Brian Moore, or 'Pitbull' as he came to be known during nearly a decade at the heart of the England rugby team's pack, established himself as one of the game's original hard men at a time when rugby was still an amateur sport. Since his retirement, he has earned a reputation as an equally uncompromising commentator, never afraid to tell it as he sees it and lash out at the money men and professionals that have made rugby into such a different beast. Yet, for all his bullishness on and off the pitch, there also appears a more unconventional, complicated side to the man. A solicitor by trade, Moore's love of fine wine, career experience as a manicurist and preference for reading Shakespeare in the dressing room before games, mark him out as anything but the stereotypical rugby player and in Beware of the Dog Moore lays open with astounding frankness the shocking events, both personal and professional, that have gone towards shaping him over the years. Presenting an unparalleled insight into the mind of one of British rugby's greatest players and characters, Beware of the Dog is a uniquely engaging and upfront sporting memoir.
Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All
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Review
`This is more than just a sports memoir, with Moore proving that appearances can be deceptive' --News of the World
'As Beware of the Dog amply illustrates, the boy can write a bit, too'
--Sunday Times
'An intense but well-considered study of the psychology of the international sportsman . . . fascinating stuff'
--Sport magazine
`Full of frank insights into the world of rugby and shocking personal revelations'
--Daily Telegraph 16/3
'As Beware of the Dog amply illustrates, the boy can write a bit, too'
--Sunday Times
'An intense but well-considered study of the psychology of the international sportsman . . . fascinating stuff'
--Sport magazine
`Full of frank insights into the world of rugby and shocking personal revelations'
--Daily Telegraph 16/3
About the Author
Brian Moore won 64 caps for the England rugby team between 1987 and 1995. He played in three Rugby World Cups and won the Grand Slam in 1991, 1992 and 1995. He went on two British Lions tours. Originally a qualified solicitor, he writes for the Sun and the Telegraph newspapers and is a co-commentator for international rugby matches alongside Eddie Butler on BBC TV.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By George
Format:Hardcover
Beware of The Dog is an extraordinarily candid sports autobiography. The passages about Moore's now well-documented childhood abuse which begin the book are incredibly powerful and cast a fascinating and tragic light over the rest of his remarkable story. Over the first couple of chapters, the reader gets to know the man in an entirely unexpected and disarming way which means the descriptions of his state of mind during the highs and lows of his subsequent rugby career are utterly compelling. They are also fascinating insights for fans of the sport. Moore is a brilliant writer, precise and clever, and he tells some great rugby stories as well as baring his soul to the world. The result is a quite wonderful read, a sports book of rare depth and quality which I cannot recommend highly enough.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Bonita Red
Format:Hardcover
Clearly this is not the typical sporting biography,nor is he seeking to 'use' the abuse issue to sell the book.
It is a tremendous book.
I guess ,for Brian Moore , it was cathartic.
The last couple of chapters referring to his Daily Telegraph article on Daniel James, and meeting his birth mother, were heart wrenching.
It reads as though he wrote it himself,his earlier biography having been penned by Stephen Jones.
The book does him enormous credit.
It is a tremendous book.
I guess ,for Brian Moore , it was cathartic.
The last couple of chapters referring to his Daily Telegraph article on Daniel James, and meeting his birth mother, were heart wrenching.
It reads as though he wrote it himself,his earlier biography having been penned by Stephen Jones.
The book does him enormous credit.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this a very good book - far better than the usual blandly ghosted sporting autobiographies. It won the 2010 Sports Book Of The Year Award, and deservedly so, in my view.
Two things make it stand out: the first is the writing itself. Moore has a slightly odd prose style which is influenced by his the legal training, and this gives it a quirky, almost clumsy feel at times. I really liked this because it is so obviously Moore himself talking to you, and really brings his sincere, sometimes painfully honest account to life.
More important is the account itself. There is, pretty obviously, a good deal about rugby which I enjoyed very much and found very interesting. However, it is Moore's relatively brief accounts of the psychological effects of his being adopted and of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child which are the really powerful parts of the book. I think he deals with them brilliantly, trying to be as honest and insightful as possible about how these things have affected him, but doesn't dwell needlessly and there is no hint of that loathsome celebrity "My Agony" stuff. It is straightforward, un-self-pitying, courageous and insightful.
This book is well worth reading even if you only have a passing interest in rugby. It is far more than just the account of a distinguished sporting career and I recommend it warmly.
Two things make it stand out: the first is the writing itself. Moore has a slightly odd prose style which is influenced by his the legal training, and this gives it a quirky, almost clumsy feel at times. I really liked this because it is so obviously Moore himself talking to you, and really brings his sincere, sometimes painfully honest account to life.
More important is the account itself. There is, pretty obviously, a good deal about rugby which I enjoyed very much and found very interesting. However, it is Moore's relatively brief accounts of the psychological effects of his being adopted and of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child which are the really powerful parts of the book. I think he deals with them brilliantly, trying to be as honest and insightful as possible about how these things have affected him, but doesn't dwell needlessly and there is no hint of that loathsome celebrity "My Agony" stuff. It is straightforward, un-self-pitying, courageous and insightful.
This book is well worth reading even if you only have a passing interest in rugby. It is far more than just the account of a distinguished sporting career and I recommend it warmly.
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the best sporting autobiography I've ever read. Moore's career spanned the end of the amateur era and the establishment of the professional and he was deeply involved in that development. The book first covers his early life and reveals some intensely personal moments. Then it follows his development into one of the best forwards I've ever seen, but throughout deals with his deep personal doubts, uniquely expressed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By S. Glover
Format:Paperback
Brian Moore was an agressive, abrasive, committed and talented rugby player. My own transition into 'open age' rugby mirrors much of the playing career of Moore and the teams he played defined my aspirations as a rugby player. So i read this with more than just and enthusiasts eye and as somone caught up in alot of the ame isues (at a lower playing level) The late 80's and early 90's completely redefined rugby, world cups, professionlism and just the general up scale in popularity of the game. Moore was part of an England team that dominated European rugby and reached the final and semi-finals of two world cups and also a successful Lions team. His place in English rugby legend is assured.
This book is the not the usual painting by numbers flim flam of most sporting biographies, it is pnchy and aggressive with Moore giving intelligent and forthright-opinions on big games, sport and life. Yes the reveleations of his inner turmoil and child abuse are brave and help to paint a rich picture of the sporting-man, but it is the revelations of self-doubt, inner turmoil and his skill at capturing the pressures of international sport that really raise this book higher than others.
Moore captures the pack mentality of rugby forwards perectlly, so to the grudging and often open respect for others players as well as the disdain and irritation that oponents and players can instil in you. Moore writes like a normal rugby player - he isn't concerned with appeasing or cajloing people. He openly admits dislike or disinterest and the book is all the more visceral for it. Some reviewers of the book and critics of his commentary call him biased - this simply untrue and a warped sense of reality.... Read more ›
This book is the not the usual painting by numbers flim flam of most sporting biographies, it is pnchy and aggressive with Moore giving intelligent and forthright-opinions on big games, sport and life. Yes the reveleations of his inner turmoil and child abuse are brave and help to paint a rich picture of the sporting-man, but it is the revelations of self-doubt, inner turmoil and his skill at capturing the pressures of international sport that really raise this book higher than others.
Moore captures the pack mentality of rugby forwards perectlly, so to the grudging and often open respect for others players as well as the disdain and irritation that oponents and players can instil in you. Moore writes like a normal rugby player - he isn't concerned with appeasing or cajloing people. He openly admits dislike or disinterest and the book is all the more visceral for it. Some reviewers of the book and critics of his commentary call him biased - this simply untrue and a warped sense of reality.... Read more ›
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By James Field
Format:Paperback
It's a brave book and you would have to be heartless not to admire Brian Moore's candour. Love him or hate him; he's a character and the personal insights into his early life are remarkable. It is not your average sportsman's autobiography; he is excellent in describing all the pressures of an international rugby player. Articulate, well written but....and here is my only quibble. His personal relationships are only briefly mentioned. His marriages are mentioned en passant. I got a good sense of Brian Moore, the man alone but very little of the social Brian Moore. That having been said; excellent read and well worth the time spent in his company.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moore is more.
Every page is illuminating. His walk through life has a message for all not just the rugby world. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to find the you in you.
Published 4 days ago by toppers review
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent-ish
The good:
Some funny lines and couple of stand out anecdotes.
Interesting and enlightening detail of lower level rugby in context of pre-professional era. Read more
Some funny lines and couple of stand out anecdotes.
Interesting and enlightening detail of lower level rugby in context of pre-professional era. Read more
Published 16 days ago by C. Hallahan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brutally honest
I heard an in-depth interview of Brian Moore on Talk Sport and thought this doesn't cover it all so I was looking forward to reading this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Read.
Love him or hate him, Brian Moore is a good read and always speaks his mind. I found this a good insight into his rugby days with interesting analysis of games, players and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Laurie Farmery
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written
I was hoping for an honest account to a career which was what I got, along with an insight into the man.
Published 2 months ago by guy frazer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beware of the dog
Thoroughly enjoyable, honest and insightful.
An amazing view of a person and their difficulties as much as an account of a rugby legend.
An amazing view of a person and their difficulties as much as an account of a rugby legend.
Published 2 months ago by Matthew Cooter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinarily frank and entertaining
Brian Moore is someone I admired hugely as a player and whose writing and commentating have made me smile and frown in equal measure, this book has given a deep understanding of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
words of wisdom from the chairman
As you would expect from Brian Moore this is a n extremely well written book and gives an insight into one of rugbys best loved characters.
Published 3 months ago by Roy Morgan-vincent
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beware of the Dog
I found that this book was a bit too wordy, he over explained things and some parts were rather long winded which made it difficult to read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rachel Grant
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brave and thought provoking
I like reading about the people I admire, but usually you struggle to get through the book once you have read the bits you are looking out for. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Norman Cotterill
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