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Firestarter: Me, Cricket and the Heat of the Moment
Ben Stokes is not cast in the same mould as the vast majority of English cricketers. Fiery, combative, gladiatorial - he plays the game hard and with great gusto. He is an all-rounder who bats, bowls and fields at full throttle. Some opponents feel threatened by his physical stature and aggressive brand of cricket. Stokes simply doesn't back down, smashing the next ball for six, bowling his 90 mph "chin music," or taking a breathtakingly full-stretch catch at backward point. Whether it's thrashing the fastest ever Test century at Lord's or the quickest ever Test double-hundred by an Englishman (against South Africa at Cape Town, in January) or destroying the Australian batting at Trent Bridge, Stokes plays the game he loves with his heart on his sleeve and with 100% effort and commitment. Cricket fans adore him for it. His very first book focuses on the pivotal moments in his life and career so far. These episodes are vibrant, emotional, poignant - revealing the man in three dimensions, red in tooth and claw. From being forged as a young boy in New Zealand, to moving to Cumbria at the age of 11, to playing county cricket for Durham and then onto the England team, this book provides a riveting insight into one of the most exhilarating figures in sport today.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 18, 2022
I've had a few cricket related biographies sitting on my shelf for a while and decided it was a good time this year to get reading them. I'm a big fan of Ben Stokes as a cricketer-he gives his all for England every time he sets foot on a cricket pitch whether it is batting, bowling or fielding. He never backs down from the task however tough and he leaves it all out there. He's the guy you really want in your time on every tour as he is a matchwinner on his day.
I liked reading about the struggles he had getting into the England team and staying there. We are so used to him being an automatic pick when he is fit that it is easy to forget that he wasn't always that guy. He certainly wears his heart on his sleeve when talking about the problems in his early career and being crushed about being dropped. He also mentions his lack of discipline which put his career in doubt as Andy Flower wondered whether or not he was meant to be in the England squad. Thankfully Ben did fight his way back into the team and has mostly stayed there but those off field issues certainly threatened his career on other occasions not mentioned in this book but which may be covered in a follow up book.
I always like to get the view of a player when he is discussing his best games and his worst games and Ben puts a lot of detail into both aspects. He is very honest about his feelings and frustrations when things have gone wrong which is something we can all relate to. I think we often remember these moments more than the triumphs in our life. I was watching all of the games in question live on TV so it was interesting to get his perspective on the events.
Overall it was a decent read that gives some insight into the mind of one of England's best cricketers of my generation.
I liked reading about the struggles he had getting into the England team and staying there. We are so used to him being an automatic pick when he is fit that it is easy to forget that he wasn't always that guy. He certainly wears his heart on his sleeve when talking about the problems in his early career and being crushed about being dropped. He also mentions his lack of discipline which put his career in doubt as Andy Flower wondered whether or not he was meant to be in the England squad. Thankfully Ben did fight his way back into the team and has mostly stayed there but those off field issues certainly threatened his career on other occasions not mentioned in this book but which may be covered in a follow up book.
I always like to get the view of a player when he is discussing his best games and his worst games and Ben puts a lot of detail into both aspects. He is very honest about his feelings and frustrations when things have gone wrong which is something we can all relate to. I think we often remember these moments more than the triumphs in our life. I was watching all of the games in question live on TV so it was interesting to get his perspective on the events.
Overall it was a decent read that gives some insight into the mind of one of England's best cricketers of my generation.
June 22, 2018
#project of reading all the books I've been given as presents but haven't got round to yet...Number 7.
This is a project likely to dominate my reading during 2018, and take me in the direction of books I would not otherwise have read. This is one of them. And it is a book full of unintended ironies, in that it was written before its author/subject was arrested following an altercation in Bristol in the early hours of Monday morning. An incident that has already put a dent in Ben's career, and could yet end with him in prison. The ironies come with the numerous incidents which involve the author being out in the early hours of the morning, which make it abundantly clear that this is a life in which accidents are waiting to happen.
Which is a great shame because he is a ridiculously talented cricketer and the book is a constant reminder of how exciting his performances are. Its a ghost written autobiography of a youngish sportsman, don't expect too much.
(Incidentally the first book I read in this project was 'The Debatable Lands' an account of the area where Stokes was brought up. Its pretty clear that from an early age he was brought up not to take backward steps, for better or for worse).
This is a project likely to dominate my reading during 2018, and take me in the direction of books I would not otherwise have read. This is one of them. And it is a book full of unintended ironies, in that it was written before its author/subject was arrested following an altercation in Bristol in the early hours of Monday morning. An incident that has already put a dent in Ben's career, and could yet end with him in prison. The ironies come with the numerous incidents which involve the author being out in the early hours of the morning, which make it abundantly clear that this is a life in which accidents are waiting to happen.
Which is a great shame because he is a ridiculously talented cricketer and the book is a constant reminder of how exciting his performances are. Its a ghost written autobiography of a youngish sportsman, don't expect too much.
(Incidentally the first book I read in this project was 'The Debatable Lands' an account of the area where Stokes was brought up. Its pretty clear that from an early age he was brought up not to take backward steps, for better or for worse).
January 25, 2018
Not the best sports autobiography ever written but certainly an interesting story of Stokes' career so far, and having witnessed first hand some of the performances detailed in the book, I enjoyed his retelling of them - particularly the final over of the World T20 and his sensational performance v NZ at Lord's.
Not a big fan of players releasing these kind of books mid-career (but there was enough here to make it interesting) and there have already been plenty of incidents in Stokes' career since which require additional retelling and explanation. I won't buy his next autobiography unless it's at the end of his playing days!
Not a big fan of players releasing these kind of books mid-career (but there was enough here to make it interesting) and there have already been plenty of incidents in Stokes' career since which require additional retelling and explanation. I won't buy his next autobiography unless it's at the end of his playing days!
May 8, 2020
As a cricket fan, as well as witnessing most of the events this book it was really good to learn the stages that Ben has gone through to get to the positions he is in today. The ups and downs he has personally gone through also authenticates that sports professionals are actually human at the end of the day.
It’s great book but what I would say is that due to the amount of information, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of what game he is talking about.
It’s great book but what I would say is that due to the amount of information, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of what game he is talking about.
August 12, 2019
Very insightful view of Ben Stokes’ journey as a cricketer from playing village level right through to pulling on an England shirt.
Fantastic to see his opinion on coaches, teammates and rivals in particular Andy Flower, Marlon Samuels and Joe Root. Thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in cricket.
Fantastic to see his opinion on coaches, teammates and rivals in particular Andy Flower, Marlon Samuels and Joe Root. Thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in cricket.
August 26, 2023
Interesting and enjoyable story of Ben Stokes’ early career. Ghost-written, but captures his authentic voice.
January 12, 2017
This was an interesting read, good insight into the player and teams and coaches that he has so far worked with. You are able to trace his development from raw talent through to the player today who is still developing into a reliable character that can be an ever present middle order batsman and strong bowler in the correct conditions.
December 16, 2024
Lovely read for any cricketing fan
Great in depth read about stokes early years and career up to 2017. Looking forward to the next book in November
Great in depth read about stokes early years and career up to 2017. Looking forward to the next book in November
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews