Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan

If you like snooker the pictures alone are worth the price of the book. It is not a instructional book But a very good autobiography of the man

A few years ago, a good friend of mine recruited me into an amateur pool league and got me playing the game regularly. My skills are limited to an average game of 8-ball; however, my friend used to play snooker and introduced me, via YouTube video, to Ronnie O’Sullivan. Watching his impressive play got me interested in learning a bit more about him so I read this ghostwritten autobiography (with Simon Hattenstone).This is quite an enjoyable read. Whoever is responsible for the bulk of the text, it certainly seems to have captured a unique voice that is O’Sullivan’s. There is a brashness and egoism to the storytelling, which the reader expects from one who is truly great in his field of endeavor. There is also a willingness to share the less savory aspects of his personality, which is not always present in these types of books. There is a sense of getting a well-rounded view of Ronnie.He’s had things to overcome, his father’s incarceration just as he was getting launched on his career and his battles with depression being foremost. I was also reminded of a lost childhood (much like Tiger Woods, for instance) coming from the huge amounts of practice he put in at a very young age to hone his talent, though I don’t think Ronnie would consider this a loss. If Ronnie has a blind spot, it’s how lucky he was to have the financial and personal resources to put in his practice and, frankly, get out of what was sometimes constant trouble without losing his opportunity to reach the top. A lot of bad boys of his type end up in jail or in the gutter if they don’t have the help and luck he has had.Still, for a snooker fan, this would be a hard book to pass up. Ronnie is one of the most exciting players on the circuit and he tells his story with verve. It’s worth the read.

An interesting autobiography, raw, at times tragically frustrating. Worth the read. Talent mixed with depression. What a journey and it has got even better in recent years.

I like to read anything about Ronnie, good, written for Londoners, too may Cockney words and expressions, good but PR for being a bad boy at times no bottle! Liked 'index, should come with Cockney dictionary, I spent too much time looking up words.

Another book I couldn’t put down. Never realised he was so shy.

10/10 fácil lectura. Simplemente The Ticket.

Not only a snooker book, a true life story. Well wrtitten with a true cockney accent in true "east endres" style and pattern. Didn't know Ronnie had such deep depression problems, but he fought for his happiness. Inspirational for anyone struggling with his happiness.

I met an Olympic athlete once. We talked about a very famous (non Olympic) sportsperson; a once in a generation superstar, a polarising figure. I was impressed; the Olympian less so. You don't have to act like that to be great, they said. Most people would have heard of the sportsperson whereas hardly anyone would know this Olympian. QED or post hoc ergo propter hoc?No Latin features in this book but plenty of English and lots of ups and downs. The book was published in 2003 and I'm reading in 2021. Ronnie has scaled the heights in the intervening years and is still near the summit. Will he stay there? Can he climb further? Will he descend safely or suffer a Higginsian fall?He's an entertainer and you can't look away. It's an engaging book, more engaging than Stephen Hendry's book, as different and as similar as they were as players.4 stars (out of 5)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of Ronnie O'Sullivan and snooker in general and it was worth reading to see what one of the most talented snooker players ever goes through on a day to day basis. This book provided good insights and I would highly recommend!