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The Things That Make Us: Life, loss and football
The revealing and insightful autobiography of an AFL superstar
From No. 1 pick in the 2000 AFL draft, to six-time winner of St Kilda's best and fairest award, to five-time All Australian, to captaining his club for a record 220 games, to more than 330 games as a star of the AFL, Nick Riewoldt is an out-and-out champion.
The Things that Make Us is Nick's autobiography, written with a deep intelligence and insight, and giving a fascinating perspective on his extraordinary life and career. As Nick describes
'I hope there's something in these pages for everyone who's known grief, especially anyone who's lost a sibling. I hope, too, that my story brings a deeper understanding of a footballer's crazy world. An insight into what goes into making it, what it takes to stay there, and the crippling anxiety that can consume you when your burden is to accept only the best. I hope it paints a picture of what it's like to be the focus of acclamation and scandal, the good and bad of a searing spotlight, and how these experiences can bring out the best and worst in us.
'I hope it honours my family - the German and Tasmanian sides with their stories of struggle and endurance - who are the essence of the book's title. I hope it gives thanks for the love I found on the other side of the world, and the beautiful next generation Cath and I are building together.
'I hope above all that it honours my sister Maddie.
'These are the things that made me.'
The Things That Make Us is the intimate, powerful and revealing account of the life of an AFL superstar, and a classic in the making.
From No. 1 pick in the 2000 AFL draft, to six-time winner of St Kilda's best and fairest award, to five-time All Australian, to captaining his club for a record 220 games, to more than 330 games as a star of the AFL, Nick Riewoldt is an out-and-out champion.
The Things that Make Us is Nick's autobiography, written with a deep intelligence and insight, and giving a fascinating perspective on his extraordinary life and career. As Nick describes
'I hope there's something in these pages for everyone who's known grief, especially anyone who's lost a sibling. I hope, too, that my story brings a deeper understanding of a footballer's crazy world. An insight into what goes into making it, what it takes to stay there, and the crippling anxiety that can consume you when your burden is to accept only the best. I hope it paints a picture of what it's like to be the focus of acclamation and scandal, the good and bad of a searing spotlight, and how these experiences can bring out the best and worst in us.
'I hope it honours my family - the German and Tasmanian sides with their stories of struggle and endurance - who are the essence of the book's title. I hope it gives thanks for the love I found on the other side of the world, and the beautiful next generation Cath and I are building together.
'I hope above all that it honours my sister Maddie.
'These are the things that made me.'
The Things That Make Us is the intimate, powerful and revealing account of the life of an AFL superstar, and a classic in the making.
- GenresBiography
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2017
14 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 23, 2023
Exceptional Aussie Rules footy legend shares all in this auto-bio.
Nick is quite candid and gives good insights into his life, including his upbringing, sporting hurrahs as well as some of the downsides. All AFL fans know of Nick Riewoldt for his exceptional presence on the oval. But he is much more than that. Some of the main things people know about him is his captaincy of a team that often looked good, but never quite got there (no offense Saints fans), his good looks, the scandal, and the passing of his sister. Nick does not hold back on any of these topics. You can’t not admire the guy.
What I didn’t know was how soulful he is. He has impressive emotional depth. In all his stories he retains an even keel. If he is doing well, he appreciates others who are not, and when he is down, how to deal with joyous moments during sad times.
It seems to me that Nick is hard on himself. Perhaps I missed some critical media moments, not being a Saints fan, but I’ve only ever thought of him as a good person on and off the field. Even during the scandal, he had me on his side from the get go. What really peeves me, and which comes out in Nick’s writing, is how unfair the media are. Too many journo’s are out for the headlines and they don’t care about the truth or researching the truth in case it kills the story. The fans want to see good footy. They want to see their heroes play for as long as they can. They don’t want every commentator or journo banging on about when too retire or step down. We are here for the game and the players.
Thanks Nick for the revealing insights and hard work. And go Tassie.
Nick is quite candid and gives good insights into his life, including his upbringing, sporting hurrahs as well as some of the downsides. All AFL fans know of Nick Riewoldt for his exceptional presence on the oval. But he is much more than that. Some of the main things people know about him is his captaincy of a team that often looked good, but never quite got there (no offense Saints fans), his good looks, the scandal, and the passing of his sister. Nick does not hold back on any of these topics. You can’t not admire the guy.
What I didn’t know was how soulful he is. He has impressive emotional depth. In all his stories he retains an even keel. If he is doing well, he appreciates others who are not, and when he is down, how to deal with joyous moments during sad times.
It seems to me that Nick is hard on himself. Perhaps I missed some critical media moments, not being a Saints fan, but I’ve only ever thought of him as a good person on and off the field. Even during the scandal, he had me on his side from the get go. What really peeves me, and which comes out in Nick’s writing, is how unfair the media are. Too many journo’s are out for the headlines and they don’t care about the truth or researching the truth in case it kills the story. The fans want to see good footy. They want to see their heroes play for as long as they can. They don’t want every commentator or journo banging on about when too retire or step down. We are here for the game and the players.
Thanks Nick for the revealing insights and hard work. And go Tassie.
January 3, 2018
Not something I thought I would read. Hubby got it for Christmas. He is an avid St Kilda fan. I am not a fan of sport star biographies but as a Tasmanian with German heritage, I could relate.
Nick is humble, not afraid to admit his foibles and own up to things he may have handled better, given a bit of maturity. I think many of us can relate to losing someone we loved much too soon.
Nick is humble, not afraid to admit his foibles and own up to things he may have handled better, given a bit of maturity. I think many of us can relate to losing someone we loved much too soon.
