Over and Out: My Innings of a Lifetime with Test Match Special: Memories of Test Match Special from a broadcasting icon

by Henry Blofeld

Radio 4 Book of the Week, read over five installments from 4th December.

For over half a century, Henry Blofeld has conveyed his unfailing enthusiasm for the game of cricket as a much loved broadcaster and journalist. His characteristically patrician tones, overlaid with those of the bon viveur, have delighted listeners to the BBC's Test Match Special where the personality of the broadcaster comes second only to a deep knowledge of the game and its players. With his engaging conversational tone it is easy to see why listeners feel as if they are actually at the Test match watching in Henry's friendly company.

Now that 'Blowers' has decided to declare his TMS innings closed, his book reveals the secrets of life in the commentary box and of the rich cast of characters with whom he shared it, from the early days of John Arlott and Brian Johnson to Aggers and new boys Boycott, Swann, Vaughan and Tuffers. Henry is equally revealing of his own performances and self-deprecatingly recalls his several verbal misfortunes while live broadcasting.

Like the greatest commentators and writers on the game Blofeld has always understood that there is a world beyond the cricket field. Not forgetting pigeons passing, red buses and much loved cricket grounds, Henry Blofeld writes of his favorite countries, and experiences while traveling, and meeting and interviewing many cricket-loving celebrities. His passionate and entertaining book will become one of the classics of cricket's literature.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published October 19, 2017

Reviews

[Steven Heywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rambling, meandering, inconsequential and thoroughly entertaining read.

[Matt Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely account of the Career of Henry Blofeld in his own words. For so many years, the voice of TMS, the radio cricket programme for so long, and I'm hoping it continues for many years to come.
A humorous and fun look at the game of cricket, commentary, and some of the characters Henry has met over the years.
I really enjoyed this autobiography, fantastic

[Simon Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When summer is in full bloom, I do enjoy a dalliance with cricket. It is not just the game, but also the gathering of eccentricity that circles around it. Cricket is a towering bastion of the great characters, and radio's "Test Match Special" draws them like a moth to a bulb.
Henry Blofeld, beloved TMS commentator, is one such of these characters. In this book, he lovingly tells the tales of many others. My personal favourite was the cricketing Prince and trickster, the Nawab of Pataudi, who played 46 Test Matches for India, 41 as captain.
Blofeld brings him to life with gentleness, sympathy and, great humour, as he does with the many other characters he met on his travels. It is a lovely book and one that has the same grand feel of a Lord's Test Match.
You wouldn't necessarily need to be a cricket fan to enjoy this book, but it would certainly help. I found it to be well-written, warm, and funny. It even had me scurrying for the dictionary a couple of times! Very highly recommended.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rather think this book was written in a great hurry. It doesn't seem to have been edited at all. The narrative jumps all over the place and many pieces of information are repeated. Also it was not proof read. It contains many typos, mistakes and random capital letters appearing in the middle of sentences for no Apparent reason. That said, if you like Henry Blofeld, which I do, then it is enjoyable. It is basically a collection of anecdotes about him, his career, matches he has commentated on and stories that he has picked up along the way. Nothing deep, just an enjoyable overview of his career.

[Oliver Haggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slightly bumbling, rambler of a book (would we expect anything else?) that is as enjoyable a read as Blowers' legendary commentary was a listen. Like a massage for the soul in trying and uncertain times, the book conjured up tales of long-forgotten places, people, sights, and memories. A simpler time, yes, but what a lot of fun it was

[James Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

TMS will never be the same.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Henry gives us his insight to TMS. Interesting, enjoyable and occasionally humorous. If you enjoy test match cricket you will enjoy this book.

[Sam McLear · Rating 2 out of 5]

"White, Eton-educated Man gets lots of opportunities to do nice things". I enjoyed Blowers as a commentator but wish I'd not learned his history as he comes across as rather pretentious. Still though was some comedic elements and he paints his colleagues in a lovely way.

[David Portas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blowers comes across in this book as the humorous gentle man you would expect. But the book it a bit too much about details of cricket matches incl stats and not as many humorous tales as i thought so i have skipped the last 3rd. Sorry about that. 6/10

[Susan Grimshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

As enjoyable and entertaining as were his wonderful cricket commentaries, he will be greatly missed on TMS.

[Jeremy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and easy read, with lots of war stories about life at the microphone, some of which made me chuckle.

[Charlie Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The memoirs were a bit scatter-brained but there were some corkers in there. Thank you for your service, Blowers!

[Ivor Stimson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

You can hear blowers speaking with every word he has written. It brought back many of the memories of matches long forgotten.

[graham rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st Class read

A must read for any dedicated cricket/tms fan. Will bring back great memories for the the older readers like myself.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rambling, meandering, thoroughly entertaining read

[Dignan107 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, entertaining read from a TMS stalwart. His plumb tones echoed in my head throughout this easy to read bio. Began at home and finished reading with aplomb at Nuthurst Grange.

[Roger Hawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blowers was great on radio. Not so great as an author.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love listening to TMS and was quite sad when Blowers retired so this was a lovely trip down memory lane. I’m not old enough to remember some of the people he worked with so it was interesting to read about them too.

[Jim Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blowers is a very fortunate guy, he actually acknowledges this fact, having spent a lifetime doing a job he enjoys so much. I don't believe retirement will suit him, that
maybe is why he continues making cameo appearances. I am very much old school hence TMS remains my much preferred way of following the great game. Sadly for Henry he had the likes of Johnners and Arnot to follow and never quite made it but i suspect he had immense fun trying.

[John Grinstead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, and whilst there’s plenty of jolly anecdotes and TMS revelations, this contribution from the great Blowers comes up a little short. It smacks of trying to get something out in a hurry and, as such, doesn’t really hang together, lacks coherence and bounces about in time and space. Disappointing.

[Paulisbored · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Blowers and was really excited to read this but ultimately found it disappointing. Whilst there is the odd gem, it largely consists of rambling anecdotes - often without a punchline - that mainly seem to fall into the category of ‘perhaps you had to be there.’