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Find out moreGareth Thomas was born in 1974. He played rugby union for Bridgend, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse and Cardiff Blues, winning 100 international caps for Wales and captaining the British and Irish Lions. In 2010 he switched to rugby league, playing for the Crusaders RL, and for Wales. He retired from rugby in October 2011. Gareth announced publicly in 2009 that he is gay, and was voted the most influential gay person by Stonewall that year. He is a dedicated supporter of the charity Childline.
Winner of the Sports Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. In 2009 Gareth Thomas was quoted as saying “It ended my marriage and nearly drove me to suicide. Now it’s time to tell the world the truth – I’m gay”. Bowing to the intolerable pressure of hiding his true self Gareth Thomas stepped out of the shadows. Since then he’s retired from playing Rugby, now able to look back at his life, the regrets, the triumphs, and above all how that 2009 announcement changed his life. ~ Sue Baker Winner of the Autobiography of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Shortlisted for the Rugby Book of the Year Award at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Like for Like Reading Alone: The Triumph and Tragedy of John Curry, Bill Jones Forbidden Forward: The Justin Fashanu Story, Nick Baker
Winner of the Sports Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Winner of the Autobiography of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Shortlisted for the Rugby Book of the Year Award at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. In 2009 Gareth Thomas was quoted as saying “It ended my marriage and nearly drove me to suicide. Now it’s time to tell the world the truth – I’m gay”. Bowing to the intolerable pressure of hiding his true self Gareth Thomas stepped out of the shadows. Since then he’s retired from playing Rugby, now able to look back at his life, the regrets, the triumphs, and above all how that 2009 announcement changed his life. Like for Like Reading Alone: The Triumph and Tragedy of John Curry, Bill Jones Forbidden Forward: The Justin Fashanu Story, Nick Baker
Winner of the Sports Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. In 2009 Gareth Thomas was quoted as saying “It ended my marriage and nearly drove me to suicide. Now it’s time to tell the world the truth – I’m gay”. Bowing to the intolerable pressure of hiding his true self Gareth Thomas stepped out of the shadows. Since then he’s retired from playing Rugby, now able to look back at his life, the regrets, the triumphs, and above all how that 2009 announcement changed his life. ~ Sue Baker Winner of the Autobiography of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Shortlisted for the Rugby Book of the Year Award at the British Sports Book Awards 2015. Like for Like Reading Alone: The Triumph and Tragedy of John Curry, Bill Jones Forbidden Forward: The Justin Fashanu Story, Nick Baker
From postman to captain of the British and Irish Lions, Gareth Thomas's story is a remarkable one. Universally known by his nickname 'Alfie', Thomas has amassed an incredible list of achievements in more than a decade at the top of his sport: in 2005, he racked up not just the Grand Slam but also a Heineken Cup-winner's medal with Toulouse; he stepped into the breach as leader of Sir Clive Woodward's Lions when captain Brian O'Driscoll's tour was prematurely ended; and he reached the milestone of 100 caps, the most won by any Wales player, during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Away from the field, Thomas's experiences have often read like a real-life soap opera. In 2006, a potentially life-threatening neck injury resulted in a mini-stroke that almost ended his career. There was also a French court appearance for alleged affray, the anguish of the saga surrounding Mike Ruddock's controversial departure in 2006 and a Six Nations ban following an altercation with Ulster supporters at a Heineken Cup match. Yet, amid the highs and lows of a remarkable rugby odyssey, it is Thomas's alternative yet engaging personality that marks him out as a true one-off. Never afraid to speak his mind, he has made it to the top simply by being himself. In Alfie!, Thomas reveals the inside story of his incredible life and offers readers an insight into one of the most intriguing personalities in rugby.
This is a major English study of the novels of the Spanish Civil War. The book is based on an analysis of some eighty Spanish novels, written in Spain and abroad (in exile) during the Franco period (1936-1975), in which the Civil War is the major theme. The works are related to earlier examples of war literature, such as the French novels of World War I. Dr Thomas examines the effects of propaganda from both Left and Right in the early Civil War novels, as well as the disillusionment of later works when the sincerity of Republican and Nationalist ideals is seriously questioned. The effects of propaganda and censorship on literary style are also discussed. Major writers like Max Aub, Francisco Ayala, Ramon Sender and Camilo Jose Cela are covered in depth; and there is a comprehensive bibliography covering primary and secondary sources, together with a glossary of Civil War terms. The Novel of the Spanish Civil War offers a highly illuminating view of the perception by creative writers of the political, religious and moral issues of war throughout a troubled period.
From postman to captain of the British and Irish Lions, Gareth Thomas' story is remarkable by any sportsman's standards. Universally known by his nickname 'Alfie', Thomas has amassed an incredible list of achievements in more than a decade at the top of his sport: he has claimed a record number of Test tries for his country, beating the mark of 33 set by Ieuan Evans; in 2005, he racked up not just the Grand Slam but also a Heineken Cup-winner's medal with Toulouse; he stepped into the breach as leader of Sir Clive Woodward's Lions when captain Brian O'Driscoll's tour was prematurely ended; and he reached the milestone of 100 caps, the most won by any Wales player, during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.Away from the field, Thomas' experiences have often read like a real-life soap opera. In 2006, a potentially life-threatening neck injury resulted in a mini-stroke that almost ended his career. There was also a French court appearance for alleged affray, the anguish of the saga surrounding Mike Ruddock's controversial departure in 2006 and a Six Nations ban following an altercation with Ulster supporters at a Heineken Cup match. Yet, amid the highs and lows of a remarkable rugby odyssey, it is Thomas' alternative yet engaging personality that marks him out as a true one-off. Never afraid to speak his mind, he has made it to the top simply by being himself. In Alfie! , Thomas reveals the inside story of his incredible life and offers readers an insight into one of the most intriguing personalities the game has ever known.
This is a major English study of the novels of the Spanish Civil War. The book is based on an analysis of some eighty Spanish novels, written in Spain and abroad (in exile) during the Franco period (1936-1975), in which the Civil War is the major theme. The works are related to earlier examples of war literature, such as the French novels of World War I. Dr Thomas examines the effects of propaganda from both Left and Right in the early Civil War novels, as well as the disillusionment of later works when the sincerity of Republican and Nationalist ideals is seriously questioned. The effects of propaganda and censorship on literary style are also discussed. Major writers like Max Aub, Francisco Ayala, Ramon Sender and Camilo Jose Cela are covered in depth; and there is a comprehensive bibliography covering primary and secondary sources, together with a glossary of Civil War terms. The Novel of the Spanish Civil War offers a highly illuminating view of the perception by creative writers of the political, religious and moral issues of war throughout a troubled period.
