About James

Meet James Adams

James Adams was born in Coventry and educated at King Henry VIII School, 1957-1968. His teenage years were marked by unenthusiastic school cross-country running and his enthusiastic support for Coventry City F.C. where he held a season-ticket for eight years.

After leaving Coventry he gained a BA at the University of Durham (American Studies & Theology) and an MA at the University of Bristol (Theology). He became an Anglican minister and served in a Church of England parish for three years. Thereafter, he went into teaching - firstly for Religious Studies but later retraining in the Social sciences, becoming Head of Religious and Social Studies - which comprised Psychology, Sociology and the Philosophy of Religion, all at ‘A’ level, in two sixth form centres over twenty years.

In 2021 he became a published author, with his psychological football memoir 'Attached to Coventry City' (Pitch Publishing) which was followed up in 2022 with 'Passionate - the Psychology of a Passionate Life' (Austin Macauley).

When not writing books James spends his time reading, trying to understand American politics, listening to popular music, supporting Coventry City, attending modern jive dances and keeping fit. He also enjoys travel both at home and abroad.

James has been married twice and has two children and three grand-children. The subject of greatest interest to him is Attachment Theory and how an understanding of this can contribute significantly to the development of positive mental health.

Coventry City at Wembley

James’ first love was Coventry City F.C. and this relationship has endured, despite many ups and downs and a 20-year divorce. Following his major religious crisis, his reunion with ‘The Sky Blues’ proved to be a powerful therapeutic turning point.

See Attached to Coventry City and Passionate p38- 40 and p155-161

Durham University

It was at Durham where James graduated in American Studies and Theology. But he also experienced his first religious crisis, which haunted him for the next fifteen years. Eventually he came to see that his experiences at Durham had not only been traumatic and all-consuming, but they had also provided a crucible of ideas and interests that had led to a successful career in the social sciences.

See Passionate p69-99 and p332-3

A Shipwreck of Faith

An actual as well as symbolic image from a holiday in the mid-80’s - the conclusion of which saw James in deep confusion and crisis. The following morning he decided to resign his Anglican ministry - and with it, his identity.

See ‘Passionate’ p89-93.

An Awakening to Self-Understanding

The ‘Gospel’ of Attachment theory: in the years following his religious crisis, James became aware of a pattern in his life. Discussions with therapy-minded friends suggested that his parental upbringing might be, at least in part, responsible. In pursuing this idea he came across ‘John Bowlby and Attachment Theory’ in a university bookshop - recently published that year, 1993.

It was a book he couldn’t put down and it was consumed over a weekend! For in its pages he found not only an accurate description of his own upbringing, but also a recognisable portrayal of the pattern his life had followed. Now seeing himself as ‘ambivalently attached’ along with 15% of the UK population, he started out on a new journey - of self-understanding, and ultimately of self-attachment. See ‘Passionate’ p177-187.

An Appreciation of Britain's Canals

In 1975 James was introduced to Britain’s canals, and for the next two decades he organised and led 21 summer canal cruises for youth groups and friends – from the Leeds and Liverpool canal in the Pennines to the Basingstoke canal in the south-east, and most points in between.

From that time on, and with renewed enthusiasm today, James still enjoys walking Britain’s canal towpaths, exploring the varieties of locks, tunnels and junctions – and occasionally taking a trip or relaxing with a canalside coffee. Of special interest are those canals that are being restored or gentrified - from the isolated Bude canal in Cornwall, to the impressive modernisation of Birmingham’s and London’s canals such as at Cambrian Wharf and Paddington Basin.

The story of his adventures from 1975-95 are told in his new book “The Curious Incident of the Bacon Sandwich, a Broken Tiller, and a Mid-life Crisis.” [in preparation].

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