Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #128449 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-15
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Colin Jackson's stature as one of the most celebrated of British athletes is assured; those who have watched his astonishing performances have marvelled at the sprint hurdler's effortless agility and breathtaking speed. With 25 major championship medals under his belt, there is little doubt that he is the most considerable athlete his particular sport has ever known. Colin Jackson: The Autobiography has arrived at a significant moment, just after the athlete announced his retirement after 20 years of top-level competition.

As readers of sports autobiographies know to their cost, such books can be by-rote, self-congratulatory accounts of sporting successes, but this is something different. While Jackson discusses such career bests as his breaking of the World Outdoor 110 metres record in Stuttgart in the 1990s, he is also prepared to talk about the bleak moments, such as his less-than-impressive showing at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics after an injury KO'd his chances. And Jackson's life has much more to it than sport: there are affecting passages here on the unexpected death of his fellow athlete Ross Baillie and his acrimonious break-up with friend and business partner Linford Christie. But it is writing about his sport that Jackson (aided by top sports journalist David Conn) really excels at: he makes it clear the nothing less than total dedication is involved in being a winner, and he is unsparing about the consequences of drugs. There is an unvarnished account, too, of the corruption Jackson has encountered in the sports business over the years. This is one of the most impressive of sports autobiographies written. --Barry Forshaw

Synopsis
In this autobiography, Colin chronicles his career and provides a compelling insight into what it means to lead the world in your chosen sport. Colin Jackson is one of the leading British athletes, a sprint hurdler of phenomenal speed and ability. Holding two world records, he has collected an amazing haul of 25 major championship medals and was, in the words of Michael Johnson, "the greatest sprint hurdler ever". Spring 2003 saw Colin hang up his spikes after 20 years competing at the pinacle of his sport. Here he describes the highs and lows of his career, from breaking the world 110mh record in 1993, to finishing only 7th in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He also gives his opinion of the darker side of athletics; the drugs, the corruption and the sacrifices an athlete needs to make to reach the top. He talks frankly about the split with his friend and business partner, Linford Christie, and the death of his friend and team-mate, Ross Baillie.

Customer Reviews

Colin
This book was amazingly uplifting and funny at times. It just proves how dedicated this man was to his sport. The book isnt without its sadness though and I think other readers will agree that the chapter about Ross is truely touching. I no most sports stars sacrifice a lot to be good at their sport and it seems that Colin Jackson sacrificed more than some.

His relationships with other sports stars and his coaches are truely amazing and this book is one one of the best reads Ive had in recent years. I hope everyone agrees with me

Well worth reading
COLIN JACKSON: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY is a must read for anyone interested in athletics or sports in general. I have marked it down only because I'd liked to have seen a full index of Jackson's race-results towards the end of the book, yet we only have names referenced. This aside, the book is not only an honest (tell-what-needs-to-be-told) autobiography that pulls no punches but it certainly keeps the reading flicking over the pages, eager to learn what may unfold on the next. Jackson hints at more to come, in terms of a book on nutrition and the mental aspect of success. I look forward to this work, and I also hope that Colin finds the inclination to pen another biography: along the lines of David Niven's BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES. With Jackson's sense of humour and time spent with some of the greats, this would be an interesting read to say the least. (Reviewed, Feb 2004.)

Amazing...
An absolutely amazing book! Couldn't keep my eyes off it until it was finished.
Everyone who is a fan of Athletics should read it as it is an inspiring, excellant book.