• Straight 8

  • The Autobiography
  • By: Kieran Read
  • Narrated by: Toby Webster
  • Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

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Straight 8  By  cover art

Straight 8

By: Kieran Read
Narrated by: Toby Webster
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Publisher's summary

SHORTLISTED FOR INTERNATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.

As Kieran Read prepares to call time on his distinguished New Zealand career at the end of the Rugby World Cup, this is the open and honest life story of one of rugby's greatest players, a legendary All Black and a two-time World Cup winner.

Kieran Read first played for the All Blacks as a 23-year-old in 2008 and since then has amassed more than a century of Test appearances in the famous jersey. Now, after a stellar provincial, club and international career - including back-to-back World Cup victories - the New Zealand captain writes openly and honestly about his time in the game.

Read takes to these pages with his trademark determination, lifting the lid on the unique pressures of succeeding as captain the most celebrated All Black of all time (Richie McCaw). He outlines the decisions that molded his career and uncovers the skills of the coaches who shaped him, while offering readers an inside account of how the world's greatest team functions and thrives.

Read unpacks the emotional toll of injury and the ignominy of defeat, neatly illustrating the intense experience of representing a rugby-obsessed nation while delivering a masterclass in how to manage the many demands on the mind and on the body.

Forthright and frank, Read's well-respected views on the game and its future are a must-read for rugby fans, and his take on the myriad personalities and the peccadilloes of his team-mates, coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From the playing fields of Papakura to the summit of the sport, Read has faced every challenge head on. His life story if no exception.

©2019 Kieran Read (P)2019 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

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A surprisingly wonderful read! Highly Recommend!

Just found this while looking for a new autobiography to listen to. I don't really write reviews but, I really enjoyed this audiobook more than I thought I would and it was because it was from Kieran's prospective. It's funny how you've watched so many of the moments he's shared about, especially in the Rugby World Cups, but these stories give you a new outlook on what it feels like to be a professional rugby player and the triumphs and motivations from his prospective. It's an easy listen and the stories and lessons are incredibly relatable and profound despite not being a professional athlete. Highly recommended and will probably listen to again in the future.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Favorite No8

I loved watching Kieran play, he was for me one of the best no 8 ever apart from Zinzan Brooke to ever play the game, I am just biased towards ZinZan - book was good, thought it went more through his accolades and sporting achievements and sharing a personal story or 2, just thought it could have gone to another level in what he was willing to share about himself

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Great listen

What an absolute beast of a man. Set back after set back but still kept walking forward!

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    3 out of 5 stars

Decent clean story

Gained a huge amount of respect and admiration for this man and his dedication to the beautiful game

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