{"title":"Michael Roberts","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichael Roberts offers insightful works that bridge the worlds of \u003cstrong\u003esports\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cem\u003ehistorical analysis\u003c\/em\u003e, capturing the passion and context behind iconic teams and eras. His writing delves into the dynamics of competition and the impact of broader economic and social forces on sport and society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect thorough research and engaging narratives that illuminate both the highs and lows of sporting history, alongside explorations of significant events such as economic downturns. Roberts’ books provide a rich perspective for those interested in the intersections of sport, history, and education.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"champions-of-collingwood-by-michael-roberts-9781863959193","title":"Champions of Collingwood","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e125 Years | 125 Champions | 125 Stories\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese are the men whose blood, sweat and heroics have made Collingwood the greatest sporting club in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince 1892, more than 1200 men have played senior football for Collingwood. This book, produced to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary, tells the stories of the 125 greatest players to have pulled on the famous black-and-white jumper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt recalls the deeds, careers, lives and legends of some of the Magpies' most revered players, from the earliest days of the 1890s right through to the current day. The stories take us not only through the 125 champions' football careers but also into their backgrounds and personalities, meaning readers really get to know the players - even those from the distant past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also stats and rarely seen photos, all presented in a beautiful large-format book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47076446568684,"sku":"9781863959193","price":65.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/17804643482851.jpg?v=1765197970"},{"product_id":"the-machine-by-michael-roberts-9781863958547","title":"The Machine","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHas there ever been a better quarter of footy teams than those that took the field in Collingwood jumpers between 1927 and 1930?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe statistics and history books would say not. They remain the only team in VFL\/AFL history to have won four Premierships in a row. The 1929 team is the only one to have gone through a home-and-away season undefeated. The teams and the players set records and benchmarks that stood for decades. And they did it all with such brilliant teamwork that they became universally known as \u003cem\u003eThe Machine\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut while the records and achievements of the Machine Team are well known, the stories behind them are less so. This book takes us inside the dressing rooms and behind the committee-room doors to see the dramas and sensations that the players had to deal with during their tilt at history—from threatened strikes and allegations of bribery to financial scandals and controversial sackings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Machine\u003c\/em\u003e is more than just a football book—it's also a book about football within a social context. The heroics of those Collingwood teams were played out against a backdrop of social upheaval, bleakness and gloom. The Depression was hitting hard when these teams were at their best—and it hit hardest in suburbs like Collingwood. As with other Depression-era sporting heroes like Don Bradman and Phar Lap, the grim social circumstances of the time seemed to elevate the significance of Collingwood's achievements. The relationship between club and suburb, between the players and their fans, is central to the story of the Machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book also gives us a rare glimpse into the personal stories of the men who comprised the Machine. Most football followers would know of the Colliers, the Coventrys and coach Jock McHale. But there were 44 other players who pulled on the Guernsey for the club during that heady four-year period. Some enjoyed long careers, others only a handful of games. But each one played a part, and their personal stories are as varied as they are fascinating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a rich, vibrant and absorbing account of football in a different era—when Collingwood was king of football and the Machine reigned supreme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47082889904364,"sku":"9781863958547","price":48.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781863958547.jpg?v=1765278243"},{"product_id":"the-long-depression-by-michael-roberts-9781608464685","title":"The Long Depression","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Long Depression\u003c\/i\u003e looks at the current global economy from a Marxist perspective. London-based economist Michael Roberts argues that the global economy is in a depression, in which the profitability of capital is too low and debt built up before the Great Recession is too high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRoberts concludes that this depression will only end when the profitability of capital is restored—an outcome he suggests will require yet another slump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47384042012908,"sku":"9781608464685","price":50.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18666453482760.jpg?v=1773398540"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/michael-roberts.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}