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Review
‘A brilliant book…it goes a long way to being the definitive tome on the subject. Outstandingly researched and extremely well written.’ (David Llewellyn Independent )
‘In David Frith's Bodyline Autopsy, we relive the crisis of 1932-33 that almost split the Empire...the well-sketched heroes and villains stand out in Frith's history; who says cricket is for gentlemen?’ (The Times )
‘Frith's account is packed with fascinating detail and anecdote. His description of the Test matches could hardly be more gripping.’ (Leo McKinstry Sunday Telegraph )
‘In David Frith's Bodyline Autopsy, we relive the crisis of 1932-33 that almost split the Empire...the well-sketched heroes and villains stand out in Frith's history; who says cricket is for gentlemen?’ (The Times )
‘Frith's account is packed with fascinating detail and anecdote. His description of the Test matches could hardly be more gripping.’ (Leo McKinstry Sunday Telegraph )
Leo McKinstry, Sunday Telegraph, 24 November 2002
Frith's account is packed with fascinating detail and anecdote. His description of the Test matches could hardly be more gripping.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The 'bodyline' series has spawned many books both by the players involved and the journalists and followers of the time, invariably invoking strong passions either way which more often than not detracted from the quality of the end product. For anyone familiar with David Frith's other writings this book will measure up to his outstanding reputation for a balanced and critical appraisal of the real core issues. In my view he remains the foremost author of books on the history of cricket and it is fitting that he in particular should have taken on the task of assessing the 'bodyline' series.
The final result is a masterpiece. The research is exemplary from players and writings not just directly around the 1932-33 series but the issues raised of intimidatory bowling in the times before 'bodyline' right up to the present day, placing the series properly into context within cricket history.
He maintains a balanced and analytical approach throughout as the title suggests which makes the reading and the flow of the book one of those which is hard to put down.
In short its the best cricket book i have read in over 30 years.
If you are serious about cricket its a 'must have'. Buy it.
The final result is a masterpiece. The research is exemplary from players and writings not just directly around the 1932-33 series but the issues raised of intimidatory bowling in the times before 'bodyline' right up to the present day, placing the series properly into context within cricket history.
He maintains a balanced and analytical approach throughout as the title suggests which makes the reading and the flow of the book one of those which is hard to put down.
In short its the best cricket book i have read in over 30 years.
If you are serious about cricket its a 'must have'. Buy it.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have seen newsreel footage of Harold Larwood bowling in this series. It brings a tingle to the spine - in particular the critical moment of the whole series, whereby a delivery unleashed from Larwood struck wicketkeeper-batsman Bert Oldfield on the head and fractured his skull in the Third Test at Adelaide.
It is difficult today to understand the impact that Bodyline had on cricket. Fast leg-theory had been practiced certainly since Victorian times, but never with bowlers of such pace, ferocity and consistency as Harold Larwood and Bill Voce, the Nottinghamshire duo, and never with a field set so aggressively - most fielders behind square leg, and no-one on the off side further forward than Point. Risk getting hit, fend off a delivery and risk getting caught. Hook, and risk getting caught.
To say that Bodyline endangered relations between England and Australia is not an understatement.
This is an excellent, well researched book. Unbiased, it paints the picture in great detail as to how the Bodyline saga unfolded. You witness the proceedings from a number of different points of view.
We see how Douglas Jardine, the England captain, knew that the key to the Ashes was to stop Don Bradman. How Jardine had a suspicion that Bradman was susceptible to short pitched bowling. How he executed his plan, and how Harold Larwood was key to this. We witness the execution of the plan, the growing unpopularity in Australia, and the flashpoint at Adelaide which nearly provoked a riot and very nearly caused the series to be cancelled.
We see the heroics. Stan McCabe's battling 189 against Bodyline. Eddie Paynter's heroic 83 having discharged himself from hospital to save England. Bill Woodfull taking blow after blow on the body rather than give up his wicket. Don Bradman's improvised batting technique to combat Bodyline.
We see the shocks. Bradman's first ball dismissal attempting to hook Bill Bowes, for example.
We witness the aftermath. Both political and sporting. How the rules were eventually changed to ban Bodyline. And an intriguing late chapter which moves forward in time and suggests that repeated short pitched bowling from the like of Lillie and Thomson (1970s), Marshall and Garner (1980s) et al is not that dissimilar from Bodyline. How very fast bowlers terririse batsman to this day.
But most of all, one gets a real history of how things used to be. How the pace of life appeared to be much slower. For me, there is the overriding feeling that this was possibly the beginning of "gamesmanship" as we know it today. Douglas Jardine sacrificed sportsmanship, and Harold Larwood too in pursuit of the Ashes. Larwood was simply doing his job. He had no other choice. He was a Professional - a workhorse who had to do as he was told. An ex-miner from Nuncargate, he was bowled to destruction by Jardine. A Captain of England in those days could only be an Amateur - a gentleman, even. We therefore see the human side to this saga too. How Larwood was subsequently ostracised by the authorities for his part in Bodyline and how he emigrated to Australia to start a new life.
This is an excellent book, which I consider to be the definitive history on the subject. It is very readable and it is certainly a book I turn to time and time again on my bookshelf.
It is difficult today to understand the impact that Bodyline had on cricket. Fast leg-theory had been practiced certainly since Victorian times, but never with bowlers of such pace, ferocity and consistency as Harold Larwood and Bill Voce, the Nottinghamshire duo, and never with a field set so aggressively - most fielders behind square leg, and no-one on the off side further forward than Point. Risk getting hit, fend off a delivery and risk getting caught. Hook, and risk getting caught.
To say that Bodyline endangered relations between England and Australia is not an understatement.
This is an excellent, well researched book. Unbiased, it paints the picture in great detail as to how the Bodyline saga unfolded. You witness the proceedings from a number of different points of view.
We see how Douglas Jardine, the England captain, knew that the key to the Ashes was to stop Don Bradman. How Jardine had a suspicion that Bradman was susceptible to short pitched bowling. How he executed his plan, and how Harold Larwood was key to this. We witness the execution of the plan, the growing unpopularity in Australia, and the flashpoint at Adelaide which nearly provoked a riot and very nearly caused the series to be cancelled.
We see the heroics. Stan McCabe's battling 189 against Bodyline. Eddie Paynter's heroic 83 having discharged himself from hospital to save England. Bill Woodfull taking blow after blow on the body rather than give up his wicket. Don Bradman's improvised batting technique to combat Bodyline.
We see the shocks. Bradman's first ball dismissal attempting to hook Bill Bowes, for example.
We witness the aftermath. Both political and sporting. How the rules were eventually changed to ban Bodyline. And an intriguing late chapter which moves forward in time and suggests that repeated short pitched bowling from the like of Lillie and Thomson (1970s), Marshall and Garner (1980s) et al is not that dissimilar from Bodyline. How very fast bowlers terririse batsman to this day.
But most of all, one gets a real history of how things used to be. How the pace of life appeared to be much slower. For me, there is the overriding feeling that this was possibly the beginning of "gamesmanship" as we know it today. Douglas Jardine sacrificed sportsmanship, and Harold Larwood too in pursuit of the Ashes. Larwood was simply doing his job. He had no other choice. He was a Professional - a workhorse who had to do as he was told. An ex-miner from Nuncargate, he was bowled to destruction by Jardine. A Captain of England in those days could only be an Amateur - a gentleman, even. We therefore see the human side to this saga too. How Larwood was subsequently ostracised by the authorities for his part in Bodyline and how he emigrated to Australia to start a new life.
This is an excellent book, which I consider to be the definitive history on the subject. It is very readable and it is certainly a book I turn to time and time again on my bookshelf.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having known very little about Bodyline (It was 65 years before I was born!) I decided to find out more. This book gives an excellent overview of Bodyline and Leg Theory, giving the differences between the two and the history. The book is well researched and contains a very balanced arguement, in that it shows the Austrailian, English and World cricket views. It also defines the incident in the context if the politics of the time. This may make the book seem rather heavy, but the descriptions of the atcual cricket are well done and from other sources I have read, seems to be very accurate all round. A brilliant book for any cricket fan
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A magnificent account: impeccably researched and beautifully written
This book on the 1932-33 Ashes series, notorious because of England's use of 'bodyline' bowling, demonstrates cricket historian David Frith's excellence as researcher and writer. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. V. Clarke
Donald Bradman: An Aussie Whinger-An Opinion!
Sensationalist title of my review don't you think?
And before I get deluged with insults from Bradman fans just look at the evidence presented in this book. Read more
And before I get deluged with insults from Bradman fans just look at the evidence presented in this book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alphonse Capone
Best unbiased account of Bodyline.
I have long been fasinated by ashes history, but beyond any doubt the 1932-33 series is the one that stands head and shoulders above any other. Read more
Published 14 months ago by James Wales
A great book, not just for cricket fans
OK, every cricket fan has heard of Bodyline. You could say the story is so well known that it doesn't require retelling. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Roger King
Very well researched
A comprehensively well-researched and written book. Frith is scrupulous in his analysis and reportage from pre-Bodyline, up until the present day (well until Bradman's death). Read more
Published on 6 May 2010 by A. Taylor
Bodyline The Truth
In 1877 the First ashes match was recognised, as an event in cricket sporting history and the matches continued over the years every 18 months. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Mr. J. Jordan
great book--one of the best ive read on cricket
this is an amazing book. david frith has done a remarkable job in creating a fantastic atmosphere as regards the bodyline series of 1932/1933. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2009 by edward pink
Authoritative, entertaining, excellent
Sadly, most people's knowledge of the Bodyline tour will have been gleaned from Australian TV's hideously one-sided and inaccurate drama based around the events of 1932-33. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2008 by R. Gardham
Balanced Bodyline
An entertaining and informative history of the infamous tour of 1932/3.
For such an emotive issue in cricket history, this book is finely balanced and covers the shock and... Read more
Published on 6 July 2004
Bodyline Autopsy
A thoroughly enjoyable read, from foreward to index. The book has many strengths to distinguish it. David Frith looks at the whole sorry episode from the points of view of the... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2003 by Mr S J Laville
Listmania!
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