Eye of the Hurricane: The Alex Higgins Story

by John Hennessy

When Alex Higgins' first manager bestowed the nickname "Hurricane Higgins" on the young, feisty snooker player, he had no idea just how apt it was to prove over the next 30 years. This is the sad yet uplifting story of a man who had everything to play for, but now has to play hard for anything he can get. Charting his rise and fall, the book questions how a two-time world champion who thrilled millions and glamourized the game can be left penniless and discarded. It tells of his legal battles against snooker's governing bodies and his own personal battle with throat cancer. Describing the man in the kind of brusque and uncompromising way that characterized his game, this biography shows how Higgins, sitting fitfully on snooker's sidelines, still has a story to tell, and another controversy to spark.

Genres: Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book charting the rise and subsequent fall of snooker legend Alex Higgins, told in an honest fashion, warts and all this a no holds barred account of his tempestuous years on the snooker circuit and his life after the game.
Humble beginnings, drink, drugs, women, gambling and stormy outbursts all add up to the troubled genius that is Alex.
From his wars with the WPBSA, his sparring with the referees, fans, journalists this book has it all, there was so much more to the man than just the snooker.
At times charming and witty at others tyrannical in his mad rages he truly was a Jekyll and Hyde character but that probably endeared him to his fans as the world loves a tortured genius and sport has always been known for its outrageous characters.
Well written with input from those who knew him this is a must for fans of the game or even just for an insight into the person behind the cue.
Definitely worth a read.