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Why We Kneel How We Rise

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Why We Kneel How We Rise

By: Michael Holding
Narrated by: Michael Holding
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About this listen

 WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE 2021
WINNER OF THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS BOOK OF THE YEAR
THE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'The best book about racism I’ve ever read' Piers Morgan

Through the prism of sport and conversations with its legends, including Usain Bolt, Adam Goodes, Thierry Henry, Michael Johnson, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Makhaya Ntini, Naomi Osaka and Hope Powell, Michael Holding explains how racism dehumanises people; how it works to achieve that end; how it has been ignored by history and historians; and what it is like to be treated differently just because of the colour of your skin.

Rarely can a rain delay in a cricket match have led to anything like the moment when Holding spoke out in the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter protests about the racism he has suffered and has seen all around him throughout his life. But as he spoke, he sought not only to educate but to propose a way forward that inspired so many. Within minutes, he was receiving calls from famous sports stars from around the world offering to help him to spread the message further.

Now, in Why We Kneel, How We Rise, Holding shares his story together with those of some of the most iconic athletes in the world. He delivers a powerful and inspiring message of hope for the future and a vision for change, and takes you through history to understand the racism of today. He adds: 'To say I was surprised at the volume of positive feedback I received from around the world after my comments on Sky Sports is an understatement. I came to realise I couldn’t just stop there; I had to take it forward – hence the book, as I believe education is the way forward.'

©2021 Michael Holding. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, UK. All Rights Reserved. Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Sports Discrimination Social justice

Critic Reviews

'The best book about racism I’ve ever read. Powerful, passionate, challenging, and, like the author’s fast bowling, at times very uncomfortable. I learned a lot & it made me think a lot.'
(Piers Morgan, TV presenter and journalist)
'One of the most important [books] of the year, and certainly among the most powerful... If anything will change the way we see the world it is this - the sports book of the year.' (Roger Alton)
'This powerful book...recounts unsparing stories of prejudice and injustice, but the best passages are when Holding writes from the heart.' (Matt Dickinson)
'Holding writes of his personal guilt at rolling with the racist punches throughout his career... The language is raw, his observations unsparing, but there is no more important sports book this year.' (Ben Taylor)
All stars
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I would heavily recommend that this book needs to be read by everyone, that it should be part of schools and education. I initially looked at this title due to my love of cricket and wanting hear more about the book. It is delivered beautifully by Michael and is measured, rational and full of must hear content for all humans on this rock.

Incredibly powerful and Eye opening book

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A powerful history lesson and inspiring message for the future. Brilliantly narrated by Michael Holding in his inimitable style.

inspiring listen!

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Michael holding is a legend of cricket
His voice is captivating and synonymous with cricket
This book explores some deep issues, race, class, sport and sociology
He delivers fascinating stores that are sobering and insightful
He gives a calm and collected approach with reason
Thank you for a wonderful book

Fascinating, interesting, sobering and inspiring

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I am a cricket tragic and am well aware of Michael Holding's wonderful career and his experience of racism when he toured my country in 1975. I blush at that memory and am relieved he was magnanimous enough not to dislike Australia and Australians because of it. Sadly his book illustrates not just the history of racism but that it is still all too prevalent in the upper echelons of many sporting governing bodies and governments. I found it did not tell me much I did already know but he describes it from the viewpoints of many athletes. It is frustrating regarding the BLM movement - as he mentions - that many people refuse to empathise and immediately become defensive but he ends on a high note. The awareness and resistance to this way of behaving is growing across the world but sadly not in large parts of the US Republican Party or British Tory leadership.

Well researched and humbling - must read for any BLM agnostic

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.