Chris Evans

'Full of pace and style, just like its subject ... a vivid, nostalgic reminder of Lineker’s greatness as a player' - Leo McKinstry ‘Chris Evans has done the hard yards on Lineker’s football career.. faithfully detailing the life of a hard-working footballer at the highest level’ – Roger Alton, The Times ENGLAND CAPTAIN. WORLD CUP HERO. SERIAL GOALSCORER. MATCH OF THE DAY HOST. FOOTBALL ICON. As player and pundit, Gary Lineker has been a prominent figure in English football for more than 40 years. He scored 48 goals in 80 games for England – coming within a penalty of being the country’s record goalscorer – and is the only player to have topped the goalscoring charts at three different clubs. He famously never received a red or yellow card, and hosted the BBC’s Match of the Day for 25 years. In recognition of his broadcast work, Lineker won the prestigious National Television Awards 'Best Presenter' prize in 2025. This enlightening biography – the first for 30 years – follows Lineker’s career, from his school days to his phenomenal goalscoring record and development as a media personality. Through meticulous research and interviews with teammates and opponents, coaches and commentators, journalist Chris Evans reveals the inside stories and backroom anecdotes from his early days at Leicester City; the big-money moves to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur; and the highs and lows of spells at Barcelona and Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan. Gary Lineker always played with a smile on his face and an assassin’s touch in front of goal, while his charm and playful humour won over millions on TV. This biography provides a fascinating insight into one of English football’s most popular characters.

ENGLAND CAPTAIN. WORLD CUP HERO. SERIAL GOALSCORER. MATCH OF THE DAY HOST. FOOTBALL ICON. This new biography – the first for 30 years – looks at the phenomenal career of Gary Lineker, and how he became one of England’s greatest ever goal-scorers and the BBC’s leading football presenter for more than two decades.'I have full admiration for Gary’s career' – Bob Wilson OBEAs player and pundit, Gary Lineker has been a prominent figure in English football for more than 40 years. He scored 48 goals in 80 games for England – coming within a penalty of being the country’s record goalscorer – and is the only player to have topped the goalscoring charts at three different clubs. He famously never received a red or yellow card, and hosted the BBC’s Match of the Day for 25 years. This enlightening biography follows Lineker’s career, from the school report which said, 'He concentrates too much on football’ to his phenomenal goalscoring record and development as a media personality. Through meticulous research and interviews with teammates and opponents, coaches, journalists and commentators, the book reveals the inside stories and backroom anecdotes from his early days at Leicester City; the big-money moves to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur; and the highs and lows of spells at Barcelona and Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan. As an England player, Lineker was also at the centre of memorable World Cup campaigns. In 1986 his hat-trick turned round the nation’s fortunes and helped win the tournament’s golden boot, before England were struck down by Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’. In 1990, his goals helped England reach an unforgettable semi-final against West Germany, where his reaction to Gazza’s tears was truly iconic. His post-football career saw him become a consummate presenter on Match of the Day and other BBC Sports broadcasts. Gary Lineker always played with a smile on his face and an assassin’s touch in front of goal, while his charm and playful humour won over millions on TV. This biography provides a fascinating insight into one of English football’s most popular characters.

'Full of pace and style, just like its subject ... a vivid, nostalgic reminder of Lineker’s greatness as a player' - Leo McKinstry'Skilfully crafted – there is not much more you can ask from a biography' – Patrick Barclay‘Chris Evans has done the hard yards on Lineker’s football career.. faithfully detailing the life of a hard-working footballer at the highest level’ – Roger Alton, The TimesENGLAND CAPTAIN. WORLD CUP HERO. SERIAL GOALSCORER. MATCH OF THE DAY HOST. FOOTBALL ICON. As player and pundit, Gary Lineker has been a prominent figure in English football for more than 40 years. He scored 48 goals in 80 games for England – coming within a penalty of being the country’s record goalscorer – and is the only player to have topped the goalscoring charts at three different clubs. He famously never received a red or yellow card, and hosted the BBC’s Match of the Day for 25 years. This enlightening biography – the first for 30 years – follows Lineker’s career, from the school report which said, 'He concentrates too much on football’ to his phenomenal goalscoring record and development as a media personality. Through meticulous research and interviews with teammates and opponents, coaches, journalists and commentators, journalist Chris Evans reveals the inside stories and backroom anecdotes from his early days at Leicester City; the big-money moves to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur; and the highs and lows of spells at Barcelona and Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan. Gary Lineker always played with a smile on his face and an assassin’s touch in front of goal, while his charm and playful humour won over millions on TV. For readers of Geoff Hurst’s Last Boy of ’66 and World Football Records, this biography provides a fascinating insight into one of English football’s most popular characters.

