Barry Hearn: My Life: Knockouts, Snookers, Bullseyes, Tight Lines and Sweet Deals

by Barry Hearn

THE BESTSELLING MEMOIR FROM LEGENDARY SPORTS PROMOTER AND STAR OF NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY MATCHROOM, BARRY HEARN - NOW REVISED AND UPDATED

'I am the largest sports promoter in the world. I promote 11 sports to a global audience of billions of people every day of my life'

A larger than life working class hero, Romford born and bred - always ready with the perfect soundbite - Barry Hearn was famously described as 'roguish but never a rogue'.

Hearn is credited with turning snooker into one of the biggest sports in Britain. He essentially turned a sport in which competitors wear bowties into a massive, globally televised event. Away from the table, his promotions empire casts its net over a dozen sports - from professional boxing to darts, fishing to ten-pin bowling - and his career spans four decades. He also previously owned Leyton Orient football club.

Packed with hilarious anecdotes from the golden age of snooker, and behind-the-scenes insight into boxing negotiations and darts bust-ups, Hearn's book is a joy from start to finish.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published July 28, 2022

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting look at the life of the sports promotor Barry Hearn through the high and lows

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's rare that I don't finish a book, but in my heart, I know I will not complete this one.

I'm a big snooker fan and have enjoyed reading various snooker players' autobiographies. I had hoped this would be just as enjoyable and give us a behind-the-scenes insight into the snooker world. Unfortunately, it is apparent from the first few chapters that this is not the case here.

If anyone has spent 5 minutes watching Hearn on TV, you will be aware of his bold, salesman-like manner. This is amplified in the book, and Hearn comes across as a show-off and patronising. Most of the stories sound made up, and even if they aren't, they are not that interesting (yes, there was a lavish party) or likeable (putting pressure on his future wife's boyfriend at the time to make him 'step aside').

There is no doubt that Hearn is a talented businessman who has done wonders to promote snooker; however, I don't need to read any more about it.

[Andre Biddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read or listen

[Dan Cummerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping honest account of a life with business but mostly sports promotion. Barry Hearn’s turned a small promotions company into a multi million pound business; he’s open and honest about his success, failures and mistakes. I find a lot of autobiographical books spend to much time on the early life and they can become long winded and boring but right from the start Hearn tells of his business dealings even in school. He talks of his upbringing in Romford and how his first management role was of his mate Steve Davis and his desire to be the best snooker player of that era. From then on his promotion business took flight and he became a household name within snooker and Matchroom was born - he delved into the boxing world and found out how underhand it can be but came out the other side. He saw niches within the sporting world like darts, fishing and even gymnastics and turned the first two into million pounds televised industries. If there’s a deal to be done Hearn would give it a go.

The only slightly disappointing element was the top ten sporting moments of his career, the stories to go with them had basically been rehashed from earlier in the book.

[Ezra Rollinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and has lessons I will implement into my own life one day. Really enjoyable read.

[Donnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry Hearn’s book was an amazing, informative and entertaining read.

Learning about his foray into the pub arcade business starting out was great seeing his first breakthrough unfold and his thoughts on it at the time. Showing also how he was never a person of wealth from birth but got there through pure grit and determination which is shown throughout his book.

Learning his ten principles to success was something I particularly took note of, showing us his fundamental rules for life and how it got him where he is today. It was written short and to the point. A perfect mix for any reader!

Being a man who has done so much, Barry has compartmentalised it all well in his book and made it easy to follow and in order of what came first, making his life shown before us easy to follow and understand but I think above all be inspired and take something from it.

I particularly loved reading about how he believes complacently can be the biggest killer in life and how you must never underestimate it, other parts I particularly loved reading was take every bit of luck that comes your way and always be honest. Showing people you can be trusted and how it will serve you well.

Over all Barry’s life lessons, journey and insight into how he made it where he is today is a fantastic read that I highly recommend, this is a rare look into how a man created a multi million dollar company that changed the faces of many sports we know and love today! 5/5 from me! An amazing read!

[Phil McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of sports and business, this was a must read, and it did not let me down

The only thing is I think it could have been longer. Darts only being one chapter - surely there's a lot of meat on the bones we haven't touched

That doesn't take it away from being a 5* book though. A must read for any sport/business fan

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and honest insight into Barry’s life.

I really liked this book and found it honest and down to earth.

Great to see the rise of Matchroom and the sports it showcases from the man himself.

[Paul McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the man has a big ego, evident in the book, the story is engaging and well written. His achievements probably do come close to justifying the ego and he seems to have enjoyed himself along the way

[Matthew Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into the world of sports promoting. Could get the sense of his enthusiasm for his business through the pages. Some really interesting stories shared about growing up as well as how he became one of the countries best promoters.

[bernard pringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dam good read

A really interesting autobiography,how he got started and the ups and downs in the different sports,and the support of his family who now run the multi million set up.

[Adam Murfet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about someone who is an icon for British Sport. From the humble beginnings of growing up in a council flat to being a multimillionaire in his 30s, this book chronicles the rise of Snooker, Darts, Boxing and Poker. Great insight and a great read

[Andrew Brewster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big snooker fan, so decided to give it a go, whilst it’s packed with great stories and a good insight into Barry’s life, I did however feel there was a lot of arrogance in the way it was written. Still a great read though.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew about Barry Hearn, mainly through his major influence on the world of snooker and his ownership of Leyton Orient, but there is much more than that to him. One of the better sports related autobiographies. Worthy of the title of good read.

[Robert Hinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better

I thought it was a good Insight into the commercials of sport but I thought there would have bigger Insights of the characters involved in the sports.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never realised how much this man had done for sport. What an amazing life.

[Ian Jickells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, very entertaining with many different stories. Really enjoyable to read.

[Shahid1296Aaaaaasdgbhhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Disappointed that there wasn't much on the darts. But still, I was addicted to this book !

[Enda Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great mix of business and sports. Barry Hearn is truly a one of a kind legend. Nothing but respect for the man.

[Bustagroovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know Bazza was so into boxing! Plenty of fight details here for the fans. I struggled through those parts, but there were plenty of other great stories to spur me on. Would've liked a bit more about the snooker boom years and the Mosconi Cup, but still a fascinating read.

[Szilvi Csanyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring book with a bit too detailed descriptions of box matches though. I was disappointed that the darts section was very short. Still, it's entertaining and informative.

[Annette Hewlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a present, wasn’t sure! But I enjoyed it and if you take it at face value, which I must, was a very interesting read.