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Finding The Edge: The Autobiography
This is Jimmy's story: an intimate, honest reflection told with his trademark humility and dry humour. From growing up in. Burnley as an outsider, isolated at school, bunking off, dreaming of being somewhere - anywhere - else, to dominating the 22 yards of the wicket as part of the deadliest England attack ever assembled.
Jimmy takes us inside the dressing room, to those unforgettable moments: his debut under Nasser Hussain, facing off the Aussies with Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen's 'textgate' and that Mitchell Johnson incident. He reflects on the intense rivalries with Michael Clarke and Sachin Tendulkar and the burgeoning friendships with Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad. Delving behind the cricket, Jimmy reveals his experiences of personal loss alongside the pain of professional injury, and the strength he found from his marriage and the arrival of his two children.
Finding the Edge is a front-row seat at the greatest games of the last two decades as England journey from perennial losers to world number one. But, above all, it is a coming-of-age story that reveals the real Jimmy Anderson: vulnerable, introspective, relentlessly determined, constantly evolving - a bowler unequalled, a career like no other.
Jimmy takes us inside the dressing room, to those unforgettable moments: his debut under Nasser Hussain, facing off the Aussies with Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen's 'textgate' and that Mitchell Johnson incident. He reflects on the intense rivalries with Michael Clarke and Sachin Tendulkar and the burgeoning friendships with Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad. Delving behind the cricket, Jimmy reveals his experiences of personal loss alongside the pain of professional injury, and the strength he found from his marriage and the arrival of his two children.
Finding the Edge is a front-row seat at the greatest games of the last two decades as England journey from perennial losers to world number one. But, above all, it is a coming-of-age story that reveals the real Jimmy Anderson: vulnerable, introspective, relentlessly determined, constantly evolving - a bowler unequalled, a career like no other.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2024
43 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 10, 2024
I'm a biased Tailender, but this is a great read and is very well written, a very different approach to other sports autobiographies
October 31, 2025
More personal than most cricket autobiographies.
Emotional and honest.
Loved the “James vs Jimmy” angle and childhood memories especially the long walk down Burnley hillsides.
Great glimpse into team camaraderie and mindset of a champion bowler before and during games.
Would have liked if it talked more about the art of swing bowling , the retirement ( and conversation with Stokes and Bazz ) part felt rushed and no closure.
Skipped big moments like Pietersen saga and other key series/ battles during his career .
Still — heartfelt, real, and worth the read.
Emotional and honest.
Loved the “James vs Jimmy” angle and childhood memories especially the long walk down Burnley hillsides.
Great glimpse into team camaraderie and mindset of a champion bowler before and during games.
Would have liked if it talked more about the art of swing bowling , the retirement ( and conversation with Stokes and Bazz ) part felt rushed and no closure.
Skipped big moments like Pietersen saga and other key series/ battles during his career .
Still — heartfelt, real, and worth the read.
January 11, 2025
A fun read about England's most successful bowler. Really interesting to understand Jimmy's background before cricket and growth throughout his career.
October 28, 2025
A very insightful book, loved listening to the tales of Jimmys career, the ups and downs and challenges against some of the best batsman in the world. Would recommend to any cricket enthusiast
November 6, 2025
good learnings but hopped all over the place vs. sachin book which was much more comprehensive
July 14, 2025
Very enjoyable read, lots of anecdotes about various cricket matches over a long and storied career. Where was the chapter on the 10 ball Bumrah over at Lords though?!
January 2, 2025
Jimmy- Legend.
March 28, 2025
Yeah was alright, pretty much your standard autobiography. Did laugh when Jimmy got bored about 2/3rds of the way through and let Graeme Swann do a few chapters, but otherwise I found it all aligned with what I expected.
Extra points for calling our KP as a bellend.
Extra points for calling our KP as a bellend.
January 5, 2025
Good read but a little cagey on the details. Reflects his personality.
January 10, 2025
Starts from Jimmy's retirement game against the West Indies last summer at Lord's where he had a test match to celebrate his career. It was the first test of the summer, and at 41 years old he wasn't in the teams plans any longer.
It seemed a fair call at the time given most test bowlers don't make it past their mid 30s, let alone 41. Looking to the future, and with the Ashes 18 months away at the time of his retirement, Key, Stokes and McCullum made a tough call on a player with huge longevity and success in the format. It went down in a Manchester coffee shop. Jimmy, having jumped on the tram thinking he was in for a 'player appraisal' equated the situation to when Joe Pesci's character is whacked in Goodfellas (1990).
There's a number of other insights into his career. At one point in a hospital, after his wife has had a miscarriage a nurse insensitively asks for an autograph. There's chapters on how important his parents, wife and daughters were in his career.
On James Taylor's debut in 2012, the diminutive batsman was snubbed by Kevin Pietersen in what became a toxic team environment. After having introduced himself to everyone in the dressing room and left, KP turned to the person next to him and asked 'what's that guys name?'. Following a session of batting at Headingley against a fierce South Africa attack with the likes of Philander, Morkel and Steyn, KP tells coach Andy Flower that James Taylor is nowhere near good enough for test cricket, himself on the way to a big hundred.
There's other insights like when his time in the test finally came against New Zealand in 2008. It had been five years since his debut under Nasser Hussain. There's a lot of fond affection for all the games where he bowled sides out, or scored an unlikely 81 against India at Trent Bridge - Joe Root signed a bat 'to the allrounder' and gave it to Jimmy after the game.
In the more recent years he shares opinions on an ill-fated tour of Australia last time around which the whole team was dreading. 'Everyone is desperate to go home', having to stay in a Brisbane motel isolating because of the ongoing pandemic.
He comes across as likeable and it's an easy read. Ghosted by his co-podcaster, Felix White, it gets to the heart of his views on his career. Some chapters, like Mitchell Johnson's Ashes in 2014 receive as few as four pages, but on the whole there's enough in there to pick up for fans of England cricket.
It seemed a fair call at the time given most test bowlers don't make it past their mid 30s, let alone 41. Looking to the future, and with the Ashes 18 months away at the time of his retirement, Key, Stokes and McCullum made a tough call on a player with huge longevity and success in the format. It went down in a Manchester coffee shop. Jimmy, having jumped on the tram thinking he was in for a 'player appraisal' equated the situation to when Joe Pesci's character is whacked in Goodfellas (1990).
There's a number of other insights into his career. At one point in a hospital, after his wife has had a miscarriage a nurse insensitively asks for an autograph. There's chapters on how important his parents, wife and daughters were in his career.
On James Taylor's debut in 2012, the diminutive batsman was snubbed by Kevin Pietersen in what became a toxic team environment. After having introduced himself to everyone in the dressing room and left, KP turned to the person next to him and asked 'what's that guys name?'. Following a session of batting at Headingley against a fierce South Africa attack with the likes of Philander, Morkel and Steyn, KP tells coach Andy Flower that James Taylor is nowhere near good enough for test cricket, himself on the way to a big hundred.
There's other insights like when his time in the test finally came against New Zealand in 2008. It had been five years since his debut under Nasser Hussain. There's a lot of fond affection for all the games where he bowled sides out, or scored an unlikely 81 against India at Trent Bridge - Joe Root signed a bat 'to the allrounder' and gave it to Jimmy after the game.
In the more recent years he shares opinions on an ill-fated tour of Australia last time around which the whole team was dreading. 'Everyone is desperate to go home', having to stay in a Brisbane motel isolating because of the ongoing pandemic.
He comes across as likeable and it's an easy read. Ghosted by his co-podcaster, Felix White, it gets to the heart of his views on his career. Some chapters, like Mitchell Johnson's Ashes in 2014 receive as few as four pages, but on the whole there's enough in there to pick up for fans of England cricket.
March 17, 2025
Really badly written (I particularly enjoyed the random changes of tense)... but it's impossible not to enjoy the story of England's greatest ever bowler, especially as he is seemingly a shy, humble person with a good deal of complexity and self awareness. Not characteristics I've associated with a lot of famous sportsmen.
December 26, 2024
3.7
Prose style is immersive and makes it a much more interesting read than the average ghostwritten autobiography, but can sometimes feel overwrought.
Second half felt a little rushed; nevertheless a collection of interesting reflections.
Prose style is immersive and makes it a much more interesting read than the average ghostwritten autobiography, but can sometimes feel overwrought.
Second half felt a little rushed; nevertheless a collection of interesting reflections.
March 25, 2025
Ah. I loved bowling fast. I love cricket autobiographies. This is a combination of both those worlds.
It helped me see why discipline is an absolute core requirement for any top level athlete. It showed me how you need a stable family and health foundation to succeed as an athlete. It is important to develop a balanced perspective on success and failure as an athlete. You can rise to great heights and fall to great lows. But you have to find a process to navigate them both in the best way possible.
Anderson also has several extended passages on important matches in his career and the art of fast bowling that also stayed with me. He spoke fondly of his relationship with peers like Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Alistair Cook. Cricketers also have to adopt to different styles of play as new players and new coaches bring in new ways to play the game.
Anderson ended his career playing over 188 test matches (5 days each) and taking the most wickets for any fast bowlers at 700 wickets. This book shows you how he evolved over his career one ball at a time to end up with a mammoth end of career total of 40,000+ cricket balls bowled to batsman from all over the world.
It helped me see why discipline is an absolute core requirement for any top level athlete. It showed me how you need a stable family and health foundation to succeed as an athlete. It is important to develop a balanced perspective on success and failure as an athlete. You can rise to great heights and fall to great lows. But you have to find a process to navigate them both in the best way possible.
Anderson also has several extended passages on important matches in his career and the art of fast bowling that also stayed with me. He spoke fondly of his relationship with peers like Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Alistair Cook. Cricketers also have to adopt to different styles of play as new players and new coaches bring in new ways to play the game.
Anderson ended his career playing over 188 test matches (5 days each) and taking the most wickets for any fast bowlers at 700 wickets. This book shows you how he evolved over his career one ball at a time to end up with a mammoth end of career total of 40,000+ cricket balls bowled to batsman from all over the world.
September 13, 2025
One of the best autobiographies I’ve read. It is very much set up like Forest Gump. Sat on a bench reflecting on life. And it ends back on the bench and the start of a new journey. It’s very well conceived. It’s professional in so much that there isn’t any sledging of players to sensationalise events. It’s honest and powerful at times. The only time there is what would be inside information is the part about KP. There is a very obvious dislike of KP but it is written in a way that doesn’t offend.
It also highlights the fact that just because Jimmy and every other sportsperson are elite athletes, they are still human. They will still have games where they are simply off the boil and have more important matters to focus on. The miscarriage is a heartbreaking example of this and I dearly hope the nurse who asked for Jimmy’s autograph while supporting his wife in that horrific time is truly ashamed of their decision to ask for an autograph.
It also highlights the fact that just because Jimmy and every other sportsperson are elite athletes, they are still human. They will still have games where they are simply off the boil and have more important matters to focus on. The miscarriage is a heartbreaking example of this and I dearly hope the nurse who asked for Jimmy’s autograph while supporting his wife in that horrific time is truly ashamed of their decision to ask for an autograph.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2025
I was admittedly not very familiar with jimmy’s personality before reading this, only catching the tail end of his career (before I was watching press interviews and the like) but I’ve found him to be a deeply fascinating person. This book is written with an admirable sense of honesty, and some truly moving moments that brought me to tears on more than one occasion. I feel a great sense of kinship with parts of his story. Chapter 8: The Hill and the Ham Sandwich stuck with me throughout. It’s written excellently and the narrative flows beautifully. It feels more heartfelt than any other autobiography I’ve read, more raw, more real. This struck me right in the soul. I can’t recommend it enough.
December 24, 2024
Honest and genuine
I’ve always found watching Test cricket, both on television and live, very interesting; James Anderson made it even more interesting. I have his two other autobiographies so I was prepared for his candour and self effacing style which make this a genuine and honest book. Fifty years ago I read Bradman’s which, at the time, put me off autobiographies for years. If he had been made of chocolate he would have eaten himself. This book is the complete opposite, a real insight into the development of a young bowler and his reaction to retirement. I enjoyed reading it very much.
I’ve always found watching Test cricket, both on television and live, very interesting; James Anderson made it even more interesting. I have his two other autobiographies so I was prepared for his candour and self effacing style which make this a genuine and honest book. Fifty years ago I read Bradman’s which, at the time, put me off autobiographies for years. If he had been made of chocolate he would have eaten himself. This book is the complete opposite, a real insight into the development of a young bowler and his reaction to retirement. I enjoyed reading it very much.
November 27, 2024
Brilliantly written by Felix White whose close friendship with Jimmy is clear from the stories he tells which Jimmy might not have told to any other ghostwriter. This autobiography of England’s greatest ever bowler describes the perfectly planned balls and the days when things didn’t go right, the impact the team’s psychologist had on him even though he resisted conversation with him for six months and the closeness created in the England team which won the Ashes in Australia in 2010/11. And of course the podcast, Tailenders, has a chapter to itself.
December 6, 2024
I've followed cricket all my life, so was interested in reading this book.
It was an easy and interesting read about his love of sports when growing up, his family, and his international career.
I think it would have been interesting to hear a little more about colleagues and some anecdotes. I was surprised the focus was purely on international cricket after he made his debut for England and didn't cover any of his Lancashire exploits.
Interesting and well paced
It was an easy and interesting read about his love of sports when growing up, his family, and his international career.
I think it would have been interesting to hear a little more about colleagues and some anecdotes. I was surprised the focus was purely on international cricket after he made his debut for England and didn't cover any of his Lancashire exploits.
Interesting and well paced
November 17, 2025
Jimmy Anderson, England's leading wicket taker of all time in his own words. I really enjoyed reading this and found it very interesting to see what makes such a great sportsman at the pinnacle of their sport tick.
From the various highs and lows of his amazing career, Jimmy gives a great insight into his thoughts and feelings along the way.
A first class book and one of the better autobiographies out there.
From the various highs and lows of his amazing career, Jimmy gives a great insight into his thoughts and feelings along the way.
A first class book and one of the better autobiographies out there.
December 31, 2024
Having been too young to witness much of his career, it's fascinating to see all the hardship Jimmy went through before becoming the exceptional athlete he has been in the last 10 years. Some parts feel a bit rushed but it's still a great insight into Jimmy's mindset and attitude towards cricket. There are some extremely vulnerable parts which make it very powerful
January 11, 2025
Brilliant book!
As someone who has watched Jimmy play for my whole life and watching in awe as he takes wicket after wicket, it’s amazing to read about his most memorable moments of his career from his perspective.
Only issue I had was the second half of the book felt rushed, jumped quite fast between big memories but nonetheless a great book!
Go Well!!
As someone who has watched Jimmy play for my whole life and watching in awe as he takes wicket after wicket, it’s amazing to read about his most memorable moments of his career from his perspective.
Only issue I had was the second half of the book felt rushed, jumped quite fast between big memories but nonetheless a great book!
Go Well!!
January 12, 2025
I absolutely adore Jimmy Anderson and he is one of my sporting heroes. I also love Felix White who ghost wrote this book - I was underwhelmed however. It could be because I am an avid Tailenders listener meaning that I already have a lot of exposure to Jimmy, which meant there were less surprises in the pages.
A good read though!
A good read though!
April 6, 2025
This is effectively just an opportunity for me to relive the career of one of my favourite sportspeople in their own words, so of course I'm going to love it. There were some unknown, unexpected and/or humorous moments along the way too though, such as Bayliss' Biden-esque team talk and the extent to the speed with which Jimmy ascended from 3rd team club cricket to the MCG.
May 4, 2025
Enjoyed this very honest review of his very successful cricket career and up there with the better autobiograhies . Clearly very annoyed and disappointed about how his England career came to an abrupt end which England might yet regret. We will probably never see the likes of Jimmy and Broady again .
November 12, 2024
One of the most well written sports autobiographies I’ve ever read.
What a beautiful and touching telling of one of cricket’s greatest ever players life and career.
A must read for Cricket fans! 5⭐️
What a beautiful and touching telling of one of cricket’s greatest ever players life and career.
A must read for Cricket fans! 5⭐️
December 6, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed
Enjoyable account from one of England’s finest sportsmen. Enlightening and entertaining throughout takes us along the journey of what is required to be a cricketing great.
Enjoyable account from one of England’s finest sportsmen. Enlightening and entertaining throughout takes us along the journey of what is required to be a cricketing great.
March 6, 2025
Simply wonderful to read about a career that lasted almost as long as I've been alive! As a lover of cricket, tailenders, and Jimmy, I would recommend this book to anyone. It perfectly encapsulates the highs and lows cricket brings from such a personal perspective, honest and frank.
April 29, 2025
It’s a good read for a sports autobiography. The first 3rd of the book feels like it’s trying to figure out what style of book it is. Once it settles into its rhythm, it’s an interesting read at times
August 27, 2025
Brilliant book. I recommend the audio book as its narrated by Jimmy and it is lovely to hear his story from the man himself, as he doesnt speak enough elsewhere!
Beautiful honesty that I think it will inspire and comfort many readers.
Beautiful honesty that I think it will inspire and comfort many readers.
September 1, 2025
Got it from Dave at work - enjoyed it and obviously very sympathetic to him. Interesting on the pschologist, his closed mindset, covid. Felt it skipped over bits - e.g. 1/2 a page on 17/18 Ashes, 4 pages on a Tailenders quiz...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews