Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan

by Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie is snooker's most written and talked about player, and its greatest showman.

His supreme talent and style have made him the People's Champion and, as one commentator put it, 'the question is not how much does Ronnie O'Sullivan need snooker, but how much does snooker need Ronnie O'Sullivan?'

A honest and candid account of his extraordinary life, Ronnie tells of the infant who was introduced to legendary snooker clubs at an impossibly early age; of the boy who frightened off the bookies aged just 12; of the teenager whose life was decimated when his father and mentor was sent to prison for life; and of the man dubbed the 'genius' of the modern game who regularly threatened to quit the sport to pursue other interests at the grand old age of 28.

'A fine autobiography ... compelling' - Independent

'O'Sullivan is as frank about his spell in the Priory clinic as he is about his father's murder conviction. His accounts of snooker tournaments and sketches of the sport's personalities will fascinate fans, but even snooker haters will be rooting for Ronnie in the game of life' - OK!

Genres: Biography, Sports, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Ronnie O'Sullivan is widely regarded as the most gifted snooker player ever. In May 2012 he won the World Championship and announced his retirement. He then returned in May 2013, having not played for a year, to win the World Championship for a fifth time.

Reviews

[Ramona Popescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 amazing stars for this book!

Ronnie is my idol, the person I admired since the 8th grade, when I discovered how amazing snooker is. Since then I am a devoted fan and it was my dream to meet him one day.
He made me love snooker, made me passionate about a game that not many people knew about. His crazy personality but charming ways are loved by millions of fans throughout the world. His playing method is supernatural and he is considered the most talented snooker player out there, because he makes the sport look so easy.

This book takes us on a wonderful journey, where we get a look of his childhood, get to read about his first interaction with snooker and how did he cope with being a revelation at such a young age.
Besides his problems in maintaining a certain level of professionalism, he also struggled with personal problems: the absence of his father, then mother, having to take care of his sister and be the man of the house at such a young age.



He suffered from depression, consumed drugs and alcohol and his rebellious ways made him always the center of attention.This "not caring" attitude was that made him the most loved and most hated player of all times. His natural talent, witty and moody attitude made Ronnie O'Sullivan the man he is today, with a lot of fans, records and tournaments won.

There were hundred of times in which I encouraged him in front of the TV, times in which he made me sooooo mad for playing badly, but in the end I wouldn't imagine snooker without him.
You get to see the real Ronnie, a perfectly imperfect person, but a passionate player who loves snooker so much and won't stop loving it no matter what.

It was on my bucket list to see him one day, to attend one of his matches and to be mesmerized by the snooker he produces. My dream came true: I've been at 2 of his matches, shook his hand and obtained an autograph:)



For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com

[Jan Sandford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated by Ronnie O'Sullivan and wanted to know more about him and what makes him tick. There is no doubt he is a snooker genius and great to watch but I have never understood his personality and why he is so changeable. Now I have a good idea after reading his autobiography. Although it was written in 2002, it gives you an inkling of what his life was like as an upcoming, gifted player while confronting his demons.

It is an easy book to read - he is very honest, straight to the point, and doesn't hide any of his flaws or beat about the bush when he tells the reader about his mum and dad and the awful things that have happened throughout his life. His life hasn't been an easy one and early in his career, he struggled to keep performing as a snooker player and had many ups and downs.

I am glad I read his autobiography, I really enjoyed his matter-of-fact way of telling the truth about himself. I always appreciated his great skills as a player but wasn't sure I liked him as a person. Now, I respect him a lot more.

I have knocked off one star because I think the chapter named 'Players' is in the wrong place in the book and at times the book changes literary style to a stream of consciousness monologue, which isn't a bad thing but seems out of context in this book.

If you like snooker as I do and are a Ronnie O'Sullivan fan you will like this book.

[Denissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deci, dupa lectura acestei carti, nu pot sa va spun decat ca imi doresc nespus sa il vad pe Ronnie live, intr-un campionat de snooker sau intr-un meci amical, sa ii cer un autograf si sa ma hranesc din spiritul lui competitiv si din dorinta lui de a fi cat mai bun. Pur si simplu,pentru mine a devenit o sursa de inspiratie. Sunt amatoare de biliard, dar acum ma gandesc sa incerc si snooker, iata pana unde merge puterea cartilor.

[Lucian Nohai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book I never understood Ronnie.He has moments when he's unbeatable and moments when he doesn't know how to get out of there faster(snooker table).
But this book opened my eyes and turned me into a fan.This book will show you how many obstacles he had to overtake in life and what made him the way he is now.

[George D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw account of what it takes to be the best. Ronnie exemplifies the struggles of society and how the core values of family, motivation and self-identity help to shape us.

[Alan Colledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always find that the best autobiographies are searingly honest.
Ronnie talks as you'd expect him to, from the heart and from the hip.
A perfect read for lounging around the pool on holiday.

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is an interesting read even to someone who isn't too familiar with snooker and Ronnie. The book was recommended to me by a fan of Ronnie. It was interesting to get to know the sport from a professional's perspective through their autobiography. They reveal much of their inner fears, hopes and battles in the book. At the same time, some of the recollections and revelations, especially those dealing with speeding, come across as a bit carelessly or blatantly told. I would've hoped for a bit more analytical approach instead of the ease of which some of the things are explained away.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting glimpse into the early years of Ronnie O'Sullivan. He recounts his highs and lows fairly honestly and even goes as far as to say that some of the criticism levelled at him at the time was deserved. He also seems fairly open about his addictions and depression. I enjoyed all of the book, especially the bits where the Rocket gives his opinions of some of the players on the circuit at the time, in the 1980s and 1990s.
I would be interested to read how the Ronnie O'Sullivan of 2021 would view himself now and in the years after finishing this book.

[Alexandra Holmaghi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it 😍 I've been a fan since I was very little and in my opinion, he's still the best player out there. The book made me go back in time when I started following his matches on TV and then imagining in parallel his struggles with snooker and everything else going on in his life. Makes you realize you knew noting back then.. only how great he was at this amazing sport! I highly recommend it, even if you're not a fan. It's a book about a huge champ who's had a very tough journey to the top.

[James Vogl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge Ronnie fan and loved this book. Written in 2003 it tracks his rocky journey from childhood prodigy to World Champ. So interesting to read about how he struggled to deal with his father being locked up for murder and his battles with his inner demons and addictions looking back. For anyone who has watched him play - pure genius - it’s so hard to understand why he is so hard on himself until you read this book.

[Karsten Karpius · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Rocket", största snookerprofilen sen Alex Higgins glansdagar och antagligen den bästa spelaren genom alla tider. Fortfarande aktiv och vass med kön. Och vilket liv han levt. Stökigt. Snabba bilar, snabba kvinnor, en hel del puffande och skålande varvat med djupa depressioner men framför allt med magiskt snookerspel. Den som en gång har sett hans världsrekords-maximumbreak - fem minuter och åtta sekunder, kolla YouTube - är inte samma människa efteråt. Tro mig.

[Sharon West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely worth the read!!!!

I loved this book and not because I’m Ronnie O’Sullivans number one fan.

I could actually feel the emotions that this book created for him. So open, honest and down to earth and I have to admit it made me tear up more than once.

I really hope by writing this autobiography that it has helped Ronnie be more like the person he wants to be and I for one can’t wait to see him lift more trophies.

[Jackson Stubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up cheap from a charity shop whilst on holiday. I’m a big fan of his but the book itself wasn’t the greatest of reads.

It did make me want to pick up a snooker cue again though and I enjoyed the chapter where he discussed some of the other players.

[Nasser Moeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It'd take at least six stars to show how interesting it was to me and ten to reflect how it helped me look myself in the eye. I started reading the book out of the admiration for Ronnie the Rocket but I ended up admiring him off the table.

[Ruth McAvinia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ronnie seems to write autobiographies faster than I can read them. This one dates from 2003 and rings pretty true with what I knew of him in those days. As usual with snooker books I wish they had asked someone in the game to proof it and fix the players’ names and tournament names.

[Rich Coad · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

An honest and inspiring insight to one of, if not the, greatest snooker players of all time. A great read from start to finish and it gives a very good insight into the author’s mind and struggles.

[f · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book alot. Never knew about most of the stuff talked about in the book (Dad going to jail, drug addiction, depression etc.). Writing was very simple and easy to read making it a quick read.

[Mihai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Povestește despre toate problemele, reușitele și speranțele pe care le-a avut. O biografie interesantă.

[Fabian]

A Great Insight

An honest view of the player and the man. He is human after all. Great suffering and pain brings out the best!

[Andrew Mulrooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly dated but nevertheless a fascinating insight into the life of the greatest snooker player of all time.

[Imelda Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Class Act ! Class book. Go on Ronnie

[Clare Price-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing guy.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we have here is the official autobiography of Ronnie O’Sullivan, and whilst I doubt that he actually wrote any of it, it is a fascinating insight into his early life. What it doesn’t really do, though, is to leave you feeling like you understand him. By the time that you get to the end of the book, you’ll still see O’Sullivan as the same old enigmatic snooker player.

The book is a little out of date by now, too – a year is a long time for Ronnie O’Sullivan, and he’s arguably one of the most notorious snooker players to have ever lived. His talent seems to go up and down like a yo-yo, as does his frenetic personal life.

But if you’re expecting some sort of expose then you’ll be mistaken, too – there’s not so much celebrity gossip in here, but the passages on young Ronnie’s childhood and his descent into the murky snooker clubs of Essex are definitely worth a read, if you’re a snooker fan.

And that kind of brings me to the crux of this review – if you’re not a snooker fan then you’re probably not going to enjoy the read much. It’s the same with any celebrity autobiography – it’s only really worth reading if you’re a fan of the celebrity. But if you are a Ronnie fan, and if you like to read the occasional memoir, then you could do a lot worse than this.

Because when it comes to the text, it’s certainly professionally written, as well as well-edited – I didn’t spot a single mistake, and I keep a look out for them. Plus, the book includes some pictures – always a plus with an autobiography!

[Jeff Chalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given that Ronnie O'Sullivan is by far the most interesting of the current crop of professional snooker players, I thought this autobiography would be too. I was wrong.

Granted he had an unusually tough childhood, with both parents spending time at Her Majesty's pleasure (his father is still inside for a serious crime), one should perhaps make allowances. But this book is a succession of unstructured anecdotes about all the problems Ronnie has experienced (many self-inflicted) and the real or bogus solutions he has found.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is a peerless snooker player of great accuracy and subtlety. Everything this book isn't. Three stars for his observations of other players though.

[Drew Pyke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had always been a big fan of snooker and when Ronnie came onto the circuit when I was a teenager I thought he was amazing. But when I read this I found out surprisingly how dark his life was (and still is since he has taken a year out of competition for personal issues). The story around his father, mother, eating issues, drugs and then more dramatically his religious exploration (I remember even once an Islamic conversion in a McDonalds restaurant or was I dreaming that?). Still think Ronnie is an interesting character and formidable player when its his day.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have idolised Ronnie since I was a child, having spent many an evening watching snooker with my own Dad and developing a love for the game. This book has sat on my shelf a while to be honest, I always knew Ronnie had had troubles, but I never realised how much he had had to deal with. My respect for him has increased greatly by reading this very honest and heartfelt account of his somewhat turbulent life. It just shows that under all the flash and fame is a normal human being who suffers the same problems as the rest of us, but has the added pressure of being in the public eye.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most candid story I have ever read - he has lots of bottle to open up like this. Despite all his downs, he will remain The most talented snooker player of all times.

LE: 22/11/15 - a dream come true :)

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to read this, because I just adore Ronnie O'Sullivan. The book was interesting - mostly. Somewhere along the line I thought it got extremely boring and I'm not quite sure why. I liked the honesty of the book; even if I realize that you have to read every autobiography with a grain of salt. Having finally finished it, I can't say that I like him more or less now. I guess I already knew quite a lot and that's why it wasn't all that interesting. It's a nice read nonetheless.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite poorly written. It resembles more a CV than a life-story.
However it reveals very good Ronnie's emotional inner drama triggered by his father going to jail. His long-life battle with depression and lack of self-confidence, his strong character, strive for perfection and passion for snooker will definetely make the reader understand Ronnie's temper on TV.
I highly admire him as he's the most gifted snooker player.

[Nedwards23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only started reading this book because 1) Ronnie is my dad's favourite snooker player and 2) it was the only book at the place we were staying on holiday and i was bored.

I'm extremely glad i read this as it helped me to understand Ronnie better as well as my depression. it made me feel less alone to know that Ronnie had the same struggles i do.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes Ronnie, Snooker or has any form of depression or anxiety.

very good read.