David Snowdon Knihy

An entertaining and powerful narrative of a manager striving to satisfy legions of fanatical supporters and an impatient boardroom. In the white heat of North East football mania, Alan Durban battled to achieve long-term stability and on-field success at Sunderland. Heartbreakingly, his vision of 'tomorrow' would never reach fruition.

This book won the Lord Aberdare Literary Prize for Sports History (2013) This book focuses on the literary contribution made by the pugilistic writing of Pierce Egan (c. 1772-1849), identifying the elements that rendered Egan’s style distinctive and examining the ways his writing invigorated the sporting narrative. In particular, the author analyses Egan’s blend of inventive imagery and linguistic exuberance within the commentaries of the Boxiana series (1812-29). The book explores the metropolitan and sporting jargon used by the diverse range of characters that inhabited Egan’s ‘Pugilistic Hemisphere’ and looks at Egan’s exploitation of prizefighting’s theatricality. Another significant theme is the role of pugilistic reporting in perpetuating stereotypical notions relating to British national identity, military readiness and morality. Consideration of Egan’s metropolitan rambles is complemented by discussion of the heterogeneity, spectacle and social dynamics of the prize ring and its reportage. The book traces Egan’s impact during the nineteenth century and, importantly, evaluates his influence on the subsequent development of sporting journalism.

The Nun Study, initiated in 1986 by Dr. David Snowdon, explores aging and Alzheimer's disease through a unique cohort of 678 Catholic sisters. This groundbreaking research has unveiled significant insights into cognitive health and the aging process, challenging existing perceptions and contributing to our understanding of longevity. Its findings have garnered global attention, reshaping discussions around aging and disease prevention.