The Last Champion by Jon Henderson
The first clear-eyed account of an extraordinary life' Independent on Sunday. Wimbledon champion three times in the 1930s, Fred Perry is the finest tennis player that Britain has ever produced. Less well known is that Perry came from an unprivileged background and found himself - despite his supreme talent - an outsider in a sport that looked down on the advancement of the under-classes. Not afraid to ruffle a few establishment feathers, Perry discarded his hallowed amateur status in 1936 and turned professional. He compounded this perceived sin by taking out US citizenship when the Second World War broke out. He embraced his new country wholeheartedly. From Hollywood to Florida, Perry led a scandalous private life, marrying four times and charming himself into the beds of numerous Hollywood starlets and beautiful models along the way. The Last Champion is the first biography of Fred Perry. Through extensive research and revealing interviews, Jon Henderson, tennis correspondent of the Observer, brilliantly tells the remarkable story of this remarkable man. Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.
"A compelling tome, one that traces an extraordinary life" The Times "A compelling portrait of a great sportsman" -- Max Davidson Mail on Sunday "The first clear-eyed account of an extraordinary lifeBook of the Week" -- Simon Redfern Independent on Sunday "A great story, far meatier than the average sporting biography. Henderson has researched it well, tells it nicely and weighs up conflicting evidence wisely" -- Matthew Engel Financial Times "Evocative" Daily Mail
Jon Henderson has covered every Wimbledon since 1969. He was tennis correspondent and chief subeditor of the Observer from 1991 - 2009.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780224082549 |
| ISBN 10 | 022408254X |
| Title | The Last Champion |
| Author | Jon Henderson |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Vintage Publishing |
| Year published | 2010-02-04 |
| Number of pages | 320 |
| Prizes | Short-listed for British Sports Book Awards: Biography 2010 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |