Sports Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

The Role I Played: Canada's Greatest Olympic Hockey Team

"A three-time Olympic medalist shares behind-the-scenes insight into the beloved Canadian National Women's Hockey Team Men's hockey in Canada may hog the limelight, but interest in women's hockey has never been higher. The Role I Played is a memoir of Sami Jo Small's ten years with Canada's National Women's Hockey Team. Beginning with her experience as a rookie at the first-ever women's Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano in 1998 and culminating with Canada's third straight Olympic gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, the veteran goaltender gives the listener behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most successful teams in sports history. Small offers insider access, writing with unflinching honesty about the triumphs of her greatest games and the anguish of difficult times. This book honors the individuals who sacrificed so much of their lives to represent Canada on a world stage and celebrates their individual contributions to the team's glory. While bringing the personalities of her teammates to life, Small takes the listener into the dressing rooms and onto the ice for an up-close glimpse into the ups and downs of athletes pursuing a sport's highest achievement."

Sami Jo Small (Author), Chloe Cannon (Narrator)

Audiobook

Morgan's Men

"A lively insider account of the England cricket team's successful World Cup campaign. From English cricket's embarrassing failure at the 2015 World Cup to their heart-stopping victory four years later, Nick Hoult and Steve James vividly describe the team's dramatic journey from abject disappointment to finally lifting the trophy. Morgan's Men reveals how the team became the most aggressive limited-overs side in the world, led by their inspirational captain Eoin Morgan, whose vision and determination to succeed captured the imagination of the nation. Hoult and James follow England's journey from Bangladesh to Barbados, from Melbourne to Manchester, to present the inside story of the team's rebirth. They tell us how players dealt with the Ben Stokes court case, the sacking of Alex Hales for a drugs ban, and reveal the innovative new strategies and tactics that helped them become the best in the world, culminating in a World Cup final that was arguably the greatest one-day match of all time."

Nick Hoult, Steve James (Author), Andy Cresswell (Narrator)

Audiobook

My Old Man and the Mountain: A Memoir

"In 1963, the world followed the first American Mount Everest Expedition, and watched as 'Big Jim' Whittaker became the first American to stand on top of the world. He returned home a hero. My Old Man and the Mountain is Leif Whittaker's engaging and humorous story of what it was like to 'grow up Whittaker'—the youngest son of Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts, in an extended family of accomplished climbers. He shares glimpses of his upbringing and how the pressure to climb started early on. Listeners learn of his first adventures with family in the Olympic Mountains and on Mount Rainier; his close yet at times competitive relationship with his brother Joss; his battle with a serious back injury; and his efforts to stand apart from his father's legacy. With wry honesty he depicts being a recent college grad, still living in his parents' home and trying to find a purpose in life—digging ditches, building houses, selling t-shirts to tourists—until a chance encounter leads to the opportunity to climb Everest, just like his father did."

Leif Whittaker (Author), Eric Michael Summerer (Narrator)

Audiobook

BEYOND AVERAGE: Developing Yourself Through the 20x Principle

"Mental toughness is the key to endurance events and business success. Robert Hamilton Owens is a master of the mental game - he completed 5 major endurance events in one year- at the age of 65. This former Air Force Pararescueman shares his compelling stories of overcoming physical and mental pain and how he accomplished so much on one year."

Robert Hamilton Owens (Author), Robert Hamilton Owens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Frankel: The Greatest Racehorse of All Time and the Sport That Made Him

"In horse racing greatness is defined by speed. Being the second fastest counts for little. You have to win. And win. And keep winning until every challenger of your generation is put to the sword. Of the twelve horses lined up on Newmarket Heath that 2011 day, one would do just that. And more. To become the greatest racehorse that has ever lived. Frankel was born on 11 February 2008, with four white socks and a blaze, from impressive equine lines on both his parents’ sides. Simon Cooper revisits the whole of the horse’s life, giving readers an inside tour of the calm oasis that is life a stud farm, where a foal will live with his mother for the first year of his life. Next, the atmosphere of heady possibility that marks the early days of training. Roadwork. Gallops. Trials. Turning raw potential into something more. Frankel begins to set himself apart. A detailed and fast-paced narrative breathlessly recounts the racing career of the horse who, by his retirement to stud at the age of 4, would be rated the greatest of all time. Cooper weaves the horse’s tale with those of his trainer, battling cancer, the stablehands who coped with his explosive nature, the work rider who tamed him, the the jockey who rode in all fourteen of his races, and the owner who saw his potential from the very beginning. The result is a rich and multifaceted tale of modern horse racing, the lives of everyone involved, human and equine, and the unadulterated glory of winning. And winning everything."

