More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years - John Major

- DE
- FR

E-Book (epub) More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years von John Major

More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years John Major E-Books Englisch

The former Prime Minister examines the early history of one of the great loves of his life in a book that sheds new light on the summer game's social origins.All his life John Major has loved cricket. In 'More Than a Game' he examines it from its origins up to the coming of the First World War. Along the way he considers the crucial role of the wealthy patrons who gambled huge sums on early matches, the truth behind the legends that have grown up around the famous Hambledon Club, changes in rules and techniques, including the transition from underarm to overarm bowling, the long-standing, but often blurred, distinction between 'gentlemen' and 'players', the coming of the MCC and its role as the supreme arbiter of the game, the spread of cricket throughout the British Empire, and the emergence of the county game and international competition.It is a story rich in anecdote and colourful characters. Many of the great names from the 'Golden Age' of cricket - C.B. Fry, Ranjitsinhji, 'Demon' Spofforth and of course the towering figure of W.G. Grace - are still well-known today. But long before then the game already had its stars: men like the Kentish innkeeper's son 'Lumpy' Stevens, who played at the highest level until he was nearly sixty, 'Silver Billy' Beldham, who was taught how to play by a gingerbread baker, the notoriously avaricious and ill-tempered Lord Frederic Beauclerk, a direct descendant of Charles II and Nell Gwynne, and the mighty 'Lion of Kent' Alfred Mynn.

Throughout John Major's life, his love of cricket has been a constant source of enjoyment, anguish- and solace. Now he delves deep into the game's history, tracing is rustic origins and social role from the days of the great patrons to the death of W. G. Grace.

Autorentext

Born in 1943, John Major was a member of Lambeth Borough Council 1968-71, then entered Parliament in 1979; he was PPS to Ministers of State at the Home Office 1981-83, an assistant Govt Whip 1983-4, a Govt Whip 1984-5, Minister for Social Security 1986-7, Chief Sec. to HM Treasury 1987-9; Foreign Secretary 1989, Chancellor 1989-90, and Prime Minister 1990-97.

Titel

More Than A Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years

Untertitel

The Story of Cricket's Early Years

Autor

John Major

EAN

9780007280117

Format

E-Book (epub)

Hersteller

HarperCollins Publishers