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Martin Johnson: The Autobiography
Martin Johnson is the towering second row forward who has come to set the standards of what a professional rugby player should do. His drive and physical presence mean that he is a natural leader on the pitch - and off it, too. In this, his long-awaited autobiography, he looks at the changing world of rugby. He explains why he led the England team to the brink of a strike in the autumn of 2000, and provides the definitive account of England's 2003 World Cup triumph, as well as Lions tours and all the goings-on that make rugby such a special sport. Hugely popular and respected, Martin Johnson has written vivid autobiography and a remarkable portrait of modern rugby.
Paperback
First published November 28, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 8, 2026
Yeah fine, It’s a good read but I just did not recognise any of the anecdotes at all. He keeps banging on about his career playing rugby and I think he was decent at school but I just do not remember it like he does. All in all, I guess interesting that he has concocted this alter ego for for himself but maybe slightly worrying?
October 7, 2014
Having hated England way back in high school for taking what was possibly the world cup that put Professional Rugby on the world's map, I have over the years taken time to review how the magic of 2002 - 2003 England team all came together. I have re-watched matches, read books (now this is my second) and pulled up old articles.
Martin Johnson book makes for a great and humble read. The story of the phenomenal build up to the Aus-Eng final very insightful. England got a lot of bad press from the dominant traditional rugby world but still that didn't phase them.
They were fitter, they were bolder and they were much much more determined!
A great book from a great and humble captain that lead one of the few English teams in any sport that wasn't over hyped by the usual English press and truly deserved titles of "World Champions"
Mr Martin Johnson - do hope to meet you one day and share a pint. :-)
Martin Johnson book makes for a great and humble read. The story of the phenomenal build up to the Aus-Eng final very insightful. England got a lot of bad press from the dominant traditional rugby world but still that didn't phase them.
They were fitter, they were bolder and they were much much more determined!
A great book from a great and humble captain that lead one of the few English teams in any sport that wasn't over hyped by the usual English press and truly deserved titles of "World Champions"
Mr Martin Johnson - do hope to meet you one day and share a pint. :-)
February 8, 2016
This was a great book for all rugby fans out there. It is an auto-biography that tells the story of Martins journey as he goes from the amateur game to the professional game.
January 24, 2023
Lots will have and perhaps still do buy this book as a memento of the Rugby World Cup in 2003, won thrillingly by Johnson's England team. If my memory is correct, this book was released before Christmas in 2003 which is not much more than a month after the tournament ended. Despite what might have been a rush the chapter covering the world cup is detailed.
In my view the strength of the book is in terms of the events is how much Rugby Union in England changed during Johnson's career, going from an almost entirely amateur game with no more than a handful of really good club teams to a step towards how it is now.
As a record then of his career and life to the time he retired i think it's very good indeed and anyone with an affinity with Leicester Tigers as they were or how the England team changed from the Grand Slam winning time of the early nineties to winning the World Cup in 2003 would certainly enjoy this. Indeed, as twenty years have passed i daresay most have already read it!
In my view the strength of the book is in terms of the events is how much Rugby Union in England changed during Johnson's career, going from an almost entirely amateur game with no more than a handful of really good club teams to a step towards how it is now.
As a record then of his career and life to the time he retired i think it's very good indeed and anyone with an affinity with Leicester Tigers as they were or how the England team changed from the Grand Slam winning time of the early nineties to winning the World Cup in 2003 would certainly enjoy this. Indeed, as twenty years have passed i daresay most have already read it!
June 26, 2024
Great book and a really interesting read for any rugby fan, but does go on about individual bits of many different games that can blend into one after a good few pages of it. Gets very rugby oriented after the first few chapters, but most likely just down to Johnno not feeling his personal life is anything spectacularly interesting, as he states in the book.
December 28, 2017
I bought this just after winning the world cup and I expected more about the world cup itself.
January 2, 2019
One of my first books that I have read and finished. It gripped me as a rugby lover. Anyone who loves rugby or leadership will enjoy this.
May 29, 2019
Great professional top read
Fantastic book the dedication it takes to be a great player and captain loved it all from cover to cover
Fantastic book the dedication it takes to be a great player and captain loved it all from cover to cover
January 21, 2020
A must read for any rugby fan.
January 31, 2021
It's all about the rugby, but finishes the moment the 2003 World Cup finishes - when there's still more to his story, so if you want a complete career overview this stops short.
June 3, 2021
Surprisingly well written, although, like many sporting autobiographies, often reduces to a catalogue of wins and losses.
February 17, 2022
I know this is going to sound stupid but too much rugby in it - like a 350 page match report!
May 26, 2024
Bit too much detail of some elements of specific games in the early part (as a medium level rugby fan) but loved the relationship and people detail throughout.
July 22, 2026
Motivational
January 14, 2017
Just a superb sporting autobiography! Originally published in 2003, soon after the Rugby Union World Cup final, but updated in 2004.
Martin Johnson enjoyed such a distinguished playing career that began in 1989 and finished in 2004. In that time span he led Leicester Tigers, England and the British Lions through incredible highs and lows. The achievements of the teams that he captained are documented in detail and little wonder that his autobiography was voted 'sports book of the year'.
Having read the gospels according to Dallaglio, Woodward, Wilkinson, Cohen and Moore, for England Union fans, this has to be the daddy.
Martin Johnson enjoyed such a distinguished playing career that began in 1989 and finished in 2004. In that time span he led Leicester Tigers, England and the British Lions through incredible highs and lows. The achievements of the teams that he captained are documented in detail and little wonder that his autobiography was voted 'sports book of the year'.
Having read the gospels according to Dallaglio, Woodward, Wilkinson, Cohen and Moore, for England Union fans, this has to be the daddy.
September 11, 2011
The catergory that this book fits into on the bingo board is autobiography or biography
I decided to read this book because it is a former rugby captain and i like the player.
What i liked about the book and why, was he tallked about coming to NZ and also while he was actually playing a game which i enjoyed reading about because he explained it well.
There wasnt much i didnt like about the book because it is all very interesting to me.
I would reccomend this book to any avid rugby players or anybody sporty in general.
I decided to read this book because it is a former rugby captain and i like the player.
What i liked about the book and why, was he tallked about coming to NZ and also while he was actually playing a game which i enjoyed reading about because he explained it well.
There wasnt much i didnt like about the book because it is all very interesting to me.
I would reccomend this book to any avid rugby players or anybody sporty in general.
September 17, 2015
The version I have contains a brief chapter at the end on the World Cup win, hurredly put together to benefit from the pubicity that generated. That, and the rest, is OK. As with many sports biogs it does have a lot of "we were losing at half-time but knew we could turn it around" etc. There are some interesting anecdotes, but few about leadership or captaincy, which was disappointing. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more in the aftermath of that WC win, but a decade on it was all a little flat.
March 17, 2016
Typically play by play affair from one of the games great no nonsense characters, until the last third, when the heart and passion of elite sports knife edge, is taken out of chronology, and back loaded with adrenaline pumping world cup win and lions tours. Achieving memorable climatic punch.
January 9, 2011
Brilliant book, really enjoyed this
July 25, 2011
Enjoyed the chapters about the Lions and winning the world cup the best, definately worth a read even if like me your not the biggest rugby fan
October 11, 2015
Far too much detail about almost every game he played in - I would have liked more general detail and insights into the wider realms of the world of rugby.
February 22, 2007
Not the most gripping read, but the words of a fantastic leader of men
Want to Read
May 15, 2007Martin Johnson: Man. Myth. Monster. Hero.
September 11, 2012
It was just boring after reading Will Greenwood's and Austin's
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews