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Proud: My Autobiography
**Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2014**
Gareth Thomas had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon. He was a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself.
This is the story
Kindle Edition
,
320 pages
Published
September 11th 2014
by Ebury Digital
(first published May 29th 2014)
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A truly superb book - incredibly well written and truly inspiring.
I was always a fan of Gareth Thomas - even though he played for the wrong team (not a euphemism...) - a true giant among rugby men. When he came out as gay when he was still in the rugby environment, my estimation of him increased even more.
I read this in three sittings and I have never been so moved, inspired or engaged by a sports autobiography - possibly any book in fact - as much as I have by this one.
Five stars no problem and ...more
I was always a fan of Gareth Thomas - even though he played for the wrong team (not a euphemism...) - a true giant among rugby men. When he came out as gay when he was still in the rugby environment, my estimation of him increased even more.
I read this in three sittings and I have never been so moved, inspired or engaged by a sports autobiography - possibly any book in fact - as much as I have by this one.
Five stars no problem and ...more
I don't normally cry at a book, but this managed to get me crying. Both with laughter, and sorrow. The book was honestly written, and details the struggle that Gareth (or Alfie as his friends know him) went through - and the pain that it caused on all sides.
But there were moments of humor - and this was on piece that had me howling with laughter:
But there were moments of humor - and this was on piece that had me howling with laughter:
I am a Welshman living in Newcastle, and am bombarded regularly by English 'friends' making derisory comments about Welsh rugby. When I received the fol...more
The sportsman is a legend (Ok, I'm Welsh so I am a tad biased) and GT's record speaks for itself; but the man, the man is a god! Much has been written about his bravery and courage, and that is acknowledged by many. His leadership is inspirational, his candidness at times shocking! No wonder he is an icon.
The book is very well written; yes the powerful story and the subject matter help, but it still needs telling and it has been told so well. It takes you through the highs and the lows. At times ...more
The book is very well written; yes the powerful story and the subject matter help, but it still needs telling and it has been told so well. It takes you through the highs and the lows. At times ...more
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This book struck so many chords with me. The book made me laugh and cry at times. I love that line about how, in the gay bar in Soho, he 'parked' Gareth Thomas. I know that so well.
"Society pushed us together and society kept us together". Oh yes! I understand that conflict he felt in his relationship with Jemma. Wishing to tell her yet not daring to tell her.
If you read my book, you will know that I am not exactly a rugby fan. But the insight into the world of professional rugby was fascinating ...more
"Society pushed us together and society kept us together". Oh yes! I understand that conflict he felt in his relationship with Jemma. Wishing to tell her yet not daring to tell her.
If you read my book, you will know that I am not exactly a rugby fan. But the insight into the world of professional rugby was fascinating ...more
I was lucky enough to hear Gareth Thomas speak at the Penguin Random House Sales Conference at the beginning of this year. If his speech was anything to go by, I knew this would be a moving read.
He is an inspiration to so many and rightfully so. Thomas doesn't disappoint in this startlingly frank autobiography. He went through a lot of turmoil, but he came out on top and is helping many others through the same experiences.
Writing-wise, the emotional and troubled parts were beautifully handled ...more
He is an inspiration to so many and rightfully so. Thomas doesn't disappoint in this startlingly frank autobiography. He went through a lot of turmoil, but he came out on top and is helping many others through the same experiences.
Writing-wise, the emotional and troubled parts were beautifully handled ...more
Gareth Thomas, sous forme d’autobiographie, nous offre là une leçon de vie ; sa vie avec ces hauts et ces bas, jusqu’à l’acceptation et la revendication de ce qu’il est, de qui il est.
Ce livre est poignant, touchant. On ressent dans chaque page, la souffrance qu’il à vécu en cachant son secret. Le mal-être qu’il ressentait de devoir cacher qui il était vraiment à sa famille, ses amis proches, ses coéquipiers …
L'avis complet de PlumKreole ici : https://thelibraryworld.wordpress.com...
Ce livre est poignant, touchant. On ressent dans chaque page, la souffrance qu’il à vécu en cachant son secret. Le mal-être qu’il ressentait de devoir cacher qui il était vraiment à sa famille, ses amis proches, ses coéquipiers …
L'avis complet de PlumKreole ici : https://thelibraryworld.wordpress.com...
Anybody who knows me will know that I do not often read sports biographies. Gareth Thomas's autobiography is moving and heartfelt, well written and appealing both to rugby fans and those interested in coming out stories that have affected the way the world perceives gay men. There are dark times right from the word go, and reading Gareth's story it is no wonder that so many professional sports people find it so difficult to make that decision to let the world know about their true selves.
I saw a ...more
I saw a ...more
A heartfelt look back on his successes and failings both on the field of play and away from it. Detailed and well written the book grabs you from the opening chapter and makes you want to know more about the man himself. I find many biographies about sports stars to leave me thinking they didn't quite give the whole story, this certainly does and left me with no questions unanswered.
For anyone who enjoys life stories, this is a must.
For anyone who enjoys life stories, this is a must.
I had his expectations for this book as I have always felt so proud of Gareth Thomas when he made the decision to come out and because I knew our lives were similar. The quality of writing was good but apparently it was co-written. There were elements I could relate to being a fellow Welshman and some parts (such as Gareth's letter to his adolescent self) moved me. However, I found the book too heavily focussed on the rugby side of Gareth's life. Unless you are a rugby fan it could become a litt
...more
This is a painfully honest and interesting book. Gareth Thomas is an inspiration and his life story (so far) is fascinating. The writing, however is overblown, cliche-heavy and appalling. That's not surprising, I suppose, as it was written with a sports journalist. The bombast about teams being brothers and matches battles may well be Thomas' own, but they could have been tempered or cut. This doesn't make this an any less interesting book, though. The events and Thomas' humanity make it readabl
...more
Brutality honest
From start to finish this book gave me a kick in the feels. Loved him as a rugby player but after reading this I love him as a human, da Iawn butt!!!
From start to finish this book gave me a kick in the feels. Loved him as a rugby player but after reading this I love him as a human, da Iawn butt!!!
A bit too egotistical and preachy for my liking but it was interesting reading about his rugby career. Although the book was mainly about him being gay, his coming out and his dealings with that.
Always loved watching Alfie play rugby, this book describing his"coming out" as a gay man was an emotional account.
A really interesting insight into the emotional turmoil Gareth went through.
Well written - sensitive and moving. A true Welsh rugby hero.
What an insiring and emotional book this is ! It had me in tears so often! What a Co-writer that Gareth has chosen! What a privilege to share in Gareth's journey! I will read this book again!
Glad I read the book. Thought it started well. Insightful and not too rugby-heavy so as to alienate the non-sports fans. Safe to say that Gareth Thomas dispels any preconceived stereotypes which I think is, sadly, all too necessary. Brave of him to be so honest. Thank you. :)
Well written book about the coming out and career of one of the best Welsh international players of recent times. A good read.
Got me gripped from start to finish. What a remarkable man.
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