Simon Cooper (Author), Rupert Bush (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - The Great Nowitzki - Das außergewöhnliche Leben des großen deutschen Sportlers (Ungekürzt

"'All die Stunden in der Halle, die Niederlagen und Siege, all die Geschichten und Gedanken - es braucht einen Autor wie Thomas Pletzinger, um die richtigen Worte für meine Welt und mein Spiel zu finden. Ich hätte mir keinen besseren wünschen können.' Dirk Nowitzki Wenn man über Dirk Nowitzki spricht, kommt man an Superlativen nicht vorbei. Er gehört zu den Legenden seiner Sportart, ist ein globaler Superstar - und als Mensch zugleich nahbar und schwer zu fassen. Thomas Pletzinger hat den Ausnahmesportler über viele Jahre begleitet, er wurde Teil von dessen Kosmos. In The Great Nowitzki zeigt er uns das Universum eines Sportstars und die ungesehene Welt jenseits des Scheinwerferlichts - zwischen Flughäfen, Turnhallen und Nowitzkis Haus in Dallas. Pletzinger stellt ganz persönliche Fragen und spricht mit Gegnern und Mitspielern, Fans und Coaches, Wissenschaftlern und Künstlern. So entsteht eine brillante Nahaufnahme des außergewöhnlichen Menschen und Sportlers Dirk Nowitzki."

Thomas Pletzinger (Author), Julian Mehne (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stumped: One cricket umpire, two countries. A memoir.

"From Kent's Green Fields to Australia's Premier Pitches: One Umpire's Revolutionary Journey A cricket-mad Australian is living in England when he trades his playing whites for an umpire's coat. For the next six years, he has the best seat in the house, umpiring matches at some of the world's most picturesque cricket grounds in Kent and Sussex. But it's his return to Australia that bowls him a googly. Captivated by the skill and talent of the world's best female cricketers, he joins the Victorian Premier Cricket Umpires Panel, asking to stand exclusively in women's matches. Will the cricketing establishment embrace his vision, or will his umpiring career be run out before it has begun? Stumped is a unique and entertaining tribute to an ancient and fascinating pastime - a delightful recollection filled with humour, insight, and a genuine love for cricket. From the intricacies of umpiring to the changing face of the sport, this extraordinary tale offers a fresh perspective that will appeal to cricket enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Step onto the pitch with author and umpire Richard Harrison as he breaks new ground in women's cricket and shares his passion for the game. Whether you are a die-hard fan or simply curious about the nuances of umpiring, Stumped is your invitation to share in this remarkable story. Don't be caught on the back foot - get your copy of Stumped now and enjoy this inspiring, laugh-out-loud memoir today."

Richard Harrison (Author), Richard Harrison (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey

"Now an ABC reality series entitled Ultimate Surfer, starring 11-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater Eleven-time world surfing champion, actor, and American heartthrob Kelly Slater tells his inspiring story of triumph over adversity From Beach Blanket Bingo to Baywatch to Blue Crush, surfing has fascinated people for years, and Kelly Slater is the sport’s hottest star. He has won more world championships than any other competitor, and he continues to change peoples’ minds about what can and can’t be done on a surfboard. His wild ride has included fame, fortune, a stint on Baywatch, and a high-profile relationship with Pamela Anderson. Not bad for a skinny kid from a broken home in Cocoa Beach, Florida. In Pipe Dreams, Kelly takes the reader into oceans around the world to take on thunderous walls of water and shares the outrageous stories, solemn moments, and undeniable spirit that have made him a superstar. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Kelly Slater (Author), Todd Haberkorn (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Divine Miss Marble: A Life of Tennis, Fame, and Mystery

""In Robert Weintraub's exhaustive biography, The Divine Miss Marble, he transports the reader into Marble's vibrant world. It's a dreamy, indomitable life worth reading about as today's tennis tries to return to form."-The Washington Post "An intriguing book about a fascinating woman…highly recommended."-Library Journal (starred review) "Delightful and engrossing, this is a must for tennis fans."-Publishers Weekly The story of 1930s tennis icon Alice Marble, and her life of sports, celebrity, and incredible mystery. Who was Alice Marble? In her public life, she was the biggest tennis star of the pre-war era, a household name like Joe DiMaggio and Joe Louis. She was famous for overcoming serious illness to win the biggest tournaments, including Wimbledon. She was also a fashion designer and trendsetter, a contributor to a pioneering new comic called Wonder Woman-and friend to the biggest names in Hollywood and society, like Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies, and members of families named Bloomingdale, Loew, and du Pont. She helped integrate tennis with her support of Althea Gibson, and even coached two young women who became stars in their own right: Billie Jean King and Sally Ride. Yet her private life provoked constant speculation while she was alive, and her own memoirs added layers of legend upon stories. According to Alice, she married a man who was killed in the skies over Europe during World War II. But who was the man she loved, and had he even existed? She was widely known for her patriotism during World War II. Had she really nearly given her life for her country as a spy, shot during a wild car chase fleeing foreign espionage agents? In The Divine Miss Marble, bestselling author Robert Weintraub traveled the country to uncover her fascinating story. And the more he learned about her, the more her mysteries and contradictions deepened. Alice was a powerful woman who knew her worth, demanding equal pay to men decades earlier than other female athletes; yet she was held in sway by a domineering, highly successful coach with whom she had a volatile relationship. She was renowned for her California style, and had a brilliant mind and the guts to overcome a lifetime of physical trauma. For the first time here, we come closer than ever before to the truths of this unforgettable life, and somehow it's a story even more extraordinary than everything we already know about the divine Alice Marble."

Robert Weintraub (Author), Johnathan Mcclain (Narrator)

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My Name'5 Doddie: The Autobiography

"MY NAME'5 DODDIE is a humbling, courageous and very funny celebration of a remarkable man. The extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of Doddie Weir is an absolute must-listen – rugby fan or not. Rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir has always lived life to the full. On the pitch, Doddie's irresistible talent took him to the heart of every team he graced, and brought him 61 caps for Scotland. He won fans all over the world with his sportsmanship, humour and boundless energy. Then, in June 2017, Doddie made the announcement that he had been diagnosed with MND. With no cure and almost no treatment of any sort available, Doddie set out to do what he could to change that, tackling the issue head on with his trademark positivity and good humour. Since then, his Foundation has raised and pledged millions towards research into this dreadful condition and his tireless campaigning has transcended the world of sport. “Lucid, brave, and full of the wit and character that makes him the legend he is” – RORY BREMNER"

Doddie Weir, Stewart Weir (Author), Andrew Cotter (Narrator)

Audiobook

Into The Bear Pit: The Explosive Autobiography

"Full of startling revelations, this is the previously untold story of greed, corruption and scandal at the heart of Rangers F.C., told, definitively, by the man who was at the very centre of the storm. From being the most dominant club in Scottish football history, Rangers F.C. was sold to Craig Whyte in 2011 . . . for £1. Although touted as Rangers’ saviour, he was soon hung out to dry as the fall guy for Rangers’ misery as the unthinkable happened. The club was plunged into liquidation and the club suffered the indignity of demotion to the lowest echelon of Scottish football. The demise of Rangers saw Whyte’s reputation eviscerated on the pages of every newspaper, his name vilified on radio shows, TV programmes and blogs. In 2012, he was arrested and accused of fraud. Although he was acquitted, he had to endure years of false accusations from media outlets and multiple death threats from fans. Now, for the very first time, this is his account of the events that shocked world football. “Incendiary…packed full of explosive revelations” – THE HERALD “Deliciously indiscreet” – THE SCOTSMAN"

Craig Whyte (Author), David Mccallion (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Russian Affair: The True Story of the Couple who Uncovered the Greatest Sporting Scandal

"LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2020 'Reads like a thriller, or even a spy novel...Walsh keeps you gripped' Rosamund Urwin, Sunday Times 'A turbulent but ultimately inspiring tale. The candour...is rare and gripping' Matt Dickinson, The Times It was the story that shocked the world: Russian athletics was revealed to be corrupt from top to bottom, with institutionalised doping used to help the nation's athletes win medals they did not deserve. But the full story of the couple who blew the whistle has never been told - until now. When Russian anti-doping official Vitaly Stepanov met the young 800m athlete Yuliya Rusanova, for him it was love at first sight. Within two months, they were married. But there was a problem - in fact, there were lots of problems. She admitted she was doping and that everyone else was doping, and she let him know that she came from a dark place … It could all have brought a very swift end to a very hasty marriage, but gradually the Stepanovs began to realise that whatever you did, the system in Russia was stacked against you. In the end, the only ones they could rely upon were each other. Fully aware of the risks they were taking, they decided to turn the tables on those who had manipulated them and cheated the sporting world. The result of their investigative work sent shockwaves around the planet and led to Russia's athletes being banned from world sport, while the Stepanovs themselves had to go into hiding. The Russian Affair is a gripping true-life drama that at times reads like a spy novel and at others like an epic love story. But, at the centre of it all, is a quietly determined couple who knew that if they stood together they could shine a light on a corrupt system and bring it crashing to the ground."

David Walsh (Author), Michael Fenner (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sports Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir