Bamboo Goalposts

Bamboo Goalposts
Author: Rowan Simons
Publisher: MacMillan
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2015-03-26
Genre: China
ISBN: 9781447289661

Rowan Simons has lived (and played football) in China for over twenty years and Bamboo Goalposts is his amusing and insightful account of what it's like to live, work and play there. He presents and works with Beijing TV and runs his own media company, but his real passion is getting China to embrace the social and health benefits of amateur football. Which isn't easy in a country where for decades it was illegal for more than ten people to congregate for the purposes of a recreational sporting activity. Rowan built a football pitch and clubhouse and now heads Club Football - http://www.clubfootball.com.cn - whose growing membership has given him genuine hope that by the time the Beijing Olympics begin in 2008 he might be getting somewhere. No other book communicates more clearly, more humourously and more affectionately what contemporary China is like when viewed through Western eyes. Rowan speaks fluent Chinese and his love of the country and its people shines off every page. He has lived there for so long that he understands what it takes to get ahead, but at the same time he is still very much a down-to-earth English football fan who just wants to share his passion for the beautiful game. Bamboo Goalposts is a personal odyssey inspired by the selfless pioneers of amateur football who took the game around the world in centuries past, but somehow missed China.

Interrelationships Between Sport and the Arts

Interrelationships Between Sport and the Arts
Author: Jonathan Long
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 197
Release: 2022-11-10
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1000782301

This multidisciplinary collection examines different dimensions of the interrelationships between sport and the arts. It is a consequence of the Fields of Vision initiative that challenges their typical separation into distinct realms. Whether at school or in the highest realms of public life people struggle to reconcile the two; they lack the necessary conceptual vocabulary. Worse, there are entrenched positions characterised by mutual suspicion, distrust and denigration. In contrast, the contributors to this book challenge the creativity/competition binary and highlight the potential for collaboration in theoretical discourse, policy, education and professional practice. In doing so, the authors draw strength from the Olympian ethos of the Greeks and the vison of the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin. The book seeks to ‘problematise, interrogate and provoke’. The papers shed new light on sport and the arts as representations of cultural identity and embodying processes of social change. This book is a significant new contribution to understanding both sports and the arts, not just in their separate contexts, but also in amalgam. It represents a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students of Sports, Visual Art, Literature, History, Sociology, Social Theory and Cultural Studies. It was originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

The Changi Brownlow

The Changi Brownlow
Author: Roland Perry
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2012-07-31
Genre: History
ISBN: 0733627358

This is the moving, powerful and surprising story of a group of Australian POWs who organise an Australian Rules Football competition under the worst conditions imaginable - inside Changi prison. After Singapore falls to the Japanese early in 1942, 70 000 prisoners including 15 000 Australians, are held as POWs at the notorious Changi prison, Singapore. To amuse themselves and fellow inmates, a group of sportsmen led by the indefatigable and popular `Chicken? Smallhorn, created an Australian Football League, complete with tribunal, selection panel, umpires and coaches. The final game of the one and only season was between `Victoria? and the `Rest of Australia?, which attracted 10 000 spectators, and a unique Brownlow Medal was awarded in this unlikely setting under the curious gaze of Japanese prison guards. Meet the main characters behind this spectacle: Peter Chitty, the farm hand from Snowy River country with unfathomable physical and mental fortitude, and one of eight in his immediate family who volunteered to fight and serve in WW2; `Chicken? Smallhorn, the Brownlow-medal winning little man with the huge heart; and `Weary? Dunlop, the courageous doctor, who cares for the POWs as they endure malnutrition, disease and often inhuman treatment. Changi Brownlow is a story of courage and the invincibility of the human spirit, and highlights not only the Australian love of sport, but its power to offer consolation in times of extreme hardship.

Moon Quito

Moon Quito
Author: Bethany Pitts
Publisher: Moon Travel
Total Pages: 235
Release: 2019-12-17
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 1631217275

Quito is at once a vibrant young city and a traditional Sierra town, steeped in ancient culture and tucked between misty mountain peaks. Get to know both sides of this beautiful city with Moon Quito. Explore the City: Navigate by district or by activity with color-coded maps, or follow a guided walk through Quito's most interesting neighborhoods See the Sights: Stroll the cobblestone streets of Quito's Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!) and bask in the gilded glow of la Compañia church. Hike through cloud forests, spot Andean bears at a wildlife reserve, or climb the rugged Pichincha Volcano. Learn about the history of Ecuador's indigenous people at museums of pre-Colombian art and witness Guayasamín's masterpiece at the Capilla del Hombre Get a Taste of the City: Eat with the locals at one of Quito's markets or savor innovative takes on traditional Ecuadorian cuisine Bars and Nightlife: Linger at a café, dance the night away at the trendiest clubs, or bar-hop through la Mariscal Expert Advice: Experience Quito like an insider with tips from local Bethany Pitts on where to eat, where to stay, and how to get around, including advice on supporting local businesses and respectfully engaging with the culture Itineraries and Day Trips: Spend a day or a full week in Quito, and explore nearby Calderón, Guayllabamba, Mindo, and more Full-Color Photos and Detailed Maps Handy Tools: Background on the landscape, climate, and history, health and safety information, a Spanish phrasebook, volunteer opportunities, and travel tips for families with kids, seniors, travelers with disabilities, and LGBTQ travelers With Moon Quito's practical tips and local know-how, you can plan your trip your way. Exploring more of South America? Check out Moon Chile or Moon Galápagos Islands.

Tony Greig

Tony Greig
Author: Joyce Greig
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Aus.
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2013-11-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 174351462X

Tony Greig was a fearless cricketer, a born entertainer, a stalwart friend and a loving son and father. His death in December 2012 was met with an outpouring of grief from family, friends, colleagues and fans. In this wonderful memoir, Tony's life is recounted by two of those who knew him best - his mother, Joycie, and his eldest son, Mark. Tony's story began in his beloved South Africa when Joycie embarked on an extraordinary war-time love affair with a man not her husband, Sandy Greig. From schoolboy cricketing prodigy, to his early days playing for English country side Sussex, Tony travelled the world meeting an array of cricket greats. He was eventually made captain of England, but then was removed from the job when he controversially threw in his lot with Kerry Packer and his World Series Cricket in 1977. Together, Tony and Packer changed the game forever and formed a friendship that lasted 28 years until Packer's death in 2005. With Packer's offer of a 'job for life', Tony joined the Nine Network as a commentator and settled his family in Australia. From behind the mic, Tony became part of the fabric of the Australian summer. His knowledge of the game, his respect for players from all countries, but particularly for those from the Subcontinent, his humour and above all his passion for cricket made him one of the game's best loved and best known figures. This rich and fascinating life has been retold with warmth and love, giving us an unforgettable portrait of a great man.

Soccernomics

Soccernomics
Author: Simon Kuper
Publisher: Bold Type Books
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2018-04-24
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1568588860

The 2018 World Cup edition of the international bestseller and "the most intelligent book ever written about soccer" (San Francisco Chronicle) is updated throughout and features new chapters on the FIFA scandal, why Iceland wins, and women's soccer. Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Guardian, Slate, Financial Times, Independent (UK), and Bloomberg News Written with an economist's brain and a soccer writer's skill, Soccernomics applies high-powered analytical tools to everyday soccer topics, looking at data and revealing counterintuitive truths about the world's most beloved game. It all adds up to a revolutionary new approach that has helped change the way the game is played. This World Cup edition features ample new material, including fresh insights into FIFA's corruption, the surge in domestic violence during World Cups, and Western Europe's unprecedented dominance of global soccer.

The Spirit of the Game

The Spirit of the Game
Author: Mihir Bose
Publisher: Constable
Total Pages: 377
Release: 2012-01-19
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 184901826X

The spirit of the game was first nurtured on the playing fields of the English public school, and in the pages of Tom Brown's Schooldays- this Corinthian spirit was then exported around the world. The competitive spirit, the importance of fairness, the nobility of the gifted amateur seemed to sum up everything that was good about Britishness and the games they played. Today, sport is dominated by corruption, money, celebrity and players who are willing to dive in the box if it wins them a penalty. Yet, we still believe and talk about the game as if it had a higher moral purpose. Since the age of Thomas Arnold, Sport has been used to glorify dictatorships and was at the heart of cold war diplomacy. Prime Ministers, princes and presidents will do whatever they can to ensure that their country holds a major sporting tournament. Nelson Mandela saw the victory of the Rugby World Cup as essential to his hopes for the Rainbow Nation. Mihir Bose has lived his life around sport and in this book he tells the story of how Sport has lost its original spirit and how it has emerged in the 20th century to become the most powerful political tool in the world. With examples and stories from around the world including how the sport-hating Thomas Arnold become an icon; how a German manufacturer gave Jessie Owens a pair of shoes at the Berlin games of 1936 and went on to dominate the world of sport; how India stole cricket from the ICC; how an Essex car dealer become the most powerful man in Formula 1; and who really sold football out. Praise for Mihir Bose: 'Mihir Bose is India's CLR James.' Simon Barnes, The Times. 'Mihir's insider knowledge is unsurpassed' David Welch. 'His Olympic contacts are second to none. He knows everybody.' Sue Mott.

Winning Wars

Winning Wars
Author: Matthias Strohn
Publisher: Casemate Academic
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2020-12-07
Genre: History
ISBN: 1952715016

A collection of military history essays examining the philosophical side of war and the meaning of “victory.” What does it mean to win a war? How does this differ from a simple military victory? How have different cultures and societies answered these questions through history, and how can we apply these lessons? When considering how a war might be “won,” there are three big ideas that underpin how success can be measured: ownership, intervention for effect, and fighting for ideas. These three main themes also contain a series of sub-themes: internal and external, short-term and long-term, military success versus political success, and tactical outcomes versus campaign effects versus strategic success. This book examines the constituent parts of what may comprise “victory” or “winning” in war and then travels, chronologically, through a wide variety of historical case studies, further exploring these philosophical components and weaving them into a factual discussion. The authors of each chapter will explore the three big ideas within the context of their individual case studies, offering pointers as to where, within that framework, their case study may sit. The message of this book is not just an academic exploration for its own sake, but a vital aspect (both morally and practically) of the political and military business of the application of force. In short, know in advance how you wish to end before you start. “Comprising sixteen excellent and thought-provoking essays by eighteen noted military historians and former warriors, the book comprehensively examines the realities of war and the wide-ranging concepts of victory. At the same time, it offers a very good general history of warfare.” —Baird Maritime “[This book] can provide useful insights to anyone; students and subject matter experts alike can find something to gain from this book. Most importantly, its emphasis on contemporary warfare can provide consequential information for our current military and civilian leadership, if they are willing to hear it.” —Air & Space Power Journal

Fat China

Fat China
Author: Paul French
Publisher: Anthem Press
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2010-07
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 0857289861

'Fat China' provides an in-depth analysis of the growing problem of obesity and body image in China as urban lifestyles change and a sizeable middle class emerges. Rising obesity rates are examined in relationship to changing diets, modern lifestyles, investment from foreign fast food and supermarket retailers and urban planning. Crucial to this analysis is the likely effects on China's future development and already overburdened healthcare system.

Tales from the Torrid Zone

Tales from the Torrid Zone
Author: Alexander Frater
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 500
Release: 2011-06-15
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 030779525X

Alexander Frater was born to a family of Scottish expatriates on the tiny island of Irikiki in the South Seas. Following his dreams of being a writer, Frater left home, but the call of the tropics compelled him to return again and again. Join him as he dines with the Queen of Tonga; makes his way through two civil wars; visits the spots where surfing and bungee jumping originated; and expresses his love for the region where he is at once a tourist, explorer, adventurer, and native son. From Tahiti to Thailand, Mexico to Mozambique, Frater gives us a richly described, endlessly surprising picture of this diverse, feverish, languorously beautiful world.