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Jack Hobbs: England's Greatest Cricketer
The first comprehensive biography of the biggest run scorer that cricket has ever known.
The astonishing feats of Sir Jack Hobbs continue to resonate more than a century after he first played Test cricket. During his long career that stretched from the age of W. G. Grace to the era of Don Bradman, he scored more first-class runs and centuries than any player. Even today, he remains England's greatest run-maker in Ashes Tests. He changed the art of batting with his elegant style, and transformed the status of professional cricketers through the strength of his quiet, dignified personality.
Despite his significance in the game, there has never been a comprehensive biography of Hobbs. Now Leo McKinstry, the acclaimed author of a best-selling life of Geoff Boycott, has remedied that.
Based on a wealth of new material, including interviews with the Hobbs family, the book provides fresh insights into every aspect of his story, from his poverty-stricken upbringing in Cambridge to his central role in some of Test cricket's most explosive series. It is a tale full of controversy, such as the previously unknown row over his actions in the First World War, when he was accused of "scandalous behaviour" by the cricket establishment. Other dramatic episodes include a bitter dispute over the England captaincy in the 1920s, as well as and two occasions when he came close to death. With its colourful detail, historical context and readable style, this ground-breaking book is an important addition to sports literature.
The astonishing feats of Sir Jack Hobbs continue to resonate more than a century after he first played Test cricket. During his long career that stretched from the age of W. G. Grace to the era of Don Bradman, he scored more first-class runs and centuries than any player. Even today, he remains England's greatest run-maker in Ashes Tests. He changed the art of batting with his elegant style, and transformed the status of professional cricketers through the strength of his quiet, dignified personality.
Despite his significance in the game, there has never been a comprehensive biography of Hobbs. Now Leo McKinstry, the acclaimed author of a best-selling life of Geoff Boycott, has remedied that.
Based on a wealth of new material, including interviews with the Hobbs family, the book provides fresh insights into every aspect of his story, from his poverty-stricken upbringing in Cambridge to his central role in some of Test cricket's most explosive series. It is a tale full of controversy, such as the previously unknown row over his actions in the First World War, when he was accused of "scandalous behaviour" by the cricket establishment. Other dramatic episodes include a bitter dispute over the England captaincy in the 1920s, as well as and two occasions when he came close to death. With its colourful detail, historical context and readable style, this ground-breaking book is an important addition to sports literature.
408 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2011
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About the author
Leo McKinstry
23 books15 followersLeo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.
Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.
Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 21, 2014
Well researched and well written though 'Jack Hobbs England's Greatest Cricketer' is, for me it just did not have that extra sparkle, that je ne sais quoi, to make it a great book.
Yes, we have plenty of detail about Hobbs' upbringing in Cambridge, his move to play county cricket for Surrey, his record-breaking achievements, the controversies in his life - and there were quite a few, his loving marriage, his family run business where he worked till quite late in life and where he always had time for his customers, his relationship with his adoring public and lots more but somehow it comes over in rather a mundane way, without bringing the vivacity that must have been Hobbs to the surface.
One hundred and ninety-seven first-class centuries and a world record 61,237 runs bears testimony to his cricketing ability and Leo McInstry has found many quotes from his fellow cricketers to support what a great bloke Jack Hobbs was. His Test opening partnerships with Wilfred Rhodes, 36 of them averaging 61.31, and Herbert Sutcliffe, 38 of them averaging 87.81, in particular show what a great team player he was and even now he is still England's greatest runscorer in Ashes cricket.
There were controversies surrounding him in World War I when he played cricket in Yorkshire rather than enlist - this caused a family upset - and over the England captaincy but nothing unsettled the great man's equilibrium. He just continued to concentrate on his game and score countless runs.
His marriage to Ada was a model for everyone and he nursed her through her illness right to the end and the abiding memory that comes out of the book is stated by the equally great cricketer Sydney Barnes as he said, 'He was a gentleman always, on and off the field.'
Yes, we have plenty of detail about Hobbs' upbringing in Cambridge, his move to play county cricket for Surrey, his record-breaking achievements, the controversies in his life - and there were quite a few, his loving marriage, his family run business where he worked till quite late in life and where he always had time for his customers, his relationship with his adoring public and lots more but somehow it comes over in rather a mundane way, without bringing the vivacity that must have been Hobbs to the surface.
One hundred and ninety-seven first-class centuries and a world record 61,237 runs bears testimony to his cricketing ability and Leo McInstry has found many quotes from his fellow cricketers to support what a great bloke Jack Hobbs was. His Test opening partnerships with Wilfred Rhodes, 36 of them averaging 61.31, and Herbert Sutcliffe, 38 of them averaging 87.81, in particular show what a great team player he was and even now he is still England's greatest runscorer in Ashes cricket.
