The most inspiring sporting stories of Kiwis who have triumphed against all odds. Kiwis adore underdogs. We never cheer louder than when the long-shot outsider charges in from nowhere to blitz the field, or the written-off veteran finds redemption. This book celebrates some of the most inspiring against-the-odds stories in New Zealand sport. From the famous to the forgotten, from the Carterton Showgrounds to the Stadio Olimpico, the tales within are a tribute to determination, self-belief and bloody mindedness.
Tour de France pioneer Harry Watson, Invercargill speed demon Burt Munro, Waiuku whitebaiting wonder Stephen Donald, tenacious runner Anne Audain, legendary tail-end batsman Ewen Chatfield: the dozens of sportspeople (and one horse) in this book come from across the codes but they have one thing, at least, in common. The odds may have been daunting, the critics scathing, the challenges formidable, but they never gave up.
Allen & Unwin - Trade Paperback - $35.00
2 comments:
Highly disappointing. Couldn't get past the cover and its description of Snell beating 'Swiss' Runner, Christian Wagli. Wagli, of course, finished a distant 5th. The runner Snell pips at the line is the former 800m world record holder, Belgium, Roger Moens, who is clearly not wearing a Swiss singlet.
This victory may have been surprising to the ignorant, but Lydiard, Snell's coach predicted it 3 years previously. In Garth Gilmour's book, 'Arthur Lydiard: Master Coach', p307 "3 years earlier… Lydiard forecast to his nearest neighbour: 'This boy will win the 800 metres Olympic title in 1960.' He also made it clear to Peter in a 2010 NZ Herald article by David Leggat, who wrote, "Think of Rome, 1960, and the three names will always be linked. Two supreme athletes and their master coach. Peter Snell and Murray Halberg tell a story which they say epitomised Arthur Lydiard's motivational ability. "We were in a jeep going from the village to the Olympic warm-up arena on the day," Halberg said. "Lydiard was on the right, Peter in the middle and I was on the other side in the back. He leant across in front of Peter and said to me: 'Peter is going to be an Olympic champion before you'.
I see that both authors are responsible for another similar thematic style work on New Zealanders, catering to short attention spans and would be scared to read further, fearing to find that some NZ yachtie was beaten by an Eskimo in a canoe at an international saling competition. When a classic photo known to all keen runners is used as a lure to catch the buyer, at least get the facts straight, even if you know nothing about athletics. Not recommended.
The man in black is wrong, I thought it was a great book.
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