Author:Alan Hill
The name of Hedley Verity, the master bowler of unyielding menace, is one to be cherished more than 50 years after his death. Allan Hill tells the story of a magnificent sporting obsession in this reissue of the first full-length biography of a revered cricketer. Verity headed the English first-class bowling averages in his first season with Yorkshire and twice took ten wickets in an innings in consecutive seasons. Overall, his mesmeric left-hand spin yielded 1,956 wickets, including 144 for England, in less than ten years.
The book, winner of the Cricket Society's Jubilee Literary award in 1986, contains a foreword by Sir Donald Bradman (whom Verity twice dismissed at Lord's in June 1934 to mastermind England's only victory over Australia at cricket's 'headquarters' in a century). It also includes a revealing memoir of Verity's boyhood and an Australian tour journal (1932-33) kept by the Yorkshireman for his relatives and friends.
The story ends with a graphic account of Verity's ultimate heroism during the Second World War and is followed by a full statistical analysis of his career.
Compelling
—— Simon Kuper , Financial TimesPatrick Barclay traces the arc of the Scot's Govan youth to his Old Trafford supremacy with insight, sensitivity and poise
—— Sports Book of the Year , Sunday TelegraphThorough of research, rich of detail
—— Book of the Week, Richard Williams , GuardianStylishly written, admirably well-researched
—— ScotsmanWonderful. Captures the contradictions of this complex personality as eloquently
as it elucidates his genius
Barclay tells his story and in doing so describes the way the game has changed over the years. We see the famous temper in action, but also a more reflective, generous side
—— Colin Waters , HeraldA firm but fair biography of a footballing legend
—— GuardianDo we really need another biography of Sir Alex Ferguson?...the answer is unequivocally in the affirmative
—— Independent on SundayYou'll be hard-pressed to find a book that will tell you as much about the intimidating character and gives such a revealing insight into the legend of British football that is Sir Alex Ferguson
—— Football Fan CastBest Sports Biography of the Year
—— Metro