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JJ Williams: The Life and Times of a Rugby Legend
The autobiography of Welsh rugby legend, J.J. Williams. Teacher by profession who had been the schoolboy sprint champion of Great Britain, J.J. wasted no time harnessing that searing pace to his innate footballing skills. It propelled him beyond merely winning Grand Slams for his country to a starring role in the most successful tour ever undertaken by the best of Britain and Ireland.
248 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 15, 2017
If all you want is a pleasant, nostalgic romp through the decade where British rugby last really ruled the roost in world terms, then this is the book for you.
But that doesn't really do this book justice.
For us in Wales, then Gareth, Barry, Gerald, Phil, Delme and Merv are all Welsh legends who are known merely by invoking their christian names. You can add "John" and "John" to that list as well - though both Johns are much better known by their initials - JPR, and JJ.
And this is JJ's life story - yes, there's a lot of it based around the Welsh and British Lions teams of the 1970's, when JJ was in his pomp, but there's plenty too about what came before and after the 1970's.
JJ has never been slow in coming forward with opinions either - whether it was as a TV pundit, the very successful businessman he became, or as the father of three international athletes in their own rights. There are plenty of opinions to be stimulated by in this book, and plenty of revelations on situations and characters that will shock and entertain in equal measures.
JJ was actually banned by the WRU for admitting that he'd spoken to a rugby league representative, and was threatened with another ban for accepting travelling expenses to play in an exhibition game. Neither of these stories have seen the light of day prior to the publication of this book. Indeed, the book is not like your ordinary sportsman's autobiography - there is nothing bland, predictable or particularly diplomatic in the book. You get the sense that he is very well liked, and that he has a lot of long standing friends in the game. However, he doesn't appear to tolerate fools or foolishness, and if someone crosses him, he isn't slow in coming forward to talk about it. As I say, not your ordinary bonhomific autobiography.
Which is probably why it is such a riveting read!
But that doesn't really do this book justice.
For us in Wales, then Gareth, Barry, Gerald, Phil, Delme and Merv are all Welsh legends who are known merely by invoking their christian names. You can add "John" and "John" to that list as well - though both Johns are much better known by their initials - JPR, and JJ.
And this is JJ's life story - yes, there's a lot of it based around the Welsh and British Lions teams of the 1970's, when JJ was in his pomp, but there's plenty too about what came before and after the 1970's.
JJ has never been slow in coming forward with opinions either - whether it was as a TV pundit, the very successful businessman he became, or as the father of three international athletes in their own rights. There are plenty of opinions to be stimulated by in this book, and plenty of revelations on situations and characters that will shock and entertain in equal measures.
JJ was actually banned by the WRU for admitting that he'd spoken to a rugby league representative, and was threatened with another ban for accepting travelling expenses to play in an exhibition game. Neither of these stories have seen the light of day prior to the publication of this book. Indeed, the book is not like your ordinary sportsman's autobiography - there is nothing bland, predictable or particularly diplomatic in the book. You get the sense that he is very well liked, and that he has a lot of long standing friends in the game. However, he doesn't appear to tolerate fools or foolishness, and if someone crosses him, he isn't slow in coming forward to talk about it. As I say, not your ordinary bonhomific autobiography.
Which is probably why it is such a riveting read!
March 4, 2022
Really enjoyed reading the book and not just because I am from Maesteg and was also taught by his teachers but because Williams writes honestly and straight-forwardly, never forgetting where he came from or people who helped him. He is good at describing how he felt at key moments in his career. Photographs are well chosen giving a real flavour of the time.
December 20, 2020
An above-average rugby biography. JJ Williams gives a great insight into Welsh rugby in its finest hour and puts his finger on where it went wring thereafter. RIP JJ
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews