The Grudge
Scotland vs. England, 1990
- Published: 1 July 2010
- ISBN: 9781409089377
- Imprint: Vintage Digital
- Format: EBook
- Pages: 288
5 stars. An epic tale of clashing personalities. The Grudge puts you right on the touchline as the English and Scottish teams go to war.
Simon Briggs, Daily Telegraph
A potentially award-winning book. It's a terrific bit of work, as engaging as the day itself was.
Mick Cleary, Daily Telegraph
A priceless read ... quite outstanding
Robert Kitson, The Guardian
A remarkable and compulsive re-enactment over 235 pages of the day Scotland confounded all expectation to win
Paul Ackford
English has written a marvellous book, in its way as gripping as that season and the match itself
Scottish Review of Books
Gripping ... Tom English has interviewed all the main protagonists to produce a richly textured picture of the build-up, the day itself and the aftermath
Independent
I enjoyed this book enormously. The match is one of my enduring rugby memories, and reading The Grudge it all came flooding back
John Inverdale
If you haven't bought Tom English's book about the 1990 match - The Grudge - then do yourself a favour and get it now. It's terrific
Alex Massie, Spectator
Shudderingly good ... English has a rare talent for getting to the core of a person
Rugby World
Superb ... a fantastic drama. The Grand Slam match was part of a political world ... This is what gave the occasion its power, its glory and its ultimate significance
The Herald
Thatcherite politics and rugby come crashing into contact in this rich and textured account
i
The finest book written on the tournament ... English has produced an absolutely outstanding work, weaving in the strands of history, politics, sociology, dislike and tactical nous, which makes the game probably the most remarkable ever played in the grand old tournament. The insights provided into the minds and roles of Jim Telfer and Brian Moore are worth the price alone
Stephen Jones, The Times
Tom English's excellent book, The Grudge, revisits an occasion when sport and politics and ancient rivalry came together
Chris Foy, Daily Mail
True tales: great stuff
Frank Keating, The Guardian