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On Fire: My Story of England's Summer to Remember
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR SPORTS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.
BEN STOKES: WINNER OF THE 2019 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
'He is the Special One, and I intend to call him that for the rest of his career' Sir Ian Botham, Daily Telegraph
' There are not enough superlatives to describe Ben Stokes' Nasser Hussain, Daily Mail
'The undisputed hero of English cricket' The Times
Early evening on Sunday 14th July 2019. Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Something unprecedented had just happened: England had won the Cricket World Cup for the very first time since the tournament's inception in 1975. At the epicentre of England's historic triumph was Ben Stokes , the talismanic all-rounder with an insatiable appetite for The Big Occasion. He contributed a critical 84 runs off 98 balls when England batted, a seemingly nerveless innings of discipline and maturity. Thrillingly, it was enough to tie the scores at 241 runs each, so the match reverted to a Super Over - just six balls for each side to bat in the ultimate in sporting sudden-death. Stokes and Jos Buttler saw England to 15 runs off their over. When it was finally confirmed that Martin Guptill had been run out off the very last ball of New Zealand's Super Over with the scores level once again, England had astonishingly won on the boundary count-back, and the nation could finally breathe again.
Early evening on Sunday 25th August 2019. A sun-drenched Headingley in Leeds. Having been bowled out for just 67 earlier in the Third Test, England were facing the prospect of failing to regain the Ashes . In their second innings England were still 73 runs short of victory with a solitary wicket remaining. Australia were near certainties to retain the Ashes there and then. Cue one of the most amazing innings ever witnessed as Ben Stokes thrashed the Australian bowlers to all corners of the ground, in the process scoring 135 not out, driving England to a barely-believable one-wicket victory, and keeping the series very much alive. The nation took another breath.
On Fire is Ben Stokes' brand new book, and in it he tells the story of England's electrifying first ever Cricket World Cup triumph, as well as this summer's momentous Ashes Test series. It is the ultimate insider's account of the most nerve-shredding but riveting three-and-a-half months in English cricket history.
SHORTLISTED FOR SPORTS AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.
BEN STOKES: WINNER OF THE 2019 BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
'He is the Special One, and I intend to call him that for the rest of his career' Sir Ian Botham, Daily Telegraph
' There are not enough superlatives to describe Ben Stokes' Nasser Hussain, Daily Mail
'The undisputed hero of English cricket' The Times
Early evening on Sunday 14th July 2019. Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Something unprecedented had just happened: England had won the Cricket World Cup for the very first time since the tournament's inception in 1975. At the epicentre of England's historic triumph was Ben Stokes , the talismanic all-rounder with an insatiable appetite for The Big Occasion. He contributed a critical 84 runs off 98 balls when England batted, a seemingly nerveless innings of discipline and maturity. Thrillingly, it was enough to tie the scores at 241 runs each, so the match reverted to a Super Over - just six balls for each side to bat in the ultimate in sporting sudden-death. Stokes and Jos Buttler saw England to 15 runs off their over. When it was finally confirmed that Martin Guptill had been run out off the very last ball of New Zealand's Super Over with the scores level once again, England had astonishingly won on the boundary count-back, and the nation could finally breathe again.
Early evening on Sunday 25th August 2019. A sun-drenched Headingley in Leeds. Having been bowled out for just 67 earlier in the Third Test, England were facing the prospect of failing to regain the Ashes . In their second innings England were still 73 runs short of victory with a solitary wicket remaining. Australia were near certainties to retain the Ashes there and then. Cue one of the most amazing innings ever witnessed as Ben Stokes thrashed the Australian bowlers to all corners of the ground, in the process scoring 135 not out, driving England to a barely-believable one-wicket victory, and keeping the series very much alive. The nation took another breath.
On Fire is Ben Stokes' brand new book, and in it he tells the story of England's electrifying first ever Cricket World Cup triumph, as well as this summer's momentous Ashes Test series. It is the ultimate insider's account of the most nerve-shredding but riveting three-and-a-half months in English cricket history.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2019
74 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 5, 2020
Wouldn't recommend if you don't like cricket.
