What do you think?
Rate this book
Pride and Passion: The must-read autobiography from one of rugby's greatest coaches
SHORTLISTED FOR RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.
'excellent' Donald McRae, The Guardian
'Gatland is the master' Sir Ian McGeechan
'Gatland is a coaching star' Sir Clive Woodward
'Gats is one of the all-time great coaches' Sam Warburton
Warren Gatland is one of the world's most renowned and intriguing rugby coaches of the modern era, leading Wales to four Six Nations titles , three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals and masterminding two history-making tours as Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions .
As he leaves his post as Head Coach of Wales at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup , Gatland's definitive autobiography provides a colourful and vivid chronicle of an extraordinary three decades at rugby's dynamic coal-face.
The personal journey has been rewarding and challenging in equal measure, spanning many of the sport's most passionate heartlands such as New Zealand, Ireland, England and, of course, Wales .
Gatland reflects in characteristically forthright and intelligent fashion on a lifetime spent playing and coaching the sport which has been his passion since as a young boy he first picked up an oval ball on New Zealand's North Island, dreaming of joining the ranks of the mighty All Blacks .
Along the way we encounter the greatest matches, players and rivalries the sport has to offer, get introduced to a stunning cast of unforgettable characters who grace the story with their humour and humanity, and emerge with a striking appreciation of what makes this outstanding rugby man tick.
'excellent' Donald McRae, The Guardian
'Gatland is the master' Sir Ian McGeechan
'Gatland is a coaching star' Sir Clive Woodward
'Gats is one of the all-time great coaches' Sam Warburton
Warren Gatland is one of the world's most renowned and intriguing rugby coaches of the modern era, leading Wales to four Six Nations titles , three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals and masterminding two history-making tours as Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions .
As he leaves his post as Head Coach of Wales at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup , Gatland's definitive autobiography provides a colourful and vivid chronicle of an extraordinary three decades at rugby's dynamic coal-face.
The personal journey has been rewarding and challenging in equal measure, spanning many of the sport's most passionate heartlands such as New Zealand, Ireland, England and, of course, Wales .
Gatland reflects in characteristically forthright and intelligent fashion on a lifetime spent playing and coaching the sport which has been his passion since as a young boy he first picked up an oval ball on New Zealand's North Island, dreaming of joining the ranks of the mighty All Blacks .
Along the way we encounter the greatest matches, players and rivalries the sport has to offer, get introduced to a stunning cast of unforgettable characters who grace the story with their humour and humanity, and emerge with a striking appreciation of what makes this outstanding rugby man tick.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2019
35 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 20, 2024
Reposted from CB Book Reviews on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3lEIQht7...
This is another book that I have only just gotten around to reading, having been sat on the ‘To Be Read’ pile far longer than it should; and than I care to admit.
I bought this book a couple of years ago after having read and enjoyed Warren’s other book, In the Line of Fire, which documents his role as Head Coach of the @britishandirishlions during their drawn 2017 tour of back to back world champions, New Zealand.
Where ‘In the Line of Fire’ is more of a memoir detailing the specific task and time period of that Lions Tour, ‘Pride and Passion’ is more of an autobiography similar to the Eddie Jones book that I read recently. This book has provided knowledge and insight into periods of Gatland’s rugby career of which I have no previous knowledge, such as his own playing days; spanning through his route into coaching and culminating when he leaves his position of Head Coach of Wales (the first time) at the end of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup.
Similar to the Eddie Jones book, I feel that I may have connected with this better if I had read it when it was first released and therefore more relevant in time.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3lEIQht7...
This is another book that I have only just gotten around to reading, having been sat on the ‘To Be Read’ pile far longer than it should; and than I care to admit.
I bought this book a couple of years ago after having read and enjoyed Warren’s other book, In the Line of Fire, which documents his role as Head Coach of the @britishandirishlions during their drawn 2017 tour of back to back world champions, New Zealand.
Where ‘In the Line of Fire’ is more of a memoir detailing the specific task and time period of that Lions Tour, ‘Pride and Passion’ is more of an autobiography similar to the Eddie Jones book that I read recently. This book has provided knowledge and insight into periods of Gatland’s rugby career of which I have no previous knowledge, such as his own playing days; spanning through his route into coaching and culminating when he leaves his position of Head Coach of Wales (the first time) at the end of the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup.
Similar to the Eddie Jones book, I feel that I may have connected with this better if I had read it when it was first released and therefore more relevant in time.
