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Out of my Comfort Zone: The Autobiography

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 440 ratings · 27 reviews
Rarely does a truly great player reveal as much of himself and his sport as does Steve Waugh in his long awaited autobiography. "Out of my Comfort Zone" is a frank look into a unique life in cricket, a journey into Waugh's life on and off the field. He opens up on his personal life in a way few would expect and reveals the controversies and scandals, the clashes with other ...more
Paperback , 801 pages
Published July 29th 2006 by Penguin Books Australia (first published July 1st 2005)
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Saurabh Sharma
Steve Waugh’s persona on the cricket field was best summed up by the name conferred on him by the fans and media- ’ICE MAN’. With the bat in his hand he was the coolest one around, unruffled and unflappable in adversity. His demeanor, his body language never gave the opposition the tiniest of hint as to what was going beneath the stone cold countenance. However, as a writer Steve Waugh practically bares it all to the world, in this epic recollection of his professional and personal life. And, he ...more
Swamy Atul
Excellent Captain.
Great Cricketer.
Okay Writer.
Waugh writes from the heart. Sad, I'm not a fan. If Rahul Dravid writes something 80% as good as this, I will declare it The Best Autobiography Evvvva! Sorry Steve. Like Dada said, you have to wait!
Amanda Patterson
Waugh writes like he batted. He assumes that the writer who accumulates the most pages wins. He is not a skilled author and one doubts whether an editor was allowed anywhere near this tome. The writer can’t see the woods for the trees and the book runs on for far too long – much like the batsman, Waugh did himself.



This cumbersome book is 800 pages long. It shows a boring, self-obsessed man pouring out his long-winded strangled attempts at description on many many pages. Its interesting to note
...more
Abdullah Farooki
Having read a few other cricket biographies / autobiographies, I felt that the book was rather descriptive especially regarding what went inside the mind of Steve Waugh when he was on the cricket field. For a man who remained aloof and emotionally detached, the book does give a lot of insight behind the thinking process that went about playing his game and his captaincy. It was really hard to put the book down for even a minute! Very entertaining and insightful!
Vijay
Steve Waugh is closest to what I have as an idol. My interest in cricket grew with Waugh's career and is now in a semi-retired state.
Out of my comfort zone is a well chronicled autobiography from the iceman. Having youtube is a big help. I was able to search and play back some of the interesting moments that Waugh recollects. This is a treasure trove for any cricket enthusiast.
Manny
Many summers ago I read this book, I think almost immediately after it came out. Steve Waugh is one of my favorite cricketers. I am inspired by his never-say-die attitude, extremely strong mindset, and also how he made the most of whatever batting and bowling skills he possessed. He was not a very gifted batsman. However, by sheer hard work he retired as the highest run-getter in Test cricket. This book gives an insight into his life and his rise in cricket. More importantly through this book yo ...more
Kristian Brockmann
A truly tremendous sporting account and one of the greatest accompaniments to summer that a sports fan could discover. Revealing, yes, insightful too, and Steve tells some hidden tales on leading Australia's greats in a game at times tough and always testing. From Border's days and the Chappel era we could all associate with days long and hot in the backyard and the awesome climb to the pinnacle of a baggy green cap and representing our nation. Most impressive though were the thoughtful moments ...more
Mayank
A stalwart, Steve Waugh epitomizes Aussie and the much revered Baggy Green spirit. This is a Cricketing biography in its truest sense and Steve Waugh talks about his struggles through injury and form issues and admits some of his fears. His experiences through India with the Udayan initiative and the other parts of the world, his confrontation with the board and absolute transformation to being 'The Invincibles' are engaging read.
He uses clever and very subtle humor when talking about cricketing
...more
Mudit Sood
The Australian cricketer Steve Waugh started his career as a bowler who could also bat at the lower middle order. Contrary to the 'stone cold' image in the public, he often struggled with his mind doubting his own capabilities in the game. He battled through his negative thoughts in his career to emerge out as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and also one of the most successful Australian batsman and captain.

The first time I held this book in my hands it sent goosebumps down my body. I
...more
Saravana
If you are a cricket fan,go and grab this book now or else you are not exposed completely to what cricket is all about.The book that reveals the heart of a man who was one of the architechts of the Australian success in Cricket.Stephen Rodger Waugh is one of those very few cricketers whose life is a lesson itself...

He is a genius,not by birth ,but acuqired it through sheer grit,perseverence and hardwork.The book is foreworded by our very own Rahul Dravid who sums up everything in his last few wo
...more
Aniket Parikh
I decided to read this book as i love cricket.
This book goes on my bingo board as the free category.

My favourite quote from the book was, "I can't remember any really technical coaching." This shows that you don't really need to be technically perfect to be good cricketer.


Something i learned from this book is that you dont need to be really technically perfect as he made it so far in life without that much technical coaching.

A character i found interesting was John Buchanan. He was the coach
...more
Chinmayapatil
The amount of detail offered here is mind blowing.
Krishanth
Shows the mental side of a strong minded cricketer. Reading the battle between Waugh and Ambrose, Waugh and Lara from Waugh's point of view shows how much he enjoyed the mental aspect of the game. His commitment to kids in 'Udayan'and his experience with 'Mother Teresa' shows the great human being in him. I also enjoyed watching some youtube cricket clips correspond to certain matches which Waugh recollects. Great read for any Cricket fan!!!
Abhishek
The most exhaustive account of Steve Waugh! Considering I'm not a crazy fan of cricket, still I could really appreciate the way he narrated his story. He was the guy I grew up watching, and it was nothing short of absolute delight than to get a peek in his personal life!!

Just a heads up, the book is of more than 800 pages, so unless you are not interested, the book is not going to add value to you!!
Rohit Jain
typical Aussie style...straight forward, in-your face autobiography from a tough nut aussie. Steve Waugh takes into 18 years long journey into why Aussie cricket is the way it is. His tenure as an Aussie cricket, captain, husband and father. Any SW fan needs to reads this book to get into mind of one of the most disciplined cricketer.
Ainsley
Steve Waugh is one of my heroes. A real Aussie battler who is famous the (cricketing) world over for his mental strength. Steve Waugh was one of the most successful captains of the Australian Cricket team, and one of the (the most?) successful captains ever. Waugh chronicles his career, which was full of ups and downs. Inspiring.
Bill
Aug 28, 2007 Bill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition
Recommends it for: Cricket Tragics
As a recovering cricket tragic I grew up idolizing former Australian captain Steve Waugh.

Naturally as a young boy I combined my two loves of cricket and reading - this book as well as all of Steve Waugh's tour diaries were the result.

All of Steve's diaries are filled with passion, insight and inspiration.
Arjun Sreekumar
One of the best cricket autobiographies..... Engaging, entertaining, thoughtful.... Ranging from emotional to hilarious..... The book traverses a gamut of emotions that Waugh experiences over his playing career.... Well written... By one of the great cricketers and a great cricketing mind of our time....
Bill
This was a satisfying book, because a) I read the really fat hardcover version (though it's actually a pretty fast read) b) it has a typical no nonsense "ice man" style, which which is what you're reading it for and c) because it reminded me of all these cricket moments I forgotten.
Aravindh Sundaragopalan
A very good fast read. I skimmed through some details which was out of context to me !.
Would recommend to anybody who has been following cricket for a while
Akshay
Probably the best sports autobiography ever written . . . Perfect in all sense, my favorite cricketer's typical "never give up" memoir
Hiten
Like his cricket - not very attractive, but very effective and educational about the man and the sport.
Siddharth
Must read for people who follow cricket for the game and for more than the selector/bcci politics
Abhinav Venkataraman
Steve Waugh! A classic person both on field and off field! amazing book!
Edward Fedotov
Really good book, had me captivated throughout.
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