Nice to read about how much of a bellend David Warner is, and that Steve Smith's wife gives him throw downs.
Nice to read about how much of a bellend David Warner is, and that Steve Smith's wife gives him throw downs.
March 9, 2020
At one point towards the end of this book, the writer (whoever that may really be), says that the intellectual standard of sledging (making derogatory comments to the opposition) on the cricket field is not particularly high. "After all, we're cricketers, not people who go around getting A*".
And that just about sums up this book - it's pretty standard, tabloid style ghost written fare - except this book was by/ about (see my comment above on the writer!) an individual who had one of the stand out cricket seasons of all time.
It does try to explain what was going through his mind as he accomplished his many remarkable feats over the course of the 2019 summer, but it never really gets there. On the one hand, you feel that it's being written for an audience which is probably more impressed by stardom than it would be by the mechanics of what goes on behind great sporting feats of derring do.
Did the authors miss a trick here? Or maybe it was me.
And that just about sums up this book - it's pretty standard, tabloid style ghost written fare - except this book was by/ about (see my comment above on the writer!) an individual who had one of the stand out cricket seasons of all time.
It does try to explain what was going through his mind as he accomplished his many remarkable feats over the course of the 2019 summer, but it never really gets there. On the one hand, you feel that it's being written for an audience which is probably more impressed by stardom than it would be by the mechanics of what goes on behind great sporting feats of derring do.
Did the authors miss a trick here? Or maybe it was me.
August 3, 2020
A cricketer who consistently produces magic. This book provides good insight into some of crickets finest moments in 2019. There a few moments though where Stokes hints at things going on that could be elaborated on. By hinting it leaves a feeling that he is holding back some of the more juicy moments. Nevertheless reading about his experiences of those days at Lord's and at Headingley provides a new perspective on some memorable moments.
September 11, 2021
Though i find it quite odd that cricketers who are currently playing pen their autobiographies , i quite enjoyed this book by Ben Stokes. It provides an insider's account into the dream summer the Englishmen had in 2019, wherein they won an enthralling WC at home and then drew the Ashes with arch rivals Australia.
February 22, 2024
Granted, I haven't read a lot of biographies. But the number of "I"s in this book is staggering! Every so often you encounter a paragraph that's riddled with "I"s and that's disturbing even for an auto-biography. The over-the-top humility of Ben Stokes is also annoying. Now and then, he feels it necessary to put out there "Hey, I was amazing. But remember this is a team sport. I was there at the end, but 'we' won the world cup".
And at times, he hints at the problems he's created. It seems that people were bothered by his drunken behaviour. He keeps making excuses (I was on my second beer, the lady was pushing through the queue, etc.) but rarely tells us what exactly happened. Found that funny!
And at times, he hints at the problems he's created. It seems that people were bothered by his drunken behaviour. He keeps making excuses (I was on my second beer, the lady was pushing through the queue, etc.) but rarely tells us what exactly happened. Found that funny!
March 29, 2020
Post Headingley, there was a famous tweet that was going around online which said,
'If a cricketer is lucky, such a moment comes once in a lifetime, Stokes just had two of them in two months.'
Since I witnessed both these moments live, I was naturally curious to know more about what his thought process was before and after the event. The book is just that - those two moments. I found the 200 odd pages on either side building to those moments as a drag.
Reading this, both my respect for Kane Williamson and my disregard for David Warner grew.
If you are a 'purist' and want to know how one of the best all-rounders of cricket today thinks, you can give it a shot.
'If a cricketer is lucky, such a moment comes once in a lifetime, Stokes just had two of them in two months.'
Since I witnessed both these moments live, I was naturally curious to know more about what his thought process was before and after the event. The book is just that - those two moments. I found the 200 odd pages on either side building to those moments as a drag.
Reading this, both my respect for Kane Williamson and my disregard for David Warner grew.
If you are a 'purist' and want to know how one of the best all-rounders of cricket today thinks, you can give it a shot.
June 15, 2023
Really enjoyed this book, if I could have read it all in one sitting I easily would have. Couldn’t put the book down, brought back many memories of watching England playing unbelievable cricket in 2019 and was great to hear it from one of the top performers of the years own words.
January 14, 2020
Reading my way through the Christmas presents continues. English Cricket has thrown up three great summers in my lifetime, 1981, 2005 and now 2019 and there is always a talismanic all rounder who is a little bit whoo and a little but wheey at the centre of the action. This is Ben Stokes' story of the summer of 2019 and it is just the cricket as the ultimate 'context cricketer' spares us the snaps of him as toddler, his school days and the seasons in Durham's Second XI. Roll on the start of the 2020 season and I cannot wait for Jimmy Neesham's book about 2019.
December 27, 2019
I love cricket and I am a great admirer of Ben Stokes the cricketer.
I've read loads of sporting memoirs over the years and this is one of the least engaging.
Stick to cricket Ben.
I've read loads of sporting memoirs over the years and this is one of the least engaging.
Stick to cricket Ben.
June 16, 2020
As I write this I am currently ploughing through Simon Wilde's excellent, if somewhat heavy going,
England: The Biography: The Story of English Cricket
and, in the absence of any live games, am reliant on BBC 5 Live's replays of great matches past. It was against this sporting drouth, and desiring a break from an analysis of WG Grace's batting technique, that I was tempted by Ben Stokes On Fire which was lingering among the Mills and Boons in the book section of my local Asda.
The book is the story of Stokes' two career defining innings in the summer of 2019, the first in the world cup final, the second at Headingley some 42 days later. There is some stuff about other matches but that is mostly structure and padding.
This book is just nice. There is not a whole in the way of analysis, nor is there that much in the line of revelation (Except that Marnus Labuschagne really dislikes being called Marnus Lambshank, something Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2020 neglected to mention in their essay on him). This is really just the story of a bloke playing cricket and having a good time. And frankly, that is what I wanted and, in a cricketless summer like this one, what I needed.
The book is the story of Stokes' two career defining innings in the summer of 2019, the first in the world cup final, the second at Headingley some 42 days later. There is some stuff about other matches but that is mostly structure and padding.
This book is just nice. There is not a whole in the way of analysis, nor is there that much in the line of revelation (Except that Marnus Labuschagne really dislikes being called Marnus Lambshank, something Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2020 neglected to mention in their essay on him). This is really just the story of a bloke playing cricket and having a good time. And frankly, that is what I wanted and, in a cricketless summer like this one, what I needed.
September 4, 2020
Ben Stokes recalls the remarkable summer of cricket in 2019 with the World Cup which England won and the Ashes test series which England drew. He recounts his thoughts before and after each game and some of the matches contain interesting information. In the case of the World Cup there is a lot of information on the build up and early matches. It is particularly good on the astonishing world cup final on 14 July 2019 and on his incredible innings at the Headingly test match on 22-26 August 2019. It is not clear however how much of this was actually written by Stokes and how much by his ghost writer. The description of the matches in general does not have a continuous narrative and you do not get the operatic sense of tense and dramatic play unfolding. Rather, it is as if you are one those remote control cameras that swoop in and out occasionally catching glimpses of what is happening. The addition of the full scorecard for each match in which Stokes played is possibly the highlight.
August 17, 2020
Won't count as a biography but definitely captures the mood and the swinging emotions of the 2019 summer that the England cricket team enjoyed.
A real good insight is that it shows how normal Stokesy is, in his thought process and how human he is, despite the super-human achievements last year.
The best part however, is that Stokesy hasn't held anything back when it comes to criticism about those who deserve it. For example, his spray on the ridiculous excuse about the boundary sizes at Edgbaston after the WC defeat, coupled with the obscurity surrounding the test championship points system that seemingly has benefited India now, show that he won't back down and play nice to bag an IPL contract now, or in the future.
I finished the book in 2 days flat and expect to read a lot more of Stokes' accomplishments in the coming years.
