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Paperback - 192 pages (30 November, 2000)
Otter Publications; ISBN: 1899053166
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Synopsis
Simon Golding, television commentator and sports lecturer, has been involved in competitive sports for 20 years. Fifteen of those have been spent playing the sport he loves, volleyball. The book follows the ups and downs of a journeyman player from his first pathetic attempts to play. Years of debauched collegiate volleyball, through his Great Britain student years and his appearance at the 1991 World Student Games in Sheffield, to his final glory - a second place finish on the British Beach Volleyball tour and a national tournament at age 33. Customer Reviews
Excellent book - quite simply hilarious!!
Reviewer: Ross Mills (rosscmills@hotmail.com) from Plymouth, England
Through the Net is quite simply an excellent read. It is a true story of Simon's life as he goes about his quest for volleyballing glory. It is an incredibly funny journey as he takes you from his days at college (anyone who is at or has been to college or university will understand exactly what he got up to!!) through to his beach volleyball career,(temper tantrums included!!). Some of the stories along the way are so entertaining. Simon seems to have the knack of telling things how they are but also with impeccable, comical timing. For people who want to laugh themselves silly, this book is a must! Great book by "a thoroughly bloody nice bloke".
Reviewer: volleyball@tesco.net from Wimbledon, England
Well, seeing as Simon is a good friend of mine and seen in the volleyball world as a "bloody nice chap"(!!!) it would be difficult not to recommend this book to all and sundry. Having personally shared a lot of the experiences that Simon mentions, I thought the book was a top read. I am not a great reader of books, finding lack of time my usual excuse, I suprised myself by reading Through The Net in one sitting. I was sat next to the author at the time who had come up to stay, to put together some commentary for an FIVB tournament that he was broadcasting on Channel 4 the next day. I spent several hours in tears, unable to put down the side-splittingly funny book. I managed to successfully prolong his difficult time-consuming commentary task by constantly interrupting with comments like "I must read you this bit" his usual response was: "I know I wrote it". In fact the only other book that I have ever done this with is Karch Kiraly's "The Sand Man". (Sadly I wasn't sat next to the author on this occasion!!!)A positive endorsement of Simon's first book! Anyone that knows Simon will appreciate his wit, humour and ability to recall point by point matches played years ago! His fabulous timing, (comedic not hitting) is also one of his strengths that can be found time and time again in Through the Net. Review by: Chris (from the German pub dust-up story in Weston!!!) Excellent humorous & human tale of one mans sporting journey
Reviewer: Alex Dowding (ajdowding@hotmail.com) from Bournemouth, England
Through The Net is an inspiring human tale. The story of one mans journey through a sporting career, taking in the success of reaching his playing peak to the slow realisation that his days as a top-level player are fading. His experiences are recounted with a refreshing honesty and he has a superb ability to paint very vivid pictures. The stories by which he recounts his journey are very humorous and provide an insight in human nature in the unique situation of high pressure sporting environments. A former stand up comedian, Simon has no problem in delivering some superb punch lines and even manages a funny yet not too disgusting toilet story. Having traveled the world during his volleyball career as a player and coach, the book also provides a modern history from his perspective of the British and world game. Must read for any Volleyball enthusiast and anyone interested in a human tale of ups and downs with some excellent stories and cracking humour! |
