Author:Lawrence Booth
What's the difference between short leg and deep midwicket? When would you be thinking about bowling a yorker? What's so great about the sound of leather on willow? Cricket’s vocabulary is a mixture of jargon and cliché, poetry and prose, misty-eyed romanticism and old-gits’ cynicism. Arm-ball to Zooter is a witty guide to the peculiarities of the game, its history and major figures; cricket-lovers might find their own pet hates confirmed; cricket newcomers might be amazed at what cricket-lovers have been up to all these years.
Fascinating . . . reveals the story of the club's darker side
—— Shoot MonthlyEssential reading for all true Arsenal fans
—— Highbury HighA detailed, thought-provoking and informative study
—— Programme MonthlyCompelling, beautifully written . . . There could not have been a better writer qualified to tell it
—— Ed Douglas , ClimberA kind of modern tragedy . . . Yet for all his failings, Whillans remains a legend
—— ObserverCreated an enduring, breathtaking legend
—— The Glasgow HeraldHis book is not only the day to day battle with the boredom of training, finding the courage to go one step beyond and an utter dedication to a dream, it is also a tribute to the strength that can be found within a loving family
—— Sunday ExpressTrower has the perfect pitch for a sentence that illuminates an entire culture
—— Financial TimesHis dedication to finding a spiritual dimension to a lost art is hard to fault
—— WanderlustNotable for its honesty. The Liverpool defender's published opinion that he is happier retired from international football prompted a media frenzy
—— Martin Pengelly , GuardianOne of the few current footballers worth an autobiography
—— Jonathan Ruppin , BooksellerAmid the basketful of bland post-World Cup books, McGrath's life story stands out a mile... Fascinating reading.
—— Evening StandardThe Republic of Ireland's most popular sportsman, still adored by fans of Manchester United and Villa.
—— BBC SportAn all-too honest account of a playing career that just got better and better, despite threatening to go off the rails.
—— Sunday MercuryAn extraordinary book.
—— Irish IndependentHarrowing and brutally honest...a gripping story.
—— Derby Evening TelegraphBrutally honest.
—— The Irish PostLess a football autobiography, more repentant confessional.
—— Kevin Hughes , FreeSportstunning
—— FourFourTwo