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From the Eye of the Hurricane
Considered by many to be a genius at his peak, Alex Higgins's unorthodox play and exciting style earned him the nickname 'Hurricane' and led to his immense popularity and fame. In 1972 he became the youngest winner of the World Championship, repeating his victory in emotional style in 1982. Higgins's story is so much more than just snooker. Head-butting tournament officials, threatening to shoot team-mates, getting involved with gangsters, abusing referees, affairs with glamorous women, frequent fines and lengthy bans, all contributed to Higgins slipping down the rankings as he succumbed to drink and lost his fortune. After suffering throat cancer, Alex Higgins now reflects on his turbulent life and career in his first full autobiography. The Hurricane is back - prepare to be caught up in the carnage.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 4, 2018
Alex Higgins was the madcap Snooker champ, the boy from the Belfast streets who made it to the top. Beloved by the people and admired (somewhat) by the media, he tore his way through the game and through life with stops along the way for booze, women, and gambling. 'The Hurricane' was famous for his fast play and it seems he tried to be just as fast in his personal life.
Playing to opponents' weaknesses is a critical strategy in any sport and snooker is no exception. It is not merely a case of playing your own game and hoping the person you are up against cocks up. You have to structure the table so you are in charge but to do that you've got to be able to remember how the other player thinks and plays.
This is the type of autobiography that was obviously spoken to a ghost writer and this is how it reads. That means the reader doesn't get any philosophical renderings, just an honest this-is-how-I-lived-my-life overview. He exemplifies the 1970s, when men drank to excess and smoked and pulled any bird that came along. Sometimes it's hard to feel for him when his cancer came along, as there is little apology for some of his actions, but at least it's straight to the bone. The chapter on Oliver Reed is the best (it's hard to determine who was crazier) and I wanted to reach through the pages and shake him up. Higgins died in 2010, just a shadow of what he once was. He lived life and played the game his way.
For anyone who doesn't know much about him, this BBC documentary is a good introduction (watch for the incredible shot at the 18:35 mark).
Book Season = Spring (whirlwind)
Playing to opponents' weaknesses is a critical strategy in any sport and snooker is no exception. It is not merely a case of playing your own game and hoping the person you are up against cocks up. You have to structure the table so you are in charge but to do that you've got to be able to remember how the other player thinks and plays.
This is the type of autobiography that was obviously spoken to a ghost writer and this is how it reads. That means the reader doesn't get any philosophical renderings, just an honest this-is-how-I-lived-my-life overview. He exemplifies the 1970s, when men drank to excess and smoked and pulled any bird that came along. Sometimes it's hard to feel for him when his cancer came along, as there is little apology for some of his actions, but at least it's straight to the bone. The chapter on Oliver Reed is the best (it's hard to determine who was crazier) and I wanted to reach through the pages and shake him up. Higgins died in 2010, just a shadow of what he once was. He lived life and played the game his way.
For anyone who doesn't know much about him, this BBC documentary is a good introduction (watch for the incredible shot at the 18:35 mark).
Book Season = Spring (whirlwind)
February 17, 2014
Alex HIGGINS was a family hero. I still remember the morning after the UK CORAL final, asking my Mum if Alex won....and to my sheer delight she said yes! We despised Steve Davis in our household.
The book is a very simple read. He comes across as a nice fella, but his ego does betray him as he does not highlight or truly discuss his failigs as a human, husband or father.
Pretty tongue in cheek overall.
The book is a very simple read. He comes across as a nice fella, but his ego does betray him as he does not highlight or truly discuss his failigs as a human, husband or father.
Pretty tongue in cheek overall.
October 23, 2012
A nice easy read, full of character and drunken exploits. There were a few too many cases of "This is what the press said, but the real truth is..." moments for my liking, but the Ollie Reed chapter was pure genius.
May 12, 2021
Very soon the psychopathic morons in charge of this planet will make talent, individualism and free speech a crime. Alex will be one of the last ever 'one offs' in a new pathetic subservient world of dull mediocrity. Shine on you Hurricane!
