A game for gentlemen that sprang from a blatant piece of cheating, rugby has a short but impressive pedigree and is more popular and exciting than it has ever been. This contradictory game has also spawned a wealth of anecdote and legend. Its rich body of literature can now be sampled in Godfrey Smith's lively anthology, which has a composition as varied as a top-class rugby XV; a meaty front row of slices of rugby history, rugby lore and heroes past and present; deft touches from such mercurial contributors as Michael ...
Read More
A game for gentlemen that sprang from a blatant piece of cheating, rugby has a short but impressive pedigree and is more popular and exciting than it has ever been. This contradictory game has also spawned a wealth of anecdote and legend. Its rich body of literature can now be sampled in Godfrey Smith's lively anthology, which has a composition as varied as a top-class rugby XV; a meaty front row of slices of rugby history, rugby lore and heroes past and present; deft touches from such mercurial contributors as Michael Green and Frank Keating; fictional feats from Buchan, Wodehouse and many others; and dramatic and thrilling real-life accounts of flowing threequarter movements and magical touchdowns. Here we recapture some of the greatest movements the game has known, including tries by Prince Alexander Obolensky, Peter Jackson and David Duckham, and the famous equalizing try that the All Blacks just failed to score - or did they? - against Wales in 1905. There is controversy galore, as well as much romance, bawdiness and laughter, occasional tragedy, even the odd piece of villainy. Among the wealth of autobiography is an engaging piece by Richard Burton, who wishes he had played one game less - his last appearance was against a team of embittered Welsh miners who, sceptical about a notice the actor had received for his rugby, had decided to see what he was made of. There is a broad Welsh seam running through these pages, including pieces on Gareth Edwards and Barry John, pieces by and about the great Carwyn James, and a revealing dialogue between Gerald Davies and John Morgan - from the sublime, one might almost say, to Max Boyce. The Scots and Irish are also well represented, as are the All Blacks, the Springboks, the Australians and the ever entertaining French. This feast of rugby ends, inevitably, with a day of glory at Twickenham, including probably the most exquisite try ever seen there - by Saint-Andre, courtesy of Camberabero - in the heroic but vain French effort to thwart England's 1991 Grand Slam triumph. "Take the Ball and Run" is illustrated with a gallery of photographs of Godfrey Smith's personal All-time Best XV.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.