Product Description

Michael Schumacher is the outstanding Formula One driver of his generation and, statistically, the greatest ever. Gifted with a rare blend of superior ability and nerve that defines a champion, for 15 seasons he has left rivals trailing in his wake, winning an unprecedented seven world drivers’ championships.
But he is a controversial figure, feared for his ruthless tactics, despised for using extreme methods in pursuit of his goals. THE EDGE OF GREATNESS examines Schumacher’s entire career: from his first Grand Prix with Jordan to his Benetton world championships and his attempt to win back Ferrari’s crown. It tells the story behind Schumacher’s record five consecutive world titles, uncovers the secrets of how he has stayed at the top for so long and examines the impact of his domination on the sport. Frank, honest, adroit and in-depth - James Allen reveals the anatomy of a champion.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50643 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 406 pages

Review

'it is the one book devoted to Schumacher that [Lewis] Hamilton would be advised to read'

( Daily Telegraph )

'high octane enjoyment'

( Manchester Evening News )

'a well-rounded and thought-provoking look at [Schumacher]'

(F1fanatic.co.uk )

'James pulls no punches while revealing the brutal and generous sides to this great champion'

( Scottish Sunday Post )

'a real winner'

( Herald Sun )

'Allen uncovers a more complex figure beneath…Fascinating'

(Sun Herald )

'Allen hedges his bets on the controversial crashes that tainted Schumacher’s reputation, but uncovers a more complex figure beneath'

(The Advertiser )

'Renowned F1 commentator James Allen cleverly dissects the mind of the world’s biggest sporting superstars to answer some age old questions…A must for budding sports psychologists'

(Inside Sport )

From the Back Cover
Michael Schumacher is the outstanding Formula One driver of the 1990s. Gifted with that blend of superior ability and nerve that defines a champion, he has earned his place amongst the greats of the sport. But he is also a highly controversial figure - feared by his rivals as a ruthless, determined racer who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and criticized on all sides for his unwillingness to admit mistakes.

Against the backdrop of Schumacher's quest to win the world championship for Ferrari, ITV's James Allen examines the contrasting sides of the man behind the headlines. With the full co-operation of Schumacher and the Ferrari team over two Grand Prix seasons, he tells the inside story of Schumacher's fall from grace following his cynical foul on Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in the 1997 title decider, his doomed pursuit of the 1998 world championship and his astonishing comeback from a leg-breaking accident at Silverstone in 1999.

With exclusive insights into Schumacher's methods, both on and off the track, as well as a close look at the workings of the Ferrari team, this is the definitive book on Michael Schumacher - in every sense, a man driven to extremes.

About the Author
James Allen is the lead commentator for ITV’s Formula 1 coverage. He has worked in the sport as a journalist and broadcaster since 1990. James replaced Murray Walker as the voice of motorsport in 2001 and, through his extensive work for the Financial Times, has established himself as one of the most authoritative writers in Formula 1.

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Customer Reviews

Indespensable Book. An insight into the mind of Schumi.
From the moment I picked this book up I knew I was addicted to it. No other book I have read on Schumi comes close to this.
This book truly focuses on the mind, psychology and dicipline of the greatest driver of this era.
It also explains the relationships between himself and the people around him in fine detail.

For those who just love F1 or are Schumi fans, you have to read this one. I wouldn't have given it five stars since I am a critical person if the book was not that good. Go ahead, read it.

A real insight into the real Michael Schumacher
This book provides a real insight into Michael Schumacher's life. It talks about his feelings both on and off the racing circuit, the importance of family life to him. It also goes into great detail about that controversial crash Jerez 1997. For those people who don't like Michael this book i'm sure will change your mind, you'll definitely realise he's just human, like the rest of us. Once you start reading this book you'll find it hard to put down.

A solid, interesting read.
Good F1 biographies are pretty rare - many of them are hack jobs written by journalists that turn these things out by the dozen. Surprisingly, this is very good. I'm not a particularly big Schumacher fan, but this is an excellent slice of history from an era where Schumacher was at his most controversial, and captures him at Ferrari just before the Brawn-Byrne-Schumacher-Todt regime became utterly dominant in the sport. Recommended.