Triumph and tragedy - Peter Jackson

This collection of revealing profiles captures the essence of a galaxy of Welsh world-beaters from across the sporting spectrum: athletics, boxing, cricket, football, golf, horse racing, motor racing, rugby union, rugby league and tennis.

Those featured include arguably the best Welsh rugby union player of the twentieth century; the greatest bowler never to play for England; the farmer's boy who became a master golfer; the Cardiff boy from Splott who made such a name for himself in Hull that they named a thoroughfare after him; the 'Gentle Giant' from Swansea still revered in Italy some 50 years after his last match for Juventus; the only post-war Welsh jockey to win the Grand National twice; and the unsung hero from the Rhondda who became the saviour of Manchester United in the weeks after the Munich air disaster.

Their stories, based on exclusive interviews and coloured with anecdotes, will inspire future generations to believe that nothing is impossible.

Peter Jackson, a sports journalist since he left school in 1960, retired in 2009 as chief rugby correspondent of the Daily Mail after 35 years on the paper. His books include Bread of Heaven, Lions of Wales, Lions of England and, most recently, Bobby Windsor - The Iron Duke, the acclaimed autobiography of the Welsh rugby hero, which was shortlisted for the 2011 British Sports Book Awards.

"Jackson . . . brings his subjects back into vivid focus"
Independent on Sunday