The World Champions I Knew

Genna Sosonko lived the first 29 years of his life in Leningrad. He emigrated to Holland in 1972 and was one of the strongest grandmasters in the world. His bestselling book, Russian Silhouettes, was shortlisted for the world’s premier chess book award, the British Chess Federation Book of the Year.

As a respected trainer who became a world-class chess grandmaster after leaving Leningrad and moving to Holland in 1972, Genna Sosonko observes the golden age Soviet chess from a privileged dual perspective. Combining an insider's nostalgia with the detachment of a critical observer, he has produced unforgettable portraits of the heroes of this bygone era: Tal, Botvinnik, Geller, Polugaevsky, and the legendary trainer Zak are some of his subjects. This New Editon has two brand new stories. Delightful —The Washington Post.

Prominent intellectuals and public figures explore the dynamics of development, offering varying perspectives from a range of fields.

The top snooker players in the world compete for several trophies every year, but one carries more prestige than all the others put together - the World Championship. No other tournament in the sport carries with it so much history, so many golden moments of spectacular success and dramatic failure. Meticulously researched and including exclusive interview material with Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy, among others, Masters of the Baize is a comprehensive guide to the men who have lifted the greatest prize in snooker. From the legendary Joe Davis, the first champion in 1927, to modern-day masters like Mark Williams, all the sport's world champions are put under the microscope, while the colourful careers of forgotten figures such as Walter Donaldson and John Pulman and rogue heroes like Alex Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan are brought vividly to life. After uncovering the inauspicious origins of the game in nineteenth-century India, the authors examine every former world champion in his own comprehensive chapter. Additionally, a special section focuses on the extraordinary popularity of Jimmy White, by far the greatest player never to have won the title and one of the most emotive names in the sport.

"The definitive guide to the concepts and secrets of chess tactics as played by the world champions"--Cover.

This book tells the story of a career spent in Sport and Medicine, with the author eventually included in England's World Cup winning squad of 1966. Enjoy the incredible story.

Bernie Ecclestone described Formula One as the most thrilling show on earth, and he couldn't be more right. The excitement, the drama, the suspense of race day--indescribable. And the spectrum of dare-devil heroes emerging out from the heat of the track ranges from the charismatic maturity of Juan Manuel Fangio to the impetuous youthfulness of Sebastian Vettel. In this luxury art book, illustrious F1 photographer, Rainer Schlegelmilch presents stunning documentation of every man to have ever been crowned world champion. Drawing on a portfolio that spans 5 decades worth of experience in the field, Rainer Schlegelmilch's photographic documentation will help you recall the glorious triumphs of serial winner Michael Schumacher, as well as the tragic accidents of drivers like Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna with his exquisite camera work. This book will draw you in to the epicenter of all the action from the last sixty-two years whether cockpit or pit lane."

WATERSTONES BEST BOOKS OF 2022 – SPORT 'A brilliant new perspective on World Cup management... Superbly insightful .' – Jamie Carragher 'Superb - great stories about the greatest tournament' – Daniel Taylor Master tacticians, crazy tyrants and lucky generals... This insightful investigation reveals the mindsets and, frankly, at times unbelievable approaches of the coaches who strive to deliver football's ultimate prize. HOW DO YOU WIN THE WORLD CUP? Godlike genius or the focus of a disappointed nation's fury – the world's most prestigious tournament makes or breaks a national coach. Only 20 managers have guided their team to World Cup glory, so what are their secrets? From revolutionary tactics to hare-brained schemes, this book searches for the keys to the most exclusive club in international football. They may silently plot on the bench or manically gesticulate from the sidelines, but what can the coach really do to influence their team's performance? Discover the tactical innovations and brilliant strategies as well as the bizarre superstitions, psychological masterclasses and bonkers team-building regimes that managers have employed in the quest for that iconic trophy. Charting the successes, failures, dramas and controversies of 90 years of World Cup action, through the insights of journalists, players and managers with first-hand experience of World Cup competition, this book comprehensively documents the lengths the man in the dugout will go to in order to bring home the greatest prize. The book features contributions from leading World Cup stars, including Luiz Felipe Scolari, Geoff Hurst, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Pierre Littbarski, Roberto Martinez, Mick McCarthy, Tomas Brolin, Jamie Carragher, Alexi Lalas, Patrick Barclay, Raphael Honigstein and Graham Hunter. 'A rich and rewarding football read' – Patrick Barclay 'A fascinating read' – Barry Davies