What do you think?
Rate this book
Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All
Brian Moore, or "Pitbull" as he came to be known during nearly a decade at the heart of the England rugby team's pack, established himself as one of the game's original hard men at a time when rugby was still an amateur sport. Since his retirement, he has earned a reputation as an equally uncompromising commentator, never afraid to tell it as he sees it and lash out at the money men and professionals that have made rugby into such a different beast. Yet, for all his bullishness on and off the pitch, there also appears a more unconventional, complicated side to the man. A solicitor by trade, Moore's love of fine wine, career experience as a manicurist, and preference for reading Shakespeare in the dressing room before games, mark him out as anything but the stereotypical rugby player and in Beware of the Dog Moore lays open with astounding frankness the shocking events, both personal and professional, that have gone towards shaping him over the years. Presenting an unparalleled insight into the mind of one of British rugby's greatest players and characters, Beware of the Dog is a uniquely engaging and upfront sporting memoir.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
19 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Brian Moore
8Ìýbooks3ÌýfollowersFormer England rugby union star (not to be confused with the Irish author or the English football commentator).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
![Profile Image for [ J o ].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1673171874i%2F4639825._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 6, 2017
I didn't start watching Rugby until the early 00's and only know Brian Moore through passing reference and, mostly, through his commentary on BBC where he became an instant favourite of my because he is outspoken and not afraid of the repercussions when he speaks his mind, and, often, the truth.
This is not a book about his life per sé, but a collection of his memories of playing rugby and a stark confession of his childhood abuse, two things which seem to be so unconnected when you consider the writing of a sports autobiography: either it is life or the game, never one bluntly put at the beginning and the other following so quickly after. I have to commend the way this was done: it was chronological (for the most part, we'll get on to that in a bit) and it actually was a cathartic experience for Moore and an emotional one as a reader.
With sports stars writing their own book you are always going to have literacy and general layout issues: the problem with this book is that it was not edited to be a memoir and I think that style suits, though it was frustrating at times. I say that I think it suits because of the way it helps to portray that little bit more the thought-process of Moore as he writes it, something which would have been lost if it had been over edited. As a literature freak and bookworm, however, this was obviously going to irk me, but there were several reasons why I didn't let the irk get the best of me. First and foremost, Moore is no professional writer. Usually they are helped by ghost writers, and you can almost always tell if this is the case because the intimacy and depth of the memories (which is the most important factor in an autobiography, don't you think?) are true to form, as opposed to being second-hand stories that lose their meaning if a ghost writer has gotten hold of them before you have. Yes, editors will have had their wicked way with it to some extent, but as testimony to the man himself, it was at a very low level.
Another reason is the complete in-depth recounts of the most important matches of Moore's life (if you didn't know, he played Rugby for England 64 times and went on two Lions tours) and I personally was not alive or interested in Rugby at the time and find the way he retells them is as close you can get to perfection.
Another reason: it is amusing. Reading autobiographies of any kind, let alone sports stars that are not funny is probably no reason to hate them, but alas I cannot help myself. I tend to keep to comedians autobiographies because they are going to be, inevitably, funny, even when they are expressing the most intimate and perhaps deeply disturbing moments of their lives. But Moore was and is a sportsman with a sense of humour and that comes across.
If you are looking for a sports autobiography, or any autobiography, that is correct in syntax and form, you should not read this. If you want to read about England's greatest Hooker and the BBC's best commentator, then you need to read this book, if only to understand the man more and realise why he may be understated and speaks directly from the heart.
| | | | |
This is not a book about his life per sé, but a collection of his memories of playing rugby and a stark confession of his childhood abuse, two things which seem to be so unconnected when you consider the writing of a sports autobiography: either it is life or the game, never one bluntly put at the beginning and the other following so quickly after. I have to commend the way this was done: it was chronological (for the most part, we'll get on to that in a bit) and it actually was a cathartic experience for Moore and an emotional one as a reader.
With sports stars writing their own book you are always going to have literacy and general layout issues: the problem with this book is that it was not edited to be a memoir and I think that style suits, though it was frustrating at times. I say that I think it suits because of the way it helps to portray that little bit more the thought-process of Moore as he writes it, something which would have been lost if it had been over edited. As a literature freak and bookworm, however, this was obviously going to irk me, but there were several reasons why I didn't let the irk get the best of me. First and foremost, Moore is no professional writer. Usually they are helped by ghost writers, and you can almost always tell if this is the case because the intimacy and depth of the memories (which is the most important factor in an autobiography, don't you think?) are true to form, as opposed to being second-hand stories that lose their meaning if a ghost writer has gotten hold of them before you have. Yes, editors will have had their wicked way with it to some extent, but as testimony to the man himself, it was at a very low level.
Another reason is the complete in-depth recounts of the most important matches of Moore's life (if you didn't know, he played Rugby for England 64 times and went on two Lions tours) and I personally was not alive or interested in Rugby at the time and find the way he retells them is as close you can get to perfection.
Another reason: it is amusing. Reading autobiographies of any kind, let alone sports stars that are not funny is probably no reason to hate them, but alas I cannot help myself. I tend to keep to comedians autobiographies because they are going to be, inevitably, funny, even when they are expressing the most intimate and perhaps deeply disturbing moments of their lives. But Moore was and is a sportsman with a sense of humour and that comes across.
If you are looking for a sports autobiography, or any autobiography, that is correct in syntax and form, you should not read this. If you want to read about England's greatest Hooker and the BBC's best commentator, then you need to read this book, if only to understand the man more and realise why he may be understated and speaks directly from the heart.
| | | | |
August 4, 2016
I am reminded of the adage, 'don't judge a book by its cover'. 'Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All' (2010) displays the rather frightening visage of Brian Moore. Certainly not a face that anyone would wish to be confronted with in a bar-room contretemps, or a road rage incident!
Yet, this memoir from the ex-England international hooker casts the stereotypes in the bin. Here is a one time litigation lawyer, a connoisseur of fine wines, a lover of Opera and reader of Shakespeare and a qualified manicurist. The 'number two' also shows himself to be a fine and intelligent writer, which comes as a unique and refreshing change from the vast majority of sporting publications. Not that Moore is new to this medium. Since retirement from his sport he has written for The Sun and Telegraph newspapers. His autobiography was released in 1995 and 'The Thoughts of Chairman Moore: The Wit & Wisdom of Brian Moore' appeared in the same year as this book. 'More Thoughts of Chairman Moore: The Wit & Wisdom of Brian Moore Vol II' appeared the following year in 2011 and 'After the Final Whistle: On Retirement from Sport' hit the shelves in 2015. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ also lists 'Cochlear Hearing Loss: Physiological, Psychological & Technical Issues' but that is from a different Brian Moore, not that I would be too surprised if it wasn't.)
The majority of 'Beware of the Dog' charts Moore's Union career from schoolboy level through University rugby, Harlequin and Richmond, but mostly his exploits with England and the British Lions. He gained 64 caps for England between 1987 and 1995. Anyone who plays this sport has to be 'a hard man', and Brian Moore was, as they say, 'well hard'. Through the crunching scrums, eye gouges and punch ups he came out of the game physically unscathed. However, the author reveals his mental scars, fighting the psychological demon he calls Gollum, relating to his adoption as a child and his experience of sexual abuse by a teacher at school.
Part sporting memoir and part autobiography, this book is mostly the former. He has been married three times, the details of which are only briefly touched upon but I think this is certainly one of the Moore readable volumes in this genre. I have only arrived at this sport in recent years and it has a lot to do with the BBC coverage of the Six Nations with the commentary of Moore. "Thank you Brian, my Sale Sharks season ticket arrived in the post this morning."
Yet, this memoir from the ex-England international hooker casts the stereotypes in the bin. Here is a one time litigation lawyer, a connoisseur of fine wines, a lover of Opera and reader of Shakespeare and a qualified manicurist. The 'number two' also shows himself to be a fine and intelligent writer, which comes as a unique and refreshing change from the vast majority of sporting publications. Not that Moore is new to this medium. Since retirement from his sport he has written for The Sun and Telegraph newspapers. His autobiography was released in 1995 and 'The Thoughts of Chairman Moore: The Wit & Wisdom of Brian Moore' appeared in the same year as this book. 'More Thoughts of Chairman Moore: The Wit & Wisdom of Brian Moore Vol II' appeared the following year in 2011 and 'After the Final Whistle: On Retirement from Sport' hit the shelves in 2015. (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ also lists 'Cochlear Hearing Loss: Physiological, Psychological & Technical Issues' but that is from a different Brian Moore, not that I would be too surprised if it wasn't.)
The majority of 'Beware of the Dog' charts Moore's Union career from schoolboy level through University rugby, Harlequin and Richmond, but mostly his exploits with England and the British Lions. He gained 64 caps for England between 1987 and 1995. Anyone who plays this sport has to be 'a hard man', and Brian Moore was, as they say, 'well hard'. Through the crunching scrums, eye gouges and punch ups he came out of the game physically unscathed. However, the author reveals his mental scars, fighting the psychological demon he calls Gollum, relating to his adoption as a child and his experience of sexual abuse by a teacher at school.
Part sporting memoir and part autobiography, this book is mostly the former. He has been married three times, the details of which are only briefly touched upon but I think this is certainly one of the Moore readable volumes in this genre. I have only arrived at this sport in recent years and it has a lot to do with the BBC coverage of the Six Nations with the commentary of Moore. "Thank you Brian, my Sale Sharks season ticket arrived in the post this morning."
February 6, 2018
Unsurprisingly frank and forthright account of Brian Moore’s experiences at the cutting-edge of international rugby at an historic period of time for the sport.
He is brutal and often controversial: I imagine several former team-mates, adversaries and organisers within the world of rugby not taking too kindly to him following publication. His description of front-row comeraderie (on and off the pitch) is spot-on, and his explanation of some famous match turning-points are well expressed.
He does over-indulge several times (again, unsurprisingly). For example: describing falling out of a tree as a child (something that every man who was a boy pre the 2000s did frequently) as a near-death experience is an ego-trip too far.
I was concerned that he was backing away from the details behind the controversy of rugby’s change to professionalism, but I was wrong. He came back to it in the final quarter of the book with his usual and refreshing lack of tact.
I don’t think non-rugby fans would enjoy this book at all (but I also think they wouldn’t consider reading it).
Everyone who has ever played rugby at any level should read this book; everyone who has ever played front row rugby at any level must read this book!
He is brutal and often controversial: I imagine several former team-mates, adversaries and organisers within the world of rugby not taking too kindly to him following publication. His description of front-row comeraderie (on and off the pitch) is spot-on, and his explanation of some famous match turning-points are well expressed.
He does over-indulge several times (again, unsurprisingly). For example: describing falling out of a tree as a child (something that every man who was a boy pre the 2000s did frequently) as a near-death experience is an ego-trip too far.
I was concerned that he was backing away from the details behind the controversy of rugby’s change to professionalism, but I was wrong. He came back to it in the final quarter of the book with his usual and refreshing lack of tact.
I don’t think non-rugby fans would enjoy this book at all (but I also think they wouldn’t consider reading it).
Everyone who has ever played rugby at any level should read this book; everyone who has ever played front row rugby at any level must read this book!
July 2, 2021
De rugbywereld, en dan vooral tijdens de amateurtijd, kende een groot aantal ‘karakters�. Eén van hen is Brian Moore, ook bekend als The Pittbull. Grand-slam winnaar, WK-finalist, British Lion en legendarische speler van Engeland met de meeste caps als Hooker die bekend staat om zijn uitspraken. Tegenwoordig is hij columnist voor The Sun en The Telegraph en commentator voor de BBC, maar ook toen hij nog speelde zorgde hij regelmatig voor ophef.
Moore werd ter adoptie afgestaan door zijn moeder nadat zijn vader ervandoor ging na de geboorte en werd als kind misbruikt door een leraar die tevens vriend van de familie was. Niet echt een goede start in het leven, maar ‘Mooro� is een doorzetter en werd niet alleen in het veld succesvol maar ook daarbuiten als een erkent advocaat en manicurist, ja echt. Hij las Shakespeare voor aan zijn teamgenoten in de kleedkamer en had een tijd een column over wijnen in een landelijke krant. Maar vooral is hij een aanstekelijk verteller, die als gezegd geen blad voor zijn mond neemt. Het stuk over het verlies van de legendarische grandslamfinale van 1990 tegen Schotland en het daaropvolgende banket met de Schotse ploeg alleen al is de moeite van het aanschaffen waard. Ook zijn tourverhalen zijn magistraal en zijn observaties messcherp.
Net als veel spelers raakte hij de weg kwijt nadat hij stopte met rugby op het hoogste niveau, maar o.a. door een bezoek aan een organisatie die zich inzet om kinderen te helpen die slachtoffer zijn van misbruik herpakte hij zichzelf en durfde hij eindelijk naar buiten te komen met zijn eigen demonen. Die andere demon is ‘Golem�, zoals hij hem zelf noemt. Zijn alter ego vernoemd naar het figuur uit In de ban van de ring� die hem telkens verteld dat hij zal mislukken, zijn geluk niet waard is en hem depressief maakt. Golem moet hij nog steeds vaak overwinnen maar met het schrijven van dit boek heeft hij hem wel op een 5-0 achterstand gezet. Beware of the Dog werd in Engeland uitgeroepen tot Sportboek van het Jaar 2010.
Natuurlijk bestel je dit boek bij je plaatselijke boekhandel, zo steunen we de lokale ondernemer.
Moore werd ter adoptie afgestaan door zijn moeder nadat zijn vader ervandoor ging na de geboorte en werd als kind misbruikt door een leraar die tevens vriend van de familie was. Niet echt een goede start in het leven, maar ‘Mooro� is een doorzetter en werd niet alleen in het veld succesvol maar ook daarbuiten als een erkent advocaat en manicurist, ja echt. Hij las Shakespeare voor aan zijn teamgenoten in de kleedkamer en had een tijd een column over wijnen in een landelijke krant. Maar vooral is hij een aanstekelijk verteller, die als gezegd geen blad voor zijn mond neemt. Het stuk over het verlies van de legendarische grandslamfinale van 1990 tegen Schotland en het daaropvolgende banket met de Schotse ploeg alleen al is de moeite van het aanschaffen waard. Ook zijn tourverhalen zijn magistraal en zijn observaties messcherp.
Net als veel spelers raakte hij de weg kwijt nadat hij stopte met rugby op het hoogste niveau, maar o.a. door een bezoek aan een organisatie die zich inzet om kinderen te helpen die slachtoffer zijn van misbruik herpakte hij zichzelf en durfde hij eindelijk naar buiten te komen met zijn eigen demonen. Die andere demon is ‘Golem�, zoals hij hem zelf noemt. Zijn alter ego vernoemd naar het figuur uit In de ban van de ring� die hem telkens verteld dat hij zal mislukken, zijn geluk niet waard is en hem depressief maakt. Golem moet hij nog steeds vaak overwinnen maar met het schrijven van dit boek heeft hij hem wel op een 5-0 achterstand gezet. Beware of the Dog werd in Engeland uitgeroepen tot Sportboek van het Jaar 2010.
Natuurlijk bestel je dit boek bij je plaatselijke boekhandel, zo steunen we de lokale ondernemer.
December 28, 2019
I guess the biggest problem here for me was the 'game' as I have almost no understanding about it which obviously was a hindrance but having said that the story of a sportsman is always inspirational which somehow was missing here!
I liked the buildup and the background from childhood to the junior rugby player but then it slowly started slowing down for me with too much of England rugby Association politics and the details of few games!
I could connect to 1995 World Cup where South Africa won and Nelson Mandela became the face of it so his story about it was super where England lost in the semis.
I also got to know one big thing about the game- it only became professional in 1995 which is unbelievable thinking all the players before it were getting a wage like $12/day and they were working in a normal job to earn money to lead their life and family!
So a good read for all Rugby fans for sure :-)
I liked the buildup and the background from childhood to the junior rugby player but then it slowly started slowing down for me with too much of England rugby Association politics and the details of few games!
I could connect to 1995 World Cup where South Africa won and Nelson Mandela became the face of it so his story about it was super where England lost in the semis.
I also got to know one big thing about the game- it only became professional in 1995 which is unbelievable thinking all the players before it were getting a wage like $12/day and they were working in a normal job to earn money to lead their life and family!
So a good read for all Rugby fans for sure :-)
June 23, 2019
Uncompromising
I watched England Rugby through the entirety of Brian Moore's career and this book appears to have been written in a style similar to his playing style, hard, uncompromising and brutally honest.
The book covers his tremendous on field career which was the transition to the professional era, his reluctant retirement and transition to family man clearly besotted with his daughters.
Brian pulls no punches even when describing the search for his birth mother, the effect on the mother that raised him and his thoughts on the relationship after finding her.
A great read and thoroughly recommended.
I watched England Rugby through the entirety of Brian Moore's career and this book appears to have been written in a style similar to his playing style, hard, uncompromising and brutally honest.
The book covers his tremendous on field career which was the transition to the professional era, his reluctant retirement and transition to family man clearly besotted with his daughters.
Brian pulls no punches even when describing the search for his birth mother, the effect on the mother that raised him and his thoughts on the relationship after finding her.
A great read and thoroughly recommended.
May 27, 2024
This biography was a good read, having much more grit than your stereotypical sports biography. Moore writes as he co-commentates. Frank and opinionated. One warning�. The book includes details of sexual abuse suffered by Moore. The book is better for it being included but this may be a trigger for some.
July 28, 2017
First autobiography I've read in a long while. Uncomfortable start, interesting childhood but so arrogant at school, uni, training and his career. Mainly memories of rugby matches and training, very little revealed about the man himself I thought. Interesting time in English rugby.
March 31, 2018
A great memoir. It brought back some wonderful memories of some wonderful rugby games. Challenging in places but then again someone's who had to live through child abuse, adoption, rejection and Black Dog, deserves huge respect.
March 28, 2020
Brutal and often controversial but I have more respect for him now. Tried to by this book when it first came out but it sold out before I could secure a copy. Recently picked up online at a bargain price. I will now keep it on my shelf.
June 13, 2023
A really fascinating read. One of the most human autobiographies I’ve read; in that my emotions concerning Brian ranged from great respect to massive frustration on almost every page. Probably what makes it good though.
April 3, 2019
Thank you Brian
A very thought provoking insight to One of the great prop forwards of his time. Brian Moore thank you for writing " Beware of the Dog"
A very thought provoking insight to One of the great prop forwards of his time. Brian Moore thank you for writing " Beware of the Dog"
September 25, 2022
Interesting View
My opinion of Brian Moore changed throughout this book after hearing his viewpoints and stances on things related to rugby and not enjoyed autobiograpgy.
My opinion of Brian Moore changed throughout this book after hearing his viewpoints and stances on things related to rugby and not enjoyed autobiograpgy.
April 3, 2016
I thought this a very good book - far better than the usual blandly ghosted sporting autobiographies. It won the 2010 Sports Book Of The Year Award, and deservedly so, in my view.
Two things make it stand out: the first is the writing itself. Moore has a slightly odd prose style which is influenced by his the legal training, and this gives it a quirky, almost clumsy feel at times. I really liked this because it is so obviously Moore himself talking to you, and really brings his sincere, sometimes painfully honest account to life.
More important is the account itself. There is, pretty obviously, a good deal about rugby which I enjoyed very much and found very interesting. However, it is Moore's relatively brief accounts of the psychological effects of his being adopted and of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child which are the really powerful parts of the book. I think he deals with them brilliantly, trying to be as honest and insightful as possible about how these things have affected him, but doesn't dwell needlessly and there is no hint of that loathsome celebrity "My Agony" stuff. It is straightforward, un-self-pitying, courageous and insightful.
This book is well worth reading even if you only have a passing interest in rugby. It is far more than just the account of a distinguished sporting career and I recommend it warmly.
Two things make it stand out: the first is the writing itself. Moore has a slightly odd prose style which is influenced by his the legal training, and this gives it a quirky, almost clumsy feel at times. I really liked this because it is so obviously Moore himself talking to you, and really brings his sincere, sometimes painfully honest account to life.
More important is the account itself. There is, pretty obviously, a good deal about rugby which I enjoyed very much and found very interesting. However, it is Moore's relatively brief accounts of the psychological effects of his being adopted and of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child which are the really powerful parts of the book. I think he deals with them brilliantly, trying to be as honest and insightful as possible about how these things have affected him, but doesn't dwell needlessly and there is no hint of that loathsome celebrity "My Agony" stuff. It is straightforward, un-self-pitying, courageous and insightful.
This book is well worth reading even if you only have a passing interest in rugby. It is far more than just the account of a distinguished sporting career and I recommend it warmly.
October 5, 2012
Brian Moore is a bit of a Marmite figure. Being a Welsh fan he's definitely one of my bete noirs over the years as one of the all-conquering English pack of the '90s, but he's also one-half of my favourite commentating duos alongside Saint Eddie of Butler, a staunch supporter of the good bits of rugby the Aussies keep trying to get rid of, and a member of my favourite ever team - the '89 Lions. Conflicted or what?
What I didn't realise until I finished this, his second book, is what a great writer he is. Sports biographys are pretty much the dross of the literary world, seemingly churned out by faceless robots by the thousand, and are pretty much interchangeable. However only Moore could've written this book, and not just because of the subject matter: His strident, slightly pedantic voice comes through very loud and clear, it's exactly like listening to him on a Saturday afternoon moaning about some mindless piece of play on the pitch.
Even Moore (ho ho) impressive is the unflinching and analytical manner he deals with some pretty dark and bleak subjects such as child abuse, adoption and sublimated rage which drove him to the peak of world rugby. This is how all sports biographies should be - not that I'm advocating all sports stars suffer child abuse of course.
What I didn't realise until I finished this, his second book, is what a great writer he is. Sports biographys are pretty much the dross of the literary world, seemingly churned out by faceless robots by the thousand, and are pretty much interchangeable. However only Moore could've written this book, and not just because of the subject matter: His strident, slightly pedantic voice comes through very loud and clear, it's exactly like listening to him on a Saturday afternoon moaning about some mindless piece of play on the pitch.
Even Moore (ho ho) impressive is the unflinching and analytical manner he deals with some pretty dark and bleak subjects such as child abuse, adoption and sublimated rage which drove him to the peak of world rugby. This is how all sports biographies should be - not that I'm advocating all sports stars suffer child abuse of course.
January 2, 2013
Decided to read this after listening to Brian's Desert Island Discs and finding him an interesting, complex and erudite character. This book did not disappoint. Very much enjoyed a) the read, and b) getting to know the man himself. He's obviously lead a charmed life (if you discount the sexual abuse and two divorces). Even found myself having dialogues with him in my head.
Raised an interesting question as to what I would do if I ever met him - I'm now a bit of an expert on him and know far more about him than some people I have been close to for years, yet we are complete strangers! Probably ask him why on earth he supports the Labour party.
If you're not into sport or rugby don't be put off by the fact that this book won the William Hill sport's book award; obviously there's a lot of the stuff in there because it was a big part of Brian's life, but he only recounts as much as is needed to help illustrate his psyche. This is very much a fully rounded autobiography and not "just" a sporting memoir. In fact, die hard rugby nuts and aficionados of Brian's time as a player may be a bit let down by this.
Generally avoids, though not completely, the usual autobiography trap of settling old scores and re-fighting old battles.
Highly recommended.
Raised an interesting question as to what I would do if I ever met him - I'm now a bit of an expert on him and know far more about him than some people I have been close to for years, yet we are complete strangers! Probably ask him why on earth he supports the Labour party.
If you're not into sport or rugby don't be put off by the fact that this book won the William Hill sport's book award; obviously there's a lot of the stuff in there because it was a big part of Brian's life, but he only recounts as much as is needed to help illustrate his psyche. This is very much a fully rounded autobiography and not "just" a sporting memoir. In fact, die hard rugby nuts and aficionados of Brian's time as a player may be a bit let down by this.
Generally avoids, though not completely, the usual autobiography trap of settling old scores and re-fighting old battles.
Highly recommended.
October 15, 2013
An enjoyable read from cover to cover. An honest and well thought out literary window into, The Life Of Brian. A refined read, that never felt padded.
Moore seems to feel compelled to use this book as some form of therapy. No bad thing, when that person has lived the life he has. I came away from it feeling that I needed to forgive him somehow.
Not your average sports autobiography and for that reason it's well worth reading if you've seen Brian in action.
You will probably come away from it, with a few more opinions of the man who draws opinions as much as anyone else in sport.
Moore seems to feel compelled to use this book as some form of therapy. No bad thing, when that person has lived the life he has. I came away from it feeling that I needed to forgive him somehow.
Not your average sports autobiography and for that reason it's well worth reading if you've seen Brian in action.
You will probably come away from it, with a few more opinions of the man who draws opinions as much as anyone else in sport.
February 15, 2012
This was the William Hill Sportsbook of the Year, and it's easy to see why. It's well-written, brave (containing Brian Moore's revelation about being abused as a child) and fascinating. Personally, I've never played rugby but I enjoy watching it and like Moore's robust co-commentating a lot. He comes across in the book as a complicated and exacting person, but certainly decent (off the field), honest and intelligent. And for those who ever played against him, you have to feel sorry, for this is one pathologically competitive guy. A thought-provoking and engrossing read.
March 29, 2013
What clearly shines through in this biog is Moore's incredible drive to succeed. There are many reasons for this "pathological" (his word) level of commitment, which are detailed in his book. Add to this his strong views on the RFU, the game, the move from amateur to professional as wel as his thoughts on some of the key games during his career (including Grand Slam deciders and World Cups) and you get a fascinating sports biog. You don't have to be a keen rugby fan, though some familiarity with the the game and the personalities helps. He writes well too.
April 27, 2014
Very interesting and revealing insight into the psyche of Brian Moore. He was always a favorite of mine during the glory years at the end of the amateur era. It explains the difficulties of having reached the pinnacle of your chosen sport/ career and how to "come down" from this and reintegrate into a more normal life. Brian's eloquence distinguishes this from many poorly written autobiographies. Very good.
January 21, 2015
A good, honest book. Refreshingly so although a little melancholy and self indulgent in parts. I did feel afterward though that both I knew Mr Moore a little better and that I had misjudged him all these years. Never my favourite player or commentator I do think that actually he would be an interesting guy to share a pint with now. Well that will teach me to pre-judge! Would recommend if you are a rugby fan
March 17, 2015
This book perfectly illustrates my disinterest associated with autobiographies, some of the anecdotes are interesting but others are mundane. I sometimes struggled to continue in the slow, dull passages. The book was recommended to me but the general style isn't to my preference, Moore is undoubtedly one of the most colourful characters to grace the England jersey but it only made the book mildly interesting. It proves once again that I don't really like reading biographies or autobiographies.
February 16, 2016
Brian Moore is not most peoples cup of tea, but reading this Autobiograpahy (as opposed to his previously released authorised Biography) really gives you an insight into what makes the man tick!
As a Wasp i also now realise how close he came to playing for us, but luckily he chose Twickenham ;-)
If you love Rugby this is a must read, although there will be nothing not already known on the rugby Stories front, if not then why bother?!!!!
As a Wasp i also now realise how close he came to playing for us, but luckily he chose Twickenham ;-)
If you love Rugby this is a must read, although there will be nothing not already known on the rugby Stories front, if not then why bother?!!!!
January 26, 2014
I am not really a rugby fan but read this book on recommendation. Really good read, whether you are a rugby fan or not. Very well written. I found the chapters about Brian's post rugby career to be the most interesting. Very candid throughout and shows the focus and determination required for athletes to reach the peak of their sports.
February 12, 2012
Although he annoys the hell out of me when he's commentating I've always a small begrudging respect for his honest views. After reading this that respect has grown as he reveals the events that shaped his life and personality. A very good read.
February 12, 2012
Brilliant uncompromising autobiography. Moore's unflinching honesty is at parts disarming, refreshing and brutally candid. I used to dislike him intensely on the pitch but his book reveals a complex, conflicted personality that I ended up warming to
March 11, 2013
A pretty good read. For the majority of the book Moore is interesting if hard to warm to (reasons for which are explained in the book). Although he tackles some major issues it only feels like he properly opens up emotionally in the last couple of chapters.
December 14, 2012
Great Rugby book...Moore's upbringing explained his attitude on the pitch... not sure if he's got it together even now...
April 11, 2013
Clearly written and painfully honest. Worth a read whether you play or are into rugby or not.
December 22, 2015
very interesting book, more about the person than the rugby - almost painful in its openness
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.