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More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years

More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years

by JohnMajor (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2007

    $4.25
Synopsis

The former Prime Minister examines the early history of one of the great loves of his life in a book that sheds new light on the summer game's social origins. All his life John Major has loved cricket. In 'More Than a Game' he examines it from its origins up to the coming of the First World War. Along the way he considers the crucial role of the wealthy patrons who gambled huge sums on early matches; the truth behind the legends that have grown up around the famous Hambledon Club; changes in rules and techniques, including the transition from underarm to overarm bowling; the long-standing, but often blurred, distinction between 'gentlemen' and 'players'; the coming of the MCC and its role as the supreme arbiter of the game; the spread of cricket throughout the British Empire; and the emergence of the county game and international competition. It is a story rich in anecdote and colourful characters. Many of the great names from the 'Golden Age' of cricket -- C.B. Fry, Ranjitsinhji, 'Demon' Spofforth and of course the towering figure of W.G. Grace -- are still well-known today. But long before then the game already had its stars: men like the Kentish innkeeper's son 'Lumpy' Stevens, who played at the highest level until he was nearly sixty; 'Silver Billy' Beldham, who was taught how to play by a gingerbread baker; the notoriously avaricious and ill-tempered Lord Frederic Beauclerk, a direct descendant of Charles II and Nell Gwynne; and the mighty 'Lion of Kent' Alfred Mynn.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 448
 Edition: First Edition
 Publisher: HarperPress
Published: 01 May 2007
ISBN 10: 000718364X
ISBN 13: 9780007183647
Prizes: Winner of British Sports Book Awards: Best Cricket Book 2008.

Media Reviews
'I cannot imagine a better guide -- authoritative, graceful and always with an eye to bringing out the quirky characters who have made cricket more than a game !(Major's) fascination with human behaviour makes lively reading!as a readable and likeable historian of what he loves, he takes some beating. He knows the beauty of the game and makes it live.' Daily Mail 'Expertly compiled and beautifully produced!it's a book full of insight, wisdom and dry humour and, most important of all, unquenchable enthusiasm which will be appreciated by everyone who shares it.' Sunday Times 'Passion flows through every page!it's likely that as a work of reference More Than a Game will supplant its predecessors!long after all the self-serving political memoirs have been utterly forgotten, More Than a Game will still be settling arguments and giving pleasure across the civilised, cricket-loving world.' Sunday Telegraph 'Major's passion illuminates a beautifully produced and engaging account of the game's history from its origins to the first world war.' Sunday Times 'It's a spectacular achievement. I can't think of anyone else who could have given such an authoritative inner and overview of the game and have the ability and knowledge to put it in the context of cultural, commercial, historical and social happenings at the same time. But more than that, it is a personal book and, even with the extraordinary amount of information, thoroughly readable!a startlingly good book. John has done a marvellous job, and I think, for the first time ever, we have both the reasonably well-known and the unknown facts about cricket put in a social and historical context and in a readable and concise fashion.' David Rayvern Allen 'One of the most detailed, balanced and wide-ranging histories of cricket in Britain yet written.' The Times 'Pleasure shines through this history of the game!nothing quite beats his preface, with his recollections of playing the game as a boy!he gives a stirring account of the way cricket spread across the globe!this book is, above all, a manifesto for his love of the game.' The Guardian 'There's something charming and quintessentially English about this book. Major clearly loves his cricket, has read widely about its early years and is delightfully eager to convey his affection to the reader.' Daily Telegraph 'Major has a sharp sense of history!is lucid on the development of the game!thoroughly even-handed about the sharp conduct of some of the early impresarios of the sport!acute about the input of the aristocratic and autocratic amateurs who dominated the running of the sport!succinct and illuminating!frequently entertaining!As this books makes clear, John Major knows a lot about cricket and a lot of other things too.' Independent on Sunday 'Irresistible!this is history of the highest quality!elegant and amusingly written!a proper comprehensive history, going further and deeper than earlier accounts. It has been wrapped by Harper Press like a treasure. So it should be.' Tribune 'It is a fine, scholarly work. Major's passion for the game does not dupe him into looking at cricket's past through rose-hued spectacles, however. The hard disinterested historian's eye is the prism through which this cricketing history is told!this book proves him to be a first-rate scholar and writer.' The New Statesman 'Major handles the history well!but non-cricket fans will find his personal touches more engaging.' The Observer 'Major's book is highly readable.' The Independent 'Delightfully readable!there is plenty of diverting material!the author carefully blends careful scholarship with light-hearted asides--well-played Sir John!' Country Life
Author Bio
John Major was leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997. He is a former President of Surrey County Cricket Club.