Last updated at 11:50, Friday, 24 August 2012

THOSE of us glued to our screens during the Olympic fortnight could only marvel at the dedication and drive it takes to be a medal winner.

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Why do some people thrive under pressure, while others crumble? What makes a champion and could any of us do it? If sport is a metaphor for life, then it is worth looking at some of the factors which encourage success, and the ability to keep going when things look their bleakest.

If, like me, you are fascinated by what motivates people then take a look at three books which investigate why some individuals were more likely to prosper.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell is a cracking read full of riveting real-life stories of rock stars, professional athletes and billionaire software giants.

In his book, which hit the headlines because of his assertion that success is partly based on 10,000 hours’ practice, the author takes a quirky approach to the lives of the acclaimed.

He puts forward the idea that genius is supported by luck, hard work and culture. I read it in one sitting.

Two other books to seek out are The Chimp Paradox: How our impulses and emotions can determine success and happiness and how we can control them by Dr Steve Peters.

Peters is the resident psychiatrist with British Cycling and Sky ProCycling and has worked with Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins.

Also Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice by Matthew Syed, who looks at neuroscience and the motivation of top athletes.

It is unlikely we’ll all be Olympic champions after reading the books – but we might have a more positive attitude to life.

Jessie’s debut novel out soon

A FORMER Cleator Moor woman has written her debut novel based around the paranormal.

Jessie Tyson, who now lives in Canada, has released White Heaven Woman as an ebook and as a paperback (published August 30).

Based in Whitehaven in 1899 and 2000, it tells the tale of Lady Constance Witherspoon, who gives birth to twin girls during a tumultuous storm and Sally Witherspane who is haunted by relentless nightmares about demons and a baby crushed at birth.

Jessie said: “The idea for White Heaven Women came to me many years ago, when I was still living in Copeland and worked at the Hensingham Centre and other places as a care aid/support worker.

“It took emigrating to Victoria BC Canada in 2000 to get me to write it and then find the courage to approach a publisher.’’

For further information go to www.facebook.com/JessieBTyson or www.twitter.com/JessieBTyson

Top ten tips for summer reading

THERE is still time to catch up with Richard and Judy’s Summer Book Club. Ten titles are available to order from local libraries.

Let’s pray for an Indian summer so we’ve an excuse to read on past the holidays!

The titles are:

Alice Bliss by Laura Harrington. 15-year-old Alice is funny and clever. What happens when her father, who she idolises, leaves to fight a war she doesn’t believe in.

The Thread by Victoria Hislop. Thessaloniki 1917, Thessaloniki 2007.

The Night Circus by Erin Morganstein. The circus arrives without warning.

The Secrets Between Us by Louise Douglas. When Sarah meets dark, brooding Alex she grabs his offer of a new life miles from her own.

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler. Stockholm: Detective Inspector Joona Linna is faced with a boy who witnessed the gruesome murder of family.

Tideline by Penny Hancock. Sonia opens door of her home to 15-year-old Jez, nephew of a family friend. She decides she is not going to let him leave.

A Perfectly Good Man by Patrick Gale. The suicide of a 20-year-old reverberates around a much-loved priest.

Jubilee by Shelly Harris. 1977 and a photograph captures an important moment.

The Fear Index by Robert Harris. A sinister intruder breaches the lakeside home of ultra-rich Alex Hoffman.

The Book of Summers by Emilia Hall. Beth is sent a scrapbook which takes her back to a childhood she never thinks about.

BEST-selling author, and creator of DCI Banks, Peter Robinson, will be talking about his new book, Watching the Dark, at 7pm on Wednesday, August 29, at Carlisle Library.

Tickets are £3 (with £2.50 redeemable against the book) and are available from Carlisle Library 01228 227310.

Book review

A CUMBERLAND Endeavour by Ian Hine

Despite recent interest in pre-historic finds at Camp Farm, Maryport's history is a fairly recent one, as a new book about ship owners the Hine Brothers reveals.

Even before the Romans came there were people living in and around what would become Maryport but the town itself was dragged into existence on the back of the shipping and coal industries.

Ian Hine, great-great-nephew to the Hine brothers, Wilfred and Alfred, has written a fascinating history. By its very nature it is so much more than the story of a family - it is the history of a town, its industries and its characters.

The Hine brothers were never shipbuilders despite being associated with some of the iconic ships that plied their trade from Maryport to the rest of the world. They bought, sold and insured ships, and arranged cargoes and crews, ordered new ships from shipbuilders on Tyne and Wearside, but never built them.

The book is an excellent source of information for those interested in the development of the shipping industry in Maryport and contains a list (with pictures) of all the Hine fleet - or the Holme Line as it was known.

There is detailed accounts of successes and failures, astounding voyages and tragedies which will satisfy those with a thirst for knowledge and those who want a ripping yarn.

To buy a book, cost £11.95, go to orders@edenholme. plus.com or contact 01432 275656.

First published at 11:05, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk