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A Social History of English Cricket
 
 

A Social History of English Cricket (Paperback)

by Derek Birley (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd; New edition edition (11 Jul 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1854109413
  • ISBN-13: 978-1854109415
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 163,766 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Modern cricket suffers from being perceived as exemplifying the aristocratic circles from which it originated. It is the history behind this image which this book attempts to unravel, as Derek Birley illustrates cricket's uncertain position today. He cleverly shows that central to this uncertainty is the ethos of competition underpinning modern ethics--an ethos within which cricket, having originated in a leisurely environment, fares badly.

In concentrating on the aristocratic origins of the sport and the developments of the industrial revolution, Birley elucidates the reasons for the disparities in popularity and etiquette of cricket and football. His research is impressive in scope, but its purpose is ultimately hindered by his inability to filter out unnecessary facts.

This is a pity, because there is much noteworthy historical material--appealing to historians and cricket lovers alike--in this weighty book. Yet the historical passages are a little clumsily integrated with cricketing developments and the conclusions are somewhat piecemeal, as if Birley still believes that the historian's role is to be an "objective observer" and present "the facts". This is a somewhat antiquated view, but it is commensurate with the subject matter and the hypocritical mores of the founders of the game--the old-style aristocrats who invented the spirit of cricket and with whom, it appears, Birley cannot help but identify himself. --Toby Green --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Review

'A masterpiece' - Ian Wooldridge, Daily Mail; 'A profoundly researched, easily and stylishly written book, put together with a view to a shelf-life of a good half-century, and as a work of reference a fair way beyond.'- Simon Barnes, The Times

Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars a masterpiece, 9 Dec 2000
By A Customer
This was the surprise winner of the 1999 Willian Hill Sports Book of the Year - only a surprise in that in that it is a scholarly, rigorous and well-referenced account of the evolution of English cricket through three centuries. It is also entertaining, witty, irreverent and beautifully written.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read!, 20 Sep 2004
A fantastic book. As a cricket addict I can read about it all day but this book stands out. The author's chatty and lyrical style make it easy to read but the research and quantity of facts in the book is staggering. It's great to read about the non-cricketing side to personalities I've heard of and seen pictures of, but know little more. On the face if it this book should be a bit dry and hard work but believe me, it's not. It's refreshing to read a book that is not afraid to critise some of the legends of the game and bust a few myths particularly the roles of gentlemen and players.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best cricket book I've read so far, 6 Mar 2005
Well-researched, this book starts at the very beginnings of English cricket 500 years ago and takes it all the way up to the end of the 20th century. It connects what's happening in the real social world with developments in cricket (which always lagged behind). My understanding of non-cricketing English social history has improved at the same time. An excellent read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A great all-rounder
A Social History of English Cricket

This deeply absorbing volume proved to be a winner on several accounts. Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Bailey

2.0 out of 5 stars A left-wing assault on cricket's history
It may be unfashionable to say so but I'm afraid I derived little enjoyment from this book, or from the very similar "The Willow Wand" by the same author. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2001 by G. J. Llewellyn

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable for student and enthusiast
This book is quite breathtaking in ambition and scope - and more remarkably still, it succeeds admirably. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2001 by Mr. M. J. Hulme

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!
I am a recent female convert to the game of cricket. I picked up this weighty tome with some trepidation and what I found was a book full of wit that was a joy to read. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
This book has deservedly won the major literary sporting prizes of 1999. It is beautifully written, full of scholarly detail, and a classic in its field. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2000

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