139th out of 192 books
—
153 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Jonny: My Autobiography” as Want to Read:
Jonny: My Autobiography
Jonny Wilkinson's career has crossed three decades and four World Cups. He has accumulated phenomenal achievements, world points records, an impressive list of broken body parts, and a drop goal that will be remembered forever.
But the peculiar calmness with which he played the game masked a very different reality.
In Jonny, he reveals the extraordinary psychology that he ha ...more
But the peculiar calmness with which he played the game masked a very different reality.
In Jonny, he reveals the extraordinary psychology that he ha ...more
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Jonny
,
please sign up
.
Be the first to ask a question about Jonny
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
217)
A fascinating window into the mind of an extremely driven sportsman.
From the opening chapters about his childhood the pain of failure is almost unbearable. It seems that Wilkinson was driven to succeed but was more driven by the fear of failure. What is clear is that Wilkinson never really managed to live in the movement. He was either dreading the match that was to come or regretfully scrutinising the match just gone. The old place he seemed to be able to find contentment was on the pitch when ...more
From the opening chapters about his childhood the pain of failure is almost unbearable. It seems that Wilkinson was driven to succeed but was more driven by the fear of failure. What is clear is that Wilkinson never really managed to live in the movement. He was either dreading the match that was to come or regretfully scrutinising the match just gone. The old place he seemed to be able to find contentment was on the pitch when ...more
This was a good read from a clearly intelligent and self aware legend of the game. I did find the lengthy passages describing his inactivity after the 2003 World Cup wearing, purely in terms of the relentless sequence of injuries and extended periods of rehab. His obsession for perfection left you with the impression of someone with an introverted character (as also indicated by his pathological mistrust of the media). Ultimately however this helped him become arguably the best English player of
...more
Tackle, Scrum, Ruck, Maul, Line-out: “Jonny – My Autobiography” by Jonny Wilkinson (and Owen Slot) Published 2011.
“For me, the pure basics of rugby are not passing, catching, kicking; the basics are simply working yourself into the ground and doing whatever it takes for 80 minutes. The only reason that you don’t change things, or that you don’t work hard enough, is that it doesn’t matter enough to you.”
I started playing Rugby Union in 1985/1986 at ISA (Instituto Superior de Agronomia) when doing ...more
“For me, the pure basics of rugby are not passing, catching, kicking; the basics are simply working yourself into the ground and doing whatever it takes for 80 minutes. The only reason that you don’t change things, or that you don’t work hard enough, is that it doesn’t matter enough to you.”
I started playing Rugby Union in 1985/1986 at ISA (Instituto Superior de Agronomia) when doing ...more
This is one of these best sporting autobiographies I've read.
Raw and honest, his pursuit of perfection and the mental and physical demands it placed on him are candidly given.
The physical cost of rugby at this level and the way he copes and battles with injury is incredible, but it's probably the mental battles which are most revelatory.
From his boyhood goal to be the best rugby player in the world to the final testimonies of world class players giving him exactly that accolade. Incredible.
Raw and honest, his pursuit of perfection and the mental and physical demands it placed on him are candidly given.
The physical cost of rugby at this level and the way he copes and battles with injury is incredible, but it's probably the mental battles which are most revelatory.
From his boyhood goal to be the best rugby player in the world to the final testimonies of world class players giving him exactly that accolade. Incredible.
I liked this book a lot, but as with other reviewers Jonny is one of my favorite Rugby players, ever, so my review may also be a bit askew. The book is terribly honest which goes both ways, it goes from quite hilarious to really sad, over and over again, in no particular order. I both languished with his falls, and his many injuries, and yet rose with the many triumphs, from World cup glory 2003, (to which I also own a copy of the World Cup dvd, which is glorious indeed and well worth watching o
...more
It was interesting to get an insight into one of England's greatest ever sport stars. This is a journey from the school playing fields to international icon, mirrored by the style of writing in recalling the defining moments that moulded Jonny as a talented teenager to a rapid ascent to the England squad and then to the ultimate glory of winning the Rugby World Cup. The shy dedicated kid thrown into the spotlight and out of his comfort zone. The story is very much about Rugby and how Jonny viewe
...more
If you have ever wondered what it takes to reach the pinnacle of your sport and what support you will need to achieve this then this book is for you. The agony and very limited joy that Jonny seems to have got from his career is a fascinating insight into what it takes to reach the top. I found this a gripping read and it didn't matter that my understanding of the actual game of rugby is pretty poor!
This book is for people who love rugby, or people who love Jonny, or people who love rugby and Jonny.
With simple sentences, he explains his entire life and it is really really interesting. We can now understand the guy! Why he seems so uncommunicative, and also why he is so good at rugby...It sometimes feel a little weird to read his story, I can't imagine him playing the guitar and singing...but whatever, he is who he is, and he is awesome :)
With simple sentences, he explains his entire life and it is really really interesting. We can now understand the guy! Why he seems so uncommunicative, and also why he is so good at rugby...It sometimes feel a little weird to read his story, I can't imagine him playing the guitar and singing...but whatever, he is who he is, and he is awesome :)
A great personal account. I'm astonished by how he remembers individual plays in individual games and recounts them. I had trouble remembering the end score of games he was describing in play by play at times! I gave it 4 stars and not 5 as all autobiographies must be given, because it was so frustrating for me to read that the man who is the greatest sporting figure of my time, has so much difficulty accepting that. Still, it made him who he is!
A very honest and revealing biography. I knew rugby was an obsession for him and that he was hyper critical of himself but not to the extent that he reveals in this book. I admire him even more after reading this. A good read for anyone interested in the game of rugby or sport in general for an insight into the work involved in reaching the peak of your profession and the difficulties in remaining there.
This is one of the best autobiographies I have read this year. Jonny Wilkinson speaks frankly about his rugby career, how he strived to be the best fly half in the world and the sacrifices he made. Jonny is a perfectionist in every way. This book is a must read for rugby fans, especially fans of the England Rugby team.
I'm not a great fan of sports biographies as they tend to be very samey, but this was a good read. Amazing to read about the demons which have followed Jonny, even as the best rugby player on Earth.
A brutally honest book from a perfectionist than changed the game of rugby forever with one kick in 2003. He strove to the best because it hurt so much not to be...
impossible is nothing...
impossible is nothing...
Searingly honest and a real insight into what drives this man. Good to read his views of lots of rugby tournaments which we've either been to or watched.
Perhaps slightly biased as he is my hero, but I love reading his view on aspects of his life that the media have already scrutinised!
I just love Jonny Wilkinson, he is my hero!! A very good read for fans and aspiring athletes alike xxxx
An extremely enlightening insight into the driven life of this amazing rugby player.
it was a little dull but gave a good insight into the life of jonny wilkinson
Good to read for anyone wishing to get to the top of their sport
Very honest and revealing. Would recommend for rugby and sports fans
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodreads Librari...: Wrong cover | 7 | 27 | May 01, 2013 09:10AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Please add this description to this book | 3 | 25 | May 01, 2013 08:50AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Wrong title | 2 | 16 | May 01, 2013 06:01AM |
