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Anything but... An Autobiography
Richie Benaud is arguably the most enduring face in world cricket - his views are certainly among the most respected. For four decades he has been at the centre of the game: first as a pre-eminent captain, attacking batsman, leg-break bowler and brilliant fieldsman for Australia; and then, for the past three decades, as cricket's shrewdest television analyst.
Anything but... AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY is the life and distilled wisdom of a man who has been closely involved with the game from its sod-busting days in Depression-ridden Australia, to its floodlit and rainbow-kitted emergence as a multi-media extravaganza. It is the story of the Benauds and the Savilles, pioneers in New South Wales, and their triumph over their circumstances; it is the story of Lou Benaud, who coached his two sons to play cricket for Australia. But it is also the story of Richie Benaud, whose boyhood heroes were Clarrie Grimmett and Don Bradman. As captain of Australia, he never lost a Test series and in 1963 was the first man in the history of the game to do the 'double' of 2,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets.
In 1964 he retired from the pitch and took to the commentary box where, for the BBC and Channel Nine, he has watched more than 300 Tests and 300 Limited-overs Internationals. As a commentator, he is recognised as one of the most respected thinkers on the game, who has influenced many of the changes that have overtaken cricket as we move towards the end of the century.
A polished raconteur, Benaud has some delightful stories to tell of the great players who have been a part of his life on and off the field for the past forty years; he reveals what goes on behind the television cameras and delivers his valuable insights with the dry, humorous incisiveness that is his hallmark. His opinions about the way cricket is going are firm, but his attitude to the game is always positive, with generous praise and constructive criticism for the modern-day player.
Anything but... AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY is not just the remarkable story of Richie Benaud, but an insight into sporting politics, how the administrators have affected the game and its players, and the media wheeling and dealing behind the scenes. And, above all, it is a book for those who are looking for an affirmation of the future of cricket, by a man who loves the game, but is not blinded by it.
Anything but... AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY is the life and distilled wisdom of a man who has been closely involved with the game from its sod-busting days in Depression-ridden Australia, to its floodlit and rainbow-kitted emergence as a multi-media extravaganza. It is the story of the Benauds and the Savilles, pioneers in New South Wales, and their triumph over their circumstances; it is the story of Lou Benaud, who coached his two sons to play cricket for Australia. But it is also the story of Richie Benaud, whose boyhood heroes were Clarrie Grimmett and Don Bradman. As captain of Australia, he never lost a Test series and in 1963 was the first man in the history of the game to do the 'double' of 2,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets.
In 1964 he retired from the pitch and took to the commentary box where, for the BBC and Channel Nine, he has watched more than 300 Tests and 300 Limited-overs Internationals. As a commentator, he is recognised as one of the most respected thinkers on the game, who has influenced many of the changes that have overtaken cricket as we move towards the end of the century.
A polished raconteur, Benaud has some delightful stories to tell of the great players who have been a part of his life on and off the field for the past forty years; he reveals what goes on behind the television cameras and delivers his valuable insights with the dry, humorous incisiveness that is his hallmark. His opinions about the way cricket is going are firm, but his attitude to the game is always positive, with generous praise and constructive criticism for the modern-day player.
Anything but... AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY is not just the remarkable story of Richie Benaud, but an insight into sporting politics, how the administrators have affected the game and its players, and the media wheeling and dealing behind the scenes. And, above all, it is a book for those who are looking for an affirmation of the future of cricket, by a man who loves the game, but is not blinded by it.
278 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Richie Benaud
54 books7 followersRichard "Richie" Benaud OBE (born October 6, 1930 in Penrith, New South Wales) is an Australian former cricketer who, since his retirement from international cricket in 1964, has become a highly regarded commentator on the game.
Benaud was a world-class Test cricket all-rounder, blending thoughtful leg spin bowling with lower order batting aggression. Along with fellow bowling all rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. In 1958 he became captain of the Australian cricket team and, until his retirement in 1964, took international cricket into the modern era by emphasizing the need for positive play, using his media expertise to communicate his and his team's goals clearly and effectively.
He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1961 for services to cricket.
Benaud was a world-class Test cricket all-rounder, blending thoughtful leg spin bowling with lower order batting aggression. Along with fellow bowling all rounder Alan Davidson, he helped restore Australia to the top of world cricket in the late 1950s and early 1960s after a slump in the early 1950s. In 1958 he became captain of the Australian cricket team and, until his retirement in 1964, took international cricket into the modern era by emphasizing the need for positive play, using his media expertise to communicate his and his team's goals clearly and effectively.
He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1961 for services to cricket.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 22, 2023
I still miss Richie Benauld’s cricket commentary (always fair and impartial) and the game has not been the same since his departure. His autobiography is interesting, especially about the beginnings of one-day cricket. In it there is also an hilarious anecdote about the time Benaud travelled to France to find his roots. He didn’t expect to unearth anything but found there is actually a village with his family name!
June 27, 2021
As was said many times, Mr Benaud, at the time of his death had probably seen more test cricket than anyone else. Working full time as a journalist after retiring from his stellar career as leg-spinning bowling all-rounder and brilliant captain, he spent his summers in Australia and also in the United Kingdom, some of those seasons qualified as Summers i suppose.
It's also been said, not least in the self-mocking title of the book by the author that Benaud didn't want to write about himself, he wanted to write about the game of Cricket, a game he has often said was the most controversial of all games. In writing an autobiography he had no choice but to talk more about himself.
The events of Mr Benaud's life are mixed in with stories, about matches, team-mates, opponents, administrators about whom he seems kinder than he might given what he reports. And they're great stories about great characters; he worked for and respected Sir Donald Bradman, knew Bill O'Reilly and the list of great team mates barely starts with Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Alan Davidson and Neil Harvey. He was always quick to praise current players, definitely not one of those who once he stopped playing thought the game had gone to pot.
For a breezy, sometimes funny but always matter of fact trip through Benaud's life and times up to 1998 it's hard to beat this book. Mr Benaud updated the book for his 2010 book "Over But Not Out", which i've also read and probably reviewed using the same words as here. Richie Benaud died in 2015 so "Over But Not Out" probably serves as his final word.
Rest in peace Richie, the Summers are not the same without you. I share your view that Cricket is the most controversial and perhaps but not just because of this most interesting and greatest of all games and i also think it's very important that there should always be fun to be had in the playing or following of it.
It's also been said, not least in the self-mocking title of the book by the author that Benaud didn't want to write about himself, he wanted to write about the game of Cricket, a game he has often said was the most controversial of all games. In writing an autobiography he had no choice but to talk more about himself.
The events of Mr Benaud's life are mixed in with stories, about matches, team-mates, opponents, administrators about whom he seems kinder than he might given what he reports. And they're great stories about great characters; he worked for and respected Sir Donald Bradman, knew Bill O'Reilly and the list of great team mates barely starts with Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Alan Davidson and Neil Harvey. He was always quick to praise current players, definitely not one of those who once he stopped playing thought the game had gone to pot.
For a breezy, sometimes funny but always matter of fact trip through Benaud's life and times up to 1998 it's hard to beat this book. Mr Benaud updated the book for his 2010 book "Over But Not Out", which i've also read and probably reviewed using the same words as here. Richie Benaud died in 2015 so "Over But Not Out" probably serves as his final word.
Rest in peace Richie, the Summers are not the same without you. I share your view that Cricket is the most controversial and perhaps but not just because of this most interesting and greatest of all games and i also think it's very important that there should always be fun to be had in the playing or following of it.
May 4, 2020
I found this a bit of a disappointment. As someone who has inspired a love for the game in at least 2 generations across the world, I found the book a little 'cold'. Too focused on scores and statistics, and does not delve enough into the man himself, and what made and inspired him.
I felt there was a real shortage of coverage of his broadcasting career. It felt like a footnote to his playing career, and I'm sure more anecdotes and insight could have been included.
I felt there was a real shortage of coverage of his broadcasting career. It felt like a footnote to his playing career, and I'm sure more anecdotes and insight could have been included.
November 27, 2022
The title of the book itself is intriguing and it is explained that Richie Benaud didn’t want this want to write this as a regular compilation of events in his life time but have a more broader scope in terms of coverage. True to its theme, the book while following the linear path of an autobiography, does allow Richie to share his views on a lot of themes- including cricketing personalities, working of Australian Board and of course his family.
Since Richie had become such an iconic figure as the TV presenter and commentator, we almost tend to forget his cricketing career- that of being a very successful all-rounder and captain of Australia. The book is a good way to relieve these memories as he takes us through his cricketing career and in fact underplays many of his achievements. The book is as you would expect from Richie is witty, concise and insightful. An overarching theme which runs through the book is the behavior of Australian Cricketing board, and the hardships faced by the cricketers of the time considering the luxuries both in terms of the treatment and financial benefits enjoyed by today’s players.
It is fun to read about Richie’s childhood years and development into a cricket player, and paints a quaint picture of a bygone era which people didn’t have too many luxuries of today’s time but still seemed to make it work. He also offers key snippets into his journey as a leg spinner- including 2 key advices from Bert O’Reilly (to develop a stock ball) and Bruce Dooland (helped to develop the flipper). It is also intriguing to read how Richie’s problem of spinning fingers getting roughened was solved by an chemist- Mr. Ivan James with an customized solution- a wide difference with today’s specialized sport medicals science field. The book also offers an insight in how the cricketers of the time were not fully professionally paid cricketers in the sense they needed to hold a professional job as in the case of Richie as a journalist to support themselves.
A nice enjoyable read of a much admired, feted cricketer and a icon of the TV presenting world for cricket, surely recommended.
Since Richie had become such an iconic figure as the TV presenter and commentator, we almost tend to forget his cricketing career- that of being a very successful all-rounder and captain of Australia. The book is a good way to relieve these memories as he takes us through his cricketing career and in fact underplays many of his achievements. The book is as you would expect from Richie is witty, concise and insightful. An overarching theme which runs through the book is the behavior of Australian Cricketing board, and the hardships faced by the cricketers of the time considering the luxuries both in terms of the treatment and financial benefits enjoyed by today’s players.
It is fun to read about Richie’s childhood years and development into a cricket player, and paints a quaint picture of a bygone era which people didn’t have too many luxuries of today’s time but still seemed to make it work. He also offers key snippets into his journey as a leg spinner- including 2 key advices from Bert O’Reilly (to develop a stock ball) and Bruce Dooland (helped to develop the flipper). It is also intriguing to read how Richie’s problem of spinning fingers getting roughened was solved by an chemist- Mr. Ivan James with an customized solution- a wide difference with today’s specialized sport medicals science field. The book also offers an insight in how the cricketers of the time were not fully professionally paid cricketers in the sense they needed to hold a professional job as in the case of Richie as a journalist to support themselves.
A nice enjoyable read of a much admired, feted cricketer and a icon of the TV presenting world for cricket, surely recommended.
July 30, 2020
I love Benaud as a commentator and a journalist. His voice was one of the highlights of a cricketing summer. So this was a real disappointment. It’s a very, very dry dull as dishwater water book with no colour at all.
January 28, 2010
After writing many books that were Benaud giving his opinion on the game, this time he sits down and tells his life story. from growing up as the son of a cricket loving teacher, he also includes stories about why his father decided there would be no more teachers in the Benaud family and an amusing tidbit about how the book got its title.
Very well written easy to read, one expects a lot of a book by Benaud, and this one doesnt disappoint.
Very well written easy to read, one expects a lot of a book by Benaud, and this one doesnt disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews