It’s been more than 30 years since Zia Mahmood published his classic memoir, Bridge My Way*, and now – finally! – he brings us up to date with Bridge, A Love Story. It’s published next week, and having just binge-read an early copy, I can assure you that it’s every bit as brilliant.
Zia is still at the very top of his game, and the book fizzes with passion and energy. It’s full of funny anecdotes, snapshots of legendary players, hands galore, quizzes, tips and his views on everything from the best players in the world (no spoilers) to which conventions should be dumped (Gerber).
At 77, he doesn’t feel old, but he acknowledges the outward signs are there, such as the Scandinavian ex-girlfriend who used to send him the same message before every important final – ‘Play as well as you make love!’ – but who these days simply writes ‘Good luck’.
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