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Ruck Me:
The side-splittingly hilarious new book from Sunday Times bestselling author, rugby icon, and stag do in human form, James Haskell. It’s 2021 and James is at a crossroads. His glittering international rugby career that took him from England to New Zealand and France – including 77 caps for England – is over. What will he do now? What is his purpose in life? In Ruck Me , James sets out on a voyage of self-discovery speaking to ex-colleagues, friends and family, reflecting on his career and diving into some of his most memorable personal anecdotes to date. But what started out as a search for understanding and meaning soon turns into a – let’s face it, sometimes warranted – chastisement opportunity with James directly in the firing line. Turns out he has a lot of work to do… As funny as it is outrageous, this brilliant book acts as a lesson on how (not) to retire gracefully and move forward. And ruck me – you won’t want to miss it.
- GenresSports
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2022
17 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 9, 2022
easy going read about the former England rugby union player and his life djing etc
January 8, 2022
This man is a serious rugby creature. Haskell is the someone I would like to go on the drink with, but I doubt I would survive it.
December 30, 2022
Great rugby player, but I wouldn't want a pint with him after the match...
May 20, 2025
Having read What A Flanker last year while on my honeymoon, it seems to be becoming a tradition to take one of James Haskell’s books on holiday with me, and this year I took Ruck Me. I’m finding them to be the perfect poolside read! I wasn’t really sure how much more he had to share with us after What A Flanker, but it turns out he had quite a lot more, including hilarious stories (the mental image of Hask, Marler, and Coley attempting escape rooms together is a personal favourite), and much more serious conversations too.
I really enjoyed the family and friends element to this book. It was a great addition moving forward from the previous book, and I loved hearing their views and opinions on things. I felt that it gave a much better insight into what James Haskell is truly like as a person.
One of the things I love most about Hask is his complete honesty about himself, which I actually felt he was more open with in Ruck Me than he was in What A Flanker. He’s not afraid to be critical of himself or to admit his wrong doings, but he also happily talks about himself in a positive way. He’s often branded as cocky or arrogant, but it’s all about balance, and being able to be positive about yourself and sure of who you are as a person is incredibly important. I think he actually balances his opinion of himself perfectly, and this book is proof of that.
I have never known anyone with such an incredible work ethic. It is absolutely through the roof! I think you would struggle to find anyone as dedicated and driven (you’ll also never find someone more excited about being able to drive a JCB…). Just reading about his determination fills you with so much motivation, and it makes you want to get up and get shit done! Even though it’s not supposed to be, parts of this book could genuinely be used as motivational self help.
I won’t sit here and tell you that James Haskell is the best guy in the world, because even he will agree that that is simply not true, but we all have flaws. He does have some opinions that I don’t exactly agree with, however, I have so much respect for him because he never shies away from sharing them, and he is also respectful of the people who disagree with him. Hask is certainly someone I would like to meet, and I think he would be a great person to sit down and talk about the world with over a few pints.
I really enjoyed the family and friends element to this book. It was a great addition moving forward from the previous book, and I loved hearing their views and opinions on things. I felt that it gave a much better insight into what James Haskell is truly like as a person.
One of the things I love most about Hask is his complete honesty about himself, which I actually felt he was more open with in Ruck Me than he was in What A Flanker. He’s not afraid to be critical of himself or to admit his wrong doings, but he also happily talks about himself in a positive way. He’s often branded as cocky or arrogant, but it’s all about balance, and being able to be positive about yourself and sure of who you are as a person is incredibly important. I think he actually balances his opinion of himself perfectly, and this book is proof of that.
I have never known anyone with such an incredible work ethic. It is absolutely through the roof! I think you would struggle to find anyone as dedicated and driven (you’ll also never find someone more excited about being able to drive a JCB…). Just reading about his determination fills you with so much motivation, and it makes you want to get up and get shit done! Even though it’s not supposed to be, parts of this book could genuinely be used as motivational self help.
I won’t sit here and tell you that James Haskell is the best guy in the world, because even he will agree that that is simply not true, but we all have flaws. He does have some opinions that I don’t exactly agree with, however, I have so much respect for him because he never shies away from sharing them, and he is also respectful of the people who disagree with him. Hask is certainly someone I would like to meet, and I think he would be a great person to sit down and talk about the world with over a few pints.
January 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book although I think the start is better than the end. After my last few reads being pretty serious books I was looking forward to reading something by someone I genuinely find very funny. I was not disappointed, Haskell is his true self in the book and tells some very very funny stories. The only reason this isn’t a 5 star book as towards the end he starts to repeat some of the same points just using slightly different stories and quotes from his peers.
Overall though a great book if you just want to switch off, have a laugh and relax.
8/10
Overall though a great book if you just want to switch off, have a laugh and relax.
8/10
February 2, 2022
A very entertaining and truthful book!
I knew about his Rugby career and had always admired his "give all" attitude on the pitch; however I learned a great deal more about what makes James' tick outside rugby.
He is an intelligent, entrepreneurial, social media and speaker personality who often gets into scrapes because who and what he is!
I respect his honesty and driven lifestyle, difficult at times but never boring!
I knew about his Rugby career and had always admired his "give all" attitude on the pitch; however I learned a great deal more about what makes James' tick outside rugby.
He is an intelligent, entrepreneurial, social media and speaker personality who often gets into scrapes because who and what he is!
I respect his honesty and driven lifestyle, difficult at times but never boring!
March 21, 2022
love him or hate him, Hask tells a great tale. the book is full of stories of his life, school , rugby, personal life ...its all there
you get a much better idea of what James haskell is really all about by reading this book
you get a much better idea of what James haskell is really all about by reading this book
May 23, 2022
Quite a good book in all honesty. If you liked “what a flanker” you probably wouldn’t be too disappointed with this. Pretty much continues in the same vain as the last book, but dose give you a better insight of how Haskell ticks. Overtaking good read
June 10, 2022
Another excellent read from Haskell.
Once again opening up about the other side of being a professional athlete and influencer/role model.
His self deprecating humour and comedic timing are on point.
Looking forward to his future projects.
Once again opening up about the other side of being a professional athlete and influencer/role model.
His self deprecating humour and comedic timing are on point.
Looking forward to his future projects.
June 19, 2022
Laugh out loud
Another honest and forthright insight into the world according to James Haskell. I thoroughly enjoyed new anecdotes along with contributions from team mates and family members.
A great read for anyone that follows the good the bad and the rugby.
Another honest and forthright insight into the world according to James Haskell. I thoroughly enjoyed new anecdotes along with contributions from team mates and family members.
A great read for anyone that follows the good the bad and the rugby.
December 30, 2021
Great read. Very funny. You don't need to be into rugby to enjoy Haskells humour.
January 20, 2022
A great read and a laugh-out-loud kind of book from one of rugby's most colourful characters. A must-read book for every rugby fan.
December 27, 2022
Loved the first book. But this one was a bit of a shambles for me. All over the place. New content wasn’t as good as old content.
January 28, 2023
Another hilarious read from James - utterly brilliant
June 15, 2023
3.5 - not as good as his first book but entertaining none the less.
December 24, 2023
Unfortunately not as exciting or funny as the first.
Felt like he was justifying his personality throughout.
Felt like he was justifying his personality throughout.
January 27, 2024
Just as good as the first one
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews