What a Flanker: The funniest sports biography you’ll ever read
£8.70£9.50 (-8%)
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
‘Hilarious, and straight talking but also articulate and insightful – I am just hugely fond of this guy’
–Eddie Jones
‘James Haskell: what a flanker, what a book’
–Rugby World
‘I’d like to be remembered as a player who showed that you can be incredibly professional but also a lot of fun – a bit of a joker in the changing room, but the ultimate competitor on the pitch. That should have been the subtitle of this book, really…’
One of rugby’s most ferocious flankers and biggest characters, James Haskell has had an extraordinary, global experience of the game, having played for the Wasps, Northampton and England, and in New Zealand, France and Japan. After seventeen years and with 77 international caps under his sizeable belt, he has a shitload to say about rugby life – from pitch to pub and everywhere in between.
In What A Flanker, Haskell sheds fresh light on the dynamics and the day-to-day of the game. Whether he’s recalling the most brutal team socials; dispelling the myths surrounding New Zealand’s dominance; introducing his Japanese teammates to manscaping or calling out play-acting in the modern game, no subject is off limits.
Side-splittingly funny and ruthlessly honest, What A Flanker delves into the touring, drinking, training, eating and sometimes unconscionable antics of the professional rugby player. It’s an unforgettable read, even if there are some stories you’d rather forget…
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Additional information
| Publisher | HarperCollins (27 May 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0008403708 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0008403706 |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 2.1 x 19.8 cm |
by Kindle Customer
I felt that it was an honest account of a modern day rugby player, who recognises his faults and others.The writing was witty with some great stories and Insights.
by Amazon Customer
HILARIOUS , NEVER LAUGHED SO MUCH
by Fiona
I bought this as a present for my boyfriend who isn’t a big reader, but he loved it. He said the book was very funny and easy to read.
by David Hallewell
Bought this for poolside reading on holiday, couldn’t put it down and finished it in 3 days
Funny, well written and shocking in places, especially the insight into how players are often treated.
by Amazon Customer
Great to see a book written so soon after a player finishes their career. Gives you a real insight into a players life, challenges, opportunities, problems and rewards. Having played the game at very amateur level the humour was always basic and fairly crude, it seems that the same applies in the professional game as well.
There were certainly some laugh out loud sections and overall it was an easy read. James Haskell was a world class player and at times you can see a world class ego but some real fragility as well. He discusses life after top level sports and it is hard to fully appreciate just how huge a challenge this is, it is a shame that the game itself does not do more to help elite sportsmen to prepare for life after sport starting from their very first contract
by SimonJ
Actually a pretty good book once you get past the first 30-40 pages of rugger bugger nonsense. The chapters on the various England coaching regimes (Ashton, Johnson, Lancaster and Jones) that JH played under are fascinating. They could even have been expanded with a bit more on tactics, etc. There could also have been a bit more on how JH evolved as a flanker and how and why England won or lost various matches. A couple of minor quibbles. Firstly, early in the book JH talks about the importance of his mental health but then later writes about punching a team colleague and shaving his head against his will! I think this might have strayed into bullying territory. Secondly, JH mentions how crocked his body is, etc but then outlines all the MMA training he has been doing since retiring (he signed with Bellator). No way would he be seriously training as an MMA fighter if his body was in any way shape or form not in good condition. But these are minor quibbles, the ghost writer has captured Hask’s authentic voice and he carries the reader through some fantastic twists and turns in a great career. I agree he has not had enough respect from the media for his achievements. The final chapters are actually incredibly moving. I wish Hask all the best in his future endeavours.
by Innerspace
Overall a good read and some interesting revelations.
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I did think he’d been stitched up on “I’m a celebrity” but he didn’t help himself really.
As he says in the book, he’s a “Marmite” personality but I always judge by the old rugby player maxim of “Would I want to have a beer and chat with him”. The answer is yes, love him or loathe him he ain’t boring.
Wish him good luck in MMA as he’s going to need bucket loads of it (no offence Hask but you’re not getting any younger and you’ve already confessed in the book where your injured weak points are… just saying mate
How about starting with a nice charity bout against Freddy Flintoff. He took the piss a bit when you were on “League of their own” and professes to be a bit of a boxer, and there was certainly no love lost between you. I’d pay to watch it.
by Ferg.
V good and heartfelt honest account of a pro sports man life throughly recommend
If you have played rugby you will throughly relate