Ripley's World: The Rugby Icon's Ultimate Victory Over Cancer

"It’s Thursday, 25 August 2005 and because I’m totally self-absorbed, self-interested, and probably selfish, I’ve decided to keep a diary. Why? Because two months ago, on Friday, 24 June 2005, Mr. Mike Swinn, consultant urologist at East Surrey hospital, sat me down and told me, 'It’s unequivocal, you have locally advanced prostate cancer.'” In diary form, Andy Ripley candidly documents his reaction to the initial diagnosis of his illness and the effect this had on him and his family. He guides us through his subsequent treatment, along the way enlightening us with his philosophical, often jovial take on the personal events unfolding around him. As is to be expected, Ripley experiences a whirlwind of emotions along the way, but he takes the challenge head on, retaining his trademark humor and charm in the face of adversity. Rather than submitting to his condition, Ripley has chosen not only to fight his cancer relentlessly, but also to throw himself into campaigning for The Prostate Cancer Charity in an attempt to highlight an illness that is spoken about far too infrequently. Ripley’s World is a compelling, moving, and surprisingly entertaining read that is sure to provoke discussion on prostate cancer. Where most men diagnosed with this illness have suffered in relative silence, Ripley has chosen to use his experience of fighting it to inform, inspire, and educate others.

Andy Ripley was capped 24 times for the England international rugby team throughout the 1970s and was one of Willie Johns' invincible Lions in 1974. Now a successful businessman, he has held the world indoor rowing record for heavyweight men for 10 years. Sir Clive Woodward is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004.