Taking a Punt on My Life
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Product Description
Product Description
During snooker's heyday in the 1980s, Willie Thorne was one of the game's best-known and well-liked players. He won 14 major titles and, at the height of the game's popularity, famously appeared in the classic Chaz 'n' Dave video for 'Snooker Loopy'. But behind the happy-go-lucky smile lurked a dark secret. Willie was a gambling addict and by the end of his career he'd blown £1.5 million. Desperation and depression took hold, culminating in a suicide attempt. In Taking a Punt on My Life, Willie bares his soul, talking openly and frankly about his life - good and bad.
About the Author
Willie Thorne was born in Leicester in 1954 and went on to become one of Britain's most popular and recognisable sportsmen. His skill and entertaining style took him to the top of the professional snooker tree during the boom years for the game in the 1980s. His career spanned more than three decades, during which time he amassed 14 tournament wins worldwide and became famous for his ability to put together maximum 147 breaks. Since retiring from the game he has become heavily involved with Champions UK, a company specialising in marketing,PR, celebrity and event management. He is a regular snooker commentator for the BBC and Sky television and has also taken part in various TV entertainment shows, including Strictly Come Dancing. He is married to Jill and lives in Leicestershire.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I always struggle to find great sporting reads,this book is avery honest account and a great read would highly recommend.
Format:Hardcover
A good read which I found I was unable to put down for long, although found parts of it exasperating, mainly Willies gambling addiction! I felt as if I wanted to slap some s ense into him. Its very sobering when someone as articulate as Willie could be sucked into what can only be called a mugs game, especially the way he was gambling.
The book takes you through his life from childhood and how he came to be interested in snooker, found he was gifted at the game, through his pro career and family life which was effectively destroyed by his gambling.
The book does tend to repeat itself slightly and reiterate points that had already been mentioned.
There are some stories of old snooker players like Alex Higgins etc but not as many as I thought there would be which was probably a good thing. The main sentiment of the book was Willies gambling addiction which eventually led to him trying to take his own life. It does have a reasonably happy ending though and Willie continues his snooker commentary and after dinner speech work.
Recommended not only for snoooker fans but as a study of addiction
The book takes you through his life from childhood and how he came to be interested in snooker, found he was gifted at the game, through his pro career and family life which was effectively destroyed by his gambling.
The book does tend to repeat itself slightly and reiterate points that had already been mentioned.
There are some stories of old snooker players like Alex Higgins etc but not as many as I thought there would be which was probably a good thing. The main sentiment of the book was Willies gambling addiction which eventually led to him trying to take his own life. It does have a reasonably happy ending though and Willie continues his snooker commentary and after dinner speech work.
Recommended not only for snoooker fans but as a study of addiction
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This must be the dullest book I`ve ever read. How Willie Thorn has managed to expand such drivel to a book spanning 260 pages I will never know. He obviously still needs the money.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good for snooker or psychologist fans
This is interesting from 2 perspectives - one, you get the history of Willie's snooker career and how he turned pro, and info on some of his big moments winning tournaments or... Read more
Published 3 months ago by SamH
Willie
The book was an excellent ready about a very talented sports man, who's lifestyle maybe prevented him from achieving so much more. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Stephan
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