Sports Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

There's more to winning battles than fists and feet For world-renowned professional fighter Georges St-Pierre, the greatest asset is not physical strength or athleticism-it's a sense of purpose. From his beginnings as a small, mercilessly bullied child first discovering karate to his years as a struggling garbage collector who spent all his free time in the gym, his hard-fought rise in the sport of mixed martial arts, and his long, painful recovery from a career-threatening injury, Georges never lost sight of his ambition to become the greatest martial artist of all time. In The Way of the Fight, Georges for the first time reveals what propelled him not only to become a champion but to embrace obstacles as opportunities to build character. Georges's story is interwoven with fascinating insights from those who know him best: his mother, who tells of his drive to master new skills, even as a child. His mentor Kristof Midoux, who describes a young fighter with an extraordinary sense of discipline. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher John Danaher, who witnessed the development of an indomitable work ethic. His coach Firas Zahabi, who worked alongside the champion through a potentially career-ending injury. And his longtime friend, training partner and manager, Rodolphe Beaulieu, who may understand this intensely focused athlete more than anyone. The Way of the Fight is an inspirational look into the mindset of a master. To Georges, all life is competition, and there's no more perfect metaphor for competition than the life of a fighter. He explains the value of discipline, risk and even fear, with the wisdom of one who knows that nothing is assured-his next fight could always be his last. Drawing inspiration from fighting legends, Eastern philosophy and a trusted inner circle, The Way of the Fight is a powerful, life-changing guide to living with purpose and finding the way to accomplish your loftiest goals.

Georges St-Pierre, Georges St. Pierre (Author), Eric James Stone, Eric Stone (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sum It Up

Pat Summitt, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history aad bestselling author of Reach for the Summitt and Raise The Roof, tells for the first time her remarkable story of victory and resilience as well as facing down her greatest challenge: early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Pat Summitt was only 21 when she became head coach of the Tennessee Vols women's basketball team. For 38 years, she has broken records, winning more games than any NCAA team in basketball history. She has coached an undefeated season, co-captained the first women's Olympic team, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, and has been named Sports Illustrated 'Sportswoman of the Year'. She owes her coaching success to her personal struggles and triumphs. She learned to be tough from her strict, demanding father. Motherhood taught her to balance that rigidity with communication and kindness. She is a role model for the many women she's coached; 74 of her players have become coaches. Pat's life took a shocking turn in 2011, when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, an irreversible brain condition that affects 5 million Americans. Despite her devastating diagnosis, she led the Vols to win their sixteenth SEC championship in March 2012. Pat continues to be a fighter, facing this new challenge the way she's faced every other--with hard work, perseverance, and a sense of humor.

Pat Head Summitt, Sally Jenkins (Author), Sally Jenkins (Narrator)

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The Ghost Runner: The Tragedy of the Man They Couldn't Stop

The mystery man threw off his disguise and started to run. Furious stewards gave chase. The crowd roared. A legend was born. Soon the world would know him as "the ghost runner, "John Tarrant, the extraordinary man whom nobody could stop. As a hapless teenage boxer in the 1950s, he'd been paid Â£17 expenses. When he wanted to run, he was banned for life. His amateur status had been compromised ... forever. Now he was fighting back, gate-crashing races all over Britain. No number on his shirt. No friends in high places. Soon he would be a record-breaker, one of the greatest long-distance runners the world had ever seen. This cross between Once a Runner and Chariots of Fire tells the heartbreaking story of this remarkable individual. "An astonishing story of staggering grit and determination."-The Independent (London)

Bill Jones (Author), Clive Anderson (Narrator)

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Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court

The popular ESPN basketball analyst and former Duke player looks at the true meaning of toughness. If anyone knows tough, it's Jay Bilas. A four-year starter at Duke, he learned an incomparable work ethic under coach Mike Krzyzewski, battling against the greatest college players in the game. After playing professionally overseas for several years, he returned to Duke, where he served as Krzyzewski's assistant coach for three seasons, during which the Blue Devils won back-to-back titles. A graduate of Duke Law School, he has since become one of basketball's most recognizable faces through his insightful, intelligent work on ESPN's SportsCenter and College GameDay. Through his ups and downs, on and off the court, Jay learned the true meaning of toughness from coaches, teammates, and colleagues. Now, he discusses this misunderstood-yet vital-attribute and how it contributes to winning in sports and in life. Featuring never-before-heard stories and personal philosophies on toughness from top players and coaches including Coach K, Bob Knight, Grant Hill, Mia Hamm, Jon Gruden, Tom Izzo, Bill Self, Curtis Strange, and many others-Bilas redefines what it takes to succeed.

