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Anthony Clavane
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A Yorkshire Tragedy: The Rise and Fall of a Sporting Powerhouse Hardcover – 1 Sept. 2016

by Anthony Clavane (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 73 ratings
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THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF PROMISED LAND AND DOES YOUR RABBI KNOW YOU'RE HERE? SETS HIS FOCUS TO YORKSHIRE, AND ITS ENDANGERED STATUS AS A SPORTING POWERHOUSE.

'If you want to know how it feels to be left behind, if you want to know how it feels to be forgotten, if you want to know how it feels to be heartbroken, then read this book' David Peace

For the past 30 years, something has been missing from British sport. For some it has lost its heart and soul. Anthony Clavane argues that it has lost its Yorkshireness, which possibly amounts to the same thing.

A Yorkshire Tragedy is the final part of Anthony Clavane's triptych that examines belonging, identity and the rise and fall of tightly knit sporting communities through the prism of the author's own personal experience.

Loved A Yorkshire Tragedy? Then check out Does Your Rabbi Know You're Here? - Anthony Clavane's highly acclaimed history of Jewish involvement in English football.

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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    riverrun
  4. Publication date
    1 Sept. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    16.1 x 2.4 x 23.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1848665121
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1848665125
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

If you want to know how it feels to be left behind, if you want to know how it feels to be forgotten, if you want to know how it feels to be heartbroken, then read this book. -- David Peace

A tender and often terrifying tour of some of Yorkshire's - and England's - most cherished sporting institutions and the communities that surround and succour them, and how their experience reflects the nation's swaying fortunes since the start of the 1980s, A Yorkshire Tragedy is compelling, illuminating, very human and often quite moving. -- Simon Burnton ― Guardian

A well-researched, lovingly-written, thoughtful journey across the sporting highs and struggles of a great English region - placed in the context of its social fabric, qualities, conflicts and historic disasters: Anthony Clavane's book illuminates, and delivers important home truths throughout. -- David Conn

Again the echoes of Brexit are clear. Commentators and strategists just weren't listening to the right conversations. Or reading the right things. J. D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy eloquently tells the story of the "left behind" in the Appallachians and the social and economic costs of change that fuelled the rage underpinning Trump. The British equivalent is the brilliant A Yorkshire Tragedy by Anthony Clavane, which is as good an explanation as you will ever read of how the deindustrialisation of the 70s and 80s fuelled Brexit. ― The Times

A Yorkshire Tragedy combines social and sporting history with total relevance to the present day. A fine record of the sad decline of God's own country. -- David Bernstein, FA chairman 2011-2013

The language sparkles, the insights flash . . . The rise and fall of Yorkshire sporting giants is a marvellous prism for the social and economic change in the region . . . Essential. ― Prospect

Authoritative, passionate and evocative this deeply researched work is about more than Yorkshire, more than sport. It is about society and needs to be read in Westminster as much as Leeds, Bradford or Sheffield. -- Glenn Moore

This is a wonderful book, at its heart about why we love our sport with such a passion. -- Phil Caplan ― Forty20 (national rugby league magazine)

A fascinating insight into a decade that changed the nature of sport and changed the face of the country. This magnificent book is about Yorkshire . . . but its examination of God's own county will have echoes for people in every corner of Britain. -- Rory Smith, Chief Soccer Correspondent, New York Times

About the Author

Anthony Clavane was born in Leeds in 1960. He started life as a history teacher and is now chief sports writer for the Sunday Mirror. He has won Press Gazette Feature Writer of the Year and BT Regional Sportswriter of the Year awards. His previous book Promised Land: A Northern Love Story was named both Football Book of the Year and Sports Book of the Year by the National Sporting Club, Sports Book of the Year by The Radio 2 Book Club, and won the award for Football Book of the Year at the 2011 British Sports Book Awards.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ riverrun (1 Sept. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1848665121
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848665125
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.1 x 2.4 x 23.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 73 ratings

About the author

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Anthony Clavane

Anthony Clavane

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
73 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Richard Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for All the Nation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2016
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Anyone who thinks a 'sports book' might lack intelligence, perception and powerful writing should immediately read 'A Yorkshire Tragedy' by Anthony Clavane and discover the error of their ways. For Anthony Clavane sport is both a metaphor and a way into understanding the political, social and historical currents of our age. Focussing on the perceived decline in the glories of Yorkshire sporting achievements since the 1980's, Clavane then extends his analysis to encompass the decline of the industrial base of the North and the great political and social changes that have shaped not only Yorkshire but whole of the United Kingdom. This is not a narrow narrative about one great Northern county but a book for the entire country. How we understand what we have become. Throughout Clavane uncovers fascinating characters and powerful stories. It's very entertaining and well written book containing great humanity. Read it if you're interested in sport. Read it you're interested in the state of the nation. Read it if you're interested in reading a truly great book.
7 people found this helpful
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ian
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book.............
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2021
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A book using sport in Yorkshire, going through the big changes in 1980s Britain.Unvolving Football, Cricket and Rugby League.

The fortunes of Yorkshire sport which often went the way of yorkshire industry in the period.

Well worth a read
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David Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars If you had forgotten why you hated Thatcher so much you need to read this touching
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2018
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If you had forgotten why you hated Thatcher so much you need to read this touching, nostalgic and warming book. Not necessarily the most academic piece of our time but a reminder of why sport matters in our communities. The chapter on Yorkshire Cricket begs the question why is Boycott worthy of filling our TV screens almost 40 years after almost destroying Yorkshire cricket?
4 people found this helpful
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EA Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Nowt but Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 October 2016
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I've read all of AC's books and have not been disappointed by any of them. The book is very readable, evoking a nostalgia for things past, the loss of community and of a more caring society. It deals with a number of themes which create and interesting comparison on the changes within society over the last few decades. I recommend it.
5 people found this helpful
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Yorkie
4.0 out of 5 stars Arrived on time
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 December 2021
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Looks ok was bought as a gift
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Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly entertaining read. As much about rugby league ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 August 2017
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A thoroughly entertaining read. As much about rugby league and cricket as it is about football my despite my lack of knowledge of those sports compared to football, I found it fascinating and entertaining.
One person found this helpful
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Richard W.
3.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining read but preaching to the converted
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2021
An entertaining read but quite repetitive & shallow in some areas. Notably avoids the subject of other ex industrial northern cities ,also victims of Thatcherism, which have had much more sustained sporting success.Also disappointing that the mention of David Jack as one of the footballing greats of Arsenal didnt mention his origins & great successes playing for Bolton Wanderers.
It felt a bit like an extended university thesis cherry picking events to fit the planned conclusion.
There is plenty there for us chippy northerners to agree with but its preaching to the choir.
One person found this helpful
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Jambro
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligence and sport in one area
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2017
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Enjoy your sports book with intelligence and class. Well you will enjoy this book and the links with community and sport come out in this book. The thatcher years have affected the area. Enjoy the intelligence
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Christopher Orriss
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 6 December 2016
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Delivered promptly and as advertised.
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