Fields of Courage: Great Tales of Sporting Heroism

by Max Davidson

Ben Hogan, Jackie Robinson, Billie-Jean King—this history of athletic heroism celebrates virtues that transcend winning and losing  The history of sport is littered with tales of exemplary sportsmen and women pushing their bodies through the pain barrier, or defying career-threatening injuries, in quest of victory. From the goalkeeper who played in a Football Association Cup Final with a broken neck to the batsman who saved a Test match with his arm in plaster, their heroics have inspired generations of aspiring athletes. But courage is as much a moral as a physical attribute—some of the most inspiring chapters in sports feature men and women of principle who have challenged authority, fought racism and sexism, or simply had the guts to confess to weaknesses that went against the grain of their profession. This collection celebrating those heroes demonstrates is a perfect reminder of why sports at their best can be so inspirational.

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011