Jay Bilas (Author), Jay Bilas (Narrator)

Audiobook

Long Shot

Mike Piazza's autobiography-the candid story of the greatest hitting catcher in the history of baseball, from his inauspicious draft selection to his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements and the unusual controversies that marked his career. Mike Piazza was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 baseball draft as a "courtesy pick." The Dodgers never expected him to play for them-or anyone else. Mike had other ideas. Overcoming his detractors, he became the National League rookie of the year in 1993, broke the record for season batting average by a catcher, holds the record for career home runs at his position, and was selected as an All Star twelve times. Mike was groomed for baseball success by his ambitious, self-made father in Pennsylvania, a classic father-son American-dream story. With the Dodgers, Piazza established himself as baseball's premier offensive catcher; but the team never seemed willing to recognize him as the franchise player he was. He joined the Mets and led them to the memorable 2000 World Series with their cross-town rivals, the Yankees. Mike tells the story behind his dramatic confrontation with Roger Clemens in that series. He addresses the steroid controversy that hovered around him and Major League Baseball during his time and provides valuable perspective on the subject. Mike also addresses the rumors of being gay and describes the thrill of his game-winning home run on September 21, 2001, the first baseball game played in New York after the 9/11 tragedy. Along the way, he tells terrific stories about teammates and rivals that baseball fans will devour. Long Shot is written with insight, candor, humor, and charm. It's surprising and inspiring, one of the great sports autobiographies.

Mike Piazza (Author), Holter Graham, Hotler Graham, Lonnie Wheeler, Mike Piazza (Narrator)

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Manchester's Finest: How the Munich air disaster broke the heart of a great city

On 6 February 1958, British European Airways flight 609 crashed in a blizzard on its third attempt to take off from an icy runaway in Munich. On board were the Manchester United football team as well as a number of journalists and other passengers. News of the disaster sent shockwaves around the world. For people who lived in Manchester at the time and for football fans throughout Britain it was one of those moments when everybody remembers exactly where they were and how they heard the terrible news. Manchester United, nicknamed the Busby Babes after their manager, Matt Busby, who had created the world-beating side, were the leading team of the day. Seven of their players were killed instantly in the crash. Three weeks later Duncan Edwards, one of the most promising players ever to come out of England, lost his battle for life. Two other players, Jackie Blanchflower and Johnny Berry, were so severely injured that they were never able to play again. Manchester's Finest tells of this terrible air crash, but it is also the story of the immediate aftermath of the disaster and the effect on the city of Manchester. It paints a vivid picture of Manchester at that time, from February 1958 to the end of the season in May when a patched-up team, carried along on a great wave of emotion, reached the FA Cup Final. It is about the fans, the people of Manchester and about the place of a football team in the heart of a city.

David Hall (Author), Jonathan Keeble (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Road Back Home: A Northern Childhood

I had not lived in the former pit village of Lynemouth since 1961 but the winding road north from Newcastle will always be the same nostalgic highway, each twist charged with vivid memories and powerful emotions...'So begins a story full of wonderful humour, emotional candour and hardy tales of tough times - a quietly epic family saga set amid the pit villages of the North East . It stretches from the 1920s, before Sid's parents had even met, to the final closing of the mine and his mother's death in 1999.Sid paints a picture of a colourful, tight knit community full of good times and hard work, god-fearing women and hard-drinking men. Always dominating the skyline is Auld Betty, the pit head that took the men away each day and, with a prayer, brought them back each evening. Amongst the unforgettable cast of his extended family and friends, we follow the Waddells' attempts to stay afloat and provide a better future and possible escape for youngsters like Sid.

Sid Waddell (Author), Gordon Griffin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Francona: The Red Sox Years

From famed manager Terry Francona, a lively, unvarnished narrative of his tenure with the storied Boston Red Sox From 2004 to 2011, Terry Francona managed the Boston Red Sox, the most talked about, scrutinized team in all of sports. In Francona the legendary manager opens up for the first time about his eight years there, as they went from cursed franchise to one of the most successful and profitable in baseball history. He takes readers inside the rarefied world of a 21st-century clubhouse, from 2004 when they won their first championship in 86 years, through another win in 2007, to the controversial September collapse just four years later. He recounts the tightrope walk of managing personalities like Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez, working with Theo Epstein and his statistics-driven executives, balancing their data with the emotions of a 25-man roster, and meeting the expectations of three owners with often wildly differing opinions. Along the way listeners are treated with back-slapping, never-before-told stories about their favorite players, moments, losses, and wins. Those eight years were a wild, unforgettable ride, and now the fascinating full story can be told in an audiobook that examines like no other the art of managing in today's game.

Dan Shaughnessy, Terry Francona (Author), Jeff Gurner (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Ashes According to Bumble

Bumble is back! The funny, forthright and not infrequently filthy author of best-seller 'Start the Car' and star of Sky Sports returns with a new collection of yarns from his years at the crease and at the microphone. It's the book that Bumble's many fans have been longing for.After three long years, Bumble is finally back! The outspoken author of best-seller 'Start the Car' returns with a whole new cricket bag full of yarns from his years on the pitch and in the commentary box.Expect more tales of Bumble's time rubbing shoulders (and chinking glasses) with the great (as well as not so great) and good (as well as bloody awful) of cricket.Released alongside England's home Ashes series, there will be more than a few stories of Bumble's encounters with the Aussies over the years, but that's not to say this will be any less rambling, madcap and downright fun than we've come to expect, and hope for, from the great David 'Bumble' Lloyd

David Lloyd (Author), James Quinn (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heisman

To the select fraternity of men who have won the Heisman Trophy since its inception in 1935, the award is so much more than just a football trophy. The Heisman is a national symbol of collegiate football experience and competitiveness. Over time, it has become the single most celebrated individual award in all of American sports. Although the Heisman Trophy is old, it does not age. If anything, its impact gets stronger every year. No other individual award captures the country's imagination like the Heisman does. From the very first time toe meets leather to kick off a college football season, fans across the country begin debating which players will be the top Heisman Trophy candidates. While the Heisman Trophy is the most famous individual award in sports, very little is known about John W. Heisman, the man the Downtown Athletic Club of New York chose to honor in 1936 by naming its national player of the year award for him. In Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy, John M. Heisman, the legendary coach's great-nephew, and New York Times bestselling author Mark Schlabach offer college football fans across the country the first authorized and definitive biography of the man whose life has been memorialized by the Heisman Trophy. After combing through thousands of pages of Heisman's personal documents, writings, playbooks, and never-before-published correspondence with some of college football's most famous coaches, the authors have chronicled Heisman's life from a young boy growing up on the oil fields of northwest Pennsylvania to eventually becoming one of the sport's most innovative and successful coaches.

John M. Heisman, Mark Schlabach (Author), Mark Boyd (Narrator)

Audiobook

Babe Ruth Baseball Legend

Here for the first time is a delightful audio documentary of this hard living, hard drinking, Yankee icon, featuring never before heard interviews and lively narration of his heady days as the Yankee's greatest treasure. In this exciting new audio biography of baseball's greatest gift to the world, Babe Ruth lives again in all his high living, hard slugging glory! A larger than life legend for the ages!

Geoffrey Giuliano (Author), Geoffrey Giuliano (Narrator)

Audiobook

Baseball Legend Joe DiMaggio

Here is Joe DiMaggio, baseball's man for all seasons in a stunning new audio documentary. DiMaggio's life and times are chronicled here from the rough and ready streets of San Francisco to the shady winding lanes of Beverly Hills and, most importantly, the Yankee's gritty sawdust dugout. This stunning audio biography includes touching celebrity tributes to the gentle giant of American sports as well as rare interviews with the man himself. A must have for all true baseball fans.

Geoffrey Giuliano (Author), Geoffrey Giuliano (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sports Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir