Blindsided

by Michael Lynagh

Former Australian rugby union legend and World Cup winner, now acclaimed television sports pundit, on his glittering career in the game – and how close he came to losing his life.Few players in the history of the game have had as illustrious a career as Wallaby fly-half and captain Michael Lynagh.In an era when Australia took the rugby world by storm with their glittering array of mercurial talent, in chief orchestrator and courageous captain Lynagh they had a pivotal figure at fly-half who shaped their style of play and at the same time played a major ambassadorial role in the world game.Yet fast forward to that April day in 2012, as Lynagh lay partially blinded in intensive care at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, his life hanging by a thread following a major stroke, his wife and three young boys on the other side of the world. The day that defined the rest of his life.Lynagh’s story is one of corruscating highs and crippling lows. It’s the personal tale of a sportsman playing to the extremes of his profession, but also a human tale of surviving debilitating trauma and finding a new meaning to life.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Graham Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Orthman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life story of a high quality individual and role model. Sets a great example of how professionals should prepare and treat those around them.

[Dave Bolton · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!)

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kelly Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story about a great man. Became a page turner in the second half and I couldn't put it down

[Stephen Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written rugby tales from Noddy.
Different angles than most sports related books.
Worth a read from a great bloke.