My Life: Wally Lewis has already amassed presales of 16,000 copies, adding bestseller to The King’s long list of achievements.

Arriving during the 40th year anniversary of the first State of Origin match, Lewis’s autobiography is a revealing account of his journey from a rough and ready Brisbane kid to rugby league legend.

“On the field, I might have become a player that people looked up to, but trust me, there’s been plenty of ups and downs – they’re all in the book and some of them will come as a shock to many,” Lewis said.

The book traces his humble beginnings in a footy-mad family, to his early career in the Valley Diehards in 1978, his turbulent time at the Brisbane Broncos to the present day.

“When I was a boy, I thought you had to be Superman to play first grade. An impossible dream,” Lewis said. “What I quickly learnt from my parents at a young age was that dreams don’t become a reality through magic. You have to roll up your sleeves and work at it.

“If this book was a footy match it would have all the intensity of a State of Origin decider.”My Life: Wally Lewis also includes first-hand accounts about the early years of State of Origin and memorable Kangaroo tours.

Written with sports historian and author Steven Haddan, the book is an intimate reflection of a celebrated but challenging life.

“There is no doubt in my mind Wally is the world’s favourite Queenslander,” Haddan said.

“I remember my young bloke asking me ‘how good was Wally?’ I simply played a video for him of the State of Origin game two in the 1989 series and he knew then, Wally was one of the best players of all time.

“With so many sold, his face might appear under the Christmas tree more than Santa this year.”

My Life: Wally Lewis retails for $39.99 in softback at QBD and Dymocks stores and limited signed copies in hardback can be ordered at stevehaddan.com.au for $59.99.