The Don: The Definitive Biography of Sir Donald Bradman [Paperback]

If you are looking for deep insights into Bradman the man, then this is not the book for you. This is for cricket lovers only. Almost every Bradman innings is described in exhaustive detail and little insight is gained into what truly motivated him or what he was thinking during the heights of his career. As an example of the focus on cricket the six years of World War 2 are dealt with in just three pages. There is also not a single word of criticism in the original chapters, only during the added sections (presumably in a response to critics), and it is clear that the author is an unabashed fan. This is the work’s principle weakness in that, rather than discover the human behind the myth, it is almost as if Perry is trying to enhance the legend. He also seems too keen on attacking, or pointing out the flaws in, the Don’s detractors and his constant attacks on Douglas Jardine (whether merited or not) come across as if he has been contracted as some sort of hit man in print.

However the description of the cricket matches themselves is excellent and conveys accurately just how important Bradman was to the cricketing balance of power and what a public attraction he was. It is a shame that such thorough research and accuracy in these sections of on-field action is let down by some proof-reading errors (giving the score as 1 for 76 after the second wicket had just gone down for example).

This work would be valuable in forming part of the Bradman story, but it is some way from the whole one. For that I can’t help feeling that a non-Australian author would be better suited to the task. The Don is simply too important for an Australian to be dispassionate about.

As a survey of the great man's career this is well researched, but for me reading this book has left an overriding feeling of frustration and the thought of what might have been. The USP of this `definitive biography' is that it is based on interviews with Bradman himself, a notoriously private individual, and I was looking forward to new and personal perspectives on Bradman's career, his achievements and the inevitable controversies. The actual evidence of input from the interviews is pretty sparse, however, and, more fundamentally, one wonders exactly how probing the questioning must have been. The Bradman phenomenon is still so unique that the legend is in no need of further gilding, yet throughout Perry presents him on the highest of pedestals, without any discernible flaw as either player or man. Those disagreeing with him - Fingleton, O'Reilly - are dismissed out of hand, presented as motivated by jealousy with their opinions not worthy of examination. Jack Fingleton is treated particularly harshly, accused of having `made up' the story of Bradman's alleged dressing room leak to the press during the 1933 Adelaide test to cover his own guilt - this despite the call having been made to the Sydney Sun (the newspaper to whom Bradman was contracted) and the later testimony of the journalist concerned that it was indeed Bradman who had passed him the story.
The lack of irony at times is striking - `Bodyline' comes in for particular venom as a (perfectly legal) tactic designed to hamstring the great man; a few chapters later, though, Perry is casually describing Bradman's instructions to Lindwall and Miller to bowl repeated bouncers at Hutton in 1948, similarly designed to shackle the most dangerous opposition batsman, as a perfectly acceptable tactic because it was `within the rules'. It has often been suggested that the real source of the Australian high moral ground over `bodyline' was more down to the fact that they did not have the bowlers to respond in kind at the time - on previous tours Australian teams certainly took no prisoners when it came to bowling short, and when the boot was on the other foot Bradman showed no squeamishness towards intimidation. It would have been interesting to hear Bradman's own take on these issues...
In summary, a good survey of a career never to be surpassed - but don't expect any light to be shone into the more controversial corners of The Don.

I borrowed this from my next door neighbour, but enjoyed it so much that I subsequently ordered it. Whilst I accept some of the criticisms of the previous review, particularly with regard to the authors' obvious high regard for his subject, I wasn't particularly looking for a "warts and all" biography.
When I first looked at the book (about 767 pages I think!), I felt that I would struggle to get through it without skipping large chunks, usually boring descriptions of marathon innings! However, this was not the case with this book, as I can honestly say I was not bored at any point; indeed, I couldn't wait to move on to the next chapter to see the story unfold further.
This incredible batsman seemed to be able to score big hundreds (and double tons) when he felt like doing so, and it appears that his first class average could have been even higher had he not given his wicket away on so many occasions, having done his job for the team.
All in all, a thoroughly good read about a cricketing genius, and apparently all round nice bloke.