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Unforgettable

Rugby, Dementia and the Fight of My Life

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Unforgettable

By: Steve Thompson
Narrated by: Steve Thompson, Ben Cohen, Sir Clive Woodward, Colin Mace, Sir Ian McGeechan, Lewis Moody, Maria Armstrong, Paul Grayson, Andy Robinson
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About this listen

**Winner of the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year Award 2023**

**Winner of the Rugby Book of the Year Award 2023**

**Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022**

RUGBY, DEMENTIA AND THE FIGHT OF MY LIFE

In 2003, England won the Rugby World Cup. Steve Thompson was in England's front row, at the heart of the match, and at the heart of the scrum - one of sport's most violent battlegrounds.

But triumph came at a cost. Today, he remembers nothing about playing in that final. In his words, watching the tape back is like watching a ghost.

The years of hurt, and the culture of sucking up punishment and coming back for more, have taken a terrible toll. Steve has been diagnosed with early onset dementia, and serious progressive brain damage. Steve and his wife Steph had a happy family life planned, with decades ahead of them. Now he needs to capture these elusive memories for the sake of his children, before they disappear forever.

With stories contributed by his world-cup winning teammates and his former manager, Sir Clive Woodward, Unforgettable is raw, powerful storytelling. This tale of hope and courage stands as testament to the ultimate strength of the human mind - and to a man no longer pushing himself to the limit for competition, but for his own place in the world.

©2022 Steve Thompson (P)2022 Bonnier Books UK Alzheimer's & Dementia Physical Illness & Disease Rugby Sports Dementia Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking England Football

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Critic reviews

"As brave as they come." (Gareth Thomas)

"So powerful. This book might just change the way you think about sports forever." (Sir Clive Woodward)
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely opening to the pains,struggles, highs and lows of his career and life. Narrated by himself, some may consider slightly single toned, however you feel like Steve is sat there with you telling you face to face. Eye opening account to the reality of what is being sugar coated by the world of rugby.

worth a read to anyone, not just rugby fans

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I hope by telling your story the changes that are required now happen. Very moving account . Thank you for sharing this with us .

Inspiring

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An amazing story. Hopefully the powers that be in sports and beyond will listen. Thank you for sharing it Steve.

Fascinating and Heartbreaking

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Book was okay, the story i found fascinating and also heartbreaking. Steve narrating the book himself really adds a bit of oomph to it too, you can tell he is a down to eart joe soap that made it to the big time with rugby done anything any boy dreams of to have them now memories within other peoples heads and him having to start each day a new, struggling with simple tasks of daughters names and everyday chores. Good easy read but one where i wasn’t hooked i kept having to take a break and come back.

Very informative and hard hitting

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i have been involved in grass roots rugby for over 20 years, a nurse for over 30 and the mother of 2 rugby playing sons. i have seen the effects of concussion on rugby players and have been working for the last 10 + years trying to spread the word about the dangers of traumatic brain injury. Unions have started to take notice, but getting grassroots rugby club committees to understand that the game is not the same as when they played (pre 1995). i’m sorry you and your family are going through this but thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing this book and giving the cold hard facts that concussion needs to be taken serious. i have always explained that the brain is like a ripe peach in a jar, shake it up and it gets bruised. that’s what happens to the brain.

Thank you

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Don't mind admitting some parts are a tough listen but also essential. Inspirational and yet heartbreaking.

Hearing Steve narrate his own story really brought up home.

essential for any rugby fan and sports fans in general.

A must listen- honest and inciteful

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So much more than a book about rugby and the 2003 World Cup.
This is a heartwarming and equally heartbreaking book about one man’s story to help bring more awareness to the dangers of head trauma in sport. Highly recommended and an absolute must read for any parents of new rugby kids x

A must read !

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Steve Thompson’s words leave you with the no doubt the regret, frustration and worries that he now carries with him on a daily basis due to his diagnosis. Very thought provoking story that tells you there is much more to this man than just a well-rounded athlete. Well worth a listen.

Tough to listen to and that’s the point

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I've just finished Steve Thompson's book, 'Unforgettable'.

It. Is. Awesome.

Possibly the best sports autobiography of all time.

It shows the reality of elite sport in a raw and honest way.

As a former world champion professional sportsman, I can relate to so much.

The book demonstrates what is required to be the best in the world. From the necessary grind, discipline, determination, the creation of 'luck', taking of opportunities, the development into an elite athlete, the setbacks, genetics, aligning with the right people, the injuries, the business side, the effects on family, and to the deeply personal sacrifices and losses.

Becoming a world champion comes at heavy costs.

Most people don't realise how unprofessional 'professional' sport actually is - 'Unforgettable' lays it bare. .

It demonstrates sport failing in a duty of care, not just in respect to traumatic brain injuries, but injuries of all kind, eating disorders, and the difficult transition from sport back to 'normal' life again. Sport is privileged over health and wellbeing of its primary asset - the sportsperson themselves.

There are some incredibly hard-hitting lessons to learn for anyone involved in sport at any level.

Incredibly honest and endearing, this is awesome on Audible as his personality shines through, and there are a few guest speakers to recount the stories that Steve can't remember. This chapter was especially entertaining, and reminded me of the mischiefs of my own international trips, causing me to laugh out loud many times.

There are lots of laughs and smiles, Steve could have been a Royal Marine, using 'cheerfulness in the face of adversity'.

Simply outstanding.

Outstanding. Simply Outstanding.

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A truly moving listen that provides thought provoking insight into the modern game of rugby and living with a brain injury.

A must listen for conscientious sports fans.

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