Brendon McCullum – Declared

by Greg McGee

Brendon McCullum is known as an explosive wicketkeeper, then batsman, who went on to captain the New Zealand cricket team to glory. The holder of many records, "Baz" is known for speaking his mind. He talks about growing up loving sport more than anything, getting better and better at cricket (although he was a good enough rugby player to keep Dan Carter out of the South Island Schoolboy rugby team), and his uncertain transition to international cricketer. In this explosive autobiography he opens up on the many controversies he has been involved in, including the Chris Cairns affair and the leadership change from Ross Taylor. He exposes behind-the scenes machinations as well as the private moments of exultation, tumult, and despair. One of New Zealand's and the worlds most admired cricketers, he is credited with changing the face of the game internationally.

Genres: Sports

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2016

About the author

Greg McGee is an award-winning New Zealand playwright, television screenwriter, novelist, and biographer.

A promising young rugby player, McGee became a Junior All Black and All Blacks trialist. He graduated from law school, then in 1980 his first play, Foreskin's Lament, debuted. Centred around rugby, this play became iconic in New Zealand and garnered McGee popular acclaim.

He is a successful screenwriter, writing based-on-true story dramatisations and mini-series based on the Erebus disaster and the infamous Lange Government, as well as contributing to several popular television shows (Marlin Bay, Street Legal, Orange Roughies). He also penned the screenplay for Old Scores, a rugby-based feature film.

As a novelist, McGee first wrote under the pseudonym Alix Bosco, winning the prestigious Ngaio Marsh Award for his debut, CUT & RUN. He also wrote All Blacks captain Richie McCaw's biography, one of the bestselling New Zealand books of recent years.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, brutally honest. Would have liked to have read more about his early years in the team.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like cricket, then McCullum’s autobiography may be just the read for you over the summer. As well as giving a wicket by wicket account of some of his more notable games, ‘Baz’ opens up on the many controversies he has been involved in, notably the Chris Cairns affair and the hugely stressful court case that resulted. A really enjoyable read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable for a Kiwi cricket fan, and probably for fans around the world too. The honest, conversational tone makes it feel as if you’re sitting down over a drink with McCullum. It helps that many of the feats he refers to are still fresh in the mind, and that the spirit in which his Black Caps played the game is still present.

There’s a lot of angst and distress about th Cairns trial which is weaved through most of the the chapters, which is a great way to demonstrate how long and low that cloud hung over him.

Read if you’re a Kiwi cricket fan, or someone who has marveled at the way McCullum plays the game.

My biggest takeaway though? He has such a crush on Kane Williamson. Same, Brendon. Same.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Brendon McCullum so was excited to read this, it was good but nothing spectacular, very interesting to get an understanding of the politics off the field and a lot of the impacts of captaincy spoken about in the book made sense to what had been witnessed on the field.

I'm glad i read it, i just found it lacked in parts

[Sagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that takes you through Brendon Mccullum's childhood - being part of cricket - controversies with captaincy and match-fixing - decisions he took on & off the field - records he broke - memorable wins & losses, till saying goodbye to International Cricket.

[Sumit Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gd

[Rob Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant read, one of the best autobiographies I've ever read!

[Tadhg O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that Brendon McCullum is a sensational person and a role model for future generations, you can tell this is the case right from the beginning of the book when Greg McGee says “To light up cricket stadiums around the world; a battler who set standards and created signposts for others to follow.” This quote exemplifies how Brendon lives his life and I think that is how you should do it. Right from the get-go this makes us understand what kind of person Brendon is. The Message of him being a role model is important because in the book Brendon shows this repeatedly, His reading and analysis of the game, combined with his tactics in the field and with the ball, have earned applause for changing the way the game is played. Still, people will find a way to twist what you have done and make it bad. Even though this is a biography and it is in the real world, something people can take away from this book is that to be a role model sometimes people are going to doubt you and think that you are doing the wrong thing however, you should continue doing what you think is right.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGee and McCullum truly declared the innermost working of one of NZ's most loved summer games. An inspiring leader with clear vision who was perhaps too visionary for the more conservative stalwarts of the institutionalised game. Direction was certainly what this team was lacking prior to McCullum. Having grown up myself watching the Fleming, Astle, Germon generation I am pleased to see my cricket mad, almost 13 year old wicketkeeper son aspire to be like McCullum. The only rough edge that needs polishing is laying off the durries.

[Ashley Lamont · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really miss this guy in the Black Caps - the feeling that something great could happen at any time, his attacking attitude, his refusal to let a ball get to the boundary (i.e. throwing himself into the hoardings regardless of his back issues !!), the 300 (a surreal moment). But all career's end and his was a great one.

[Chris Jamieson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda interesting but the recollection and framing of the Taylor captaincy saga seems questionable

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt that the way he plays cricket was accentuated by the way this book was written. Honest, humble and unforgiving. Some may critique how the book merely skims the surface but it is not to be missed by fans of the blackcaps/cricket followers around the world.