Must read books (cricket)?

Question

There has been a series of articles on Cricinfo recently:

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/magazine/author_new.html?genre=233

about great books on cricket.

As a voracious reader myself, I have a growing collection of cricket books. Several on this list I have read, many I have not, but would like to. I have also read many that are not on the list.

What are your "must read" books on cricket? And which are your favourites?

Answer 1

Indian Summers by John Wright is the only book that I have read and have in my library.

Answer 2

im saving this question because ill make research on some aspect at my MS thesis

Answer 3

Stephen Waugh - Out of my comfort zone

Spun Out - Shane Warne bio by Paul Barry

Simmo - Bob Simpson autobio

Vivian Richards - Hitting Across the Line autobio

The Entertainers - Mark Waugh/Doug Walters

My Spin on Cricket - Richie Benaud

Botham - Ian Botham autobio

Run Out- Grame Halbish

Ashes Glory - Alan Border 1989 captians diary.

Any of the How to tame Lions series by Max Walker.

Im chasing anything by Umpire Dickie Bird (preflibly stories about the game), any suggestions?

Answer 4

I was just about to ask a similar question! Due to being so busy with university I haven't read too many cricket books so would like some suggestions as well.

Unfortunately as I haven't read too many I don't have a favourite. But the most recent ones I read were:

The Bodyline Controversy by Laurence Le Quesne. Very old, very stuffy but a good read nontheless.

Cricket and Empire by Ric Sissons and Brian Stoddart. Again, mostly about bodyline some interesting stuff, not as good as the other book but not too bad.

S.F.Barnes: His Life and Times by Andrew Searle. It’s a biography, it’s really interesting if you like reading about the great players of the past.

More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years by John Major. A fantastic, highly fascinating book, very informative and covers a lot of detail. Looks at some of cricket's historic controversies and what was happening at the time socially.

Fatty Batter: How Cricket Saved My Life (Then Ruined It) by Michael Simkins. Very funny book about the authors love of cricket and his misadventures trying to play in a team.

Answer 5

there are a lot of Auto-biographies that u can read!!

Answer 6

The greatest,funniest cricket book ever is "A lot of hard yukka" by Simon Hughes(the TV commentator)It about being a middlesex player in the 80's and how incredibly unproffessional and lax everything was and the crazy characters in the side.l have read it 5 times.Never,ever,ever forget to remember that l intoduced it to you........

Answer 7

My son has the Bradman Collection, but all I have is 'Lee To The Power Of Two', about Brett & Shane Lee.

Answer 8

Richard Hadlee has put together a few books on anecdotes and the funnier incidents that have occured, both on the field and hilareous things that have happened off it.

Answer 9

Penguins Stopped Play - Harry Thompson. If you've ever been on a cricket tour, or have played village cricket, really, it's one of the funniest books I have ever read. It shall forever be my favourite, just because of the inspiration it has now given me.