Review: Graham Henry - Final Word by Bob Howitt [Jan]

The autobiography of a remarkable man, this book gives us a look at the background and life of an interesting coach.  It begins with his schooling and how he became a PE teacher, and then charts his career coaching voluntarily until rugby turned professional.  He’s a man who does things his way and isn’t afraid to tell authority where to go.

This is a well written, enjoyable story of a remarkable man and a life t hat has been lived to the fullest.  An ordinary bloke, Graham Henry as given all to succeed and encouraged others to realise their dreams.  This is an intimate look at an inspiring man who tries his best and demands it of others.

It was really interesting to get a glimpse of the mentality of professional sportspeople and the best and worst aspects of games of rugby.  He doesn’t make excuses for losses, instead explaining why he thought they happened.  Not a rugby fan, I skimmed the rugby talk but enough stayed with me to prove interesting.  I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book.  Bob Howitt did a good job as co-writer and there were little snippets of dry humour throughout.


Title: Graham Henry: Final Word
Author: Bob Howitt
Published: HarperCollins, 2012
Reviewer: Jan

If you want the truth...

For those of you who prefer a dose of reality to counteract the fantasy you're living in, here's a list of new books that are completely true. Or at least, mostly.

Inside their pages you will find almost incredible stories, the truth behind the headlines, and uncover dastardly crimes. (Does anyone actually use that word anymore?) How 'bout nefarious? Or reprehensible?

At all events, be inspired, be horrified - believe it.

Unforgivable blackness and Jack Johnson

Unforgivable blackness and Jack Johnson

So! Tomorrow a certain NZ boxer is taking part in a local library storytime. Your guess is as good as mine as to who it is. Actually, your guess is probably better :)

I don't know much about boxing and I'm not afraid to admit that. Anything I've learned is only recent, and I seem to have an interest in the history of the sport, or biographies of boxers. Like this one, for instance, that I picked up: Unforgivable blackness: the rise and fall of Jack Johnson by Geoffrey C. Ward.

Until this book, the only Jack Johnson I'd ever heard of was the singer. You know the guy - Hawaiian-born musician, surfer, filmmaker, etc. THAT GUY who sang with Ben Stiller. (Funny video, by the way). This Jack Johnson is most definitely NOT that Jack Johnson.

The Johnson that Ward writes about was a heavyweight. Literally. He was the first black heavyweight champion in history. As if that isn't enough to make him interesting, the rest of his story is equally as compelling. I mean, here's a guy who lived life as if segregation did not exist. And it got him in a heapload of trouble - time in prison, and seven years in exile. I cannot comprehend that. I truly cannot.

Yikes. My yen to learn more about boxing in an effort to know something about our guest's profession took a turn for the serious. I'm kinda unrepentant about that. It's a great read.

WHO IS OUR GUEST?!