearances for the Reds, Carra never gives less than 100 per cent for the cause. He is the embodiment of old-fashioned football values - a rarity in the modern game - honest and uncompromising. In Carra: My Autobiography, the Liverpool defender takes us deep into the heart of Anfield, into the club's past glories and its uncertain future. In his typically down-to-earth style, Carra reveals what made him discard his blue Evertonian roots to become a fully fledged Red, how he mended his wild ways to become a true professional and a multiple trophy-winner, and the truth about a succession of managers - Evans, Houllier, Benítez - in the hottest seat in football. A Scouser through and through, Carra also has some forthright views on the England team, and tells why he rejected calls to return to the international fold. Full of sensational stories and controversial opinions, of glory and heartbreak on and off the pitch, Carra: My Autobiography is a football book unlike any other. The authentic voice of Anfield, Carra is one of the Bootroom Boys in true Liverpool tradition, and is as committed on the page as in every game he has played. © Jamie Carragher 2008 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Jamie Carragher (Author), Kent Riley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Belonging: The Autobiography

"This audiobook is strikingly and passionately read by the author, Alun Wyn Jones. 'A true warrior. He demands excellence from himself and others around him. He has had success and disappointment, joy and sadness. People think they know him but unless you read this book you will never know the REAL Alun Wyn Jones.' - Warren Gatland Match Day. Closing a hotel room door, down into the team room. Up into a hotel lobby full of supporters in red shirts, of cheers and applause and shouts of good luck. This is where the story of Alun Wyn Jones's journey begins, the story that every child who has dreamt of playing rugby for their country starts with. From the tightness in your stomach to the look on your team-mates' faces, the adrenaline starting to flow within. Belonging is the story about how the boy left Mumbles and returned as the most capped rugby player of all time. It is the story of what it takes to become a player who is seen by many as one of the greatest Welsh players there has ever been. What it takes to go from sitting, crossed legged on the hall floor at school, watching the 1997 Lions Tour of South Africa to being named the 2021 Lions Captain. But is it also about perthyn - belonging, playing for Wales, working your way through the age-grades and the club matches and regional sides. What it takes to earn the right to be there, and what it feels like to make the sacrifices along the way. Feeling the bond to the great players not long gone, and feeling the ties to the millions in front rooms and pubs across the hillsides and the valleys, coast to coast. Knowing that deep down you just want to belong, be a part of it, as everyone does. From the rain swept pitches of Swansea to making his test debut against Argentina in Patagonia in 2006, from touring with the Lions in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021 to losing a parent and building a family, Belonging is the autobiography of one of the most compelling figures in World rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate story of what it takes and what it means to play for your country: what it means to belong."

Alun Wyn Jones (Author), Alun Wyn Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Clubbie: A Minor League Baseball Memoir

"Greg Larson was a starry-eyed fan when he hurtled headfirst into professional baseball. As the new clubhouse attendant for the Aberdeen IronBirds, a Minor League affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, Larson assumed he'd entered a familiar world. He thought wrong. He quickly discovered the bizarre rituals of life in the Minors: fights between players, teammates quitting in the middle of the games, doomed relationships, and a negligent parent organization. Despite the team's struggles and his own lack of baseball talent, he yearned to join the exclusive fraternity of professional ballplayers. Like most Minor Leaguers, the gravitational pull of baseball was still too strong for Larson—even if chasing his private dream might cost him his girlfriend, his future, and, ultimately, his love of the game. That is, until an unlikely shot at a championship gives Larson and the IronBirds one final swing at redemption. An unflinching look at the harsh experience of professional sports, Clubbie will be a touchstone in baseball literature for years to come."

Greg Larson (Author), Kyle Tait (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sports Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir