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Paul O'Connell
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The Battle Hardcover – 6 Oct. 2016

by Paul O'Connell (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,509 ratings
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There has never been a rugby player quite like Paul O'Connell. His name is synonymous with passion, heart and determination. But he is also the thinking man's rugby player, a legendary student of the game.

As the heartbeat of Munster, British and Irish Lions captain in 2009, and captain of the first Ireland team to retain the Six Nations championship, O'Connell became the most beloved and respected of the golden generation of Irish rugby players - and was widely regarded as one of the very best players in the world. There was nothing inevitable - or even likely - about any of this, and in an autobiography as intense and thoughtful as its author, O'Connell explores the forces and struggles that turned him into the player and leader that he became. The Battle is a book for everyone who wants to understand the roots of achievement and the inner world of an elite sportsman. It will take its place alongside the very finest sports books of recent years.

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  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Ireland
  4. Publication date
    6 Oct. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    15.24 x 3.56 x 23.5 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1844882233
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1844882236
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

The years of O'Connell and O'Driscoll were as close to a golden age as ever Ireland will get and O'Connell's book tells you how it all happened ... It should be mandatory for every Irish squad member to read O'Connell's book to better understand what it takes to make a team (David Walsh Sunday Times)

The intense physicality of his rugby upbringing is an abiding theme ... along with humour, the craic and an extensive knowledge of how teams work (Paul Hayward Daily Telegraph)

I found The Battle entrancing (Stephen Jones Sunday Times)

Excellent ... [an] eye-opening account of the never-ending battles he fought (Rugby World)

Fascinating ... the recollections of life with the British and Irish touring team leap out as highlights (Daily Mail)

A fascinating insight into what has driven him and how his approach to the game changed over time. The inner tensions of possibly the most intense competitor of his generation are laid bare in The Battle. (Shane Horgan Sunday Times)

Revelatory ... Unflinchingly charts his personal evolution ... He is not at all easy on himself (Keith Duggan Irish Times)

It is pure O'Connell ... Players and coaches from all sports will have the pencil out, finding nuggets (Kieran Shannon Irish Examiner)

Absorbing and compelling ... The O'Connell who dominates this book is the one who becomes fixated on the mentality of champions (Diarmaid Ferriter Irish Times)

O'Connell has emptied the tank here. ... What has come out ... is a psychological profile that is almost shocking at times in what it reveals about the bloody single-mindedness of the competitive gene (Irish Independent)

A fantastic book (Sean O'Rourke RTE Radio One)

He is a standard-bearer for the country and someone whose principles, moral compass, ideals and heroic virtue make us wish our children would aspire to be someone like him (Neil Francis Sunday Independent)

An exceptional book ... tremendously honest (Matt Cooper Today FM)

Engaging, honest and insightful. Terrific (Ryle Nugent)

Honest, fair and devoid of self-pity ... reflects on his life without a shred of hypocrisy or recrimination (Paul Rees Observer)

A stunning achievement (Irish Mail on Sunday)

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Calibri; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} Provides many revealing insights into the mind of a born winner (Sunday Business Post)

Brilliant, bruising (Donal Ryan Sunday Independent)

From the Inside Flap

Paul O'Connell's name is synonymous with passion, heart and determination. But he was also the thinking man's rugby player, a legendary student of the game. Playing for fifteen years at the highest level, and captaining Munster, Ireland and the Lions, he maintained a remarkably high standard of performance and leadership.

Now, in his frank and vivid autobiography, O'Connell tells the unlikely story of how a kid who quit rugby in his teens became a talisman for club and country, and one of the most respected figures in the international game. This is a book about a career-long battle to be fitter, smarter, better. O'Connell writes about the dark times, when he struggled with injuries and self-doubt. He writes about the dramatic evolution in his approach to mental preparation and leadership. And he writes with wit and warmth about the best times: in the gym and on the road with teammates, and sharing the joy of big victories with family, friends and fans.

The Battle brings us inside the head of the most thoughtful player of his generation, and one of the great personalities of the game. It is a book for everyone who wants to understand a remarkable era in Irish rugby, and for everyone who wants to understand the roots of individual and collective achievement. Intense, honest, moving, funny and uplifting, it will take its place as a classic of sporting autobiography.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Ireland (6 Oct. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1844882233
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844882236
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 3.56 x 23.5 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,509 ratings

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Paul O'Connell

Paul O'Connell

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,509 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the content brilliant and honest, providing an insight into the life of a legend within the game. They also describe the reading experience as amazing. Opinions are mixed on readability, with some finding it quality and others saying it's a very poor read.

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Reading experienceContentWriting styleReadability
41 customers mention ‘Reading experience’41 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an amazing and magnificent read.

"This is a fantastic read.I've been a huge Munster and Paul fan from the beginning and this book is a real treat for me...." Read more

"...Well worth reading, but not sure how much you learn about the man that you didn't already know if you followed his career closely." Read more

"...A truly inspiring read." Read more

"A great read from a very humble player - would have been 5 stars as could not put it down however felt that every time we were getting to a really..." Read more

35 customers mention ‘Content’31 positive4 negative

Customers find the content brilliant, honest, and genuine. They also describe the psychology as gripping and the book as a genuine story from someone who's always appeared to wear his heart on. Readers also mention that the book is a constant page turner.

"...He's gives us great insight into his own personal physical and physiological state of mind as he goes through his own career, he reminds us of the..." Read more

"...O'Connell is very honest about his rugby career, and the highs and lows of being an elite level athlete. However, it is noticeable that he..." Read more

"The book gave an incredible insight into the mindset of Irish professional rugby, from licenced violence and brutality to deep self reflection and..." Read more

"This autobiography is a cracking and inspirational read, and I would recommend it to up-and-coming rugby players and anyone interested in rugby or..." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Writing style’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style brave, down to earth, warm, and witty.

"...He's very down to earth warm and witty.A great read for all fans of the rugby game." Read more

"...It is a very different autobiography, soul searching and bravely written by a great man striving for perfection." Read more

"...Written with humility a must read for fans of Munster,Ireland and rugby" Read more

"This is a fantastic read, well written and a great insight into the legend of Paul and the International game of Rugby. The Psychology is gripping !" Read more

6 customers mention ‘Readability’3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book. Some find it a quality product, while others say it's a very poor read.

"...Raw an honest account of a fascinating career. Flawed but outstanding leader. Enjoy folks." Read more

"...the glass half-full but on this occasion, i have to say this was a very poor read...." Read more

"Quality product..." Read more

"...of world rugby and a hero of mine but the quality of the printing of photographs is terrible and takes away from the book." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The best battle ever
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a fantastic read.
I've been a huge Munster and Paul fan from the beginning and this book is a real treat for me.
Paul takes us through his career in rubgy in great detail. He recalls both highs and lows in his career and in doing so evokes both fantastic and horrible memories for Munster fans at the same time.
He's gives us great insight into his own personal physical and physiological state of mind as he goes through his own career, he reminds us of the fact that his emotions often got the better of him.
He's also very proud of his routes and goes to great lengths to let us know that he couldn't of done what he did without the support of his family friends and fellow Limerick people. He's very down to earth warm and witty.
A great read for all fans of the rugby game.
2 people found this helpful
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Keith Brady
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good read, but not the whole story...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2017
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I really enjoyed this book and read it in a couple of days. O'Connell is very honest about his rugby career, and the highs and lows of being an elite level athlete.
However, it is noticeable that he goes out of his way to not be critical of anyone, and certain issues are sidestepped. For example, O'Connell claims he got two concussions at the very start of his playing career, and none after that. Considering the punishment every other part of his body has taken, this is very hard to believe. As sporting autobiographies go, this is leagues above the usual, 'nice little earner,' but it wouldn't compare to the honesty of Rough Ride, or The Secret Life Of Tony Cascarino. Well worth reading, but not sure how much you learn about the man that you didn't already know if you followed his career closely.
3 people found this helpful
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alan Rooney
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2024
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As a long time ireland rugby supporter and a Hugh fan of Paul . I found this book a great insight into what it takes to an irish rugby player and a legend on and off the feild. Definitely would recommend this book
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Chris Henderson
3.0 out of 5 stars Brutal
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 October 2016
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The book gave an incredible insight into the mindset of Irish professional rugby, from licenced violence and brutality to deep self reflection and negative motivation. Paul O'Connell for ever my hero is a giant of a man physically and emotionally. That someone with such presence on the field of play, someone idolized by thousands, should carry so much self doubt was painful to read. Even though you know his story, you know the match results, it was Roy of the Rivers stuff - would Paul overcome the latest injury to lead his team to victory, could he motivated himself and his team to take on the giants of the south, would his family be proud of him? You wanted to be able to change history for a happy ending. I found the book confusing, frustrating, deep thinking, sentimental and, at times, incredibly violent. It is a very different autobiography, soul searching and bravely written by a great man striving for perfection.
5 people found this helpful
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Gary
4.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2023
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Good
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Chris Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspiring read...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 October 2017
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This autobiography is a cracking and inspirational read, and I would recommend it to up-and-coming rugby players and anyone interested in rugby or sport in general. I certainly would have enjoyed reading this book in my younger days when I was playing rugby at school. Paul O'Connell was an excellent and skilful second row for both Munster and the Irish national team, having a long and illustrious career and winning many trophies. He first discusses his upbringing and how he eventually became a rugby union player and then goes on to describe his professional career in Ireland and his time as both a player and captain of the British and Irish Lions. The book discusses in detail Paul's commitment to the sport and the extreme efforts and personal sacrifices that he made to become an international rugby player. As others have mentioned in previous reviews, he is very hard on himself, but he proves that the techniques he adopted and the efforts he expended paid off in the end. A truly inspiring read.
One person found this helpful
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Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read about a great player.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 July 2017
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I love watching rugby but having never played the game I came to the it later in life with soccer being my game. But with all the diving and back chat to the officials I lost interest. Rugby on the other hand wow it can be a brutal game but the players no matter how hard or big they were respected the man in the middle. Paul's book is a superb insight into a man at the top of the game his drive and determination to get there and stay there. I live in the Munster region but I am ashamed to say I never went to a match to see him play, I regret that greatly. Loved the book had it read in 3 days sorry when I got to the end. Thank's Paul enjoy your retirement from rugby.
3 people found this helpful
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alan c wood
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest, Insightful Bio
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2022
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From its outset, he has set out to recount very honestly his development from a bit of a wild boy to a much more measured, thoughtful player for Munster, Ireland and the Lions. He deals with both major triumphs and disappointments in all three jerseys, for which he has played with such distinction. I was at the second and decisive test in 2009 and could empathize with the sense off loss after a supreme effort to win was turned into a last second loss by Morse Steyn’s kick from halfway. This contrast’s with the moment Ireland won the Grand Slam in Wales the-same year,for which I was also fortunate to be present.
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Top reviews from other countries

Christopher C. Kenny
5.0 out of 5 stars "That was me for half an hour before a rugby match...what some people thought I was like..."
Reviewed in the United States on 5 February 2021
Verified Purchase
I love reading about the rugby players who came through the game as it changed from passion to precision. Reading Paul's experience over the course of his career was great. Even more interesting was reading the struggles he had throughout his career. Without going in to detail it was enlightening to read about the psychological struggles from season to season and match to match. These are the parts of the professionals that we don't see.
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Eilis
5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for my husband
Reviewed in Canada on 4 January 2020
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Loves it
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Kevin O Sullivan
4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for rugby fans
Reviewed in Australia on 20 May 2017
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Great read and insight to a rugby legend's mind as he progressed through his career. A book in the style of Pauline - honest and from the heart.
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Michael Brophy
4.0 out of 5 stars A warrior of the pro game
Reviewed in Canada on 2 May 2020
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A good read, particularly the first half of the book when he outlined his unusual path into the pro ranks. This book is a good illustration of how the pro game has developed from its infancy years. The rough edges he speaks of in the early 2000s may have been smoothed out now, but it's not necessarily for the good of the game.
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Karol Farrell
4.0 out of 5 stars A humble account of Munster and Irish rugby with some funny anecdotes
Reviewed in the United States on 8 January 2018
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The Battle is aptly named, especially considering the enormous challenges that Paul confronted in his career. This booking was touching, heartfelt and funny. It gave a great understanding of the different personalities in the game, all the way from Young Munster to the Lions.
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