A Social History of Cricket by Derek Birley
Winner of the William Hil Sports Book of the Year and acclaimed as a magesterial, classic work, A Social History of English Cricket is an encyclopaedic survey of the game, from its humble origins all the way to modern floodlit finishes. But, it is also the story of English culture, mirrored in a sport that has always been a complex repository of our manners, hierarchies and politics. Sir Derek Birley's survey of the impact on cricket of two world wars, Empire and 'the English caste system', will, contends Ian Woolridge, 'teach an intelligent child of twelve more about their heritage than he or she will ever pick up at school'. Superbly witty and humorous, peopled by larger-than-life characters from Denis Compton to Ian Botham, and wholly forswearing nostalgia, A Social History of English Cricket is a tour-de-force by one of the great writers on cricket.
'A masterpiece' Daily Mail 'An exceptional example of profound research and wisdom, yet told with elegance, humour and warmth' Guardian '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 that.' -- Simon Barnes The Times 'A wonderful book, written with great self-depracating humour. A hugely rewarding read.' -- John Inverdale
SIR DEREK BIRLEY is the author of several books for Aurum, including The Willow Wand, A Social History of English Cricket and the trilogy Sport and the Making of Britain, which won the British Society of Sports History's Aberdare Literary Award in 1995. He retired as vice-chancellor of the University of Ulster in 1991 after a distinguished career as an educational administrator. He died in 2002.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781781311769 |
| ISBN 10 | 1781311765 |
| Title | A Social History of Cricket |
| Author | Derek Birley |
| Series | Sports Classics Ser |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Quarto Publishing PLC |
| Year published | 2013-08-01 |
| Number of pages | 400 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |