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Why We Kneel How We Rise

WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE

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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.'

Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Sports Discrimination Social justice Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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)
'This amazing book' (Chris Evans)
'The outstanding book by a mile' (Danny Kelly)
'The most important book by a sportsperson you may ever read. But calling it a sports book would not remotely do it justice... Why We Kneel, How We Rise is powerful precisely because, even after confronting the horror on a scale that makes your blood boil, it tells us that there is still, and always will be, hope.' (Nakul Pande)
'[A] meticulously researched jeremiad, which details centuries of prejudice.' (Simon Kuper and Murad Ahmed)
'Shocking and at times difficult to read... The relentless accrual of detail tracks a process of dehumanisation of the black race...and it presents an inarguable case. Holding and his co-writer Ed Hawkins have taken a vast and complex subject and made it human.' (Jon Hotten)
'There’s a good reason this offering from the legendary West Indies cricketer claimed the prestigious [William Hill] award this year. It looks at the root cause of racism and offers an unsettling, eye-opening read for those lucky enough to avoid it in our daily lives. But it’s not simply a story of how bad things are; it’s a powerful call for change and is infused with optimism for a better tomorrow.' (Cathal Dennehy)
'An incredible book. This tome straddles sport, sociology, anthropology and global politics, and holds a mirror to humanity, warts and all... It is remarkable to know that he achieved all that he aspired to do. This conscience-stirrer of a book will defy time. This book is a classic, one that will make you aware that inequality is a horrific reality and it is time to change that.' (K.C.Vijaya Kumar)
'A sober, densely researched account of racial discrimination'
All stars
Most relevant
a superb read / listen ,a truthful and insightful look at the problems ,the causes and what should and could be done to change the status quo for ALL for the BETTER.....thank you Michael holding 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

superb

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Amazing, shouldn't be a book to buy. Should be mandatory in schools across the land. If you're alive you need to read this.

Book of the year, maybe the decade.

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whilst it can be uncomfortable at times, the subject matter and authors passion make it compelling. such an important topic and learning experience

very important book.

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Ignorance in the age of information is a choice. Empowering yourself with the ‘correct’ history of this planet will help one to be part of the solution. The problem is real, do not dismiss it.

Everyone who knows me knows that I am one of the biggest cricket fans on the planet. Not a lot of people will say that their retirement plan is to travel the planet, wherever the game is played to indulge in its brilliance.

Michael Anthony Holding is a Jamaican former cricketer and current commentator who played for the West Indies’s greatest cricket team. Although I was sometimes critical of some of his stances as a commentator, as a player, he is one of my heroes and forever will be. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pace bowlers in cricket history in this remarkable game, he was nicknamed ‘Whispering Death’ due to his silent, light-footed run up to the bowling crease.

Michael is now a Superhero in my book. His initial vocalisation of the history of and ongoing racism and dehumanisation of peoples of a African descent during what was meant to be commentary of a cricket match at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton in July 2020 has made him a key voice in the ongoing ‘marathon’ (his words) for equality across the globe.

Michael says that, ‘Racism strips away your humanity, takes away your feelings of self-worth'. In this phenomenal book on the subject, ‘Why We Kneel, How We Rise’, by Michael Holding (with contributions from Makhaya Ntini, Usain Bolt, Naomi Osaka, Michael Johnson, Hope Powell and others), was published by Simon and Schuster in 2021. It is a must read for all homes and communities red, yellow, black, white and others.

All of these great sporting personalities walks Michael through their individual struggles with racism over the years. There is only one race on the planet and that’s the human race. Turning a blind eye to the tragedy of racism and its ongoing effects on today society is a choice. This book gives you the tools to make an informed decision.

It is a phenomenal read. Emotional in several places, harsh truths in others but I was not able to put the book down. You can actually hear the words speaking to your heart in the voice of Michael. Well researched and supporting evidence and statistics that can easily be verified. The world needs people like Michael to speak out against racism and the continued dehumanising of people of African descent.

Highly recommended reading….

Highly recommended reading….globally.

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Found it extremely illuminating. Explains the background to the protest clearly and concisely. Brilliant.

Excellent

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