Jonah Lomu Autobiography

by Jonah Lomu

When Jonah Lomu trampled over Tony Underwood in the World Cup semi-final in 1995, the greatest star rugby union has ever seen was launched on the world. His size and pace seemed to make him unstoppable - and he was still just 20, having only recently learned to play on the wing. How much better would he get? But a year later, a rare and serious kidney disorder threatened more than his career. He fought back, and continued to score tries at a remarkable rate.Lomu's astonishing story is not just about tries, but about adapting to becoming rugby's first superstar of the professional era, a life lived in the spotlight. This is an extraordinary tale from an extraordinary man.

Genres: Biography

314 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Mané Roa]

I bought it from a secondhand bookstore in NZ, because it was about Jonah Lomu.

It was at my home without reading for almost four years, and at the first was too difficult to read and stay concentrated. I wasn't expecting anything from the book but it wasn't interesting, at first.

For rugby lovers or even NZ lovers, it's a good book. Lomu was a super sportman and it's a legend. His history impacted me, I knew it had been difficult but not so hard. I din't measure how much he loved the All Blacks, he really built his life around it.

I must say that I had the opportunity of see him in Chile and I didn't. I regret so much not going to the conference to hear him. I loss a unique oportunity, he's and alway be a true legend.

[Oliver]

True legend of the game, shame his career didn’t play out longer.

This book gave good insight into the life of rugby’s first global superstar.

[Andrew Ritchie]

3.5

[Eugene Abwao]

My Perspective

A very decent read. Thoroughly enjoyed it and narratives were powerful. Kudos to the author for bringing out the juicy details

[Mike]

I challenged myself to read something that had been sitting on my shelf unread. It was okay. I found it very readable and it covered an interesting time around the start of professional and end of amateur rugby, the start of super rugby and tri nations and some of the early world cup campaigns that we'd all rather forget. It was interesting because as well as being a star in his own right he played alongside some other greats and you got an insight into these players as well. It was also interesting reading about his experiences growing up in South Auckland given everything he went on to achieve.

On the other hand in places it read like the woman's weekly and in others it didn't really sound like Jonah. He obviously had a fair bit of help with it (in fact it's actually an autobiography that was written by someone else!). I wondered how much of it was his story and how much was the image that Jonah inc wanted to portray.

[Saul]

I put the Jonah Lomu Autobiography in the 'Autobiography or biograpy' section.

I decided to read this because I like rugby and i wanted to read about a famous rugby player so I read it.

I liked this because of its stories about how Jonah was trying to get into the big league of rugby union.

What i didn't like about it is thaty it was too short and i would like somethinh longer.

I learnt that its hard to get into the big league and that you may suffer many injuries.

There was nothing unsual.

'Jonah Lomu was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder'.

I would recommend this book too sports fanatics.

[Jen Aylan-parker]

I loved Jonah's blast onto the rugby field so finding out about the man behind the super star was really interesting. I thought it was a very honest book with a matter-of-fact, down to earth yet jovial tone from a shy, big bloke with amazing physicality. To then be stricken down so that a walk across a room to accept an award was almost beyond him must have been devastating. There are not many Lomu interviews out there so this book was a joy to read. What great memories he gave to every All Blacks fan - thank you Jonah.

[Melissa Thompson]

I really loved this book but sad that I had left it until after his passing to finally read it. It was great to learn more about Jonah, and the passages from those people who were close to him helped tell the story so well. I liked reading about his experiences with the other players as I grew up watching a lot of these guys playing rugby for Auckland and New Zealand. He was a legend and was gone way too soon. RIP Jonah.

[Abby]

Informative and fascinating

I knew nothing about rugby and little about Jonah. This book gives you a chance to feel like you knew him, his family, his struggles and his extraordinary strength. His human foibles show but so does his kindness, spirituality, love and sense of humour.

[tom]

Inspiring a really good read.I love the man so much more. All the best Jonah, I wish I had had the chance to shake your hand.

I love the man so much more......all the best to you and yours.... 'll.Jonah
, you are a star! Thanks x

[Gary]

most people are either strong, big or fast, Jonah was all three - such a pity his career was ended by his kidney problems