There were controversies surrounding him in World War I when he played cricket in Yorkshire rather than enlist - this caused a family upset - and over the England captaincy but nothing unsettled the great man's equilibrium. He just continued to concentrate on his game and score countless runs.
His marriage to Ada was a model for everyone and he nursed her through her illness right to the end and the abiding memory that comes out of the book is stated by the equally great cricketer Sydney Barnes as he said, 'He was a gentleman always, on and off the field.'
April 26, 2018
Cricket seems to lend itself to beautiful writing, particularly from the era of Jack Hobbs. I did not know the story of Jack Hobbs, and this book covered his story well, giving you a good picture of his approach. Despite coming from Cambridge, he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he had to work hard for everything, luckily for him he was supremely talented as a cricketer. Reading of the crowds for county matches etc, it's amazing, how times have changed and because Jack's career was so long this book gives you some of the background of those changes that were taking place over society and the game during that time. A good book!
February 13, 2021
The finest sports biography I’ve read describing both one of England’s greatest cricketers but also the social issues of the time.
February 21, 2015
Back in the early 1920s, there were only three Test cricket playing nations; England, Australia and South Africa. In the summer of 2012, both nations have been on tour; Australia recently beaten comprehensively at one day cricket and South Africa playing all forms of cricket to determine the best Test nation in the world. Given that history is repeating itself, it seems appropriate that a new biography of Jack Hobbs, England's greatest run scorer and a man who repeatedly blunted the bowling attacks of both nations, should become available now.
Blessed with natural talent, there was little hint from Jack Hobbs' early years that he would become a world renowned cricketer. He was born the eldest of twelve children into a poor family in Cambridge and, whilst his father was obsessed with the game of cricket, which was at that time increasing in popularity, he wasn't much of a player. But he managed to pass his enthusiasm to his son and, despite an early rebuff to his attempts to play for Essex, Jack Hobbs was soon invited to qualify to play for Surrey, which he was to do until his retirement, some three decades, 60,000 runs and a record number of centuries later.
Leo McKinstry takes us through Hobbs' career in great detail, unveiling not just Hobbs the cricketer, but Hobbs the man. In a day when some are famous for nothing more than being born into a famous family or having a brief stint on some reality TV show, it is refreshing to read a story of someone who was slightly embarrassed of their fame, despite having every reason to be famous. Instead of someone who embraces fame, McKinstry paints one of a devoted family man and church goer, who just happened to be very good at a sport he loved playing.
Helped by Hobbs' essentially decent nature, the tone of the book could not have been more perfectly matched to the times described. The language and style reflect the age Hobbs lived in and, indeed, the kind of man he was. There is no waste here, no passages given over to unnecessarily flowery language, no use of a hundred words when one will do. Whilst clearly a decent man and an excellent cricketer, Hobbs was not particularly well educated and the language used here is possibly the type he would have used himself. This is a simply written biography of a simply brilliant cricketer.
Perhaps what surprised me the most about the book is that it proved to be lighter reading than I expected. Thanks to the recent advent of Twenty20 cricket, the game has been given extra pace and razzmatazz in recent years, but this was absent in Hobbs' time. Given the slower pace of cricket, where deciding Tests could be timeless and last over a week, and indeed of life in general, it's a surprise to find the book flowing as well as it did. The book builds like many of the Jack Hobbs innings described within; carefully put together and advancing towards something wonderful. Even in the rare occasion Hobbs wasn't playing with his usual fluency, the descriptions of those innings never lost their flow.
The emotions felt by all parties concerned within the book are also wonderfully expressed. Hobbs' nervousness as he neared W. G. Grace's century record is palpable, as is the relief when he broke it. You can feel the emotion of the crowd when an Ashes Test is won or lost. Most remarkable, at least to me, was the beautifully understated description of Hobbs' final days, which came close to bringing a tear to the eye of one rarely affected in that way.
Many a modern cricket fan may be interested to note the feeling amongst the amateur cricketers of the 1920s that too much money and attention was paid to the professionals; shades of the treatment afforded the likes of Flintoff and Pietersen these days. Devotees of cricket will be entranced by some gorgeous descriptions of how the game should be played and lovers of biographies will enjoy a fine example of the art, even if it is lacking much of the lurid behaviour of many, but such was the nature of Jack Hobbs. Whether a cricket fan or an avid reader of biographies, this is one of the best books in either category I've read in some time and it's a must read for any cricket fan.
This review may also appear, in whole or in part, under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
Blessed with natural talent, there was little hint from Jack Hobbs' early years that he would become a world renowned cricketer. He was born the eldest of twelve children into a poor family in Cambridge and, whilst his father was obsessed with the game of cricket, which was at that time increasing in popularity, he wasn't much of a player. But he managed to pass his enthusiasm to his son and, despite an early rebuff to his attempts to play for Essex, Jack Hobbs was soon invited to qualify to play for Surrey, which he was to do until his retirement, some three decades, 60,000 runs and a record number of centuries later.
Leo McKinstry takes us through Hobbs' career in great detail, unveiling not just Hobbs the cricketer, but Hobbs the man. In a day when some are famous for nothing more than being born into a famous family or having a brief stint on some reality TV show, it is refreshing to read a story of someone who was slightly embarrassed of their fame, despite having every reason to be famous. Instead of someone who embraces fame, McKinstry paints one of a devoted family man and church goer, who just happened to be very good at a sport he loved playing.
Helped by Hobbs' essentially decent nature, the tone of the book could not have been more perfectly matched to the times described. The language and style reflect the age Hobbs lived in and, indeed, the kind of man he was. There is no waste here, no passages given over to unnecessarily flowery language, no use of a hundred words when one will do. Whilst clearly a decent man and an excellent cricketer, Hobbs was not particularly well educated and the language used here is possibly the type he would have used himself. This is a simply written biography of a simply brilliant cricketer.
Perhaps what surprised me the most about the book is that it proved to be lighter reading than I expected. Thanks to the recent advent of Twenty20 cricket, the game has been given extra pace and razzmatazz in recent years, but this was absent in Hobbs' time. Given the slower pace of cricket, where deciding Tests could be timeless and last over a week, and indeed of life in general, it's a surprise to find the book flowing as well as it did. The book builds like many of the Jack Hobbs innings described within; carefully put together and advancing towards something wonderful. Even in the rare occasion Hobbs wasn't playing with his usual fluency, the descriptions of those innings never lost their flow.
The emotions felt by all parties concerned within the book are also wonderfully expressed. Hobbs' nervousness as he neared W. G. Grace's century record is palpable, as is the relief when he broke it. You can feel the emotion of the crowd when an Ashes Test is won or lost. Most remarkable, at least to me, was the beautifully understated description of Hobbs' final days, which came close to bringing a tear to the eye of one rarely affected in that way.
Many a modern cricket fan may be interested to note the feeling amongst the amateur cricketers of the 1920s that too much money and attention was paid to the professionals; shades of the treatment afforded the likes of Flintoff and Pietersen these days. Devotees of cricket will be entranced by some gorgeous descriptions of how the game should be played and lovers of biographies will enjoy a fine example of the art, even if it is lacking much of the lurid behaviour of many, but such was the nature of Jack Hobbs. Whether a cricket fan or an avid reader of biographies, this is one of the best books in either category I've read in some time and it's a must read for any cricket fan.
This review may also appear, in whole or in part, under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
November 4, 2019
61,670 runs at an average of 50.70; 199 centuries and 273 fifties make Jack Hobbs the absolute don of the statistical spectrum in cricket. Devastating on the field and dignified off it this legend strode the cricketing world like a colossus brooking no opposition and breaking every possible record. In this magnificent chronicle of the life and times of Hobbs, Leo McKinstry enthralls the reader by transporting him/her back into time - a time which when viewed with the fanatical cricket lover's mind's eye allows the re-creation of the fantastic batting and fabulous fielding of McKinstry's protagonist. The sure technique, strong hands and stealthy movements while fielding all flash by in nostalgic waves. Of particular brilliance is the description of Hobb's opening partnerships - initially with the Yorkshire giant Wilfred Rhodes; later with the Irresistible Tom Hayward and an unsung hero Andrew Sandham and finally with the illustrious Herbert Sutcliffe, whose association with Hobbs transcended the mere notion of partnership and became a veritable English Institution. There are cricketers who are respected and regarded highly. However it is a mere handful who merit the honour of being revered and of such a handful, Sir John Berry Hobbs stands at the very pinnacle! This book is an indispensable read for both the self proclaimed as well as the well acclaimed cricket fanatic!
July 10, 2015
Sorry - I didn't think it well edited or written. Too many repetitions & a lot of loose ends - but not helped by the subject matter either - Jack Hobbs appears to have been an excellent batsman but rather a dull, if decent man.
December 20, 2011
A great book on one of the greatest English cricketers that has ever lived! A must for any Cricket fan, new or old.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews