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'On an Iron John odyssey in search of his own Iron Johnny Wilkinson, Steven Gauge reveals the hidden depths of commuterland manhood with charm, wit and intelligence and real insight. Whether you're going through a midlife crisis yourself, or seeking understanding of the delicate male psyche and its need to bond in mud, My Life as a Hooker is the only guide you need.' (Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster )
'Steven Gauge's writing debut is far more accomplished than his hilarious efforts on the pitch. Painfully honest and self-deprecating, this story will appeal to anyone who's ever tried their hand at something they weren't terribly good at but still enjoyed every step of the way. The characters in the clubhouse are the stars of every amateur team up and down the country and will be familiar to anyone who has ever put on a club shirt. You want to join the team as much as turn the page. If this is what a midlife crisis does for you, I want one.' (Luke Benedict, rugby writer for the Daily Mail )
'Steven Gauge's writing debut is far more accomplished than his hilarious efforts on the pitch. Painfully honest and self-deprecating, this story will appeal to anyone who's ever tried their hand at something they weren't terribly good at but still enjoyed every step of the way. The characters in the clubhouse are the stars of every amateur team up and down the country and will be familiar to anyone who has ever put on a club shirt. You want to join the team as much as turn the page. If this is what a midlife crisis does for you, I want one.' (Luke Benedict, rugby writer for the Daily Mail )
Product Description
Steven Gauge’s response to an impending midlife crisis didn’t involve piercings, tattoos or leather trousers – instead, he decided to take up rugby, and made a number of important discoveries. First, that in this ultimate contact sport, class divisions melt away in the presence of rugby's own eternal divide: the Forwards and the Backs. Secondly, though biting is generally frowned upon, it does occasionally take place and can be discouraged by applying Deep Heat to the ears. And fi nally, turning up on time with your kit is far more important than knowing what to do with the ball if it ever reaches you. By the end of his fi rst few seasons, Steven had cracked his nose and various other parts of his anatomy – but he had cracked the game too, and found a place in the club as Captain of the Fourths.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If laughter is the best medicine then this book should be available on the NHS. It is a joy: very funny, hugely likeable and tells a cracking good story. In a friendly, witty and engaging style, Steven Gauge takes us on a rollicking journey from his first days on the rugby pitch to his hard-won heyday as Captain of the Fourths. This is the Dad's Army of sports books. I found myself caring about this motley crew and willing them to hang in there and stop losing.
Describing himself as a hobbit, as he is short but determined, Gauge is totally honest about both triumphs and disasters. Gauge is a human cartoon: repeatedly flattened, he never gives up. He involves us by giving advice, too: `Once you are on the ground it is probably better to stay there for a little while...'
Unlike a cartoon, Gauge gets hurt. Yet like a hobbit, he is brave. Confused, but determined to help his team to win, or at least lose better, he decides to read books on sports psychology, after struggling to give a good half-time pep talk: `As I began to ramble, I realised I hadn't the faintest idea why we were losing...'
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly," wrote G.K.Chesterton. This book is a timely reminder in a world obsessed with perfection and celebrity of what life-enhancing good times you can have doing something for fun. At the same time, how a hobbit shapes up as a rugby captain makes a great story. Watching him try hard to get better is hilarious and sometimes unexpectedly moving. And if you've ever had to recruit people for a team, the chapter on 'Captain's Poker' will strike you as inspired.
This book makes you want to turn off the tv and run around in the mud. Then again, sitting in a chair and laughing this much is a pretty good workout.
Describing himself as a hobbit, as he is short but determined, Gauge is totally honest about both triumphs and disasters. Gauge is a human cartoon: repeatedly flattened, he never gives up. He involves us by giving advice, too: `Once you are on the ground it is probably better to stay there for a little while...'
Unlike a cartoon, Gauge gets hurt. Yet like a hobbit, he is brave. Confused, but determined to help his team to win, or at least lose better, he decides to read books on sports psychology, after struggling to give a good half-time pep talk: `As I began to ramble, I realised I hadn't the faintest idea why we were losing...'
"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly," wrote G.K.Chesterton. This book is a timely reminder in a world obsessed with perfection and celebrity of what life-enhancing good times you can have doing something for fun. At the same time, how a hobbit shapes up as a rugby captain makes a great story. Watching him try hard to get better is hilarious and sometimes unexpectedly moving. And if you've ever had to recruit people for a team, the chapter on 'Captain's Poker' will strike you as inspired.
This book makes you want to turn off the tv and run around in the mud. Then again, sitting in a chair and laughing this much is a pretty good workout.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Should you have had anything to do with rugby, this will crack you up,
painfully close to the truth and a great insight into what is the real 'beautiful game'.
Even if you have had nothing to with ruby , every page will bring another smirk!!!My Life as a Hooker: When a Middle-Aged Bloke Discovered Rugby
painfully close to the truth and a great insight into what is the real 'beautiful game'.
Even if you have had nothing to with ruby , every page will bring another smirk!!!My Life as a Hooker: When a Middle-Aged Bloke Discovered Rugby
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is 50 years since Michael Green's The Art of Coarse Rugby was published.
That book made me laugh out loud, and Steven Gauge's My Life As a Hooker did too, and more than once.
My full review of this excelent read is here: [...]
That book made me laugh out loud, and Steven Gauge's My Life As a Hooker did too, and more than once.
My full review of this excelent read is here: [...]
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Laugh out loud book
Despite being only connected to the game of rugby by proxy, I found Mr Gauge's book an absolutely hilarious read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by CiderSal
Too Close to Real Life
Highly entertaining and surprisingly accurate to my experiences. I also started playing Rugby again in my late 30s after stopping playing in my early 20s as I wanted my kids to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nigel Pigdon
What rugby Is all about!
Super-sub........the pain.....the friendship......... The band of brothers...... Get involved with your local rugby club now what's stopping you? 50's? No problem!
Published 1 month ago by Mark
Like David Mitchell, except he's fatter and shorter. V funny. I've...
This author is rubbish... at rugby. But this book had me blurting out a good laugh every few pages (for me, that's well above my average). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Hari
Incredible Read
Incredible read, let down only a fraction by the failure to mention a well-worked try by Warlingham's occasional #9 mid way through the 2nd Half against Croydon (Away) during... Read more
Published 2 months ago by JPB53
The strangest insight into prostitution I have ever read!!
Whether you have had any involvement with rugby or not, this is a very well written and funny book. The pages flew by, and I was tittering out loud! Well done Mr Gauge!
Published 2 months ago by Martin Williams
"Laugh out Loud" stuff for all rugby folk
Read the book in three easy sessions - went from a titter to a guffaw to lots of "LOL"
Looking forward to the sequel, great book.
Looking forward to the sequel, great book.
Published 3 months ago by Howie
Almost makes me want to play again!
Very funny book, thanks Steven. It is a great call to arms to get our collective bums off the sofa, stop watching sport on the tv and actually get out there and play a game in the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by P. Gibbon
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