- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Headline; First Edition 3rd Impression edition (31 May 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755316592
- ISBN-13: 978-0755316595
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
409,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #36 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Other Sports > Pool
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Considered by many to be a genius at his peak, Alex Higgins’s unorthodox play and exciting style earned him the nickname ‘Hurricane’ and led to his immense popularity and fame. He is credited with elevating the game of snooker from the backrooms to the world stage. In 1972 he became the youngest winner of the World Championship, repeating his victory in emotional style in 1982. The high-life followed, with parties and prolonged drinking bouts accompanied by celebrities, including his close friend Oliver Reed.
Higgins’ story is so much more than just snooker. Head-butting tournament officials, threatening to shoot team-mates, getting involved with gangsters, abusing referees, affairs with glamorous women, frequent fines and lengthy bans, all contributed to Higgins slipping down the rankings as he succumbed to drink and lost his fortune. After suffering throat cancer, Alex Higgins now reflects on his turbulent life and career in his first full autobiography. The Hurricane is back - prepare to be caught up in the carnage.
About the Author
Born in Belfast in 1949, Alex Higgins turned professional at the age of 22. A year later he won the World Championship and repeated his victory in 1982. He has also won the Benson and Hedges Masters twice (1978 and 1981) and the UK Championship once (1983). He lives in Belfast.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a MUST for anyone who remembers Alex as the Hurricane ; as the man who set the game on fire.
Alex was always a man of courage and determination, albeit that this determination sadly spilled over into excesses. Alex shows the ultimate courage in this book, honestly recognising that he made mistakes in his life. And hey, who hasn't ?
Alex's career came before the big money was attracted to snooker. Nevertheless, the big money came because of players like Alex, who electrified audiences with shots that no one could believe were possible.
Unfortunately, players today are so focused on the big prize money, that the style, sponteneity and excitement of the Hurricane are but moments to relish in history.
The chapter dedicated to the late Oliver Reed gives an insight into the friendship between two extraordinary characters of our time.
As with all honest biographies, the truth comes at a price ; perhaps paid in terms of image. Whatever the price to Alex for being so honest, the truth he has told will speak to many and not just snooker fans.
Well done Alex.
Alex was always a man of courage and determination, albeit that this determination sadly spilled over into excesses. Alex shows the ultimate courage in this book, honestly recognising that he made mistakes in his life. And hey, who hasn't ?
Alex's career came before the big money was attracted to snooker. Nevertheless, the big money came because of players like Alex, who electrified audiences with shots that no one could believe were possible.
Unfortunately, players today are so focused on the big prize money, that the style, sponteneity and excitement of the Hurricane are but moments to relish in history.
The chapter dedicated to the late Oliver Reed gives an insight into the friendship between two extraordinary characters of our time.
As with all honest biographies, the truth comes at a price ; perhaps paid in terms of image. Whatever the price to Alex for being so honest, the truth he has told will speak to many and not just snooker fans.
Well done Alex.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I would recommend this book for not only Alex Higgins fans but Snooker fans around the world. It shows the good and the bad side of his character.
Having recently passed away I think it is a good time to read or re-read this book as it will remind people of the influence the Hurricane had, and largely because of him, Snooker is where it is today.
Especially useful for people who are too young to see him play live.
Quite simply one of the best players ever to pick up a cue.
Having recently passed away I think it is a good time to read or re-read this book as it will remind people of the influence the Hurricane had, and largely because of him, Snooker is where it is today.
Especially useful for people who are too young to see him play live.
Quite simply one of the best players ever to pick up a cue.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Alex Higgins changed the world of snooker single-handedly.
But he was Jeckyl and Hyde.
The good side of Higgins is the (sober) caring father visiting fans in hospital.
The ugly side of Higgins is a monster, a foul mouthed violent out-of-control lunatic. The latter almost always alcohol influenced.
Both sides are covered in this book, but the full story of the ugly side of Alex is not told.
Also, the book is so disjointed, I found it difficult to read cover to cover and I ending up reading chapters out of sequence. Several apologies (some 30 years after the event!) to various people for his many misdemeanours over the years gives the book a self-pitying feel.
At least he admits to being married to Cara - in an earlier Alex Higgins Scrapbook from the 1980s, she is conveniently airbrushed away.
If you lived in Manchester in the 80s, you have your own Alex Higgins story and it would be better than those in here.
I much preferred Bill Burrow's instead.
But he was Jeckyl and Hyde.
The good side of Higgins is the (sober) caring father visiting fans in hospital.
The ugly side of Higgins is a monster, a foul mouthed violent out-of-control lunatic. The latter almost always alcohol influenced.
Both sides are covered in this book, but the full story of the ugly side of Alex is not told.
Also, the book is so disjointed, I found it difficult to read cover to cover and I ending up reading chapters out of sequence. Several apologies (some 30 years after the event!) to various people for his many misdemeanours over the years gives the book a self-pitying feel.
At least he admits to being married to Cara - in an earlier Alex Higgins Scrapbook from the 1980s, she is conveniently airbrushed away.
If you lived in Manchester in the 80s, you have your own Alex Higgins story and it would be better than those in here.
I much preferred Bill Burrow's instead.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Tales From A Genius
Let keep this brief - Alex Higgins for those who are old enough to remember was a genius , yes flawed , but never-the-less a genius. Read more
Published 21 months ago by RobertJoyLove
Alex Higgins - his views and a few appologies
Definitely worth reading. He admits he was off the rails at times but the press did their best to make things appear worse than they were.
Published 23 months ago by N. Gillings
A SNOOKER LEGEND
It is often said about great sports icons that if they had only concentrated on their particular sport, and not been side-tracked by birds,booze drugs, and the good life, look how... Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by bibliophile
A Sad Tale
The problem with this book is that it is written by Alex Higgins! The man is so immersed in his addictions that he has very little insight into a life that has clearly been... Read more
Published on 13 April 2008 by R. P. Sedgwick
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