Customer Reviews

Jack Hobbs: England's Greatest Cricketer

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography of Jack Hobbs, who is quite possibly the greatest ever English batsman. The book, however, is not just a biography, but also a social history of the life and times of the subject, when professional cricketers were looked down upon by the amateurs who controlled the game. Hobbs was one of those who helped to change that, although not through being militant, but purely through the artistry and success of his cricket (he was also an outstanding fielder and useful bowler), and his popularity, both at home and in Australia..

Although the book covers Hobbs prodigious run scoring in some detail, it does not resort to lots of boring statistics to do so. Indeed, it also covers his personal and family life, as well as one or two controversial incidents that took place!

Very highly recommended, and a fine tribute to a wonderful cricketer, and a gentleman.

I have known Jack Hobbs since I was given my very first Book of British Heroes. As a cricket lover (playing and spectator) and an avid reader, there was a gap in my cricket education namely Sir Jack Hobbs (The Master). This book must have been difficult to write as most of those who actually played with or knew Hobbs during his playing days are no longer with us. The author tries very hard to cover all aspects of the life of Hobbs and actually succeeds although at times, the dialogue is a little mundane.
I venture to suggest that if Hobbs had been playing now, he would have incurred the wrath of the selectors and quite probably have found himself not being selected for England.
Read the book and learn about this fascinating cricketer whose love of life comes over so very well and enjoy. I most certainly did.

This book gave me a very good insight into one of cricket history's greatest ever players. Having heard about his run records, walked through the Hobbs Gates and seen cricket played on Parkers Piece Cambridge, it was fascinating to put detail to the legend. It gives you an understanding of how cricket was played when the old attitudes of Players and Gentlemen, Professionals and Amateurs were at their height. This book is insightful without being heavy and will serve any cricket fan well. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book is a very high standard. It not only gives an insight into one of the greatest cricketers, it also tells of how Cambridge and London were for working class people at the turn of the nineteenth century. Also how there was so much prejudice against professionals and the history of the politics of cricket at the time. I read cricket biographies all the time and this is one of the best, if you love cricket and history this is for you.

The author has captured the very essence of a cricketer who, it could be argued, was the outstanding sportsman of the twentieth century.
As with Hobbs' batting, flaws are all but imperceptible and the book excels in capturing the class distinctions and social conditions which formed the background to the Master's career.
Meticulously researched and surprisingly moving, it's a pleasure to read and a fitting tribute.

This lovingly crafted tribute to The Master is a meticulously researched piece of work that makes you believe McKinstry was transported to another age and had actually taken contemporary interviews. I am in awe of the time and dedication required to put together a book that will be regarded as the defining voice on Hobbs.

As he did with his biography of Boycott, McKinstry gets into the nitty gritty of what made the man, while describing Hobb's feats with great detail.

This is a complete and exceptionally well researched biography, adding considerably to my knowledge of Hobbs - arguably one of the finest batsmen in cricket history. There was a great deal of detailed information about Hobbs' personal life, previously unknown to me. Interestingly, we still have no clear idea quite what made Hobbs the complete run making machine, particularly in the days when uncovered wickets were the norm, and batting could be so unpredictable. How would he have performed in modern cricket we can only guess at.
Congratulations Mr McKern for a masterly work.

Received a lot of Good reviews, I found it rather Laborious and strung out with repetitive occurrences popping up. Took me some weeks to get through it, rather hard work. Pics were uninteresting too. Pity because he was a great Batsman .

Well research and easy to read, tho perhaps trying too hard to find any "dirt" on the subject. Otherwise very fair and I think accurate view of the subject