June 29, 2020
I enjoyed it although I knew a lot of the story from Wales onwards. Would have been nice to have some more technical insights to the coaching but seems a pretty honest account of a successful career
January 28, 2021
Compared with other sport autobiographies I’ve read it is fluently written by the journalist ghost writer. However, the timelines are sometimes confusing - crossovers between coaching clubs, countries and Lions. Gatland comes across as the sort of person that his public persona suggests he is. If readers are looking for rugby gossip they will be disappointed but plenty of insights into the qualities of individual players. Would have liked more insight into coaching issues and coaching team dynamics- the only notable takeaway being the scant reference to Shaun Edwards, who was with him throughout his time with Wales and who some regard as being essential to Gatland’s success during that time. Did they like each other!?
May 5, 2020
Warren Gatland is undoubtedly one of the most successful coaches in Welsh rugby and reading this book brings back some great memories. It also gives an insight into Gatland and his upbringing although I do think it could have been a little more in depth and revealing about the man himself and those he has coached.
Overall a good read as it is but I would suggest that any updated version further down the line, perhaps including a potential run with the NZ team, would be a more interesting and honest account of his career when he can open up a little more.
Overall a good read as it is but I would suggest that any updated version further down the line, perhaps including a potential run with the NZ team, would be a more interesting and honest account of his career when he can open up a little more.
August 7, 2021
Interesting insight into a successful coach
A good insight into how Gatland's career has developed and he has become such a successful coach. His strong will and tactical nouse come across.
A good insight into how Gatland's career has developed and he has become such a successful coach. His strong will and tactical nouse come across.
September 26, 2024
Interesting and eye-opening autobiography of Gats!
Media seem to be an issue, surprise!
When he did this, probably didn't expect to be back with Wales.
As a Wales supporter, we trust in Gats but it's been tough!!
Cymru am byth!
Media seem to be an issue, surprise!
When he did this, probably didn't expect to be back with Wales.
As a Wales supporter, we trust in Gats but it's been tough!!
Cymru am byth!
January 6, 2020
Great read!
A man who coaches with his brain, but has a huge heart behind it all!
Wales will kick on based on the legacy he has added
A man who coaches with his brain, but has a huge heart behind it all!
Wales will kick on based on the legacy he has added
September 18, 2020
Fantastic, a really good insight into the passionate people
July 22, 2021
Brilliant books for anyone to read, his approach and love for rugby really shines through as well as his team management expertise.
November 14, 2021
Easy and enjoyable read - finished in a couple of days
December 4, 2021
An interesting read and insight into his coaching career (and playing career before it.)
May 11, 2022
10/10, great read and couldn’t recommend it enough
A brilliant read and completely pulls you into the story of Warren’s life in rugby 10/10. 1 of the best rugby books I’ve read.
A brilliant read and completely pulls you into the story of Warren’s life in rugby 10/10. 1 of the best rugby books I’ve read.
July 20, 2023
საინტერესოდ დაწერილი წიგნია, ამბებით და მაგალითებით მონათხრობი და კარგად ჩანს გატლანდი!
June 3, 2024
This is the best autobiography I have ever read truly amazing insight into a great Rugby man.
August 21, 2024
Interesting & nicely ghost written but very much his voice
Written in 2019 or so when he expected his time with Wales to be over it's odd to read now with what's happened since.
Written in 2019 or so when he expected his time with Wales to be over it's odd to read now with what's happened since.
July 13, 2020
Engaging, lucid and represented as one might have imagined Gatland to have written had the book not been ghost-written. Perhaps a little too full of players names without other reference but enjoyable nonetheless.
February 23, 2020
A fine autobiography by an iconic sporting figure not afraid to say it as he sees it.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and the Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and the Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press
July 14, 2020
Thoroughly recommended for anyone half interested in international rugby.
Good amount of time spent on incidents and subsequent incites on issues anybody who follows the game would recognise.
Followers of the Welsh game would for sure enjoy and I’m thinking would miss him now he’s gone.
Good amount of time spent on incidents and subsequent incites on issues anybody who follows the game would recognise.
Followers of the Welsh game would for sure enjoy and I’m thinking would miss him now he’s gone.
March 14, 2020
Good insight into both Gatland's ruthless edge as a coach and his role as a family man. Went up a lot in my estimations after reading this.
July 25, 2020
But if a must read for any Wales or rugby fan. Good to hear his side of media stories.
Read
August 4, 2020he's a very good coach and it is interesting. Sadly for my taste just a bit too much "the Kiwi's are the best at everything". but a good read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews