The Love of the Game, Mark Chapman
The Love of the Game, Mark Chapman
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

The Love of the Game
Parenthood, Sport and Me

Author: Mark Chapman

Narrator: Mark Chapman

Unabridged: 7 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/03/2016


Synopsis

A brilliant exploration of the relationship between parents and children in sport, written and narrated by MATCH OF THE DAY 2 presenter Mark Chapman.

BBC sports presenter Mark Chapman is no longer in his physical prime. There is an argument to suggest he has never been in his physical prime. Now in his forties, his early forties as he is often at pains to point out, he is facing a world of knee replacements and ever-expanding waistlines, whilst his children are thriving.

There is huge pride that they are doing so well, but it is mixed with a bittersweet sadness that he will never get his own sporting heyday back. It is also mixed with a fair amount of jealousy that actually they are better than he ever was - and a large amount of sulking that they are now able to beat him at a wide range of sports.

He is passionate about sport and it has played a huge part in his life. His parents encouraged him from a very early age and he wants to pass the baton on to his son and daughters. Although there is every chance he might drop it and have a massive strop instead.

THE LOVE OF THE GAME is about the constant battle not to become the sporting pariah, the biggest baddie in the world of kids' sport; the nightmare sporting dad. But beyond that it paints sport as a touchstone for everything importance: growing up, becoming a parent, getting old, learning how to win (and how to lose gracefully), the legacy we all hope to leave our children; in short, life and all that goes into it.

(p) 2016 Orion Publishing Group

Reviews

Goodreads review by James

I like Mark Chapman, and I doubt I'd have picked this up if it was by an unknown author. It was a pleasant read, but it was neither funny nor eventful enough to make a big impression, and I suspect a parent would engage with it more. The book told two stories, one of Chapman's own amateur sporting li......more

Goodreads review by JUDITH

If you played sport as a child, or your own children play, you will appreciate the agonies Mark Chapman goes through as he tries to moderate his agonies and ecstasies, attempting to keep things in perspective when giving his critique of their performances. A keen sportsman himself, although at a pure......more

Goodreads review by Stuart

Avery interesting and different angle on Junior sport, which is always in the news about too enthusatic parents. If you don't shout like the other parents your child thinks you don'y care or if you shout too loud they are embarrassed by you, you can'y win. It is an enjoyable read, humorous and told......more

Goodreads review by Tauseef

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way Mark doesn't take himself so seriously but still gets his passion and love for his kids and sports made for a fun read. It kind got me thinking about getting into coaching and giving back to the up and coming generation!......more