There's one passage from Michael Clarke's autobiography that stands out from them all.
Under the chapter titled "Obsessive and Compulsive", the former Australian captain writes: "I wish I knew then what I know now. By the time I'm retired, that is the recurring theme. I wish I knew myself, when I was playing, with the insight I gained once I found peace and distance from cricket, and fatherhood. I might have enjoyed those last years more."
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Throughout Clarke's playing career, many teammates, media and fans struggled with the person in front of them: genuine guy … or full of shit?
Here, in his life story released this week, we get Clarke unfiltered. He opens up and exposes himself like never before and launches into almost everyone, including his own tortured self.
For the first time, Clarke is giving us the truth -Â his version of it, at least -Â and not some manufactured persona to please others. We get the man, not the brand.
There had been some indications this was coming.
Earlier this year, I'd sat down with Clarke for a couple of quiet drinks to soothe our relationship, which until January 2015 had been quite strong.
He had taken umbrage at a story I'd written about him being at war with Cricket Australia -Â and being on the nose with some teammates -Â over its apparent attempt to ensure he didn't play in the World Cup because of a hamstring injury.
I'd taken umbrage at the fact he'd denied it so emphatically, when it seemed almost everyone in Australian cricket knew about it. They were certainly talking about it.
That's why it was so interesting for Clarke to confirm in one chapter what had been reported: that he had been at loggerheads with chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, high performance chief Pat Howard and coach Darren Lehmann over his fitness for the one-day tournament.
As he writes: "It's gone from them doing this to me before the First Test, then sucking up to me to get me to play in Adelaide when I wasn't ready, to now, as I see it, setting me up for failure … Nobody at CA has asked me the simple question, 'Michael, what do you think?' It's a courtesy I'm sure Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allan Border or Greg Chappell would have been offered'."
Clarke and the very highest offices of Cricket Australia had strongly and publicly condemned Fairfax Media for these stories. Now here it all is, in black and white, available at the recommended retail price of $44.99.
When we met earlier this year, Clarke had foreshadowed that his autobiography was going to leave no stone unturned, and if that included passages that were critical of himself then so be it.
The end result is a candid account of an intriguing sporting career, the like of which we've never really seen in this country. This was the young cricketer who had the car, the girl, the talent … but was so disliked by the public at one stage that he was once booed as Australian captain at the SCG, his home ground.
The reaction of Clarke's former teammates this week has been mixed. Privately, they are more bemused than angry.
When Shane Watson was this week asked about Clarke describing him as a "tumour" in the Australian team, he said: "For me I think it was more a reflection of the person he is more than what it was directed towards me. In the end it is really disappointing that things like that start to come out two or three years later on when we are all very content in retirement."
When Brad Haddin was asked about the book, all he would offer was: "The thing about anyone bringing about a book is that it's your view on events".
Clarke's former teammates might think dragging some of these things into the light dishonours the sanctity of the dressing-room, but it's compelling reading for us slobs on this side of the picket fence.
You don't have to like it, or agree with it, but rarely do you see a sportsperson break themselves open like this.
Margaret, I'm giving it four-and-a-half stars.
What Michael said next
Another quick one on Clarke …
Expect some of those forthright views from his book to spill over into the Channel Nine commentary box.
Indeed, Nine are expecting big things of their new caller this summer.
It did not want him playing in the Big Bash League -Â especially appearing on rival Network Ten -Â although we're told Clarke was struggling to find a franchise interested in signing him.
As former Test cricketer and Nine's cricket host Michael Slater said this week to Clarke in an interview on Sky Sports Radio: "Wise move [moving into commentary]. You become such a better player up there."
No questions for Crowe
Azealia Banks and Russell Crowe.
We're a little disappointed in the NRL integrity unit, we must say.
It will not seek out Souths co-owner Russell Crowe for an explanation following sensational reports in the US of an alleged physical altercation with rapper Azealia Banks.
TMZ reported this week that Banks filed a battery report against the actor after he allegedly threw her out of a small party at Crowe's Beverly Hills hotel suite.
Banks wrote in a Facebook post that Crowe had "called me a n----r, choked me, threw me out and spat at me". Crowe has denied the claims, and several witnesses at the party have said Banks was the aggressor, not the Gladiator star.
While it's all good Hollywood gossip fodder, if a player had been involved in this type of alleged behaviour, the integrity unit would be dispatching helicopters off the top of League Central. Why isn't a team owner held up to the same level of scrutiny?
Meanwhile, the Warriors are continuing their public relations blitzkrieg in a bid to have Kieran Foran registered to play next season.
Foran is training with the Warriors players and last week posted an image on Instagram of him churning away on the bike alongside winger Manu Vatuvei.
In recent days, halfback Shaun Johnson says NRL officials "are going to see that he is better and it should all be pretty straightforward". Chief executive Jim Doyle says he "expects" Foran will be allowed to play.
You can set your watch to Foran's soft interview with a favourable media outlet in the next few weeks about how he's "turned the corner".
It would be great to see Foran back playing footy at some stage, but there's a long process ahead if he's to be registered for next season.
The integrity unit this week sent Foran a raft of questions. He is yet to respond.
Parramatta are watching the matter closely. Expect fireworks of New Year's Eve proportions if Foran is cleared to play.
Bring on Sonny Bill
Paul Gallen in the ring. Photo: Anthony Johnson
It looms as the biggest fight since Predator took on Alien … Sonny versus Gal.
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen this week called out Sonny Bill Williams to fight him.
We're told it's certain to happen but it won't for at least another year as Williams recovers from the ruptured Achilles he suffered at the Rio Olympics while playing for New Zealand.
Richie redux
NZ great Richie McCaw. Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has released a documentary about his amazing career.
Chasing Great follows McCaw through his final season as he attempts to captain his country to the first back-to back Rugby World Cup titles for the first time.
It's now screening in cinemas across the country. As I understand it, you can only enter the theatre from the side and off your feet.
Q&A;: Dimas Delgado
​
Dimas Delgado of the Wanderers. Photo: Getty Images
We speak to the Spanish midfielder - and newly appointed Wanderers captain - ahead of his side's clash with Newcastle Jets at Spotless Stadium on Sunday night.
How do we say "captain" in Spanish?
Capitán! Capitán!
Are your teammates saying that to you?
Yeah, I am very happy because it's a lot for me to be captain of this fantastic club. I try to do my new role in the team as good as I can.
Beautiful. How much has your English improved in the last year since first arriving in Australia?
I improve a lot. When I first arrived, it was difficult because my English was not very good. I have learnt a lot from my teammates from the first day. On the field, it is much easier now.
Sydney is great - but so is Barcelona.
Yeah, it has everything. You can go to the beach, you can visit beautiful monuments. It's all good.
Bars ...
Yes, beautiful bars.
How are you coping with eating dinner so early here?
Yes, it's very early here. In Barcelona, you go to a restaurant at 11pm. Here, you have to eat at 6.30pm or you will miss out.
Spanish crowds are very passionate, but how does the Red and Black Bloc compare?
For us, they are fantastic. We have the best fans in the league. They always help us. We're lucky to have them because they are special for us.
Finally, what about Tim Cahill's wonder goal for Melbourne City last weekend?
Oh, it was unbelievable. It was a very nice goal. Difficult to score. It will be one of the goals of the year.
Score one similar against the Jets?
Hopefully. If not the same, hopefully I can just score because I am happy to help the team.
The week
THE QUOTE
Wallaroos captain Ash Hewson.
"Plenty of times I've been involved in a scuffle with inmates. I've definitely seen a lot scarier things than the haka." – No, Wallaroos captain and Long Bay prison officer Ash Hewson is not spooked about playing New Zealand at Eden Park.
THUMBS UP
Very sad news that the champion horsie Octagonal has been put down at the age of 24. On this weekend, in 1995, Occy won the Cox Plate and a second-year journalism student from Newcastle Uni had enough beer money to last a month. Okay, the weekend.
THUMBS DOWN
I don't know if I want to see the back of Nick Kyrgios or give him a hug. Troubled young soul or spoilt brat? Like Natalie Imbruglia, I am torn. I'm also uncertain if a reduced ban on the condition of seeing a sports psych is the answer. Anyway, good luck, Nick.Â
It's a big weekend for … the reborn Newcastle Jets, who meet the Wanderers at Spotless Stadium on Sunday night. Great to see them turning the corner post-Boganaire.
It's an even bigger weekend for … Winx and Hartnell as they go head-to-head, flared nostril to flared nostril, down the Moonee Valley straight in the WS Cox Plate. Unless, of course, Winx is four lengths clear at the turn.
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