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Jonny: My Autobiography
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Product Description
Review
'A remarkable account of an obsessive perfectionist trapped in a desperately imperfect world'
(The Guardian )'This autobiography is different. Penned with the bravery with which Jonny played the game'
(The Sun )'A candid and deeply personal voyage into the farthest reaches of Wilkinson's complex character... a gripping read and an examination of the human psyche that throws up many thoughts and experiences that will be uncomfortably but reassuringly familiar to others haunted by self-doubt'
(www.thesportsbookshelf.com )'...an excellent memoir, a compelling portrayal of the psychological drawbacks of his fabled quest for perfection'
(The Times )'Searingly honest'
(Daily Telegraph )Product Description
Jonny Wilkinson's career has crossed three decades and four World Cups. He has accumulated phenomenal achievements, world points records, an impressive list of broken body parts, and a drop goal that will be remembered for ever. But the peculiar calmness with which he played the game masked a very different reality. In JONNY, he reveals the extraordinary psychology that he had to tame in order to be able to dominate his sport. For most of his life, he was driven by a quest for perfection and an obsession to be the best player in the world; here he shows how these two facets of his competitive mind took such a hold of him that they sent him to the top of the world, then swept him up and dragged him down into a spiral of despair. Jonny's career has spanned the far reaches: amazing highs and iconic moments, then a fight against injury that culminated in a battle with depression. Here he tells of the physical toll he knew his body was taking from rugby, even from his youth; he tells of how he never wanted to be a kicking fly-half but learned to adapt his natural game to play the style that Clive Woodward believed necessary to win a World Cup, and how he nearly walked out on Martin Johnson's England team 13 years later.
Praise for Jonny Wilkinson:
'I consider myself really lucky to have had him as a player'
Sir Clive Woodward
'I'm humbled to have played alongside him'
Lewis Moody
'Jonny has been the best player to play for England in any of the leading ball games this century. He has been brilliant, he has been the rock on which success was built, he has won the biggest prize of all and done so with style and grace and elegance'
Simon Barnes, The Times
'Exceptional has been a word commonly associated with Wilkinson throughout his career'
The Guardian
'Thanks for the memories, Jonny. English supporters will never forget how you made them feel'
Robert Kitson, The Guardian
'Jonny Wilkinson was English sport as it likes to imagine itself: intrepid, handsome, physically indomitable and blessed with grace under pressure'
Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph
'There are not many like him: humble, self-effacing and utterly devoted to his cause. He may not have considered himself a superstar. But everyone else did'
Mike Cleary, Daily Telegraph
'No one came close to squeezing so much from his God-given talent, and for that alone, Wilkinson is worthy of undying regard'
The Independent
Praise for Jonny Wilkinson:
'I consider myself really lucky to have had him as a player'
Sir Clive Woodward
'I'm humbled to have played alongside him'
Lewis Moody
'Jonny has been the best player to play for England in any of the leading ball games this century. He has been brilliant, he has been the rock on which success was built, he has won the biggest prize of all and done so with style and grace and elegance'
Simon Barnes, The Times
'Exceptional has been a word commonly associated with Wilkinson throughout his career'
The Guardian
'Thanks for the memories, Jonny. English supporters will never forget how you made them feel'
Robert Kitson, The Guardian
'Jonny Wilkinson was English sport as it likes to imagine itself: intrepid, handsome, physically indomitable and blessed with grace under pressure'
Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph
'There are not many like him: humble, self-effacing and utterly devoted to his cause. He may not have considered himself a superstar. But everyone else did'
Mike Cleary, Daily Telegraph
'No one came close to squeezing so much from his God-given talent, and for that alone, Wilkinson is worthy of undying regard'
The Independent
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
3 nights into book and 250 pages read.
This is undoubtedly the best autobiography I have read.
From an outsider looking in it seems that Mr Wilkinson gave a lot of time and thought to it. This makes a pleasant change to books where it is clear the subject was not that interested in the process and end result.
The media have always suggested that he was a perfectionist but prior to reading this book I was not fully appreciative of what `perfectionist' meant.
His relationship with his brother is fascinating and as a father of 4 I would be delighted if my children are as close as Jonny and Sparks.
Haydn Hertz
This is undoubtedly the best autobiography I have read.
From an outsider looking in it seems that Mr Wilkinson gave a lot of time and thought to it. This makes a pleasant change to books where it is clear the subject was not that interested in the process and end result.
The media have always suggested that he was a perfectionist but prior to reading this book I was not fully appreciative of what `perfectionist' meant.
His relationship with his brother is fascinating and as a father of 4 I would be delighted if my children are as close as Jonny and Sparks.
Haydn Hertz
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Jonny has once again surpised us with this brutally honest but totally absorbing autobiography.
JW is not just a great and unique sportman who stands out head and shoulder above all rugby players.
Jonny is also a fascinating complex intelligent sensitive human being who is on his own personal quest to enlightement, always learning and searching for the truth.
This is a great book from an truly exceptional young man. Thanks Jonny!
JW is not just a great and unique sportman who stands out head and shoulder above all rugby players.
Jonny is also a fascinating complex intelligent sensitive human being who is on his own personal quest to enlightement, always learning and searching for the truth.
This is a great book from an truly exceptional young man. Thanks Jonny!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It has been apparent for many years that Jonny Wilkinson is not just an 'ordinary' sportsman; this book is further compelling proof. Committed, if not driven, beyond the comprehension of most of us, Jonny has always been a bit of an enigma. The national hero of 2003, he unfortunately saw the other side of the fame coin through countless injury setbacks but always kept his own counsel and dignity, refusing to flaunt his fame in the outer reaches of the 'celebrity' goldfish bowl.
Like the man this book doesn't disappoint. Open with the truth and hard hitting it gives a unique opportunity to view in close-up a unique hero of English sport. Should be required reading for all.
Like the man this book doesn't disappoint. Open with the truth and hard hitting it gives a unique opportunity to view in close-up a unique hero of English sport. Should be required reading for all.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
This is a fascinating read - Jonny is very frank about the insecurities which lead him to being a perfectionist. Well worth a read by mere mortals.....
Published 21 days ago by Davenport
Good present for rugby lovers
Bought this for several family and friend members who enjoy reading about rugby. It seems to have been very well received.
Published 29 days ago by WendyS
Breathtaking
Although I am, without doubt, a rugby fan you don't have to be to be blown away by this book. There are all too many "celebrity" books which range from kiss and tell to just the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Adam
An outstanding book - thoroughly recommended.
Brutally honest and intensely self-critical, this is an outstanding autobiography of one of the best rugby players of any era, and one of the most dedicated and professional... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Simon
Honest and open
In this book Johnny is brutally honest about his life from a young rugby player up until his current status. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ash
Hard to get going
Once you manage to get past the first chapters its a good read and quite informative and opens the lid on the pressure cooker inside Wilko's head! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Frank
Such a good book on every level
This is such a good book, informative and interesting on every page. It seemed less like reading it, more like having a quiet talk with the author, as he shares his aspirations,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Knott
Pleasure to read!
Such a refreshing change from some recent autobiographies that show very little character/personality. Read more
Published 4 months ago by PS
I've never felt so sorry for a sportsman
This is a quite wonderful book, Jonny is searingly honest throughout and whilst his intensity was no secret, the fears and demons that drove him go much deeper than anyone could... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Simon Marsh
400 pages of therapy! A brutally honest account of a perfectionist
Whilst not full of typical "rugger" anecdotes this is a much more interesting account of the life of a rugby perfectionist. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. K. N. Henderson
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