March 27, 2016
The man was a genius pure and simple and this was a fascinating read. It's hard not to respect the Hurricane. R.I.P legend.
May 10, 2021
An absolute belter of an autobiography. From winning, losing, drinking, fighting, swearing, marriage, divorce, kids, fighting cancer and one nasty head-butt - this is the true and amazing account of what was an unbelievable life and career for Alex ‘The Hurricane’ Higgins. It’s a quite remarkable read and one of the most insightful looks you will get, first hand from The Hurricane himself.
I didn’t grow up in the era of Higgins and have had to depend on documentaries, videos and stories down the years. But to have this book and read them all first hand, is a real eye opener. There’s no holding back here from Alex and he goes into great details on everything that went on in his life from boy to man. The detail on games, mindsets and moods is quite fascinating to read about. He’s a character no doubt.
It’s also a sad book. You can sense the remorse he has towards the end of the book, along with his battle with cancer and the life he lived towards the end. He was one of, if not the most loved and adored snooker player of all time. Without Higgins, there’s no Jimmy White, which then leads to no Ronnie O’Sullivan. His impact on the game is second to none. A must read for all sports fans alike.
I didn’t grow up in the era of Higgins and have had to depend on documentaries, videos and stories down the years. But to have this book and read them all first hand, is a real eye opener. There’s no holding back here from Alex and he goes into great details on everything that went on in his life from boy to man. The detail on games, mindsets and moods is quite fascinating to read about. He’s a character no doubt.
It’s also a sad book. You can sense the remorse he has towards the end of the book, along with his battle with cancer and the life he lived towards the end. He was one of, if not the most loved and adored snooker player of all time. Without Higgins, there’s no Jimmy White, which then leads to no Ronnie O’Sullivan. His impact on the game is second to none. A must read for all sports fans alike.
January 31, 2021
An interesting read describing the life of one of the UK's greatest sporting heroes. His rise to fame, discussions of his struggles and reclaiming his world title in 1982 are all fascinating. However, along side this, even when written by Alex himself (or at least the ideas and concepts are Alex's) one still gets the sense that in many of the altercations he describes, he was in fact the villain. The other most notably sad thing I noticed was the clear denial he was in surrounding his problems with drink, it made me feel quite sorry for his various partners over the years. The final chapters discussing his battle with cancer and the devastating impact it had on his day to day lifestyle and appearance are particularly sad. It is sad to note that he never managed to recover from this illness and died just 3 years after this book was published. For all Alex's flaws, he truly was an inspiration to many and the sport of snooker owes him a significant debt.
December 31, 2025
Any sportsperson that is on the verge of becoming famous should read this book and take what's right from it. For all the craze, you still have a lot to learn when it comes to the true motivation of entertaining people and creating a bond with your audience. The Higgins-White-Ronnie path is so clear, shame to see it end.
Alex gives a lot of insight about his opponents as well - really helps to portray lights and shades about Dennis Taylor, Steve Davis, Ray Reardon or Cliff Thorburn. Only when you combine all perspectives it makes for a compelling script.
Alex gives a lot of insight about his opponents as well - really helps to portray lights and shades about Dennis Taylor, Steve Davis, Ray Reardon or Cliff Thorburn. Only when you combine all perspectives it makes for a compelling script.
February 27, 2019
The chapter near the end about all his drinking with Ollie Reed bumps this one up to three stars.
May 11, 2020
What a legend. Written in plain simple English but does what its meant to.
October 20, 2023
7.5/10
May 29, 2008
This was a very interesting book. Everyone who followed snooker in the 70s through to the 90s know what the media said about Alex Higgins. This book protrays a side which many people did not know about. It is very much the other side, from AH's prespective.
I found it an engrossing read and would recommend it to anyone who is a snooker fan.
I found it an engrossing read and would recommend it to anyone who is a snooker fan.
May 19, 2008
Learned that Alex Higgins is a massive legend! Hats off to him.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews