A Delicate Game - Hana Walker-Brown

Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice - Sports Book Award Special Commendation

Specially Commended at the William Hill Sports Book Awards

A footballer dies of dementia, younger than he should.
A 14-year old-rugby player is told to play on through multiple blows. He never wakes up from the last one.
A scientist reveals endemic brain disease in NFL players and is discredited.
A survivor of domestic abuse can't remember details when standing up in court.

This is the story of the degenerative brain disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This is a story of power, of science and sport, and of the bodies that society deems worth sacrificing.

In 2019, Hana Walker-Brown created The Beautiful Brain, an award-winning podcast about West Bromwich Albion hero Jeff Astle and CTE. A Delicate Game continues that story, exploring a hidden disease that the powerful don't want you to know about. It uncovers miscarriages of justice, violence against women, racial discrimination, institutional corruption, privilege, greed, hope and redemption. For fans of She Said and Bad Blood.

Reviews

'This book is vital, compassionate and fascinating. It has and will continue to change lives all over the world' - Steve Thompson

'Moving...persuasive...timely...absorbing...well-researched...required reading' Sunday Times

'Walker-Brown takes us on a gripping and heartbreaking journey through the human debris of sport' The Guardian

'Hana Walker-Brown is a powerful new voice in narrative non-fiction. A Delicate Game is sensitive, crushing, vivid and unforgettable' Will Storr

'A MUST read book for anybody involved in sports, the facts and truth needs to be common knowledge for everyone.' - Alix Popham

Paperback