Too Many Reasons to Live
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- Create Date：2022-05-28 00:53:39
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Rob Burrow
- ISBN：152907326X
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Summary
The huge Sunday Times number one bestselling inspirational memoir from rugby league legend Rob Burrow on his extraordinarycareer and his battle with motor neurone disease。
‘A pocket rocket of a player and a giant of a character 。 。 。 He is one in a million and his story is truly inspirational’ – Clare Balding
‘I’m not giving in until my last breath’ – Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow is one of the greatest rugby league players of all time。 And the most inspirational。 As a boy， Rob was told he was too small to play the sport。 Even when he made his debut for Leeds Rhinos， people wrote him off as a novelty。 But Rob never stopped proving people wrong。 During his time at Leeds， for whom he played almost 500 games， he won eight Super League Grand Finals， two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges。 He also played for his country in two World Cups。
In December 2019， Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease， a rare degenerative condition， and given a couple of years to live。 He was only thirty-seven， not long retired and had three young children。 When he went public with the devastating news， the outpouring of affection and support was extraordinary。 When it became clear that Rob was going to fight it all the way， sympathy turned to awe。
This is the story of a tiny kid who adored rugby league but never should have made it – and ended up in the Leeds hall of fame。 It’s the story of a man who resolved to turn a terrible predicament into something positive – when he could have thrown the towel in。 It’s about the power of love， between Rob and his childhood sweetheart Lindsey， and of friendship， between Rob and his faithful teammates。 Far more than a sports memoir， Too Many Reasons to Live is a story of boundless courage and infinite kindness。
‘A pocket rocket of a player and a giant of a character 。 。 。 He is one in a million and his story is truly inspirational’ – Clare Balding
‘I’m not giving in until my last breath’ – Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow is one of the greatest rugby league players of all time。 And the most inspirational。 As a boy， Rob was told he was too small to play the sport。 Even when he made his debut for Leeds Rhinos， people wrote him off as a novelty。 But Rob never stopped proving people wrong。 During his time at Leeds， for whom he played almost 500 games， he won eight Super League Grand Finals， two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges。 He also played for his country in two World Cups。
In December 2019， Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease， a rare degenerative condition， and given a couple of years to live。 He was only thirty-seven， not long retired and had three young children。 When he went public with the devastating news， the outpouring of affection and support was extraordinary。 When it became clear that Rob was going to fight it all the way， sympathy turned to awe。
This is the story of a tiny kid who adored rugby league but never should have made it – and ended up in the Leeds hall of fame。 It’s the story of a man who resolved to turn a terrible predicament into something positive – when he could have thrown the towel in。 It’s about the power of love， between Rob and his childhood sweetheart Lindsey， and of friendship， between Rob and his faithful teammates。 Far more than a sports memoir， Too Many Reasons to Live is a story of boundless courage and infinite kindness。
Reviews
Michelle Dodd （Creaney）
，
Really sweet book。 Only didn’t score more because I have zero interest in rugby and there was rather a lot of rugbyness - should have known really。 Good bloke。
Stephen
，
enjoyed this book charting Rob's Rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and his battle with MND and his experiences ， very insightful 。 enjoyed this book charting Rob's Rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and his battle with MND and his experiences ， very insightful 。 。。。more
Johnboy Somerville
，
An incredible man on an incredible journey。His fight with this horrible disease has been the toughest opponent in his life， and one that will eventually defeat him。 He thankfully has taken the fight head on and is not one to feel sorry for himself。Long may he have reasons to carry on - and hopefully he has got the promised pint from Doddie Weir。
Wendy Rose
，
Rob Burrow - Too Many Reasons to Live 42 - 14 4 22He’s a local sporting hero – I live in West Yorkshire and worked with a Rhino’s fan when the team were at the height of their winning streak so I knew something of his sporting prowess。 Though I hadn’t appreciated how small he was and how incredible it was to be a successful rugby player with such a diminutive stature。 So the rugby bits of the book were familiar from accidental absorption。 But I really picked it up to see what he had to say about Rob Burrow - Too Many Reasons to Live 42 - 14 4 22He’s a local sporting hero – I live in West Yorkshire and worked with a Rhino’s fan when the team were at the height of their winning streak so I knew something of his sporting prowess。 Though I hadn’t appreciated how small he was and how incredible it was to be a successful rugby player with such a diminutive stature。 So the rugby bits of the book were familiar from accidental absorption。 But I really picked it up to see what he had to say about MND; sadly this is the thing that he is now most known for。 And some of the things he related there were also familiar。 。。。more
Iola Shaw
，
I thought he was 5'7。。。Very easy to read writing style。 But hard to avoid the blurry vision at the start and a couple of other patches。 The determination of Robbie shines through and his focus on making things better for the next wave （be it as a coach or find raiser） is inspirational。I remember planning our work lunch trips to the cafe on Kirkstall road on Fridays in the hope we'd see Barrie and Rob （and others but mostly them as they were so distinctive） and so it was a shocker to discover he' I thought he was 5'7。。。Very easy to read writing style。 But hard to avoid the blurry vision at the start and a couple of other patches。 The determination of Robbie shines through and his focus on making things better for the next wave （be it as a coach or find raiser） is inspirational。I remember planning our work lunch trips to the cafe on Kirkstall road on Fridays in the hope we'd see Barrie and Rob （and others but mostly them as they were so distinctive） and so it was a shocker to discover he's the only person I've ever thought was taller than he is。。。 。。。more
Josie
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What an ending。 Can’t say I knew the first thing about rugby league or much about MND， this book was an absolute joy and insight to read。 Loved the structure and range of contributors speaking about Rob。 Laughed more than I cried， a powerful story about an admirable life to be proud of， absolute hero。 Highly recommend
Jenny Jones
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Inspiring， thought provoking and a testament to friendship， family and courage
Margaret Cooper
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Amazing and very humbling story
Karen Hutchinson
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I’ve always been more of a union fan myself （ previously read Doddie weirs book） but was familiar with Rob Burrow as my partner used to love watching him 。 I enjoyed the book - I was in tears after a few pages at his bravery and the unfairness of it all 。 I think you maybe need to be a Leeds fan or at least a rugby league one to truly appreciate it ， however his rugby career gives a huge insight into his personality and determination Rob is a brave ， courageous hero on and off the pitch and his I’ve always been more of a union fan myself （ previously read Doddie weirs book） but was familiar with Rob Burrow as my partner used to love watching him 。 I enjoyed the book - I was in tears after a few pages at his bravery and the unfairness of it all 。 I think you maybe need to be a Leeds fan or at least a rugby league one to truly appreciate it ， however his rugby career gives a huge insight into his personality and determination Rob is a brave ， courageous hero on and off the pitch and his wife is amazing 。 The quotes from various teammates and family members help you understand the impact his illness has 。 。。。more
Will Edmondson
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Fantastic book， couldn't put it down。 I watched super league growing up as a St Helens fan with a strong dislike for Leeds but Robs story is truly inspirational and my heart goes out to him ， his family & friends。 Fantastic book， couldn't put it down。 I watched super league growing up as a St Helens fan with a strong dislike for Leeds but Robs story is truly inspirational and my heart goes out to him ， his family & friends。 。。。more
James Horsley
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 As a Leeds Rhinos fan who grew up watching Rob Burrow and his teammates cone to dominate the Super League this was a must read for me。The book opens with the raw emotion of Burrow's diagnosis with MND and the reactions of his family and closest friends。 The hardest part to read was when Burrow explained that he wouldn't see his kids grow up and his son wouldn't remember him。 As a parent I found that pretty heartbreaking and will admit I did shed a tear。The book then takes on a journey through Bu As a Leeds Rhinos fan who grew up watching Rob Burrow and his teammates cone to dominate the Super League this was a must read for me。The book opens with the raw emotion of Burrow's diagnosis with MND and the reactions of his family and closest friends。 The hardest part to read was when Burrow explained that he wouldn't see his kids grow up and his son wouldn't remember him。 As a parent I found that pretty heartbreaking and will admit I did shed a tear。The book then takes on a journey through Burrow's life and career。 Starting with his early days playing junior rugby and his relationships with family members before moving on to how he overcame the odds to make it as a professional rugby league player。We then get a detailed journey through the highs and lows of Burrow's career including the many trophies and awards he earned as well as some revelations I wasn't aware of such as his poor relationship with former Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott and how close Burrow was to joining Wigan or Castleford。The main thing we learn about Burrow is how humble he is and what a wicked sense of humour he has despite the obstacles he has to overcome。 What also stands out is how strong his family are （especially wife Lindsey） in supporting Burrow with his illness。 We also see comments from former teammates and opponents showing just how highly regarded and loved Burrow is。Burrow ends by looking to the future with optimism， knowing he will lose his battle with MND but that he will live life to the fullest until then。 He gives a really powerful message for everyone to enjoy every day and live for every moment。Burrow is an inspiration and someone that should be looked up to （metaphorically） for the way he has dealt with every obstacle in his life。 。。。more
Jo
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A hero and a true gentleman of the sport。 Was lucky to see him play at Murrayfield at a Magic weekend。 More about his rugby career than his MND diagnosis。
Anne Belcher
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Despite never having Watched a game of RFL in my life， I still found this book really interesting， if a little too “rugby-heavy”！ The book was well written and the subject matter able to be picked out from the rugby chatter！
Amy Perera
，
In December 2019， Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease - MND - a rare degenerative condition and given a couple of years to live。 He was only 37， not long retired and had 3 young children。 When he went public with the devastating news， the love and support he was shown was extraordinary。 This is a story of a man who resolved to turn a terrible predicament into something positive ✨ I remember watching the documentary that Rob did for the BBC and being in tears for him。 Yet he remai In December 2019， Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease - MND - a rare degenerative condition and given a couple of years to live。 He was only 37， not long retired and had 3 young children。 When he went public with the devastating news， the love and support he was shown was extraordinary。 This is a story of a man who resolved to turn a terrible predicament into something positive ✨ I remember watching the documentary that Rob did for the BBC and being in tears for him。 Yet he remained so positive and cheerful despite his diagnosis。 Rob talks about his career as a rugby league player and the games he played。 His friendships made me smile。 There were many tears shed throughout this book and that last paragraph was poignant。 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟 。。。more
Simon
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This book for me is one of the saddest but heartwarming autobiographies I've ever read。 I follow Rugby league very loosely and was aware and admired Rob Burrow before I read this。 This book made me cry and laugh， and his ability to deal with with MND and his attitude towards it is nothing short of a superpower。 The Burrow family the rugby league world should be seriously recognised for their relentless work towards helping MND charities。 This book for me is one of the saddest but heartwarming autobiographies I've ever read。 I follow Rugby league very loosely and was aware and admired Rob Burrow before I read this。 This book made me cry and laugh， and his ability to deal with with MND and his attitude towards it is nothing short of a superpower。 The Burrow family the rugby league world should be seriously recognised for their relentless work towards helping MND charities。 。。。more
Lucinda
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Being a rugby fan （of Rob’s opposing local team！） I knew I had to give this whirl。Being a fan of rugby isn’t just about rugby it’s being part of the family， whether your a casual supporter or a die hard one。。 the whole rugby crowd all comes together in times of need。I grew up knowing of Rob as I didn’t live too far from him and having known people who’s families have been hit with MND know how devestating it can be。So I’ve just finished this one and while I’ve been hooked I honestly can’t say I Being a rugby fan （of Rob’s opposing local team！） I knew I had to give this whirl。Being a fan of rugby isn’t just about rugby it’s being part of the family， whether your a casual supporter or a die hard one。。 the whole rugby crowd all comes together in times of need。I grew up knowing of Rob as I didn’t live too far from him and having known people who’s families have been hit with MND know how devestating it can be。So I’ve just finished this one and while I’ve been hooked I honestly can’t say I had that emotional connection to it as I was expecting and while I’m not disappointed with it， I just wish there was more about his life now。The chapters were split into thirds so to speak， his rugby life， his home life and then from friends and family and this I really liked。One thing I will say is that if you are a die hard Leeds Rhino Fan then you may feel more of that emotional connection with Rob’s book than what I did。 Still give it 4 stars as I did enjoy it。 。。。more
Books By Your Bedside
，
It feels odd to review a book that is as important as this one because it is so much more than “just” an autobiography or a memoir。 I used to watch every rugby Union game - and quite a lot of rugby league games， if not as avidly - with my dad， and whilst it’s just me now， I still ensure I’m sat screaming at the tally when it is on， and every rugby fan （Union or league） knows who Rob Burrow is and his story。 Most people don’t like to be called an inspiration just for having a terminal illness， in It feels odd to review a book that is as important as this one because it is so much more than “just” an autobiography or a memoir。 I used to watch every rugby Union game - and quite a lot of rugby league games， if not as avidly - with my dad， and whilst it’s just me now， I still ensure I’m sat screaming at the tally when it is on， and every rugby fan （Union or league） knows who Rob Burrow is and his story。 Most people don’t like to be called an inspiration just for having a terminal illness， including Rob， so I won’t say he is （although he is）。 I have a moderate understanding of MND， and a thorough personal experience of neurology， but even with that， hearing a first person experience of it in all its raw brutality is sad， hard to read， and （sorry） inspiring。 If I had to pick hairs， I’d say there’s possibility a bit too much of recounting rugby matches and scores for my taste。 Don’t get me wrong， as I said， I love rugby and I understand it is his sport， his livelihood and his love， but once you’ve read one score line， you’ve pretty much read them all。 But that didn’t put me off reading。 If anything， it made the MND sections even tougher as you could really see how much was being taken away from him。I love the additional sections written by his family， friends， and teammates。 Any terminal illness is obviously extremely hard for the person who has it， but it is also very difficult for those around them， so I think it was a nice touch to hear from those affected by it， as it shows Rob isn’t alone。 I think his book will do a lot of good in help those with MND， and those caring for people with MND， so I think he’s been more of an inspiration than he thinks。 。。。more
Sally Hirst
，
I read Stephen Hawking's autobiography a year or so ago for the same reason。 It would be nice sometimes to have someone else with MND to talk to， but the people I meet online have made it the main thing about themselves。 And then when I read that sentence back I realise in any case I'm asking the impossible。 I want to sometimes talk to people who are trying to largely ignore it， which is contradictory。 But I enjoyed both autobiographies for the same reason。 After Hawking's I knew a bit more abou I read Stephen Hawking's autobiography a year or so ago for the same reason。 It would be nice sometimes to have someone else with MND to talk to， but the people I meet online have made it the main thing about themselves。 And then when I read that sentence back I realise in any case I'm asking the impossible。 I want to sometimes talk to people who are trying to largely ignore it， which is contradictory。 But I enjoyed both autobiographies for the same reason。 After Hawking's I knew a bit more about physics， didn't understand half of it， knew very little about his life with MND but identified with the odd glimpses he did give and recognised a fellow obsessive。 Same here but as regards rugby。 Someone who singlemindedly loves what they do （or did， but would still be doing if they could）。 Love his comment about the Black Knight in Monty Python， identify with things like 'Just turning in bed is murder。'， especially as it is my problem to solve this month。 But also some of the things I start to get like 'But more and more， I’m separate from what’s going on around me。 I absorb everything that’s happening， but I’m not really a part of it。' That's only just starting for me， but it is starting。 Very glad I read it， but perhaps a bit niche for most people。 。。。more
Pavon James
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Incredibly inspiring story of what is really a tragedyRobs humour and positive attitude are amazing，。 A sad story written in an uplifting way。 Rob is a legend on and off the field。
Emma
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I have been following the story of Rob Burrow through the interviews on BBC Breakfast。 I decided to read this book as I thought it would help increase my knowledge of the terrible disease MND and also learn how Rob himself， his friends and family have dealt with the diagnosis。 I am not a rugby league fan so had no knowledge of Rob Burrow from this field， and have to admit I did end up skim reading the tales of the rugby matches in the second half of the book as they didn’t hold much interest for I have been following the story of Rob Burrow through the interviews on BBC Breakfast。 I decided to read this book as I thought it would help increase my knowledge of the terrible disease MND and also learn how Rob himself， his friends and family have dealt with the diagnosis。 I am not a rugby league fan so had no knowledge of Rob Burrow from this field， and have to admit I did end up skim reading the tales of the rugby matches in the second half of the book as they didn’t hold much interest for me。 It was interesting to read sections about MND and how Rob and his family have tackled this cruel disease that has turned their world upside down， but lacked something for me。 I also did not learn much more about MND than I already knew， which was a little disappointing。 。。。more
Mrs Debra M Soden
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Truly inspirational5 star rating doesn't seem enough！I really hadn't heard of Rob Burrow and know little about rugby league （or union for that matter）。I also knew very little about MND。This book has taught me about both， a truly inspirational， honest and emotional story of how cruel this disease is。I would recommend everyone to read this book it will make you smile， it will make you cry but it will also show you how amazing and kind people can be。 Truly inspirational5 star rating doesn't seem enough！I really hadn't heard of Rob Burrow and know little about rugby league （or union for that matter）。I also knew very little about MND。This book has taught me about both， a truly inspirational， honest and emotional story of how cruel this disease is。I would recommend everyone to read this book it will make you smile， it will make you cry but it will also show you how amazing and kind people can be。 。。。more
Cath
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I'm a life-long Castleford Tigers fan so trust me when I say it's not easy to read parts of a story from the perspective of the person who inflicted some of the misery on your team， getting to see what might have been from the side that celebrated rather than the side left wondering what might have been！But my suffering as a fan is small potatoes compared to what Rob Burrow and his family have faced through the last couple of years。 I think it says a lot about the rugby league community that des I'm a life-long Castleford Tigers fan so trust me when I say it's not easy to read parts of a story from the perspective of the person who inflicted some of the misery on your team， getting to see what might have been from the side that celebrated rather than the side left wondering what might have been！But my suffering as a fan is small potatoes compared to what Rob Burrow and his family have faced through the last couple of years。 I think it says a lot about the rugby league community that despite our team rivalries， we'll always look after our own when it comes down to it。 Rob mentions that so many fans of other teams have gone on to pass on their well-wishes， give him money， even do their own ridiculous challenges to raise awareness for his cause。So this isn't really about sporting rivalries， and it's not really about us fans， though naturally Rob does mention the fanbase and community as you can't NOT when you speak about rugby league。 But mostly it's about a man recently retired from the pinnacle of his career being given the worst possible news。 Then using that news as fresh motivation， refusing to give up and determined to surround himself by the things that make life worth living rather than sit and wait。 I think that's the most inspiring part of this book， even for someone reading it who hasn't been given a shorter life expectancy， you realise that there are so many things in life that get in the way of making it count。 By his own admission Rob knows he's in a privileged position （surrounded by family， lots of mates， some money - though rugby league players are not premier league footballers！） but I don't think that matters。 Being told you might only have a couple of years to live is a great leveller。 How you react to that isn't related to bricks， fancy cars or other material things。I was already well aware of MND but have learned so much more about the process one goes through when diagnoses and also how criminally underfunded research into this is in the UK。 I live in Scotland and am married to a Scottish rugby union fan so it was also heartwarming to read a bit about Doddie Weir。 Both he and Rob and countless others like them are doing their best to raise awareness and funds to combat this horrendous disease。 Hopefully in the future folk will reward their efforts and find a cure。4。5 stars for me because unless you are very familiar with rugby league it can become a list of matches and competitions （"we won this， we then lost this， we then won this when nobody expected us to"） and that might be a struggle for newcomers。 However， definitely worth a read anyway as the love and care all the contributors have for one another shines through。P。S。 Definitely the only thing Leeds Rhinos I'll ever willingly buy！ 。。。more
Becky Stokes
，
I wanted to read this book because I’m a massive Rugby League fan （Warrington Wolves supporter） since I’ve been ten years old。 Rob Burrows has always been respected as a player when he was playing even more now because of how he dealt with the situation by raising awareness and kicking MND’s ass。 For someone who’s always been loyal to one club and is always working to better himself is every other team’s dream。 Some people become club heroes and some people become Rugby League’s heroes and that’ I wanted to read this book because I’m a massive Rugby League fan （Warrington Wolves supporter） since I’ve been ten years old。 Rob Burrows has always been respected as a player when he was playing even more now because of how he dealt with the situation by raising awareness and kicking MND’s ass。 For someone who’s always been loyal to one club and is always working to better himself is every other team’s dream。 Some people become club heroes and some people become Rugby League’s heroes and that’s Rob。This memoir is powerful， inspiration and heart breaking。 Hearing Rob talking about the struggles of his declining health and how it’s affected his family， his teammates， and his children。 I love his mindset and his determination to try and live life to the fullest even with the current circumstances with the pandemic。 It’s powerful listening to all of his teammates talk about how great， funny and strong he was， even before his diagnosis and that he never saw himself as a small guy playing rugby， just a lad managing to live his dream。 I loved this book; I think it was such a easy read。 It felt like a long interview that made me laugh， cry， and feel all sort of emotion。 I don’t have anything to hate on this book。 I think everyone should read this book， even people who don’t know rugby league or Rob personally。 It’s so inspirational。 。。。more
Jamie Bowen
，
The amazing story of Rob Burrow， his fantastic rugby league career and now his battle with MND。 He’s always faced challenges in his life/career， too small for rugby league？ He went on to win 8 Super League Grand Titles， one of the most decorated players in rugby history。 The way he faces his battle with MND is truly inspirational。
Wee H
，
An inspiring and truly uplifting read。 Makes you appreciate what you have and realise it's the simple things that mean the most。 Enjoy every moment of life！ An inspiring and truly uplifting read。 Makes you appreciate what you have and realise it's the simple things that mean the most。 Enjoy every moment of life！ 。。。more
Julie Cooke
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Always my favourite Leeds Rhinos player and this book confirms my choice was a sound one。 Brilliant player and an even better human being！
Alison Hurt
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What an inspiration Rob Burrow is。 I didn't really enjoy the rugby bits but it was a good read nonetheless。 What an inspiration Rob Burrow is。 I didn't really enjoy the rugby bits but it was a good read nonetheless。 。。。more
Mike Hawkins
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InspiredSad yes of course， inspiring， defiantly， but also very funny not just a tail of a man with MND but a story love and determination against the odds and following a dream no matter how many times obstacles where put in the way MND just being another one 。。。。keep fighting Rob
Isabel Nicholson
，
An inspirational read。 If you’re not a Rugby League fan then some of the names and stories won’t be familiar but they’re filled with love， humour and friendships。 Rugby League really is a family， as a Saints fan， reliving the losses to Leeds is not heartwarming but that Leeds was something special （even when you wanted them not to be）。 Rob Burrow always gave 100% on the pitch and was always a gentleman。
Catherine
，
An amazing book about an amazing man。
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Too Many Reasons to Live
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Too Many Reasons to Live&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft