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Why We Kneel How We Rise

By: Michael Holding
Narrated by: Michael Holding
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Summary

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.
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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)

What listeners say about Why We Kneel How We Rise

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Powerful, educational and enlightening.

It’s a must read for everyone in society and we all need to read this to grasp the way forward. Our multicultural community can move forward and improve all our lives in future.

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Absolutely Inspirational

Did not want this to end. MH not only a cricket Legend, but a societal inspiration.

This book is informative and well presented, and extremely thought provoking. This has sparked many thoughts that I will explore further. Would highly recommend.

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Masterpiece!

Incredible! Thank you to Mr Holding and all his contributors for their honest and powerful stories. In my opinion it's books such as this that are the conduit for social change and justice. I share in your vision of a more equal future. Thank you, sir.

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An epic listern

This is without doubt the seminal word on why blacks are oppressed. Mikey offers sound evaluation of contemporary issues with an enveloping historical thread. Anybody want to challenge racist attitudes, the reasoning behind the black lives matter protest, tell them to read this. An outstanding book

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Inspiring

Inspired me as a cricketer when I was a boy. Inspires me today as a man.

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It will provoke you

Given concerns about racism in the UK recently I wanted to listen to a different view. I have given this book 5 as there was much that I learned and now understand and empathise. I felt provoked but frankly, I should be. How else will anything change?

Whilst this is well written they are factual inaccuracies such as the Uk had the highest death rate from COVID 19 in the world and the majority were black; similarly that black children are the largest performers in the
UK which is untrue, it’s the white working class.

Finally, I would add that during the industrial revolution in Britain, most white people had to work in slave conditions, with no breaks, and often no other. 9 year olds sent down mines, and to shuttle between industrial looms. It’s too simplistic to simply say that all White people are racist, and that they have white privilege.

But and this is a big but, there a a contemplative reflection that gets you to understand what it’s like to be black, the only Black person in a room, and how systems in developed countries are stacked against black people and people of colour. I’m glad I was provoked, I’m glad it made me think more deeply and more importantly making me even more aware of the inequality. Well done Micheal and thank you.

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An absolute must read. SImply brilliant.


A truly magnificent read. powerfully delivered by a truly inspirational legend Michael Holding. This book should be part of the educational circulum for post 11 children to read at secondary schools. There should also be an exam on the issues in this book. Thank you Mikey and I truly hope your book does lead to society' hating a chance. 6/5 stars.

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in many ways a hard listen but a vital one

lots that is hard to hear as a white person but it needs to be listened to and shared and learnt from. it comes from a man whose integrity and intelligence are well respected

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Fantastic listen

learnt so much about things I'd never heard of. brilliant narration as your expect from Michael Holding. I think sticking to facts was a good way to make the points clear

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Very Enlightening

A must for everyone, very moving I learnt so much suggest it should be part of school curriculum could listen to Michael all day

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