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Ronald Reng

ロナルド・レング

Ronald Reng

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1970-01-01 （Frankfurt, West Germany）
Nationality
German
Languages
German, English

Career

Occupations
sports journalist, author
Active Years
2000-

Awards

William Hill Sports Book of the Year
2011
Work: A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke
Organization: William Hill
Result: Winner
Sports Book of the Year
2004
Work: The Keeper of Dreams
Organization: Sports Book Awards (UK)
Result: Winner
Dietrich Oppenberg Media Award
2010
Organization: Dietrich Oppenberg Media Award
Result: Winner
Polish Sports Book Awards – Sportowa Książka Roku
2015
Work: A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke
Organization: Polish Sports Book Awards
Result: Winner
Association of German Sports Writers — Best Sports Story of the Year (multiple)
Organization: Association of German Sports Writers
Result: Winner (multiple)

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Keeper of Dreams

2002 sports nonfiction

A nonfiction account of German goalkeeper Lars Leese's time in the Premier League and the controversies surrounding his career.

footballPremier Leagueindividual struggle
Translations
  • The Keeper of Dreams

Mein Leben als Engländer

2003 essays

A collection of essays about the author's time in England and observations on English culture.

cultural observationmemoir

Gebrauchsanweisung für London

2004 travel/guide essays

A humorous guide-style essay collection introducing London's sights and life.

travelurban life

Fremdgänger

2005 fiction/short stories

A collection of short fiction (detailed information is limited).

relationshipsinfidelity

Weltmeister

2006 sports nonfiction

Essays and reportage related to football and championships.

footballtournaments

The Funny German

2010 essays/columns

A lighthearted collection of essays on Germans and German culture.

humorculture

A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke

2010 biography/reportage

A detailed biography of German international goalkeeper Robert Enke, his struggles with mental illness and his death; the book brought attention to mental health in football.

mental healthsuicidefootball
Translations
  • A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke

Matchdays: The Hidden Story of the Bundesliga

2015 sports reportage/history

A nonfiction account exploring the development and behind-the-scenes story of the Bundesliga.

Bundesligafootball history
Translations
  • Matchdays: The Hidden Story of the Bundesliga

Bibliography

  • The Keeper of Dreams
  • Mein Leben als Engländer
  • Gebrauchsanweisung für London
  • Fremdgänger
  • Weltmeister
  • The Funny German
  • A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke
  • Matchdays: The Hidden Story of the Bundesliga

Translations of Works

  • A Life Too Short has been translated into English and Polish.
  • The Keeper of Dreams has been translated into English.

Style & Themes

Literary Style
fact-based nonfiction with careful reporting and an accessible narrative voice
Recurring Motifs
football and personal historiespsychological pressurerelations between clubs and players

Legacy

Highly regarded in European sports journalism; notable for raising awareness of mental health in football through his biography of Robert Enke and recipient of multiple awards.

Academic Societies

  • Association of German Sports Writers

In Popular Culture

  • A Life Too Short helped promote discussion of mental health in the football world.

Trivia

  • The Keeper of Dreams won Sports Book of the Year in 2004 and was the first foreign book to win that award.
  • In 2011 Ronald Reng won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year for A Life Too Short; he was the first non–English-speaking author to win in 23 years.
  • Between 2001 and 2010 Reng won the Association of German Sports Writers' best sports story award seven times.
  • Awarded the Dietrich Oppenberg Media Award in 2010.