My books

Jesse Owens and Joe Louis, the world's first black sporting heroes, faced triumph and despair while overcoming the Nazi myth of Aryan supremacy in the 1930s – and yet the two friends, the world heavyweight champion and legendary Olympic athlete, endured greater adversity in America. The previously untold story of two ordinary men who became extraordinary icons. Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year [2002]. "Brilliantly told – an atmospheric triumph of a book" – The Independent

In December 1967 four different cardiac surgeons stood on the brink of history in Cape Town, New York, Stanford and Virginia. A few feverish days, hours and even minutes separated them as Christiaan Barnard became a history-maker through a fateful twist of timing. Based on four years research and the surgeons' intimate recollections, Every Second Counts traces their audacious skill and bitter rivalry. "Thrilling... a gripping book" – The Sunday Telegraph

An unforgettable trilogy of cases sealed Clarence Darrow's legacy as the most influential trial lawyer in history. Defending the gay existential killers, Leopold and Loeb, as well as John Scopes in the infamous 'Monkey Trial' and a black physician, Ossian Sweet, against a lynch mob, the charismatic yet troubled Darrow confronted issues in 1920s America that remain strikingly pertinent today. "Evocative... McRae's re-creations of these pugilistic debates nail you to the spot... compelling tales from the courtroom..." – The Sunday Times

Victoria Pendleton's biography is an intensely candid and unflinching depiction of the twists and turns of a decade at the peak of professional sport. She voices her doubts, fears and battles in a male-dominated sporting environment while winning nine world titles and two Olympic gold medals. "Hugely compelling... heart-wrenching... amazing" – The Daily Telegraph

An intimate memoir of a boy, a family and a country under apartheid. Shifting from suburbia to Soweto, tensions between a father and his son deepen as military conscription underlines the realities of apartheid. Years later, after the family has been separated, Don McRae discovers that his father, Ian, had transformed himself into an electrifying force for good. "Engrossing... vividly conjured... elegantly told... gripping..." – The Times

The incredible true story of Emile Griffith a five-time world champion boxer who was gay. He sometimes wished he could have been a hat-maker rather than a fighter, but Griffith fought more world championship rounds than anyone else in history. Haunted by the tragic death of Benny Paret – who had mocked Emile’s sexuality and was then battered into a coma and died soon after their third fight in 1962 – Emile Griffith showed as much courage outside the ring as he did between the ropes. "McRae produces a triumph" - Sunday Times’ Books of the Year

The gritty, revealing and brutally honest autobiography of Steven Gerrard, the former England and Liverpool captain. A memoir about the elation and occasional anguish of an extraordinary career, this is also a book about loyalty and love for one club, Liverpool, which is full of searing insights into the highs and lows of professional football. From Champions League glory and World Cup disappointments to wonder goals and cruel twists of fate, Steven Gerrard remembers a life in football with vivid clarity. "Required reading" - The Independent's Books of the Year

The remarkable story of how boxing gave hope during the darkest days of the Troubles. Inspired by their legendary boxing trainer Gerry Storey, the talent and compassion of Charlie Nash, Barry McGuigan, Davy Larmour and Hugh Russell united fight fans from across the sectarian divide. From the horror of Bloody Sunday to McGuigan's historic world title triumph in 1985, boxing provided a way forward. "Enthralling...impossibly moving and bleakly funny" - the I Newspaper

Eddie Jones's autobiography reveals the layered story of his past and his ongoing career as one of the world's great coaches. From the internment camps endured by his Japanese mother in World War II to the rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa in Yokohama in November 2019, the book covers the full range of Jones' life and work. There have been thrilling highs and lows, drama and controversy, but the book also showcases the driven nature and clear thinking of Jones as he reaches three World Cup finals while coaching countries as different as Australia, South Africa, Japan and England. "Fascinating" – The Times