In the 1830s, the British abolished slavery in their Atlantic empire. Their reasons were varied. Some had rallied behind abolitionism because they believed hostility to slavery was intrinsic to their Christian faith. Others thought that slavery was out-of-sync with a modern, industrialising economy. What united them was the belief that Britain was uniquely equipped, indeed destined, to end slavery. Abolitionism, it seemed, was baked into the national character. This book takes issue with that notion. Britons were never uniformly or persistently anti-slavery. Certainly, not all Victorian Christians were enthused by anti-slavery. Indeed, some of the most influential theological trends of the day, like Tractarianism, were indifferent to emancipation, if not actively hostile. Nor was Britain’s brand of industrial capitalism the antidote to enslavement. On the contrary, British capitalism sustained slavery in the many parts of the Atlantic world in the so-called Age of Emancipation. These issues are explored through the lives of three cousins whose lives intersected with Atlantic slavery. One was an industrialist who exploited enslaved copper miners in Cuba. Another was a Royal Naval chaplain who turned against Britain’s anti-slavery mission in southern Africa. The third was a ne’er-do-well who chose to fight on behalf of the pro-slavery Confederacy in the American Civil War.

'A brilliant new perspective' – Jamie Carragher 'Superb’ – Daniel Taylor WITH NEW AND UPDATED CONTENT FOR THE MEN'S FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 THIS INSIGHTFUL INVESTIGATION REVEALS THE MINDSETS AND UNBELIEVABLE APPROACHES OF THE COACHES SEEKING FOOTBALL'S ULTIMATE PRIZE Godlike geniuses or the focus of a disappointed nation's fury – the world's most prestigious tournament makes or breaks national coaches. Only 20 managers have guided their team to World Cup glory, so what are their secrets? From revolutionary tactics to hare-brained schemes, this book searches for the keys to the most exclusive club in men's international football. They may silently plot on the bench or manically gesticulate from the sidelines, but what can coaches really do to influence their team's performance? Discover the tactical innovations and brilliant strategies as well as the bizarre superstitions, psychological masterclasses and bonkers team-building regimes that managers have employed in the quest for that iconic trophy. Charting the successes, failures, dramas and controversies of over 90 years of men's World Cup action through the insights of World Cup stars including Alexi Lalas, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Pierre Littbarski, Roberto Martinez and Mick McCarthy, this book reveals the lengths the men in the dugouts will go to in order to bring home the greatest prize.

This book explores a number of critical issues related to tax systems around the world. Drawing upon a wealth of literature, it compares and contrasts modern tax systems in developed and developing countries, identifying factors that suggest they are converging and others that continue to distinguish them. It addresses the taxation of incomes (personal and corporate), wealth and consumption at the local, national, supranational and international levels; considers the use of environmental taxes; provides an analysis of modern trends in tax administration including issues of tax complexity and of tax compliance; and addresses the process and outcomes of tax reform. Readers will include anyone interested in how tax systems are formed, how they operate in practice, and how they are reformed. An ideal text for academic study at the intermediate or advanced levels This text explores and answers questions including: Why are the tax systems of developing and developed countries converging and how do they still differ? How do countries adapt their tax systems to deal with external shocks such as wars, pandemics, climate change and financial crises? Why is the property tax the most widely used tax for local government? Why has income become the predominant tax base in developed countries? Do we need corporate income taxes? Why are wealth taxes relatively under-utilised in all countries? Why have so many countries adopted a VAT or GST as their general consumption tax? How do taxes help governments to deliver environmental objectives? Can we avoid complexity in tax system design or are we stuck with it if we want effective taxes? Why do taxpayers comply, or not comply, with their tax obligations? Where should we go next in designing tax systems for the 21st century? ... and many others.

Total Belief looks back at three incredible years in the early 1990s when Bruce Rioch transformed the fortunes of a football club on its knees. In the summer of 1992, Bolton Wanderers were a club in distress. With an aging stadium and struggling in the league, chairman Gordon Hargreaves made the difficult decision to sack manager Phil Neal and employ Bruce Rioch and his assistant Colin Todd. Over the next three seasons, Bruce began to change attitudes by instilling a new mentality. Working his players hard on the pitch and restricting their lives off it, Bruce won the hearts of players and fans alike. With his blend of youth and experience, Bruce took Bolton on incredible cup runs with attractive attacking football that finally brought the crowds back to Burnden Park. The story ended with yet another cup run and two trips to Wembley, including one of the most dramatic comebacks of all time. Sadly, the celebrations were cut short as Bruce Rioch left to join Arsenal, but his legacy lives on.

This book provides readers with the tools and methods with which to create effective tabletop games. It covers the design and development process thoroughly, guiding readers through the necessary mechanics, messages, and motivations of games that must be understood in order to build successful tabletop games, including serious educational games for teaching or training. Through a range of learning activities and methodologies, readers will develop an understanding of games and an appreciation for the creating and testing of game play whilst critically exploring the relationship between games, motivation, and learning. It includes chapters on design methodology, narrative, accessibility, playtesting, and more. This book will be of great interest to students of game design and serious game design courses. It will also appeal to designers, educators, and hobbyists interested in designing and developing their own tabletop games, educational or otherwise.

This book provides readers with the tools and methods with which to create effective tabletop games. It covers the design and development process thoroughly, guiding readers through the necessary mechanics, messages, and motivations of games that must be understood in order to build successful tabletop games, including serious educational games for teaching or training. Through a range of learning activities and methodologies, readers will develop an understanding of games and an appreciation for the creating and testing of game play whilst critically exploring the relationship between games, motivation, and learning. It includes chapters on design methodology, narrative, accessibility, playtesting, and more. This book will be of great interest to students of game design and serious game design courses. It will also appeal to designers, educators, and hobbyists interested in designing and developing their own tabletop games, educational or otherwise.

WATERSTONES BEST BOOKS OF 2022 – SPORT'A brilliant new perspective on World Cup management... Superbly insightful .' – Jamie Carragher'Superb - great stories about the greatest tournament' – Daniel TaylorMaster tacticians, crazy tyrants and lucky generals... This insightful investigation reveals the mindsets and, frankly, at times unbelievable approaches of the coaches who strive to deliver football's ultimate prize. HOW DO YOU WIN THE WORLD CUP? Godlike genius or the focus of a disappointed nation's fury – the world's most prestigious tournament makes or breaks a national coach. Only 20 managers have guided their team to World Cup glory, so what are their secrets? From revolutionary tactics to hare-brained schemes, this book searches for the keys to the most exclusive club in international football. They may silently plot on the bench or manically gesticulate from the sidelines, but what can the coach really do to influence their team's performance? Discover the tactical innovations and brilliant strategies as well as the bizarre superstitions, psychological masterclasses and bonkers team-building regimes that managers have employed in the quest for that iconic trophy. Charting the successes, failures, dramas and controversies of 90 years of World Cup action, through the insights of journalists, players and managers with first-hand experience of World Cup competition, this book comprehensively documents the lengths the man in the dugout will go to in order to bring home the greatest prize. The book features contributions from leading World Cup stars, including Luiz Felipe Scolari, Geoff Hurst, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Pierre Littbarski, Roberto Martinez, Mick McCarthy, Tomas Brolin, Jamie Carragher, Alexi Lalas, Patrick Barclay, Raphael Honigstein and Graham Hunter.

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Enjoying Mother Nature to Her Full Extent While Staying Safe - Have All Your Camping, Hiking, and Trekking Questions Answered by Learning How to Identify and Forage Edible PlantsExploring out in nature is extremely fun, but it can also be extremely dangerous if you aren't well-equipped. Don't let a lack of knowledge stop you from going out and exploring the great unknown When you're out exploring, you'll definitely come across a lot of unique plants that you've never seen before. You might see some berries too, but it's important to beware as eating from the wrong plant comes with great consequences. Stay safe and go out on exciting foraging trips with this book that will guide you through the basics, teach you the best tools to bring, and the beginner's step-by-step guide to determine plant edibility In this book, you'll discover: How to take advantage of the nature around you : Know what to look for and where. Be guided onto the best locations and helpful resources to guide you further. Delicious wild plants: Taste new flavors that are all completely natural. You'll also get nutritional value for each plant, so you know exactly what you're ingesting. Ethical foraging practices: Protecting and conserving nature is just as important as exploring it. Know the 5 ethical foraging practices and stay responsible Go beyond edible plants: Learn about medicinal herbs too Learn about different medicinal herbs, how to spot them, and several medicinal recipes to get the most out of them. Finding edible wild plants that won't kill you is easy with this book that will guide you through it all You'll get to enjoy the nutritional and medicinal benefits of these plants and have a fun story to tell guests or family members at the dinner table. Scroll up, Click on "Buy Now", and Get Your Copy Now

