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Blindsided
A rugby great confronts his greatest challenge. It's the unthinkable - to be blindsided by a life-threatening illness in the prime of life, with no prior warning. We all hope it doesn't happen, but for some of us, inevitably, life plays out that way.
On an April day like any other in 2012 Michael Lynagh - retired rugby great - set for a successful career in commercial property and rugby analysis was suddenly forced to re evaluate everything. While with friends in Brisbane having a relaxed beer or two, a seemingly fit and healthy Lynagh suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. He was just forty-eight years old and a father of three young boys. Everything about his life and how he viewed it was about to change. For three days, as his brain swelled to the point of catastrophe, his life hung in the balance. What followed is an inspiring story of recovery, rehabilitation and remembering. Blindsided is a life-affirming memoir about luck, family, mates and rugby; and a timely reminder of how you play the game of life, as much as rugby, matters ... even if you happen to be a Wallaby legend.
Michael Lynagh won 72 Test caps and retired from international rugby in 1995 with a world record 911 points scored - a number that remains an Australian record.
On an April day like any other in 2012 Michael Lynagh - retired rugby great - set for a successful career in commercial property and rugby analysis was suddenly forced to re evaluate everything. While with friends in Brisbane having a relaxed beer or two, a seemingly fit and healthy Lynagh suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. He was just forty-eight years old and a father of three young boys. Everything about his life and how he viewed it was about to change. For three days, as his brain swelled to the point of catastrophe, his life hung in the balance. What followed is an inspiring story of recovery, rehabilitation and remembering. Blindsided is a life-affirming memoir about luck, family, mates and rugby; and a timely reminder of how you play the game of life, as much as rugby, matters ... even if you happen to be a Wallaby legend.
Michael Lynagh won 72 Test caps and retired from international rugby in 1995 with a world record 911 points scored - a number that remains an Australian record.
- GenresBiography
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
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31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 18, 2016
interesting book looking at the career and the stroke and his rehab this australian rugby player went through. was more interested in the stroke and rehab sections though
January 14, 2016
Not your usual sport book but the story of an ex-rugby player having to come to terms with suddenly being struck down by a stroke at 48 years of age. The title refers to a rugby term used when a player is tackled by someone he didn't see coming and this is how his illness struck him.
The book is co-written with Mark Eglinton and provides an insight into Michael's determination to regain his old lifestyle.
The book is co-written with Mark Eglinton and provides an insight into Michael's determination to regain his old lifestyle.
February 15, 2021
Amazing ambassador, amazing man.
I am lucky enough to have been of an age that I remember Michael Lynagh in his pomp on the rugby field. Between him, Farr Jones and Campo what a team that was.
Reading the book and everything he went through with his career and his well publicised health issues, I found Michael's whole attitude towards life in general completely inspiring, and his drive to get better that you were yesterday will inspire everyone who reads this well told story.
A must for rugby fans and inspirational reading for anyone facing difficulties in life.
I am lucky enough to have been of an age that I remember Michael Lynagh in his pomp on the rugby field. Between him, Farr Jones and Campo what a team that was.
Reading the book and everything he went through with his career and his well publicised health issues, I found Michael's whole attitude towards life in general completely inspiring, and his drive to get better that you were yesterday will inspire everyone who reads this well told story.
A must for rugby fans and inspirational reading for anyone facing difficulties in life.
October 7, 2021
While one may think this book will be a sport related autobiography, it is much more. Lynagh, a former Wallaby, suffered a stroke in 2012 and devotes about half the book to his rehabilitation. The book was a fascinating read and, in many ways, the focus that Lynagh demonstrated in his playing years was even more evident as he described his recovery journey. Written in a open, conversational style, "Blindsided" can be read by all as the ultimate story transcends all backgrounds.
July 23, 2017
Life story of a high quality individual and role model. Sets a great example of how professionals should prepare and treat those around them.
September 12, 2015
Blindsided is a look at the life of Michael Lynagh, with about half of the book dedicated to his life after footy, and in particular his life during and after his serious 2012 stroke. Since then he has lost vision from his left eye (or more precisely, his eye can see fine, but his brain is unable to process the vision), and has had to confront the idea of his own mortality in ways that were previously completely unknown to him.
I enjoyed the book because I like rugby, and Michael Lynagh featured heavily in Australia's 1991 World Cup win, so a lot of the stories really appealed to me. I love hearing about the lives of top level athletes, and the mental side of their preparation. I also learnt about strokes (there's even a couple of handy pages right at the back about how to identify a stroke, and what action to take -- stuff that I had no idea about before), and how they affect people's lives.
As per most sports related books the writing is passable but not amazing, and you suspect that a lot of the stories which seem a little pedestrian in written form are much more lively when told at the pub or the "after dinner" circuit as he refers to it, but nonetheless they are still entertaining.
Funny aside: my wife and kids don't know who Michael Lynagh is, so the first thing they each (independently) asked me when they say the book was "why is there an egg on the front cover?" (it looks far more like an egg than a rugby ball!)
I enjoyed the book because I like rugby, and Michael Lynagh featured heavily in Australia's 1991 World Cup win, so a lot of the stories really appealed to me. I love hearing about the lives of top level athletes, and the mental side of their preparation. I also learnt about strokes (there's even a couple of handy pages right at the back about how to identify a stroke, and what action to take -- stuff that I had no idea about before), and how they affect people's lives.
As per most sports related books the writing is passable but not amazing, and you suspect that a lot of the stories which seem a little pedestrian in written form are much more lively when told at the pub or the "after dinner" circuit as he refers to it, but nonetheless they are still entertaining.
Funny aside: my wife and kids don't know who Michael Lynagh is, so the first thing they each (independently) asked me when they say the book was "why is there an egg on the front cover?" (it looks far more like an egg than a rugby ball!)
January 2, 2016
A fascinating account of a great sportsman cut down by a stroke and the journey he took to come to terms with it.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Harper Collins UK via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Harper Collins UK via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
January 10, 2016
Brilliant read. Superbly written book. Very honest and open. A really enjoyable read which gave an insight into the struggles of coping with a stoke. It also brings home that this illness can strike at anytime to anyone.
February 22, 2016
A good story about a great man. Became a page turner in the second half and I couldn't put it down
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2016
Well written rugby tales from Noddy.
Different angles than most sports related books.
Worth a read from a great bloke.
Different angles than most sports related books.
Worth a read from a great bloke.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews