Engage
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Dominated by Hampson's incisive, often hilarious voice, this is the enthralling tale of two lives - one lived before March 15 2005, one after . . . Engage's honest and unblinking approach to the scale of his disaster makes this book much bleaker (and better) than just an uplifting triumph-over-adversity tale' --Sunday Times
'A quadriplegic since, Hampson has been to the darkest places and been brought back time and time again by the response of those around him and his own inner strength. This is his story, and it's a genuine must read' --Sport Magazine
'A hellish, inspiring and often hilarious account of his struggle' --Daily Telegraph
'This is a big call to make but no amount of head scratching contemplation has prompted recall of a finer rugby book than this . . . the quality and the ingenuity of the narrative takes your breath away' --Rugby World
'Paul Kimmage's ingeniously scripted Engage vividly conveys the rage, fear and distress of a young rugby player paralysed for life by a collapsing scrum, its depiction of an irresistible spirit is too uplifting to qualify' --Observer
'The outstanding rugby book of the year concerns a player whose career was cut short before it had properly started... the tone is often mordantly amusing and ultimately life-affirming' --Books of the Year, Independent on Sunday
'A quadriplegic since, Hampson has been to the darkest places and been brought back time and time again by the response of those around him and his own inner strength. This is his story, and it's a genuine must read' --Sport Magazine
'A hellish, inspiring and often hilarious account of his struggle' --Daily Telegraph
'This is a big call to make but no amount of head scratching contemplation has prompted recall of a finer rugby book than this . . . the quality and the ingenuity of the narrative takes your breath away' --Rugby World
'Paul Kimmage's ingeniously scripted Engage vividly conveys the rage, fear and distress of a young rugby player paralysed for life by a collapsing scrum, its depiction of an irresistible spirit is too uplifting to qualify' --Observer
'The outstanding rugby book of the year concerns a player whose career was cut short before it had properly started... the tone is often mordantly amusing and ultimately life-affirming' --Books of the Year, Independent on Sunday
Product Description
'Engage!' was the last word Matt Hampson heard before dislocating his neck while in rugby training with other young England hopefuls. On a cold, grey, overcast day in 2005, the cream of young English rugby gathered at a Northampton training ground. Matt Hampson, 'Hambo' to his mates, was one of them. He had dreamt of playing rugby for England ever since he had picked up a rugby ball at school. His skill, conviction and dedication had brought him to the cusp of realising that dream, in an England U21 team that included Olly Morgan, Toby Flood, Ben Foden and James Haskell. But as the two sets of forwards engaged for a scrum on the training field, the scrum collapsed and Matt, who played tight-head prop, took the full force of two opposing sides. In that moment his life changed forever. Paul Kimmage went to visit Matt as he recuperated, and wrote a piece for the Sunday Times which won him his third successive SJA sports interviewer of the year award. They struck up a friendship and here, Paul tells Matt's whole story, in all its intimate detail. From the build-up to the dreadful day, to Matt's recuperation, to his struggle to adjust to normal life again, to his family and friends, to other tragic incidents on the rugby field, to the response of the RFU, this is a story of terrible sadness yet unadorned triumph and joy, of anger yet of reconciliation and peace ...of a boy who became a man.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This is a moving account of how a young man has overcome a devastating accident to become an amazing person capable of rising above his severe disabilities and become an inspiration for everyone. His story brings tears and laughs and shows Matt's incredible strength of character. It is ironic that many of the sporting peers he played with are often referred to as heroes and yet here is a man with true hero status. I recommend this book to everyone.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Size Name:One Size
It doesn't matter if you don't like rugby, it doesn't matter if you've never heard of Matt Hampson - what matters is that his is an incredible story, one that deserves to be told and to be heard. Paul Kimmage is the one telling it in 'Engage,' and he tells it creatively, imaginatively and incredibly well.
I don't need to write a summary of the story, you can read that above - what I need to tell you, if you're thinking about buying this book, is buy it, read it, and tell your friends and family to read it. It is life changing - it will give you huge insight, massive perspective, it will teach you lessons and make you value all that you have. And beyond all of that, it will move you. Matt Hampson is absolutely an inspirational young man - the story of HIS life will change YOUR life.
I don't need to write a summary of the story, you can read that above - what I need to tell you, if you're thinking about buying this book, is buy it, read it, and tell your friends and family to read it. It is life changing - it will give you huge insight, massive perspective, it will teach you lessons and make you value all that you have. And beyond all of that, it will move you. Matt Hampson is absolutely an inspirational young man - the story of HIS life will change YOUR life.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Size Name:One Size
"Engage" is a special book; to read this book is to read an uplifting, seeringly honest account of a talented, gifted and loved man, plus his family, carers, friends, colleagues and dogs, who suffered a terrible and life-changing accident; at times hilarious, at others heart-breaking and always deeply moving. As a Leicester Tigers fan, I knew a fair amount about that cataclysmic event at Franklin's Gardens at the heart of the book and how it changed the lives of so many people. But to read Matt's words and see his open, all-embracing approach to the life that he now has is a special experience - one which many, many people should share in.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Eye opening
Fantastic book! A friend had the same accident as Matt and this book helped me understand a bit more on what he is going through. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Sophie
Brilliantly written, best book I have ever read
This is the best book I have ever read. Not only is it incredibly moving, poignant and inspiring, the writing is of an exceptional standard, as only you would expect of a man as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Shoulders
Inspirational story
If you are reading this review you are probably already aware of Matt Hampson's ordeal. Tragic circumstances, but his outlook on life shines through. Read more
Published 3 months ago by noelmcg
An excellent and moving read
Bought this to read on honeymoon, arrived a week before wedding but still managed to find enough time to have it finished before I even got packed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Steven Andrews
inspiring
An inspirational book that brings the reality of injury to life. No longer is being injured as a result of an accident something to fear, instead Matt beautifully tells how he has... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Miss Anne-Marie Rand
Get busy living....
I have read many rugby biographies, some have bored me, some have amused me, some have moved me but none have moved me in the way that this book does. Read more
Published 5 months ago by I. Price
Inspirational story
I didnt know anything about Matt before i bought the book. I had read Paul Kimmages 'rough ride' book afew years ago so i knew this would be a well written book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by E. Rowley
Brilliant
Started it today and could not put it down. Spellbinding! I highly recommend it. It is an highly engaging read. You will not want to put it down.
Published 5 months ago by John
Absolutly Awesome! Such a mix of emotions.
I am a 24 year old tight head currently playing, I don't normally 'do' reading BUT I couldn't put this book down! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Sam
An excellent, idiosyncratic biography
Paul Kimmage's effort is an engaging and occasionally inspiring tale of dealing with an unforeseen adverse situation. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rich Slater
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
