Interesting
My Autobiography
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- £8.99
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
Steve Davis was just a rookie from Plumstead, south London, learning how to play from an old book his snooker-obsessed father had given him, when an encounter with Barry Hearn changed his life forever. With his backing, Steve began touring the country in a clapped-out car as an amateur. Challenging established professionals and winning titles, supported by his loyal following the Romford Roar, it wasn’t long before he progressed to the world’s stage.
By the eighties, Steve had helped transform a previously shady sport into a national obsession. He and a cast of legends such as Ray Reardon, Dennis Taylor and Alex Higgins, with other young guns like Jimmy White, were doing silent battle in front of huge audiences. Tens of millions of viewers would witness the nail-biting conclusions of his world championship finals; this was snooker’s golden era.
The man behind the ‘boring’ tag has always been the sport’s smartest and sharpest man. With his cool, obsessive approach, Steve rewrote the rule book and became untouchably the best player in the world and the best paid sportsman in the country. Interesting lays it all bare: what it was like to win in those pressure-cooker situations; how to cope at the top, when everyone wants you to lose; and how you deal with the moment when a man comes along who is finally better than you. This is a memoir that closely evokes the smoke-filled atmosphere of those arenas, the intrigue behind the scenes and the personal psychology and sacrifice that is required to stay at the top of such an exacting sport.
Customer Reviews
Interesting...
Snooker is a love it or hate it kind of affair to say the least. If, like me, you love it then this is a great read. Steve comes across as warm and friendly as he guides you through the emerging snooker scene of the 70’s and beyond. As a child of the 80’s I grew up watching intently the characters and matches he describes. It really brings back how huge snooker was back then and still perhaps even more so now.
Having hated him as a child and grown to really love him as the underdog (2013!!!) and then appreciate him as a pundit I can honestly say this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and it kept me entertained right until the last page.