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Anything But... An Autobiography
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 11, 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.
March 20, 2011
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