My Sporting Life

by Michael Parkinson

'A lovely kind of nostalgia, which colourises the black and white of yesteryear' - The Oldie Review

' He writes about them all with wonderful precision and a powerful evocation' - Radio Times

'Like my father before me, I believe that both the playing and watching of sport can teach us important lessons about ourselves by providing practical instruction in co-operation, tests of resolve and temper'

For Michael Parkinson it was never really in doubt that he would spend his life in sport. His father, a fearsome fast bowler himself, indoctrinated young Michael from an early age into the Yorkshire cricket tradition and supporting Barnsley FC. All he ever wanted was to play cricket for Yorkshire and England.

He rose through the ranks of Barnsley cricket along with his friends Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott. But while they went on to find fame on the field, he spent the next few decades watching, writing and talking about sport.

My Sporting Life is Sir Michael's love letter to sport, to the heroes and legends of his Yorkshire youth, to the characters of the international games he watched and wrote about, and to the very idea of sport itself. With warm humorous anecdotes about many icons of sport, from Shane Warne to George Best and Muhammad Ali to Fred Trueman, Sir Michael Parkinson reflects on his life writing about his one great passion.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2023

About the author

Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born 28 March 1935) was an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his chat show, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007. He has been described by The Guardian as "the great British talkshow host".

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Parkinson has a star quality and as such a following of devoted fans and this book is aimed at that market. I might add that I am probably a member of that fan club as Parkinson is a superb TV interviewer and an excellent journalist. This book is mainly made of past articles that he wrote for the various newspapers he has written for over the years as well as anecdotes of growing up in Barnsley and his aspirations as a cricketor and his overall opinions on sporting giants of cricket and soccer. Judging by his TV ratings over the years this book is also going to secure solid sales.

[Andy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely brilliant book, proves once again that the late, great Michael Parkinson was an excellent and insightful writer on sport, what it means and the unbridled joy it brings to millions. Parky’s descriptions in this book of sporting memories of yesteryear and some more modern and terrific reads. The humanity of the man shines through as does his long held (and totally correct) believe that sport is political and you can never take politics out of sport. In many ways, the book is a love letter to sport, especially cricket and football and it reminds us that above all sport matters and not only because of what happens on the field of play. Thanks for the memories Parky!

[Alexander Bancroft · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journalist who I respect enormously for his outlook on life and connection with sports. The book had a strong focus on Yorkshire cricket as was his passion, but hard to relate to and did not pique my interest. Some great anecdotes and stories perspective littered throughout but a hard read due the county cricket focus

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parky has always been an ultra reliable read Here he pokes gentle fun at fellow Tyke legends, Boycott and Bird. In amongst the laughs, however, is a genuine fear that his (and my) sort of ccricket is in danger in an age of dwindling support from state schools, the marginalisation of the 3 day game, the one dimensional nature of the big money shorter format franchises and the sneering disdain for the noble values that the game of cricket promulgates

[Dave B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing book. It is entirely about cricket. With numerous extracts from previous articles he has written. Gave up on it after 150 pages.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book - well written but including some of his articles and excerpts from his time as a sports journalist

[Stephen Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and sage

[Michael Nield Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has avoided talking about how people get their need through the internet and how that changes how they engage with leisure. Also how it isolates people they are more mobile but less integrated with the community