Very good indeed, 02 Jan 2009
I'm not usually an advocate of such young people writing autobiographys, but it only takes a flick through this book to see that KP has many stories to tell from what has already been an eventful life. Indeed, Shane Warne acknowledges in his foreword that Kevin's story has "already been a complex and interesting one". The book takes us strait into the heat of battle, talking us through the unforgettable innings that won England the Ashes in 2005, before giving us an insight into Kevin's life and development as a cricketer. It comes through clearly that he classes himself as an Englishman, that he is absolutely commited to, and loves playing for, England. His fantastic self confidence also comes through, this is a man who has an amazing talent and knows it. We can be proud to call him our english captain, he has a good head on his shoulders, as reading this book will prove.
Stick to cricket, 27 Jul 2007
Modern sportsmen are getting into a bad habit of writing books far too early in their careers. This is a totally unnecessary effort from KP. From the corny cover photo to his self-protestations of intensity it makes for a poor read and lacks insight. At present he just needs to let his runs do the talking.
Pietersen would be a lot more readable if he showed a bit more self awareness. His ill-informed views on the South Africa quota system make him sound ridiculously naive and lack any credibility. It is easy to see why his media quotes have regularly made him appear more obtuse than he really is.
My advice is stick to batting old son and keep that trap shut.
Fascinating insight into amazing character, 15 Jan 2007
I am writing this as KP enters the dark night of the soul. 5-0 whitewash and a broken rib from gentle pace Glenn McGrath. World cup prospects threatened.
Yet this book shows that one thing Kevin Pietersen is not bothered about is adversity. He will be back.
The book obviously stops before this Winter's Ashes debacle, but the character of the man is all there. His fiercely competitive, sporting childhood; his fastidious approach; his unnerving determination and confidence and his hard loyalty to friends.
KP is far more interesting than the flambouyant hairstyle and extravagant jewellery. He is a sporting obsessive. He clearly sees his own destiny and is utterly, utterly committed to achieving it.
This book charts the nature of this drive. When the quota system designed to re-integrate South African cricket meant that the young KP, then a promising off-spinner who batted, was dropped by Natal, he showed no hesitation. He pursued a career in England, using the fact of his mother's English birth to secure a non-overseas player berth at Notts.
He was a run machine, easily topping the county averages and working well with Clive Rice, the SA legend who was coach of the team.
But KP bears grudges and takes sides.
On no less then three occassions in this book, he derides little known coaches who failed to nurture his talent, or hindered him, and laughs at the fact that they claim him as 'one of theirs.' He also still takes exception at the fact that he felt short changed during his barman stint while at an English club team! The guy must have millions by now, but still, you cross KP, you stay on the black-list.
When Notts and Rice parted company, simmering trouble with Pietersen exploded and the man who left behind South Africa was not going to let Notts get in the way. Soon he was at Hampshire.
The determination, the apparent lack of a 'live and let live' attitude and his reliance on a select group of friends and supporters all combine to produce someone utterly committed to cricket. There's none of the 'what the hell' blokey-ness of Andrew Flintoff here. Just hard obsession. Frankly he's terrifying. Glad he's on our side.
I liked and admired Kevin Pietersen after reading this book. It is no co-incidence that of the entire England team only Pietersen emerged from the Ashes disaster with his reputation enhanced. If you want to understand how a really successful sportsman thinks, read this book. Yes it has obvious padding from his mates, chipping in with their thoughts on the great KP, and some might think it thin as his test career as only just got going, but the psychological insight in this work, whether it's supposed to be there or not, lifts this book right out of the normal sports biography.
Remarkable Story, 30 Mar 2005
This is a fantastic book, telling the story of Basil D'Oliveira's desire to play cricket in the face of apparently insurmountable odds. It is a remarkable story: a triumph of will and talent in the face of adversity.
I am a little too young to remember the D'Oliveira affair clearly but this book does an excellent job of describing how he became an England cricketer and puts 'the affair' into the relevant political and cricket context.
The cricket first... as an ageing (now aged) cricket player and cricket fan I was struck by his amazing achievements on the cricket field. How in his thirties he came to England and was successful playing in the Lancashire leagues (having never played on a grass wicket before), how he made himself first a successful county player and then a successful test player at an age when most players have long since retired. I was also struck by the fact that we missed out on his best cricket years - if he had started his first class career when he should and given his ability to play under pressure, it is easy to believe that his achievements would be legendary. Furthermore, the book successfully explores and explodes the myth of South African cricket being a white only game. It is a tragedy (for cricket and South African sport in general) that D'Oliveira's contemporaries were denied the opportunity to play at the highest level.
The politics... the book does an excellent job describing the oppression in South Africa and the notion that sport and politics in South Africa could be separated is thoroughly debunked. A particularly chilling aspect of apartheid was how it brainwashed all its citizens, irrespective of race, into believing that it was normal. The problems Basil and his wife, Naomi, had in dealing with British culture (looking for 'their' train carriage or 'their' door) and their surprise and joy at the warmth with which they were greeted is very moving.
The affair itself is handled well and comprehensively - the blatant untruths are identified and exposed and the cowardice and complicity of the English sporting authorities is revealed. Oborne avoids direct personal attacks and is actually quite sympathetic to Doug Insole (the chairman of selectors) although he clearly believes that Colin Cowdrey behaved appallingly.
There are also many heroes in the book. John Arlott emerges as a shining beacon of truth, justice and humanity; Tom Graveney and Ray Illingworth were very supportive; D'Oliveira's friends at home raised money they could ill afford to send him to England, Middleton cricket club should be very proud of the role they played.
This is one of the best sports books ever written. A book that should appeal to all cricket fans but equally has much to recommend it to people not particularly interested in cricket.
A gut-wrenching story of one man's battle to beat apartheid, 18 Aug 2004
My interest in cricket began in the early 1970s, just after the D'Oliveira affair. I always wondered, as a boy, why South Africa were excluded from sport and, obviously, I've learned a lot as I've got older. Like most people, I had a basic understanding of South Africa's apartheid policy. However, reading this book has made me realise the massive odds that Basil D'Oliveira overcame in order to achieve his ambitions and to beat his own country's apartheid system.
That he survived great traumas, in South Africa and England, is a testimony to a great sportsman and a man with great strength of character. Read this book and you will learn a lot - it is one of, if not the, best books about sport that I have read.
woolmer for king!, 04 Nov 2008
This book deals with aspects of the game not dealt with elsewhere -
This is a must-have book for any keen cricketer
Difficult techniques are very well explained with very good diagrams
No coach should be without it.
