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Sevens Heaven

The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji's Olympic Dream: WINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019

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Sevens Heaven

By: Ben Ryan
Narrated by: Ben Ryan
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SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018

The uplifting, feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan, the coach of the Olympic gold-medal winning Fijian rugby team

It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.

Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.

(p) Orion Publishing Group 2018©2018 Ben Ryan Olympics & Paralympics Rugby Sports Feel-Good Inspiring Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

You'll struggle to read a more compelling rugby story than this . . . heartily recommended
An excellent read covering a brilliant journey
One of the all-time great sporting tales . . . Good things happen to good people
Sevens Heaven by Ben Ryan is such a special book
Brutally honest . . . A moving, candid tale of a coach taking the plunge with a rugby ball as his only buoyancy aid
An engrossing account of a remarkable story
So many beautiful, provocative postcard descriptions of Fiji alongside fascinating, honest insights and humble lessons and truths
Sevens Heaven, the story of how English coach Ben Ryan took the Fiji sevens side to Olympic gold, is the best rugby book I've ever read (I don't say that lightly) and as good as any sports book, from Mailer to Plimpton to Hauser, I've encountered in the almost sixty years since I got a Terry McLean '59 Lions tour book for Christmas. It's so good because it reads at times like a noir novel, and is stunningly open and honest. We know how the rugby ended, but Ryan's book is so gripping to tell you any other plot twists might spoil it for you
We always knew a book by Ben Ryan wouldn't be dull, but Sevens Heaven surpasses all expectations. The Londoner's "three years of enlightenment" in the South Pacific makes such enthralling reading that I unhesitatingly call this one of the best rugby books ever written
Entertaining and insightful
All stars
Most relevant
An amazing story that is both inspiring and heartwarming.
Ben Ryan is a credit to the world of Rugby

Stunning and inspiring read

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This is undoubtedly up there with the best sporting book I have read. Regardless of being a rugby fan the story is incredible both on and off the field. What makes it even better is Ben narrating it himself which brings you even closer to the emotional rollercoaster that he, the team and the people of Fiji went on during his time as the coach. A wonderful insight into a paradise of rugby talent

Outstanding

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Only just gotten round to listening to this. Finished it in 3 days!
I lived in Fiji when Ben was out there helping forge Fiji, safe to say the “coconut wireless” spread all over RA Province.

This book brought me back to my home from home & what seems like a millions miles from London. His stories are exceptionally authentic even down to the copious amounts of carbs & sugar the blessed Fijians consume.

Ben, Bula & vinaka vaka levu.

Wow

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An excellent Story that would make a fantastic film! Ben Ryan is an excellent Narrator as well ! well worth a listen.

A Brilliant book for any sports fan

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I'd liken this book to the 'Last King of Scotland', it held my attention from moment 1. I'm a rugby nut so it helps but this was so much more than rugby. You had a sport mad dictator, a visionary coach who had to learn to play politics. A coach who had to become a father figure, psychiatrist, wheeler dealer and anthropologist. Amazing just amazing.

Incredible book. Sport, love, politics & intrigue.

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