A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union [Paperback]

Huw Richards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 2007

The rugby union has undergone immense change in the past two decades—introducing a World Cup, accepting professionalism, and creating a global market in players. This resource covers all of the great matches, teams, and players while also placing them in the context of the social, political, and economic changes which have affected the course of rugby's development. International in scope, this history includes not only Britain and France but also the great rugby powers of the southern hemisphere and other successful rugby nations, such as Argentina, Fiji, and Japan. Rich in anecdotes—including the story of why 1895 is the most important date in both the rugby union and rugby league history, allegations of devil worship at a Welsh rugby club, the game's contribution to the Cuban Revolution, and why the most fearsome of all New Zealand forwards was also a proficient knitter—this reference is a must-read for any fan of the oval ball.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Huw Richards has been the Financial Times rugby correspondent since 1995. His other books on rugby include Dragons and All Blacks, which was nominated for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Mainstream Publishing (November 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845962559
• ISBN-13: 978-1845962555
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Other Team Sports > Rugby

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, October 20, 2009

By 

T. Bachman (Victoria, BC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union (Paperback)

Huw Richards's book is an engaging, and often quite funny, history of rugby union. (To my mind it is far superior to the cold and disdainful "Social History of Rugby Union", by Tony Collins.)

Richards's is a clever writer. He crams a lot of info into this little book, while still making space for enlightening anecdotes. And his love for the game shines through. A very nice read.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History at it's Best, September 19, 2008

By 

Donald L. Maser "rugbyaargh" (Laguna Niguel, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union (Paperback)

A Game for Hooligans, brought forth a font if information on how "the game they play in Heaven" was invented and evolved to what it is today.
Huw Richards obviously put in a ton of research into this, presenting fact as fact, and fiction as fiction. He separayed the two beautifuly.
Well done Huw!
A hearty thanks.
Don Maser

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exhaustive work, April 18, 2010

By 

Guillermo H. Lucero "coolgui" (Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union (Paperback)

This is an exhaustive review that provides excellent data for those rugby lovers doesn't matter their age. Truth worthy. Buy this book with confidence.