Cirrus@Austlit

'The Fox: Harry Hopman and the Greatest Dynasty in Tennis History is the story of how one man drove a tiny nation to dominate a global sport. The Grand Slams, Wimbledon crowns and Davis Cups his players won made Australia famous. They called him simply Mr Hopman but the New York Times called him a 'one-man dynasty'.

'He was revered for his success but reviled for his methods. He had no formal education as a coach or trainer but relentlessly pursued sporting excellence. Hopman's approach was revolutionary to a genteel sport, introducing the grit of gymnasiums and endurance exercises that bordered on sadistic.

'This book examines the many shades of Harry Hopman: the outsider who willed himself to play for his country and battled the sport's establishment; the schemer who saw America dominate the sport and devised a way to beat them; the unquestioned leader; and eventually the ageing coach who embraced the 'me generation'.'  (Publication summary)

'At 24, Neil Sachse was an Aussie Rules star on the rise. The burly South Australian had torn through the ranks to become the most sought-after player in the country. Then, in only his second game in the top flight, playing for Footscray, a front-on collsion left Neil a quadriplegic. In a single moment, an explosive career was cut short.

'It remains the most catastrophic injury to any player in the history of the VFL/AFL competition. However, it’s not the injury, but what Neil went on to achieve that has come to define him. A passionate advocate for disability care and injury prevention in sport, Neil has raised millions for medical research through the Neil Sachse Foundation, and been a mentor to countless injured athletes.' (Publication summary)