For years journalists have been eyewitnesses to athletesfrom the elite to downtroddenchasing, achieving or falling short of their dreams. They have observed, chronicled and attempted to find the secrets to winning and losing. For some, sport may be a meaningless diversion. For most, it is life’s most important punctuation mark. In this book, the formidable Fairfax stable of fine writing thoroughbreds explains why.

Roy Masters explores the heart and soul of rugby league. Peter Roebuck and Malcolm Knox provide a fresh look at the confusion of cricket. Richard Hinds focuses on the moment which won the Sydney Swans an AFL premiership. Jacquelin Magnay exposes a grubby cycling world. Jessica Halloran reveals the tense father-daughter relationship in the Dokic tennis family. Michael Cockerill tussles with Harry Kewell. Max Presnell recalls when Amarillo Slim took on those at the City Tatts club. Greg Bearup dissects Khoder Nasser’s world and Peter Stone puts Tiger Woods in his place.

On the journey to find the reasons why sport is a religion, an obsession to so many, there are revelations, hilarity, triumphs, sadness, excitement, pathos, tribulation, controversy, moments of sheer stupidity and episodes of bravery. Most importantly, like sport itself, More Important than Life or Death is always entertaining.