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No Win Race: A Story of Belonging, Britishness and Sport
A SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
A FINANCIAL TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
‘Personal, political, powerful and about so much more than race and sport.’Bernadine Evaristo
In the eighties, black footballers emerged from the dressing room to find bananas being hurled from the stands. But the abuse didn’t stop at the full-time whistle – racial harassment in sport mirrored the experience of many in society. As a kid from the East End, Derek Bardowell found solace in the success of black athletes. It is what bonded three generations of his family. Yet even now, success on the field seldom converts to power or justice away from it. No Win Race is Bardowell‘s deeply personal exploration into the complexities and biases implicit in being black in Britain, told through the prism of sport. Covering the period between the Brixton ‘riots’ and Brexit, this visceral, powerful book is for those who want an honest insight into UK race relations, and for anyone who understands that sport is more than just a game.
‘This searching exploration uses sports to examine questions of race and identity … Bardowell does an excellent and passionate job of refracting the issues within sport – the dearth of black football managers, the lack of activism from black athletes who have made it into the spotlight – into wider society.’ Financial Times
‘A painful reflection of racism in British sport … Bardowell ably demonstrates the power of the media to determine the narratives around these sporting lives. He flags up the false binaries often promoted between good (patriotic) and bad (self-centred) black sportswomen and men … it’s a valuable act of remembrance of sporting stars who put their careers on the line in pursuit of a moral right.’ Observer
A FINANCIAL TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
‘Personal, political, powerful and about so much more than race and sport.’Bernadine Evaristo
In the eighties, black footballers emerged from the dressing room to find bananas being hurled from the stands. But the abuse didn’t stop at the full-time whistle – racial harassment in sport mirrored the experience of many in society. As a kid from the East End, Derek Bardowell found solace in the success of black athletes. It is what bonded three generations of his family. Yet even now, success on the field seldom converts to power or justice away from it. No Win Race is Bardowell‘s deeply personal exploration into the complexities and biases implicit in being black in Britain, told through the prism of sport. Covering the period between the Brixton ‘riots’ and Brexit, this visceral, powerful book is for those who want an honest insight into UK race relations, and for anyone who understands that sport is more than just a game.
‘This searching exploration uses sports to examine questions of race and identity … Bardowell does an excellent and passionate job of refracting the issues within sport – the dearth of black football managers, the lack of activism from black athletes who have made it into the spotlight – into wider society.’ Financial Times
‘A painful reflection of racism in British sport … Bardowell ably demonstrates the power of the media to determine the narratives around these sporting lives. He flags up the false binaries often promoted between good (patriotic) and bad (self-centred) black sportswomen and men … it’s a valuable act of remembrance of sporting stars who put their careers on the line in pursuit of a moral right.’ Observer
- GenresNonfiction
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 16, 2019
This is an important and timely book which examines attitudes and the realities about race relations in sport.
It is appropriate to place sport under the microscope given that sport is very often a sounding board for what happens in broader society.
One would have thought and hoped that the days of hurling abuse and bananas at black sporting icons were long gone but events both here and abroad, for example recently in Italian football show that the problem remains and is a deep seated one.
Mr Bardowell provides a deeply felt and illuminating viewpoint and expose of the prejudice that still remains lurking on and just below the surface and the double standards that prevail.
This book is essential reading for everyone committed to fairness and equality in life and in sport.
It is appropriate to place sport under the microscope given that sport is very often a sounding board for what happens in broader society.
One would have thought and hoped that the days of hurling abuse and bananas at black sporting icons were long gone but events both here and abroad, for example recently in Italian football show that the problem remains and is a deep seated one.
Mr Bardowell provides a deeply felt and illuminating viewpoint and expose of the prejudice that still remains lurking on and just below the surface and the double standards that prevail.
This book is essential reading for everyone committed to fairness and equality in life and in sport.
November 8, 2022
This is a really important book and I honestly think everyone, at least in the UK, should read it.
It doesn't just address racism within sport, but also the relationship between race, sport and community, and the impact sport can have on the lives of everyday people facing the same challenges.
Very informative and well structured, with personal insights supporting factual accounts. This would be a great book to read in a group to trigger a discussion around the topics covered.
It doesn't just address racism within sport, but also the relationship between race, sport and community, and the impact sport can have on the lives of everyday people facing the same challenges.
Very informative and well structured, with personal insights supporting factual accounts. This would be a great book to read in a group to trigger a discussion around the topics covered.
August 26, 2020
As someone who does not consider themself to be fan of sport, I wasn't sure what I would think of this book. The answer? I absolutely loved it!
Bardowell expertly explores the way that racism is present in sport taking the reader on a journey from the boxing matches and test cricket of his youth right up to modern day where the Evra / Suarez incident is explored as well as other high profile examples of racism in sport.
Whilst racism in sport is the primary focus of this book, Bardowell does take time to explore racism in Britain beyond sport including 7/7, the riots that followed the murder of Mark Duggan, and Windrush.
Such a good read on so many levels.
Bardowell expertly explores the way that racism is present in sport taking the reader on a journey from the boxing matches and test cricket of his youth right up to modern day where the Evra / Suarez incident is explored as well as other high profile examples of racism in sport.
Whilst racism in sport is the primary focus of this book, Bardowell does take time to explore racism in Britain beyond sport including 7/7, the riots that followed the murder of Mark Duggan, and Windrush.
Such a good read on so many levels.
February 24, 2022
I think this is a super important book and I learnt a lot but I didn’t get on with the style of writing. I think it is more suited to people that know a lot about sports as it was very name heavy. This made it difficult and clunky to read as it had so many names and examples. Despite this, it’s a pretty in-depth look at racism in British sport over the last 50 or so years and I would recommend it as an educational book
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews