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Wasted?
Cricketer Paul Smith's life fell apart after he received a drugs ban in 1996, which effectively ended his career. He was made a scapegoat and still believes he was singled-out while several other, favored players were allowed to continue their careers. Paul lost his house, his marriage, his children and, of course, his job. How does a man come back from that? In this extraordinary autobiography, Paul Smith tells the story of the rock star lifestyle of a top cricketer, who produced Man of the Match performances at Lord's to help Warwickshire to an unprecedented domestic treble of trophies, which set him on the slippery slope to oblivion. He then describes the torment of being an outcast, losing everything and facing the stark choice of how to go on. This is a modern morality tale with no holds barred and no quarters given as Paul reveals the incredible sexual attraction that goes with being a sports star, his descent into drug taking, the hero-worship that fans gave him after his match-winning performances made Warwickshire the "Manchester United of Cricket," and how he struggled to cope with this heady and potent mix of adulation and demands on his time, body, and emotional energy. And how, eventually, his life fell apart. But Paul found redemption by using his own incredible experiences to inspire inner city kids in both the UK and the USA to reject modern temptations such as drugs, violence, and guns. His work is testament to how he has turned his own remarkable life around. He now works for the Prince's Trust in Britain and with downtown youths in LA in tough, violent districts, where he is the only non-black allowed. And his methods of speaking to the kids about how he nearly ruined his life are working. Nearly 50% fewer of those he spends time with in LA carry guns. This book affirms that it is possible for a bad apple to turn good again with mental strength, positivity, and a hell of a lot of honesty.
- GenresAutobiography
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
5 people want to read
About the author
Paul Smith
1 bookPaul Andrew Smith was born in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne and played his early sport in the north east.
He moved to first-class cricket with Warwickshire and was a successful all-rounder in the side that won a number of trophies in the 1980s and 1990s.
In his early days he coached in the townships of South Africa and he was to return there once his cricket career had ended.
When that happened he fell into decline, using drugs and drinking and becoming homeless. However, he turned his life round with the help of any number of people and began an enterprise Cricket Without Boundaries that he set up in Los Angeles. The American children embraced the project and he was hugely successful.
He also worked with The Prince's Trust and once again the townships of South Africa.
His only book to date is an autobiography, 'Wasted?', which is a no holds barred expose of his life and times.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
He moved to first-class cricket with Warwickshire and was a successful all-rounder in the side that won a number of trophies in the 1980s and 1990s.
In his early days he coached in the townships of South Africa and he was to return there once his cricket career had ended.
When that happened he fell into decline, using drugs and drinking and becoming homeless. However, he turned his life round with the help of any number of people and began an enterprise Cricket Without Boundaries that he set up in Los Angeles. The American children embraced the project and he was hugely successful.
He also worked with The Prince's Trust and once again the townships of South Africa.
His only book to date is an autobiography, 'Wasted?', which is a no holds barred expose of his life and times.
Gerry Wolstenholme
June 2011
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 22, 2011
Paul Smith is not your traditional professional cricketer. He was a combatitive and successful all-rounder for Warwickshire who found success in the 1980s and 1990s with the team that won a variety of trophies.
But, team player though he was, he was always one on his own and in his early days did some coaching in the South African townships, where he was loved by all. Once his cricket career ended he sadly fell into decline with drugs, drink and becoming homeless.
However, he fought his way out of it all and became an inspiration behind his idea for Cricket Without Boundaries, which he developed and took to Los Angeles where American kids embraced the project.
He has also worked with The Prince's Trust in England and once again in the South African townships and he tells his story, warts and all (and there are plenty of them) in a most absorbing autobiography.
But, team player though he was, he was always one on his own and in his early days did some coaching in the South African townships, where he was loved by all. Once his cricket career ended he sadly fell into decline with drugs, drink and becoming homeless.
However, he fought his way out of it all and became an inspiration behind his idea for Cricket Without Boundaries, which he developed and took to Los Angeles where American kids embraced the project.
He has also worked with The Prince's Trust in England and once again in the South African townships and he tells his story, warts and all (and there are plenty of them) in a most absorbing autobiography.
Displaying 1 of 1 review