Britain’s Most Eccentric Sports
£3.40
Britain is a nation of good sports – literally, it turns out, given our country’s wonderful array of eccentric and bizarrely inventive pastimes. Yes, we know New Zealand are good at rugby, Brazil at football, while Australia and South Africa were countries specifically created for people who take sport far too seriously, but have those sporty nations ever produced a World Champion Pie Eater (OK, Shane Warne notwithstanding)? Has Brazil provided a F1 Pram Racing world champ? Has an Aussie won the World Nettle Eating Championship? A New Zealander tossed his way to Haggis Hurling domination? I can’t hear you Johnny Foreigner, and I’m choosing to interpret your silence as a ‘no’. Because the truth is, ladies and gentlemen of this great, mighty and resilient sporting land we call both Britain and home, we have provided year after year, true world champions in cheese rolling, competitive ploughing, medieval football re-enactment and pram racing. We may not have produced a Wimbledon Champion since the… er… the Wars of the Roses, but put down your Jules Rimet trophy Brazil, hand back your Rugby World Cup South Africa, and pick up your flonking stick – it’s time to learn about the sports that really matter.
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Additional information
| Publisher | The History Press (1 May 2012) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 160 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0752464132 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0752464138 |
| Dimensions | 17.78 x 1.27 x 15.24 cm |
by Elsin A. Perry
Let’s see more books by Richard O. Smith soon! He’s a national treasure. This is an extremely clever book, and I enjoyed reading every page.
by DotingDad
Got this for my birthday this week – which was odd cos boyfriend likes sport & I don’t (that much). Suspected he wanted it! However… his time in the doghouse was brief, as this is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. The author writes for The Now Show, and it shows. Very witty throughout – especially Henning Wehn’s foreword. And it’s probabaly changed my perception of sport. He concludes that writing this book managed to bring him closer to England as a nation and I can see that happened a bit in me whilst reading about our colourful shared eccentricity. But I still hate bloody football!
What I like about this book is that, unlike a lot of humour titles stacked up in time for Xmas, is that (a) it’s genuinely funny throughout (b) they clearly spent their time doing actual research and participation in the (50 or 60?) sports covered. My favourite is the Pantomime Horse Grand National – which I really must go and see. Never heard of it until getting this book – but that true of several mad and dangerous sports featured in it!
by MariaBookBug
This is a really well written book. Heard the author on the radio, thought he sounded funny, and bought the book. Every page shines with true wit, and delivers jokes and comedic insight. If I had a criticism, it is that I’d like even more of the writing in place of some of the pictures. Love the opening line about the British Monopoly Championships, and the Men’s Netball players who refuse to give their names they’re so embarrassed! The Nettle Eating Championships is just weird, but reported with typical wit. loved the Pea Shooting and Pea Throwing world championships too. Highly recommend this book.
by Alex Fox
Reading this book, I discovered a number of sports that I hadn’t realised existed – such as coal carrying or nettle eating! The book is written in a very entertaining style, being informative and witty at the same time.
I am giving it 5 stars on account of its uniqueness and the fact that I really enjoyed reading it.
by CriticalMassMan
Very funny book that made me realize Britain has a great value system. As the book says, all those footballers get paid silly money for playing a sport many do for nothing, but none of them ever look like they’re enjoying it. But, with the 50 or 60 sports featured here, you get the impression they’re all enjoying it. Well, apart from the British Stinging Nettle Eating Championships!! Author went to all these sports as an obvious labor of love. But he can really write too. Recommended and would make great gift book.