February 6, 2018
Not a St Kilda fan, but a fan of Nick's. I thought it was wonderfully written and enjoyed him sharing his thoughts about the media, the scandals and mostly about his family and Maddie. Aside from some more boring parts about cricket and football mgrs I found this to be a really good and interesting read. I hope him and Cath find their happiness and everything turns out for the best.
December 14, 2017
I loved this book! (Yes I’m a St Kilda/Nick Riewoldt fan). But the book for me was not about footy, but about Love, Family, loss, responsibility, leadership and knowing your roots. Thanks for sharing Nick. Your amazing legacy that you have established with Maddie’s Vision will continue to grow.
October 25, 2017
I didn’t put this down until I had finished it.
I knew this would be heartbreaking and hilarious before I even picked it up.......and I was right.
I knew this would be heartbreaking and hilarious before I even picked it up.......and I was right.
October 5, 2019
I had the chance once to meet Nick when the team did altitude training in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Now at the training there were perhaps 10-20 folks watching, some had no idea what footy was, others were Aussies and a there was my family, American footy fans of St. Kilda. Not too many of those around, let me tell you. I was also armed with an introduction of sorts from a mutual friend who had hosted the team to a dinner and is a team member. You would have thought that would have garnered more than a grunt and blow by when I tried to say hello to Rooey.
Reading this book I know understand why his greeting was so unfriendly. He really doesn't seem to want anything to do with people who are not either connected to the club, a childhood friend or famous. That is what I got from the book. I was also disappointed there wasn't more about his sister, and the foundation that was created in her name. A great cause that I would have liked to learn more about, and this seemed the place to share what it has done, how research is progressing, etc, but no.
The book reads easily, and has personal information if you want to know more about him. But it also reads as if Peter Hanlon, the co-author, occasionally added it bits of "niceness" as if he were a little Jiminy Cricket telling the author that it might be a good idea to add a sentence or two at the end of an incident saying how he had forgiven everyone, or that so-and-so was really a good bloke despite whatever had happened.
Lastly, if you do read the book, and are not well versed in Saints lore, especially the last 20 years or so, have the computer near by so you can look things up a a lot of that is assumed knowledge on the readers part. While I am sure that Nick is a nice enough guy, and seems to be a good family man and I am still a Saints fan I and glad to have had my initial impression of Mr. Riewoldt confirmed by this book.
Reading this book I know understand why his greeting was so unfriendly. He really doesn't seem to want anything to do with people who are not either connected to the club, a childhood friend or famous. That is what I got from the book. I was also disappointed there wasn't more about his sister, and the foundation that was created in her name. A great cause that I would have liked to learn more about, and this seemed the place to share what it has done, how research is progressing, etc, but no.
The book reads easily, and has personal information if you want to know more about him. But it also reads as if Peter Hanlon, the co-author, occasionally added it bits of "niceness" as if he were a little Jiminy Cricket telling the author that it might be a good idea to add a sentence or two at the end of an incident saying how he had forgiven everyone, or that so-and-so was really a good bloke despite whatever had happened.
Lastly, if you do read the book, and are not well versed in Saints lore, especially the last 20 years or so, have the computer near by so you can look things up a a lot of that is assumed knowledge on the readers part. While I am sure that Nick is a nice enough guy, and seems to be a good family man and I am still a Saints fan I and glad to have had my initial impression of Mr. Riewoldt confirmed by this book.
May 2, 2018
I’m not actually a St Kilda supporter because I support another AFL team but I do follow Footy every week so I found this whole book most interesting!! Nick is very humble and has good values and it opened my eyes even more to the damage the media do ! It was not written with only footy in mind, it had plenty of very interesting family and friend sagas. This was actually one of the most interesting autobiographies I have ever read ! Thanks Nick for sharing !!
November 12, 2022
Interesting insight into the football world. An honest self criticism about a life in sport. Not always enjoyable, but always interesting. In many ways it is a sad commentary on the perennial failures of St Kilda AFL football club, arguably one of the worst performed sporting clubs in history and continuing to be a heart-breaker to its fans (like me).
July 24, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this, and I was already a huge Nick Riewoldt fan and a long time suffering Saint supporter 😅 but this just gave me a huge appreciation with how Nick went about his professional life when he was dealing with his grief over losing his beautiful sister. This was emotional and heartfelt, raw and eye opening. I loved every minute of it.
February 4, 2019
I was surprised to see no AFL statistics included. The author's conversational style fit in with the aim not to tell the story in chronological order. The author, though, did cover life, loss, and football.
November 7, 2017
I started reading this and couldn’t stop. Insightful and amusing, I love the way Nick has structured this book. I cried during the chapter about Maddie. Highly recommend!
December 7, 2018
I cried.
October 29, 2019
Nick Riewoldt tells the story of life before and after the game. He shares an intimate look at "a footballer's crazy world" and the challenges of making a life once the game is over.
February 12, 2020
Great book about a great football player. He just played for the wrong club
March 2, 2021
Not normally a massive fan of auto-biogs but Nick Riewoldt has a story that many should read. Touches on hardship, loss and anxiety. A few things that everyone should learn to endure the way he did.
September 26, 2022
Loved the Tassie references
February 21, 2019
Fantastic read probably the fastest I've ever got through a book. Nick was always a hero of mine feel like I've followed all the stories throughout his career so really enjoyed hearing his insights. Was pleasing to hear he is just a normal guys that gets nervous like the rest of us and how he would push his body to the extremes. I wish he elaborated more on team mates and certain games because there the parts I got the most out of, not sure how it would read for a non saints fan but I loved it,
October 10, 2025
4⭐️ I would not wish either playing for or supporting St Kilda on anybody
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January 10, 2018Excellent book
Read
February 17, 2018Definitely one for fanatics, it had some interesting insights into a long and illustrious career.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews