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To the Point: The No-Holds-Barred Autobiography
There's something about Herschelle Gibbs - a certain quality that has endeared him to cricket fans in South Africa and around the world. Despite the frustrating on-field inconsistencies of this towering talent, and the messy and very public off-field personal troubles that have tracked him through the years, Herschelle remains one of South African cricket's best-loved sons. In his own, very frank, words, Herschelle Gibbs chronicles the ups and downs of his personal and professional life, and describes what it's been like to be part of the Proteas set-up for the past fourteen years, through the controversies of its various captains, coaches and administrators. "To the Point" is, of course, a spicy story of excess - women, alcohol, money...and plenty of runs - but underlying it all is a warm and generous man who wears his heart on his sleeve.
236 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2010
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284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 16, 2014
Being an avid sports fan, with a huge love of cricket, I was very excited when I saw that Herschelle Gibbs was going to be releasing his own book. He has long been the subject of many conversations in the cricketing world for his antics on and off the field. I think that this book was amazing. It was well written and very informative. A lot of people judge him for this book and say that he should not have mentioned so many things or he should have kept his mouth shut but he just wrote about the facts. The things that he wrote about in the book did happen. He wasn't making things up to get books sold, he was telling the truth. I think that a lot of people didn't like this because they knew this. If you have something to hide or something that you don't want people to know about, it would make sense that you would be angry when someone wrote about them. Herschelle Gibbs was one of the best cricketers that South Africa had and this book, while also commenting on non cricket related things, reminds us of his amazing achievements and contributions to cricket as a whole.
November 20, 2021
Hersch is a fuckboi but he's honest about it. He doesn't pretend to be deep or mature, and he wears his alcoholism and philandering on his sleeve. He doesn't ask for forgiveness, or try to mitigate the damage he did to his career and others.
November 3, 2024
As a cricket fan, I was always intrigued by the high quality of world-class players South Africa produced over the years. Gibbs is definitely one of those players. He played cricket for South Africa for fourteen years (1996 to 2010). He was the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in an international ODI game and has scored over a 1000 runs in 23 world cup games (one of the highest). He was also an excellent fielder and has effected the eighth highest number of run-outs in the one day game. He played 90 tests and 248 one day internationals. He scored 6,167 test runs and 8, 094 one day runs for South Africa. This is his background as a cricketer.
However in this book, he gives us an understanding of his life beyond the field. I was quite surprised by the number of chapters about the game in this book like Chapter 7 (The big games), Chapter 8 (My teammates), Chapter 9 (My top 10ish players), and Chapter 10 (The Proteas and me). In the other chapters, he talks about his family, his problems with alcohol, his marriage, his relationship with his son, and his journey as a student. It is quite honest and Steve Smith does an excellent job to bring Gibbs and his whole personality into this book as the co-author of the book. South Africa has a reputation to perform badly in crunch situations at the World Cup. You will understand how one of the core players in three South African World Cup campaigns (1999, 2003, 2007) felt about that in this book. You also get a glimpse into the psychology of an international cricketer in terms of their reaction to team culture, ego clashes, personal insecurities and the role of self-confidence behind every performance at the international level. Read this book if you want a first-hand perspective of the inner workings of a world-class international cricket team between 1996 to 2010.
However in this book, he gives us an understanding of his life beyond the field. I was quite surprised by the number of chapters about the game in this book like Chapter 7 (The big games), Chapter 8 (My teammates), Chapter 9 (My top 10ish players), and Chapter 10 (The Proteas and me). In the other chapters, he talks about his family, his problems with alcohol, his marriage, his relationship with his son, and his journey as a student. It is quite honest and Steve Smith does an excellent job to bring Gibbs and his whole personality into this book as the co-author of the book. South Africa has a reputation to perform badly in crunch situations at the World Cup. You will understand how one of the core players in three South African World Cup campaigns (1999, 2003, 2007) felt about that in this book. You also get a glimpse into the psychology of an international cricketer in terms of their reaction to team culture, ego clashes, personal insecurities and the role of self-confidence behind every performance at the international level. Read this book if you want a first-hand perspective of the inner workings of a world-class international cricket team between 1996 to 2010.
January 15, 2024
"To the Point: The No-Holds-Barred Autobiography" by Herschelle Gibbs presents a candid account of the cricketer's life, but the overall tone and content may leave some readers with mixed feelings.
On the positive side, Gibbs' autobiography offers a frank and unfiltered look into his experiences, providing insights into the world of professional cricket and the challenges faced by athletes. The narrative style is straightforward, and Gibbs does not shy away from addressing controversial incidents, making the book an engaging read for cricket enthusiasts curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics.
However, the book's strengths are overshadowed by several notable drawbacks. Gibbs' writing lacks the finesse seen in other sports autobiographies, making the prose less captivating than expected. The storytelling can feel disjointed at times, with abrupt shifts that may leave readers struggling to follow the chronological progression of events.
Moreover, some critics argue that the autobiography places too much emphasis on controversies and personal conflicts, potentially overshadowing the broader narrative of Gibbs' cricketing career. The lack of a more balanced exploration of both triumphs and tribulations may leave readers wanting a more nuanced and reflective account.
In summary, "To the Point" offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Herschelle Gibbs' life, providing cricket enthusiasts with behind-the-scenes stories. However, the book's shortcomings in writing style, narrative flow, and a potential overemphasis on controversies may detract from its overall appeal, making it a less satisfying read for those expecting a more polished sports autobiography.
On the positive side, Gibbs' autobiography offers a frank and unfiltered look into his experiences, providing insights into the world of professional cricket and the challenges faced by athletes. The narrative style is straightforward, and Gibbs does not shy away from addressing controversial incidents, making the book an engaging read for cricket enthusiasts curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics.
However, the book's strengths are overshadowed by several notable drawbacks. Gibbs' writing lacks the finesse seen in other sports autobiographies, making the prose less captivating than expected. The storytelling can feel disjointed at times, with abrupt shifts that may leave readers struggling to follow the chronological progression of events.
Moreover, some critics argue that the autobiography places too much emphasis on controversies and personal conflicts, potentially overshadowing the broader narrative of Gibbs' cricketing career. The lack of a more balanced exploration of both triumphs and tribulations may leave readers wanting a more nuanced and reflective account.
In summary, "To the Point" offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Herschelle Gibbs' life, providing cricket enthusiasts with behind-the-scenes stories. However, the book's shortcomings in writing style, narrative flow, and a potential overemphasis on controversies may detract from its overall appeal, making it a less satisfying read for those expecting a more polished sports autobiography.
March 4, 2021
Proper trashy. Look he was amongst the most talented players of the game in his time but this is just a book boasting about how much money he made, how much drugs he took and how many hot chicks he f****d. Doesn't seem like much between those ears but who am I to judge :)
March 31, 2022
Interesting to get a behind the scenes view, as I've always admired Gibbs as a cricketer. I didn't love what I saw behind the scenes. But he's very honest about his shortcomings, which makes it a good autobiography in terms of reflecting the man accurately.
August 31, 2017
Honest and like the title - to the point
March 19, 2020
I’m interested
November 1, 2020
Gibbs enjoyed alcohol and women, played a bit of cricket. He liked pretty much everybody except Darryl Cullinan
April 9, 2023
A very candid, if entertaining story by the bad boy of Cricket SA.
February 4, 2015
This was actually a decent book. I had followed the fortunes of the South African cricket team since they came back into international cricket and I was sickened by the match fixing linked to the team. I was angry at the players like Gibbs who had brought shame to the nation.
This book is well named. No Holds Barred. Gibbs tells his story honestly and you can see that he would have been an easy target. He talks frankly about the string of women he attracted when he got into the South African team, the excess drinking, the fact that he let the publicity and admiration go to his head. He talks about the lure of easy money dragging him into the match fixing scandal-getting paid to lose a game in a series that was already finished as a contest? Sure, why not? It meant greater financial security for his family.
I finally understood that he wasn't a bad guy. He was a young man confronted with more money than he had seen in his life and a celebrity lifestyle, the chance to raise his family financially, the chance to live the dream-but with no sense of how to cope with all the attention and the massive changes to his life. I liked his brutal honesty, accepting responsibility for his actions and showing the good and bad sides to his life. It was quite refreshing! Perhaps if he had received more guidance, he could have avoided a lot of the trouble he found himself in.
This book is well named. No Holds Barred. Gibbs tells his story honestly and you can see that he would have been an easy target. He talks frankly about the string of women he attracted when he got into the South African team, the excess drinking, the fact that he let the publicity and admiration go to his head. He talks about the lure of easy money dragging him into the match fixing scandal-getting paid to lose a game in a series that was already finished as a contest? Sure, why not? It meant greater financial security for his family.
I finally understood that he wasn't a bad guy. He was a young man confronted with more money than he had seen in his life and a celebrity lifestyle, the chance to raise his family financially, the chance to live the dream-but with no sense of how to cope with all the attention and the massive changes to his life. I liked his brutal honesty, accepting responsibility for his actions and showing the good and bad sides to his life. It was quite refreshing! Perhaps if he had received more guidance, he could have avoided a lot of the trouble he found himself in.
February 1, 2013
This was truly to the point and more controversial than Shoaib Akhtar's Controversially Yours. But the controversies were surrounded around Gibbs and there was no blames, all confessions and his story. I believe it's really an honest admission, and importantly it is written very well, unlike Shoaib's book. He doesn't pretend to be a saint nor does he has any excuses. It's an entertaining journey of one of the most entertaining cricketers..
Luckily this book wasn't released widely in India, or else he could have been crucified for not mentioning Sachin's name in the Top 11 cricketers he played with... And also could have certainly misinterpreted the hairline comparison of his 175 at Jo'burg with Sachin's 200 at Gwalior.
All in all, I enjoyed reading it.. I believe we do need different flavours, which all add to the taste.
Luckily this book wasn't released widely in India, or else he could have been crucified for not mentioning Sachin's name in the Top 11 cricketers he played with... And also could have certainly misinterpreted the hairline comparison of his 175 at Jo'burg with Sachin's 200 at Gwalior.
All in all, I enjoyed reading it.. I believe we do need different flavours, which all add to the taste.
September 17, 2015
The book seems pretty honest. Although we accept that Herschelle Herman Gibbs had his temptations like women, booze n grass, he was and is a great entertainer ( remember 438 match, mind blowing catches but not to "dropped the World Cup" off Steve Waugh, 6 sixes off 6 balls off poor Dan van Bunge (ahhh... Tilak Raj, Malcolm Nash & Stuart Broad too) and the effortful ( opposite of effortless) hundred against India in ICC Champions Trophy 2002 Semi-Final.) Although I felt that the book is becoming more like a Memoir of a Megalomaniac cricketer, Gibbs is honest and knows about his natural talents and above average statistics. A must read for a cricket believer. Cheers!
December 30, 2011
Herschell did a rather honest account of what SA scrucket is about! I do believe that he couldn't disclose more than he could in this book. It was interesting to read what happens behind the scenes, what he and his pals got up to and of course, the hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal! What stood out was herschell's dedication to the sport from such a young age! I am sure that most sportsmen have similar stories! The manner in which the book was written -it felt like he was talking to you. A good holiday read!
May 8, 2011
A horrendous waste of paper. Gibbs deserves so much better than this really horrible, repetitive waste of paper. Gibbs is an interesting guy with a lot of stories to tell but the presentation of these stories leaves a lot to be desired. The book is boring. The stories repeated over and over and the language poor and not engaging at all. I hope the author makes less of a mess of Sarel van der Merwe's book.
November 10, 2013
I liked this book because I love cricket and I love Herschelle's style of playing cricket. It fell short because it did not cover the socio-politico aspects in which cricket is played in South Africa
It was candid, and exposes what goes on behind the scenes,perhaps it could have gone much further.
I liked the fluid writing style though .. I would expect more from a black cricket player .. especially at the time that he was playing cricket
It was candid, and exposes what goes on behind the scenes,perhaps it could have gone much further.
I liked the fluid writing style though .. I would expect more from a black cricket player .. especially at the time that he was playing cricket
January 22, 2011
Excellent book. No holds barred. Anyone who is a cricket fan should read this book. I found myself reading this book and thinking that I was right about what was happening behind the scenes with the cricketers and the administration. And it brought to light that there are some serious changes needed in SA cricket.
August 29, 2011
You'll really like it if you into cricket and admire Gibbs's abilities on the field.
Not the best written book, but its written as if Gibbs was talking, so makes even more personal, but could be slightly off putting to some.
Not the best written book, but its written as if Gibbs was talking, so makes even more personal, but could be slightly off putting to some.
December 8, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Nice and easy to read and full of chuckles.
July 15, 2011
I found this book to be a lot more honest than normal sports biographies. I quite liked Gibbs's sense of humour.
July 25, 2011
No great shakes. Gibbs is candid about his public and private life but as a cricketer he achieved little to make it a great sports auto biography.
June 6, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is truly a no holds barred autobiography. If you enjoy the game of cricket this book is a must read.
Read
May 9, 2014need to read King Kallis or Graeme Smith.
June 3, 2014
What a likeable chap! You can't help but love this guy. Full of interesting stories and all the gossip you'd expect from a no holds barred book. Would recommend to all genuine sports fans
July 7, 2014
An awful book from a child of a man. Avoid.
January 2, 2015
The writing wasn't brilliant. But I enjoyed the stories
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews