Second Innings: My Sporting Life

by Andrew Flintoff

Fast bowler, six-hitter, popular hero, one of the lads, king of the jungle - Andrew Flintoff is all of those things.Second Innings, is his searingly honest yet uplifting autobiography, Flintoff reveals unseen, surprising sides to his career and personality.The restless need to push and challenge himself that led him to take up professional boxing. The complex and troubled relationship with discipline, alcohol and authority during his exhilarating cricket career. The search for an authentic voice as a player, free from the blandness and conformity of modern professionalism. Is Flintoff the last of his kind, in any sport?Through all his highs and lows, triumphs and reversals, this book reveals a central tension. There is 'Fred' - performer, extrovert, centre of attention. Then there is 'Andrew' - reflective, withdrawn and uncertain. Two people contained in one extraordinary life. And sometimes, inevitably, keeping the two in balance proves too much.We are taken backstage, seeing the mischief and adventure that has defined Andrew Flintoff's story. Above all, we observe the enduring power of fun, friendship and loyalty - the pillars of Flintoff's career. At ease with his faults as well as his gifts, Andrew Flintoff has sought one thing, even more than to be himself.If you enjoyed Do You Know What?, you'll enjoy this memoir of Freddie's sporting career.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Autobiography

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2015

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really know Fred/Andrew until I started watching League of their own.
Then my other half would tell me a few things occasionally if it was relevant obviously because he is a cricket fan.
Neither of us fully knew him at all after I read this book I really felt like I knew him. I loved reading about his journey; physically and mentally. A very open and honest book. I got lost in some of the people he was talking about and the game information and chat got a bit confusing for me but I will be reading another book of his which isn't based on just cricket. 😁

[Ian moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hero or legend, just the bloke from Preston

He wants to be the bloke down the road, but becomes something else in his life. Realisation took time that you cannot be brilliant at sport without having the drudgery of fame to accompany it.
Well written account of a single minded mission in a sport that produces single minded self centred legends.

[Matthew Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flintoff is never one to say no to something. After retiring from professional cricket he has not decided to take a break. This book is a great example of how you should push yourself and try something new - you never know whether you may enjoy it in the end.

[MR D R WHITE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top man freddie

Interesting insight into the person behind the actual persona. It's good to see flaws in your heroes makes them seem normal

[Mr Tony Portelli Mrs Simone Portelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest

I like Freddie even more now having read this book. A very insightful and honest account of his life and thoughts.

[Matt Gosney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and interesting look into Freddy. A typical larger than life cricket personality - talks about his issues with drink, weight, media work and state of cricket at moment.

[christopher nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough. He could have named a few more names of the ex England players he was criticizing though.

[Tom Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insight into the mind of Andrew and Freddie. Very honest. Probably shies away from his more controversial episodes. And a bit of nostalgia from the best Ashes ever in 2005

[Akhlaq · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re a cricket fanatic or not, I don’t really feel this book is revelatory or there will be anything massively new that hasn’t been said in Flintoff’s interviews before. I wouldn’t pay to buy the book but having loaned it, it’s an easy read and I was able to finish it quickly. That being said, some of Flintoff’s anecdotes are told in his, inimitable style with humour playing a big role especially his meetings with Dennis Rodman, his spell in the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity most enjoyable. I’d always been critical of Flintoff’s foray into boxing, feeling it undermined the sport but even Freddie wasn’t too sure about it! It highlights how ludicrous the decision was by the British Boxing Board of Control to give him a licence in the first place. Book shows how he was persistent in having a more calmer conclusion to his sporting life. Tougher issues are discussed such as his battle with drink and with depression. It’s a book to read if you have nothing much to read but if you’re a cricket fan, you won’t miss much either that you haven’t already heard Flintoff discuss in interviews.

[Peter Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought, the book was very informative, and taught me a lot about both filntoff the cricketer and filntoff the man, over all i was very impressed with the book, and the look back at both the ashes series, one from from 2005 that no cricket fan will forget, and the one from 2009 which is also very memorable all in this book deserves high praise and certain i will do in giving it a 5 star rating..

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought it mainly because of his post cricket programmes and appearances. This book very much seemed to focus on the world of cricket (obviously) but some technical text was beyond my knowledge. If you don't know all the people mentioned and have a good knowledge of cricket I would suggest steering clear of this book. If you want to know the celebrity side of Andrew, again this is not the book for you.

[Graham Okely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read and interesting. A good example of how excess of drink is waste. He shows why he decides to give up alcohol.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting character another reading challenge book done and dusted!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing xx
love the guy soo much and has such an inspiring story

[Simone Bright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Fred. I thought this would have been more about his life after cricket. still interesting