Cricket Books

[stumpski]

The Frith book is basically a collection of pictures and captions. It's well worth picking up if you see it at reasonable price but there isn't going to be much reading involved.


Just wondering what I've done with my copy now.

[fredfertang]

That's an excellent article you've posted today Martin - not a review of the 2009 Wisden - which is what I was expecting - but a potted history of the almanack. Great stuff. How often do you read them though, and do you think it's possible to read a copy right through? I have 1961 and 1970 by my bedside, for reasons which now escape me.

I read the post WW2 ones quite a lot especially the 50's 60's and 70's - the older ones I am ashamed to say I usually leave on the shelf 'cos the damn things are so fragile

I've only once read a copy right through and that was the 1864 (a facsimile I hasten to add) in order to write that article - it didn't take long!

I can't imagine reading a later one - though Walter Robins, by all accounts, habitually read them from start to finish

[archie mac]

Im not going to take it though Im looking at a Neville Cardus autobiography.

Is that a recommended book?

EDIT- do you need the details of the seller or do you already have them?

Yes Please

ok, just looking at a few books online.

These caught my eye. All are 1st ed, most signed. They are all available pretty cheap.

Anyone have any opinions on them? Good, crap, waste of space, required reading etc?

The Bradman Era- Bill O'Reilly and Jack Egan
The Hand That Bowled Bradman: Memories of a Professional Cricketer- Bill Andrews
The Golden Age of Cricket 1890-1914- Frith, David
Sort of a Cricket Person- Swanton, Ernest William
Cricket Crossfire- Miller, Keith
Cricket Indulgence: An Anthology Of The Cricket Writings Of Chris Harte- Harding, D M
Behind the Shades- Fletcher, Duncan
Just My Story- Hutton,Len
The Greatest Test Teams- Graveney, Tom
From Larwood to Lillee- Bailey, Trevor; Trueman, Fred

Oh and if Im going to spend a few dollars more

The Story of Cricket's Early Years (1st ed. SIGNED AND DATED) - John Major

Anyone reviewed it?

The Bradman Era- Bill O'Reilly and Jack Egan I enjoyed this, although it is just text from the video of the same name
The Hand That Bowled Bradman: Memories of a Professional Cricketer- Bill Andrews One that I have coming from England but still waiting for it to arrive
The Golden Age of Cricket 1890-1914- Frith, David Get this, great book
Sort of a Cricket Person- Swanton, Ernest William OK, 3 stars I should think
Cricket Crossfire- Miller, Keith Not the greatest writer, very basic, but I enjoyed it
Cricket Indulgence: An Anthology Of The Cricket Writings Of Chris Harte- Harding, D M I have not read this one, but Chris Harte is a good writer
Behind the Shades- Fletcher, Duncan I have not read that ,but we have a review on the site
Just My Story- Hutton,Len 3 stars i should think
The Greatest Test Teams- Graveney, Tom I read this many years ago, and really enjoyed it, nothing great though
From Larwood to Lillee- Bailey, Trevor; Trueman, Fred I have not read this one

Oh and if Im going to spend a few dollars more

The Story of Cricket's Early Years (1st ed. SIGNED AND DATED) - John Major we have a review on the site

[SJS]

That's an excellent article you've posted today Martin - not a review of the 2009 Wisden - which is what I was expecting - but a potted history of the almanack. Great stuff. How often do you read them though, and do you think it's possible to read a copy right through? I have 1961 and 1970 by my bedside, for reasons which now escape me.

I read the post WW2 ones quite a lot especially the 50's 60's and 70's - the older ones I am ashamed to say I usually leave on the shelf 'cos the damn things are so fragile

I've only once read a copy right through and that was the 1864 (a facsimile I hasten to add) in order to write that article - it didn't take long!

I can't imagine reading a later one - though Walter Robins, by all accounts, habitually read them from start to finish

I find it impossible to read through them. There was a time, in my younger days when I would take up a book and not get out of bed/chair/toilet whatever till I had finished it cover to cover. Somehow, being for over two decades in corporate management and reading a page at a time and at best reading sharp crisp executive reports, one loses the knack. Not being a collector like Martin here, therefore, I have not gone around collecting Wisden's. I do have a complete set of the Wisden anthologies though which are easier to read though, i daresay, I haven't read even half of each

[SJS]

Yes Please

Have you checked if it is still there. There is one I bought on line yesterday and it was from Australia and the same price.

[SJS]

I read the post WW2 ones quite a lot especially the 50's 60's and 70's - the older ones I am ashamed to say I usually leave on the shelf 'cos the damn things are so fragile

I've only once read a copy right through and that was the 1864 (a facsimile I hasten to add) in order to write that article - it didn't take long!

I can't imagine reading a later one - though Walter Robins, by all accounts, habitually read them from start to finish

Hey Martin. I recall you saying there are 28 Thomson books in all. Mind putting up a list. Please

[fredfertang]

Hey Martin. I recall you saying there are 28 Thomson books in all. Mind putting up a list. Please

Did I say 28!!! - If I did I must have been under the influence of something - unless I had read somewhere he wrote 28 in all as he didn't just write about cricket - anyway I think it's more like half that - when i get home I'll get a list out of Padwick and post it

[SJS]

Did I say 28!!! - If I did I must have been under the influence of something - unless I had read somewhere he wrote 28 in all as he didn't just write about cricket - anyway I think it's more like half that - when i get home I'll get a list out of Padwick and post it

Well I have 17 and I dont know if there are any more.

[SJS]

Interesting seeing a number of people mention Frith. Im not a fan of his writing style at all. It always seems so disjointed.

The man knows how to pick interesting topics though.

You are spot on.

He is not a great read. I have quite a few of his books and I use them more for reference since its so difficult to read him.

His best book is Bodyline Autopsy and that too because it is the most exhaustive research on the subject and not because it is a great piece of writing

[stumpski]

I find it impossible to read through them. There was a time, in my younger days when I would take up a book and not get out of bed/chair/toilet whatever till I had finished it cover to cover. Somehow, being for over two decades in corporate management and reading a page at a time and at best reading sharp crisp executive reports, one loses the knack. Not being a collector like Martin here, therefore, I have not gone around collecting Wisden's. I do have a complete set of the Wisden anthologies though which are easier to read though, i daresay, I haven't read even half of each

This is what I always read in a Wisden, I imagine most would do something similar.

Notes by the Editor, and all the features; the Five Cricketers of the Year.

County reports

Tour and Test reports

Surrey and Kent match reports (home games, I don't tend to seek out the away fixtures)

Obituaries

Books

Cricket in the news, or whatever it's called

I can't remember the last time I read the Laws; and it would take a long time to read all the county and ODI reports. I do tend to check the Index of Unusual Occurrences though, and go to the matches mentioned.

[fredfertang]

Well I have 17 and I dont know if there are any more.

These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head - there is also an autobiography called, I think, "When I was a lad" - what other ones do you have SJS?

THOMSON AA

ODD MEN IN

THOMSON AA

CRICKET MY HAPPINESS

THOMSON AA

PAVILIONED IN SPLENDOUR

THOMSON AA

CRICKET MY PLEASURE

THOMSON AA

CRICKET:THE WAR OF THE ROSES

THOMSON AA

CRICKET THE GOLDEN AGES

THOMSON AA

HUTTON AND WASHBROOK

THOMSON AA

CRICKET BOUQUET

THOMSON AA

HIRST AND RHODES

THOMSON AA

THE GREAT CAPTAINS

THOMSON AA

CRICKETERS OF MY TIME

THOMSON AA

THE GREAT CRICKETER

THOMSON AA

VINTAGE ELEVENS

[SJS]

These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head - there is also an autobiography called, I think, "When I was a lad" - what other ones do you have SJS?

Besides the ones you have listed. I have When I was a lad and Happy Go Johnny which is really written by Thomson although it is shown by Wardle "as told to Thomson"

Thats it actually. It is 15. I have Pavillioned in Splendour and Cricketers of My Time in duplicate thats why I counted it as 17 off my spreadsheet.

[SJS]

On another note, which are the best books on stadiums to buy? I am looking at Lord's and other possible venues which have created very good books.

This iis a fairly good list of books on cricket grounds. On Lord's specifically, if you are looking for the history then you cant go beyond these two complimentary volumes.

- Lord's 1787-1945 by Pelham Warner
- Lord's 1946 to 1970 by Diana Rait Kerr and Ian Peebles

However, if you are looking for a book with lots of glossy pictures and some history then there is the beautifully printed book by Stephen Green, Lord's : The Cathedral of Cricket. A stunningly good looking aqcuisition.

[SJS]

Is there any book on Doug Wright ?`

[SJS]

Some great stuff about Wisden Cricket Web - Cricket Books: Wisden 2009

Well done Martin. Great Stuff.