CMJ: A Cricketing Life

by Christopher Martin-Jenkins

Product Description Christopher Martin-Jenkins, or CMJ to his many fans as well as listeners of Test Match Special, is perhaps the voice of cricket; an unparalleled authority whose insight and passion for cricket as well as his style of commentary have captured what it is that makes the sport so special. In his many years as a commentator and journalist - reporting for the BBC, The Times and the Cricketer among others - CMJ has covered some of the biggest moments in the sport's history. And in this memoir CMJ looks back on a lifetime spent in service to this most bizarre and beguiling of sports and tells the stories of the players, coaches and fans he met along the way. Recounted with all the warmth and vigour that has endeared CMJ to generations of cricket fans, this memoir relives the moments that defined modern cricket and which shaped his life in turn. It is a must-have book for all devotees of the sport. About the Author Christopher Martin-Jenkins was the Chief Cricket Correspondent of THE TIMES. He is the author of several previous books including AUSTRALIAN SUMMER (Faber & Faber, 1999).

448 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2012

Reviews

[Toby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christopher Martin-Jenkins (CMJ) was part of the quartet of TMS commentators that I listened to throughout the English summers from 1992 onwards. More laconic and less jovial than his colleagues (Johnners, Aggers, Blowers etc.), he provided a wonderful school-masterly authority to the proceedings as well as incisive and well-informed comment, peppered with quotes from Shakespeare and the King James (I remember his use of "Tell it not in Gath" as a particularly good example of obscure Scripture quoting). He was also an exceptionally good cricket journalist at the Telegraph and the Times, one who could be read for pleasure as well as information.

Sadly these qualities of journalism and radio commentary do not necessarily combine to make a good 400+ page book, which at times feels like some rambling reminiscences told for the benefit of close family and old friends from school days. The middle sections on international cricket have interest, but there could have been much more on some of the controversies that afflicted the game as well as more anecdotes about the players - but possibly CMJ did not get to meet them and know them as well as, say, Jonathan Agnew. For much of the rest of the book CMJ at times comes across as a strange mix between Tim Nice-But-Dim and Prince Philip (he expresses some surprise that his joke at the expense of Martina Navratilova's sexuality was not well received).

I will remember him as the consummate cricket commentator that he was. I will probably forget this book.

[Getvoldsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing, for one who wrote & spoke so well about cricket, the same dynaminism didn't come forth talking about himself.

Unless you attended the same schools etc. as CMJ there is little of interest in the first quater, but the later chapters offer some interest insights into the workings of cricket.

[Richard Wakeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, made all the more poignant by CMJ's recent passing.