A real good insight is that it shows how normal Stokesy is, in his thought process and how human he is, despite the super-human achievements last year.
The best part however, is that Stokesy hasn't held anything back when it comes to criticism about those who deserve it. For example, his spray on the ridiculous excuse about the boundary sizes at Edgbaston after the WC defeat, coupled with the obscurity surrounding the test championship points system that seemingly has benefited India now, show that he won't back down and play nice to bag an IPL contract now, or in the future.
I finished the book in 2 days flat and expect to read a lot more of Stokes' accomplishments in the coming years.
June 22, 2021
There are some insights here, amid the narrative details that all English cricket fans will always have an appetite for. Not deep insights, but they contribute something to the picture of a modern sporting hero. In reality the book is determined by two chapters, about the World Cup Final and THAT Ashes match. And in the latter case, it's really about Stokes and Leach. It's interesting to read again, from Stokes's point of view, but I suspect he 'wrote' it after watching the full length video on YouTube. Which is one thing I'll never tire of watching. Also will never tire of reading about Labuschagne hating being called Lambshank, nor about Aussie sledgers getting their comeuppance! I suspect the author knew his market very well.
February 6, 2022
although it provides a very brief account on Bristol incident, mainly on how the English Summer went on. Starting from Single Test match against Ireland , then the Author takes through World Cup journey and Ashes. I almost relived the Dramatic final I have ever witnessed in CWC , with the exact emotions I have experienced when I witnessed how things were unfolded on that day. Story of Ashes were even more awesome especially The Headingly Heroics and the morale to win the last test at any cost to draw the series even Australia has already retained the Trophy. The way he put the thoughts into words are truly amazing. Such a good read for the cricket lovers.
October 29, 2024
It's no mean feat to have turned one of the greatest sporting seasons in recent history into something this boring. Jesus Christ. If you are already a cricket fan/know what happened in 2019 then for god's sake don't buy this book.
Whole pages contain the same paragraph rehashed three or four times, or are given over to how much Stokes is deadlifting. Almost nothing in there of any substance.
It gets two stars for the following two reasons:
Foreshadowing of the current "Bazball" era is darkly comic
Stokes deserves some plaudits for having achieved this without a ghostwriter. There is no way a professional wordsmith created this.
Whole pages contain the same paragraph rehashed three or four times, or are given over to how much Stokes is deadlifting. Almost nothing in there of any substance.
It gets two stars for the following two reasons:
Foreshadowing of the current "Bazball" era is darkly comic
Stokes deserves some plaudits for having achieved this without a ghostwriter. There is no way a professional wordsmith created this.
July 10, 2020
Ben Stokes relives the remarkable 2019 summer in a "match report" format . He remained the last man standing in two matches for the ages - the World Cup final ( which England won but New Zealand did not lose) and the Headingley one wicket win ( which reiterated that Test Cricket ,despite being on a ventilator for long, is capable of showing some glorious signs of life). The account is politically correct and steers clear of controversy thus underlining his aspirations for England captaincy in the near future. A book which becomes readable simply because of the events described.
January 12, 2022
I enjoyed this book very much. Even though I watched the 2019 World Cup final and knew the outcome having seen the replays so many times, I still found myself almost on the edge of my seat as Ben recounted the whole thing from his point of view.
For both the final and his wonderful innings at Headingly for the Ashes, it was great to get his perspective on the events as they happened and I even found myself getting emotional all over again, especially for the winning victory for the final at Lords.
For both the final and his wonderful innings at Headingly for the Ashes, it was great to get his perspective on the events as they happened and I even found myself getting emotional all over again, especially for the winning victory for the final at Lords.
April 15, 2020
Although there were one or two small insights, Ben Stokes is clearly far better at playing cricket than describing it (even via a ghost writer). On top of that, he's clearly loyal to all his team mates and quite rightly isn't going to talk about anything not already in the public domain.
Having said that, the events he's describing are so memorable for an English cricket fan, it's hard not to enjoy any account of them.
Having said that, the events he's describing are so memorable for an English cricket fan, it's hard not to enjoy any account of them.
October 28, 2021
Fundamentally this book is riding off the back of two monumental moments in English cricket from the same summer…and rightly so in my opinion.
It was class reading what Ben had to say about those moments, but other than that it was pretty ordinary.
An autobiography of sorts I guess but as mentioned this was purely based on the World Cup and the Ashes series from 2019.
Worth a read if you like cricket!
It was class reading what Ben had to say about those moments, but other than that it was pretty ordinary.
An autobiography of sorts I guess but as mentioned this was purely based on the World Cup and the Ashes series from 2019.
Worth a read if you like cricket!
April 13, 2020
An enjoyable recounting of a great summer of cricket. Quite a bit of technique and cricketing terminology at times. I certainly didn't mind this as I am very familiar with these terms after years of loving the game. Stokes never comes over as arrogant in his self appraisal,which is a relief as,after the year he had,he could easily have gone on an ego trip. Good book.
December 2, 2022
This is a fantastic and compelling read in the voice of Stokes, particularly the rollercoaster ride of the One Day World Cup. The second half about the Ashes is less compelling (probably due to not winning) but I loved the ball by ball from one half of the heroes of Headingley. At times, Stokes digresses into a rant at the media etc but aside from that, a great nostalgic read
March 12, 2023
An interesting read if you're interested about the psychology of greatness. I was thoroughly impressed with how well the summer was documented and how Stokes gave his perspective and despite this book being about his achievements he does a great job painting the picture that it's not just his success but the entire teams.
July 7, 2023
I suspect Ben Stokes did not actually write this which could be a good thing for Ben because its rubbish. Very little insight and mostly retelling of games that any cricket fan will already be familiar with. 'Written' for the potential income I think which Ben may need given the current state of the 2023 Ashes series.
February 7, 2024
Reading the World Cup Final and Headingly second innings extracts was unbelievable, 5*. takes you right back into the thick of it.
But, I am a casual cricket fan, and there's some in depth cricket information in there I really struggled to keep up with.
I really think this is a book for the hardcore cricket fan, not a bandwagoner, like myself!
But, I am a casual cricket fan, and there's some in depth cricket information in there I really struggled to keep up with.
I really think this is a book for the hardcore cricket fan, not a bandwagoner, like myself!
June 19, 2020
Fun and a quick read for a cricket fan
Good account of Ben Stokes sharing his most successful year yet. Liked the honesty and a peak inside the team culture as England won the cricket world cup and draw the Ashes series in 2019 - albeit the urn stays with Aussies.
Good account of Ben Stokes sharing his most successful year yet. Liked the honesty and a peak inside the team culture as England won the cricket world cup and draw the Ashes series in 2019 - albeit the urn stays with Aussies.
January 17, 2021
Nice to revisit what was an incredible summer of cricket for England & an extraordinary one Ben Stokes. Beyond the match report style of the book, it isn’t the most interesting. Certainly get the impression the author was skirting around saying anything controversial.
May 30, 2021
Nice read for a cricket fan
It was indeed the English summer of 2019! Reading it from the perspective of the best current allrounder tells you how this sport can be of tiny margins.
It was indeed the English summer of 2019! Reading it from the perspective of the best current allrounder tells you how this sport can be of tiny margins.
July 24, 2021
Best thing about this book is that it have complete scorecard attached of the match that is being talked about.
Summer of '19 was a magical one for sure and this book indeed gave me a chance to relive that with same excitement and ecstacy.
Summer of '19 was a magical one for sure and this book indeed gave me a chance to relive that with same excitement and ecstacy.
October 10, 2021
A good collections of memoirs. What I mean is it's like a diary of a cricketer. Not particularly well written, but then again, this book isn't meant to be literary magic. If you like cricket, try it out - you'll find it fun.
July 23, 2023
I don’t normally read biographies but as a cricket lover I felt I had to read this one. Very enjoyable it was too living again through Ben’s memories a great cricket year of 2019. This book is a must for all cricket and sport lovers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews