Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20372 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-02
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 224 pages

Synopsis
The autobiography of the most outspoken member of the English rugby team explores the highs and lows of his remarkable life in rugby, and his eventful life off the pitch. Known as Shaggy to his mates, Greenwood is one of the sport's most engaging, intelligent, outspoken and witty characters. A Lancastrian to the tips of this size 12 boots, the giant centre has been and automatic choice in the England XV since his debut against Australia in 1997. A few months earlier he looked set to become only the third uncapped Englishman to play for the British Lions when he came within a whisker of losing his life after he was speared to the ground in a heavy tackle, lost consciousness and swallowed his tongue. After taking several months to recover he quickly made and impact at international level following a widespread clamour in the press for his call-up to the England side. An elegant riposte to the old jibe that England players lack guile and imagination, the Harlequins' and former Leicester centre has brought a shimmering, magical quality to his team's back play, opening up defences with clever angled running, superb distribution and a gravity-defying ability to stay up in the tackle.

Greenwood also featured in England's doomed World Cup campaign in 1999 before playing a central role in the team's dramatic triumph in Australia four years later. His life off the pitch has been no less eventful, he and his wife Caro having experienced extreme despair and joy in recent years with the loss of one son, Freddie, and the birth of another, Archie. Greenwood takes time to reflect in this revealing, honest, funny and moving book.

From the Publisher
The autobiography of the most outspoken member of the English rugby team explores the highs and lows of his remarkable life in rugby, and his eventful life off the pitch.

Customer Reviews

Read this Book!
Without a doubt one of the best autobiographies i have read, couldn't put it down!The book works because its open and honest,and i just didnt realise how funny Will Greenwood is!Its written in a laid back style, which means you don't have to concentrate too hard when your reading it, its almost like he's telling the story to a mate. I also thought it was good because it shows the highs and lows of being a professional rugby player, and it also gave me a new incite as to just how prepared the England team were for the World cup. The whole book just flowed and I was disappointed when it finished!great book!

Beautiful, Hilarious, everything
Easily one of the best autobiographies i have read hands down. At times hilarious and at times desperatley sad. his account of his son Freddie's death always gets me down and nealry gets me crying(i'm a guy). his view on rugby on and off the pitch is fantastic and his stories on Austin Healey are some of the funniest you could find. Also when Lewis Moody(Mongo) told on of the most important people in Australia to f**k off, i almost fell out of my chair. what a book and what a guy.

**Read For Fun**
Will has saved us going over the stats of games which is good if like me you have read quite a few rugby books already. Instead we are left with accounts of his life as a player etc.

Its a casual read as he writes as if hes speaking to a mate down the pub. But, it is also funny, especially if you're a Tigers fan like me. The stories of Austin Healey alone make it worth reading! The guy's hilarious.

Will certainly doesn't hold back when talking about players and off the feild stories which is refreshing. Had he been a football player I doubt the book would survive in this edition.

He also puts rugby/sport into perspective when he tells us of the troubles with his wife and children. The only problem I have is the design of the cover. The type and imagery are so messy. Its trivial but im an art student so forgive me! Last thought: To be fair, I did read this book in about 4 hrs without puttin it down.