The essential day-to-day guide for training for and nailing your first marathon. ‘Chris is a mad keen runner. I hope this book inspires others to get out and do it.’ Sir Mo Farah ‘WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING A MARATHON, IT’S NOT ACTUALLY ABOUT MAKING IT TO THE FINISH LINE, IT’S ABOUT HAVING THE GUTS TO MAKE IT TO THE START LINE.’ In this beautifully designed and not-at-all scary marathon training guide, Chris Evans breaks down how we can all get ourselves off our sofas, up on our feet and onto that start line. And all in just 119 days! Fizzing with energy, great tips and hard-won experience, this is the perfect guide for anyone keen to take up their own marathon challenge, and to change their lives forever.

The first book to detail the global impact of copper production in Swansea, Wales, and how a major technological shift transformed the British Isles into the world's most dynamic center of copper smelting. Eighteenth-century Swansea, Wales, was to copper what nineteenth-century Manchester was to cotton or twentieth-century Detroit to the automobile. Beginning around 1700, Swansea became the place where a revolutionary new method of smelting copper, later christened the Welsh Process, flourished. Using mineral coal as a source of energy, Swansea's smelters were able to produce copper in volumes that were quite unthinkable in the old, established smelting centers of central Europe and Scandinavia. After some tentative first steps, the Swansea district became a smelting center of European, then global, importance. Between the 1770s and the 1840s, the Swansea district routinely produced one-third of the world's smelted copper, sometimes more. In Swansea Copper, Chris Evans and Louise Miskell trace the history of copper making in Britain from the late seventeenth century, when the Welsh Process transformed Britain's copper industry, to the 1890s, when Swansea's reign as the dominant player in the world copper trade entered an absolute decline. Moving backward and forward in time, Evans and Miskell begin by examining the place of copper in baroque Europe, surveying the productive landscape into which Swansea Copper erupted and detailing the means by which it did so. They explain how Swansea copper achieved global dominance in the years between the Seven Years' War and Waterloo, explore new commercial regulations that allowed the importation to Britain of copper ore from around the world, and connect the rise of the copper trade to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade. They also examine the competing rise of the post–Civil War US copper industry. Whereas many contributions to global history focus on high-end consumer goods—Chinese ceramics, Indian cottons, and the like—Swansea Copper examines a producer good, a metal that played a key role in supporting new technologies of the industrial age, like steam power and electricity. Deftly showing how deeply mineral history is ingrained in the history of the modern world, Evans and Miskell present new research not just on Swansea itself but on the places its copper industry affected: mining towns in Cuba, Chile, southern Africa, and South Australia. This insightful book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the historical roots of globalization and the Industrial Revolution as a global phenomenon.

The 1790s was a fateful period for Britain. The French Revolution of 1789 opened an era of seismic political upheaval, one in which many features of the modern world made their first significant appearance. Democracy, mass nationalism, wholesale military mobilisation, and anti-colonial revolt all made their most telling debuts in the revolutionary era. This was not a struggle from which the British could stand aloof. Nor did they. Britons were right at the forefront of the debate over the Revolution. Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France" defended the established order while Tom Paine's "Rights of Man" attacked hereditary privilege and preached democracy. This was no rarefied intellectual debate, it resounded through clubs, taverns, theatres, chapels and assembly rooms. As it did so, Britons were forced to question many constitutional assumptions. Was the possession of an empire compatible with domestic liberty? Did the House of Commons reflect popular opinion or the prejudices of aristocratic patrons? Could they enjoy genuine constitutional liberty if their constitution denied political rights to Roman Catholics and Protestant Dissenters? Chris Evans's study, based on the latest historiography, brilliantly demonstrates how these latent intellectual and political anxieties were sharpened by the French Revolution. Loyalist mobilisation, radical agitation, draconian repression, and military confrontation are combined to re-shape British society and the British state.