A Book of Heroes: Or, a Sporting Half‑Century by Simon Barnes

In A Book of Heroes: Or, a Sporting Half‑Century, veteran sports writer Simon Barnes brings to life fifty unforgettable athletic figures—forty men, seven women, and three horses—whose exploits across the past fifty years transcend mere records.

From the stark determination of Ellen MacArthur’s solo Atlantic crossing to the soaring emotion of Bobby Charlton’s long‑range strikes, Barnes doesn’t just chronicle wins and losses. He investigates the magic spark that elevates some performances into moments of grace, moments that tug at our hearts. Through epic triumphs, heartbreaking failures, and sublime displays of character, this book asks what it is that turns someone into a hero—on or off the field. For lovers of sport, tales of courage, or anyone who’s ever been moved by greatness, A Book of Heroes offers inspiration, perspective, and storytelling in full colour.