From the Eye of the Hurricane: My Story - Alex Higgins

About the author: Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins was the most entertaining and charismatic snooker player definitely of his generation and more than likely of all time. A man who experienced more highs and lows in his short career than most of us would in a lifetime. This showman was born in very humble beginning in Northern Ireland on 18 March 1949. He won his first snooker World Championship in 1972 and his last in 1982, when he was crowned the 'People's Champion' a title that is always associated with him. However Higgins was anything but conventional. He was loved by the public but always ... more

The critics have been generous in their praise of this book but one that sums up this experience comes from the Irish Mail on Sunday. 'Whether you're a fan of the game or the man, his tale is a tale well worth reading. He may be a right b*****d, but miss him. Snooker misses him terribly.' Traditionally snooker in the United Kingdom has its roots entrenched in dingy, windowless halls where shifty characters rest their beer to play their shot, trying desperately to see the other end of the table through the thick clouds of cigarette smoke. These are the same breed of men who seek refuge in the ... more

As you can tell by looking at my previous reviews I enjoy auto biographies, also enjoying a game of snooker myself I was keen to read the auto-biography of Alex Higgins, the man more commonly known as 'Hurricane Higgins'. Higgins is as famous (or maybe even more so) for his temper and wild behaviour as his snooker talent and winning the world championships. The book is pretty much standard in its format, starting off with his childhood growing up in Ireland with his Mum, Dad and three sister who played are still a very important part of his life. It talks about the hardships that the family ... more

I was in WH Smiths the other day tidying up the Christmas shopping and there was Alex Higgins, snooker legend. And it was not a cheerful sight. The Hurricane today is a tiny Gollum like figure; still hiding under one of his oversized Leprechaun hats that would be more at home at Cheltenham races than Northampton. His adoring fans of all ages were queuing up (excuse the pun) for the diminutive mans scribble, no doubt a last chance to do so before his cancer returns and drags him into Hell. Alex knows he's going down in the final elevator of life and so why not write his passport to it in this ... more