Leathered cover art

Leathered

A Life Taken to Extremes...on and off the Bike

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Leathered

By: John Hopkins
Narrated by: Matthew McFetridge
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About this listen

Injury. Adrenaline. Addiction. These are the things that fuelled one man's race to international stardom as he pushed boundaries and took life on and off the bike to the limits.

Starting out as a talented youth riding the desert tracks of California, his reckless nature and incredible talent earned him a position in the rarefied world of professional motorcycle racing. Despite the success in his professional life, his personal life was crumbling around him - John was battling with depression and temptation, which began to threaten his career, health and marriage, ultimately bringing him to a life of alcoholism, addiction and even smuggling.

In his remarkable memoir, one of the world's most renowned riders takes us on a raw and unique journey to the extremes of fast living.

John 'Hopper' Hopkins is an icon for motorsport fans worldwide. He won't let anything hold him back. He has broken almost every bone in his body (twice), suffered a bleed on the brain and had a finger amputated...yet he continued to race. Finally, at the age of 35 - with his latest crash at Brands Hatch in 2017 putting him in rehab for two years - he decided to hang up his helmet.

Leathered tells the incredible story of an unparalleled career. From bone-crunching injuries and alcohol-fuelled antics to the breakdown of his marriage, it unveils the true stories behind the lurid headlines.

©2021 John Hopkins (P)2021 Octopus Publishing Group
Engineering Motor Sports Sports Career Inspiring Thought-Provoking Racing

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All stars
Most relevant
Fantastic insight into the man and his life on and off the track. Excellent enjoyment.

Great story of a great racer

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A must for anyone race fans. Brutal but brilliant John was an amazing talent sadly never reached his potential

Brilliant

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By far my favourite audio book,nailed it in 3days-I didn’t want to stop listening!!

What a book and what a man!!

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For motorcycle fans, even if you don't like racing, you should hear this. Harrowing, stupid, superb.

Exceptional story, Thank you, John.

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I wasn't expecting such a gripping, well written autobiography. I'm convinced you don't need to be a motorcycle or John Hopkins fan to have this story get it's hooks into you.
As it happens, I'm a bike fan and old enough to have admired and respected John's talent, determination and shear speed since about 2003.
John let me take a selfie with him at a Knockhill trackday and was lovely. He was there supporting Rory Skinner and giving back to the sport that's been so good and so cruel to him.
A must listen/read!

An incredible life story amazingly well told

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