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Opening Up : My Autobiography
Mike Atherton, England Captain and the most consistently successful cricketer of the last two decades, gives us the inside story of cricket in the biggest sports audiobook of the year. Read by the author. Mike Atherton is the most articulate and perceptive captain of English cricket since Mike Brearley. He was also one of the most determined batsmen of the nineties, and as an opener, a vital component of the England team. Atherton has played professional cricket for Lancashire and England for 15 years, despite a serious back complaint. He represented England in 115 Test matches and captained his country on a record 54 occasions. His recovery from a difficult situation in 1995 (when he was accused of ball tampering during the first Test match against South Africa at Lord's) proved a tough hurdle, yet one that would strengthen his resolve. His autobiography contains many serious observations about world cricket, as well as humorous asides and perceptive insights into the game. A born writer, this is Atherton in his own words.
330 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 18, 2019
An excellent autobiography. I admire Atherton as a writer and pundit on cricket. Not for him the hyperbole, overreaction and hysteria of some commentators. He is an exponent of quiet wit, intelligent observation, considered analysis and evaluation and thoughtful comment. Therefore, this book has all those some qualities and more. It is an objective and insightful discussion of his career up to his international retirement, giving reasoned judgements rather than emotional outbursts, aware of his own faults, errors and limitations, and giving reason for criticism. A very interesting read throughout, with lots of moments of wry humour to enjoy.
July 26, 2024
Very good most of the time but he does repeat himself sometimes. A good sense of how cricket can effect players both physically and mentally and a inside into how he viewed the game back then.
November 20, 2023
The autobiography of a one-time FEC- which stood for future england captain OR fcking educated c***, depending on who you asked
This is a man who played cricket for England during the 1990s. Hell, he even captained them in 54 test matches and probably deserves a medal of honour given how average a group he had to work with, along with a regressive system and selectors panel in England. They were also up against the best: Mark Taylor and then Steve Waugh's tough as nails sides in the Ashes but also strong sides in the West Indies and South Africa.
The book came out in 2003 just after his retirement at 33, "a month after this book was finished my first son, Joshua, was born". Josh de Caires, now 21, has made a name for himself in the county championship this season as a promising off-spinner with Middlesex and is on the winter Lions tour. Who knows, maybe he'll play for England one day
This is a man who played cricket for England during the 1990s. Hell, he even captained them in 54 test matches and probably deserves a medal of honour given how average a group he had to work with, along with a regressive system and selectors panel in England. They were also up against the best: Mark Taylor and then Steve Waugh's tough as nails sides in the Ashes but also strong sides in the West Indies and South Africa.
The book came out in 2003 just after his retirement at 33, "a month after this book was finished my first son, Joshua, was born". Josh de Caires, now 21, has made a name for himself in the county championship this season as a promising off-spinner with Middlesex and is on the winter Lions tour. Who knows, maybe he'll play for England one day
April 21, 2022
Completely focused on cricket, I look forward to read other books by Atherton, apparently he has written quite a few.
January 25, 2024
Always had a bit of a man crush on Atherton. Very insightful
September 26, 2016
It turned out not to be as good as I'd hoped from such an intelligent and thoughtful man. Worth reading and provides an insight into a difficult period in English cricket. I suppose I was hoping for something slightly more personal.
February 24, 2015
I was disappointed with this, although a quick easy enough read with some laughs (Gatting's scathing comments on where Emburey's blisters might be and Healy's sledging to name two).
Now, I appreciate sporting autobiographies should never be held up for literary worth, and one must expect the odd untruth and narcissistic tendency. All part of the entertainment, and who are we to judge what we would say in their place.
But as a wonderful journalist now, not just relating to cricket, and covering for me that most halcyon period in all our sporting memories, my tweenie youth, I expected more from this than a 2 star "ok" rating which I felt was fair.
The narcissism where every opposition collapse seemed to be the result of his captaincy, and not Caddick or Tufnell exploiting wearing pitches as they could when in the zone grated. As did the literally relentless sniping of Hussein's success as captain. Even to the extent that Hussein was "lucky" Vaughan replaced him in a key match, or from saying he was lucky to play the lambs of New Zealand first up, just as we read a whole chapter of how superb a captain Atherton was to have beaten them, just dulled the brain. Many more examples.
As did the continual, relentless protestations that records meant nothing to him, as he lets fly of more esoteric achievements such as "proudly breaking the record of most runs scored at Trent Bridge", "11th on the all time Test runs". Calling Stewart "comprehensive schooled" when he was not, and apparently dismissing Pocketgate as drying hands when we ALL saw more than that on the screen, we saw rubbing substance into a seam and a guilty look m'lud. All this led one to question a few ever reminiscences.
And I do respect people wanting to protect privacy, but when there is so little information on family, on Isabelle, on his children (when he is happy enough to talk about bunking up in batchelor flats) one is left with little idea of the man behind the cricket which elevates such biographies.
Maybe a bit harsh, but that is what we do to our childhood favourites. Apologies Mr Atherton.
Now, I appreciate sporting autobiographies should never be held up for literary worth, and one must expect the odd untruth and narcissistic tendency. All part of the entertainment, and who are we to judge what we would say in their place.
But as a wonderful journalist now, not just relating to cricket, and covering for me that most halcyon period in all our sporting memories, my tweenie youth, I expected more from this than a 2 star "ok" rating which I felt was fair.
The narcissism where every opposition collapse seemed to be the result of his captaincy, and not Caddick or Tufnell exploiting wearing pitches as they could when in the zone grated. As did the literally relentless sniping of Hussein's success as captain. Even to the extent that Hussein was "lucky" Vaughan replaced him in a key match, or from saying he was lucky to play the lambs of New Zealand first up, just as we read a whole chapter of how superb a captain Atherton was to have beaten them, just dulled the brain. Many more examples.
As did the continual, relentless protestations that records meant nothing to him, as he lets fly of more esoteric achievements such as "proudly breaking the record of most runs scored at Trent Bridge", "11th on the all time Test runs". Calling Stewart "comprehensive schooled" when he was not, and apparently dismissing Pocketgate as drying hands when we ALL saw more than that on the screen, we saw rubbing substance into a seam and a guilty look m'lud. All this led one to question a few ever reminiscences.
And I do respect people wanting to protect privacy, but when there is so little information on family, on Isabelle, on his children (when he is happy enough to talk about bunking up in batchelor flats) one is left with little idea of the man behind the cricket which elevates such biographies.
Maybe a bit harsh, but that is what we do to our childhood favourites. Apologies Mr Atherton.
October 20, 2011
Atherton is an intelligent and engaging writer, making his autobiography an enjoyable read. His primary focus is on the role of the captain within an international team, the strains under which all players, not only the leadership team, are put, and the important changes which need to be (or have already been, at the time of my reading this) put into place in order to ensure the evolving success and, perhaps more importantly, the happiness of all players and management involved within a cricket team.
Far from being a boring run-by-run account of his cricketing career, a trap into which such books often fall, Atherton offers insight into both his successes and his failures as a cricketer, a captain and a person, and is not afraid to point out the (often seemingly great) shortcomings of both himself and his colleages over the years.
Unafraid of telling the truth, as he sees it, Atherton does, however, successfully negotiate the fine line between personal opinion and honest fact, giving us a well-rounded and balanced view of the years in which he was involved in the game. An educating and entertaining read.
Far from being a boring run-by-run account of his cricketing career, a trap into which such books often fall, Atherton offers insight into both his successes and his failures as a cricketer, a captain and a person, and is not afraid to point out the (often seemingly great) shortcomings of both himself and his colleages over the years.
Unafraid of telling the truth, as he sees it, Atherton does, however, successfully negotiate the fine line between personal opinion and honest fact, giving us a well-rounded and balanced view of the years in which he was involved in the game. An educating and entertaining read.
April 17, 2011
This book is often introduced as "The autobiography of the most articulate England captain since Mike Brearley". Now, Brearley and Atherton went to the same University, both were opening batsmen, both captained England and.... both have written an autobiography. Both are undoubtedly articulate as well.
But - whereas brearley's "Art of Captaincy" is in fact one of the best "Management" books I've ever read, this autobiography of Atherton's is just actually a well written and reasonably insightful "me too" cricketer's autobiography.
Brearley's book is written almost from a third person perspective, and based very much on his academic training as a Psychologist - Atherton's is very much a first person offering, giving his take on his career.
As a standard cricketer's autobiography, it's not the toughest of reads - although Atherton comes across as a rather intense, slightly stuffy although undoubtedly intelligent individual. But a Mike Brearley he is most certainly not. So it's a pleasant enough read - but doesn't appear on the same page of the graph as Brearley.
But - whereas brearley's "Art of Captaincy" is in fact one of the best "Management" books I've ever read, this autobiography of Atherton's is just actually a well written and reasonably insightful "me too" cricketer's autobiography.
Brearley's book is written almost from a third person perspective, and based very much on his academic training as a Psychologist - Atherton's is very much a first person offering, giving his take on his career.
As a standard cricketer's autobiography, it's not the toughest of reads - although Atherton comes across as a rather intense, slightly stuffy although undoubtedly intelligent individual. But a Mike Brearley he is most certainly not. So it's a pleasant enough read - but doesn't appear on the same page of the graph as Brearley.
April 2, 2020
Awesome autobiography by England's ex captain Mike Atherton. Only star deducted due to his decision not to include more about his personal life. Book is focused more on captaincy.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
December 6, 2012
I think I enjoyed this more than any book this year. Athers is great company, and captures what is great about the game of cricket. The strange people, the superstitions, the unique way in which it asks for both individual, 'selfish' acts, and teamwork and heroism and physical bravery and intelligence. And humour. This is one of the funniest books I have read for ages - Atherton's comic timing is up there with Evelyn Waugh and Jerome K Jerome. If you understand cricket.
September 15, 2021
I read this one back in 2004/5 at a very difficult time when I was just starting my business. The story gave me much hope and will always be grateful for the life story that Mike Atherton tells so well. As a cricket player, I remember him as a rather fearsome figure in the mid nineties whenever our Zimbabwean cricket team would clash with England. He was a truly great opening batsman.
May 16, 2015
The best thing I learnt from reading Opening Up is come out on the forward defensive and everything will be ok.
Atherton was my English cricket hero, reading this cemented that position but through anecdotes I read skills of leadership, empowerment and also how to get out of a sticky wicket.
Worth a read.
Atherton was my English cricket hero, reading this cemented that position but through anecdotes I read skills of leadership, empowerment and also how to get out of a sticky wicket.
Worth a read.
July 26, 2011
For someone who comes across as having had a personality by-pass, surprisingly well written and engaging. What a shame he didn't take the opportunity to come clean and explain what was precisely going through his mind whilst mucking about with the ball and that dirt!!
July 22, 2012
Clearly the best cricket autobiography I've read so far. Perhaps the only thing missing in the book was anecdotes from Atherton's personal life and how they affected his game on the field. However, a very well written book and an enjoyable read.
October 29, 2015
Definitely a superior cricket autobiography, as befits the most educated of recent English batsmen. Atherton deals with the controversies of his tenure as England captain with a good deal of honesty mixed with a certain degree of hurt and bitterness.
August 6, 2016
Very few sportsmen take the risk of dimming their aura by being so casual about their journey through the humbling world of sport. Atherton doesnt't seem to be bothered. One of the most honest, simple and inspiring sports stories I have read.
March 29, 2008
You were boring as a batsman, boring as acaptain and now you can add authour to the list of boring.
Congratulations Athers - the only hat-trick you'll ever attain!
Congratulations Athers - the only hat-trick you'll ever attain!
February 24, 2011
one of the best sporting works that i have read!
October 15, 2013
The mistake was reading this now, having read lots of Atherton's work in The Times. So having that as the benchmark, this one turned out to be a bad effort. I guess I'm being way too harsh !
October 18, 2014
Best sports biography I've read. Good prose writer, great descriptions of epic battles with Allan Donald.
January 1, 2011
Frank and honest.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews