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Opening Up: My Autobiography
Mike Atherton, England Captain and the most consistently successful cricketer of the last two decades, gives us the inside story of cricket in this revealing autobiography.
Paperback
,
320 pages
Published
September 1st 2002
by Hodder & Stoughton
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I was disappointed with this, although a quick easy enough read with some laughs (Gatting's scathing comments on where Emburey's blisters might be and Healy's sledging to name two).
Now, I appreciate sporting autobiographies should never be held up for literary worth, and one must expect the odd untruth and narcissistic tendency. All part of the entertainment, and who are we to judge what we would say in their place.
But as a wonderful journalist now, not just relating to cricket, and covering for ...more
Now, I appreciate sporting autobiographies should never be held up for literary worth, and one must expect the odd untruth and narcissistic tendency. All part of the entertainment, and who are we to judge what we would say in their place.
But as a wonderful journalist now, not just relating to cricket, and covering for ...more
Atherton is an intelligent and engaging writer, making his autobiography an enjoyable read. His primary focus is on the role of the captain within an international team, the strains under which all players, not only the leadership team, are put, and the important changes which need to be (or have already been, at the time of my reading this) put into place in order to ensure the evolving success and, perhaps more importantly, the happiness of all players and management involved within a cricket
...more
This book is often introduced as "The autobiography of the most articulate England captain since Mike Brearley". Now, Brearley and Atherton went to the same University, both were opening batsmen, both captained England and.... both have written an autobiography. Both are undoubtedly articulate as well.
But - whereas brearley's "Art of Captaincy" is in fact one of the best "Management" books I've ever read, this autobiography of Atherton's is just actually a well written and reasonably insightful ...more
But - whereas brearley's "Art of Captaincy" is in fact one of the best "Management" books I've ever read, this autobiography of Atherton's is just actually a well written and reasonably insightful ...more
Definitely a superior cricket autobiography, as befits the most educated of recent English batsmen. Atherton deals with the controversies of his tenure as England captain with a good deal of honesty mixed with a certain degree of hurt and bitterness.
Best sports biography I've read. Good prose writer, great descriptions of epic battles with Allan Donald.
I think I enjoyed this more than any book this year. Athers is great company, and captures what is great about the game of cricket. The strange people, the superstitions, the unique way in which it asks for both individual, 'selfish' acts, and teamwork and heroism and physical bravery and intelligence. And humour. This is one of the funniest books I have read for ages - Atherton's comic timing is up there with Evelyn Waugh and Jerome K Jerome. If you understand cricket.
Awesome autobiography by England's ex captain Mike Atherton. Only star deducted due to his decision not to include more about his personal life. Book is focused more on captaincy.
The best thing I learnt from reading Opening Up is come out on the forward defensive and everything will be ok.
Atherton was my English cricket hero, reading this cemented that position but through anecdotes I read skills of leadership, empowerment and also how to get out of a sticky wicket.
Worth a read.
Atherton was my English cricket hero, reading this cemented that position but through anecdotes I read skills of leadership, empowerment and also how to get out of a sticky wicket.
Worth a read.
For someone who comes across as having had a personality by-pass, surprisingly well written and engaging. What a shame he didn't take the opportunity to come clean and explain what was precisely going through his mind whilst mucking about with the ball and that dirt!!
Clearly the best cricket autobiography I've read so far. Perhaps the only thing missing in the book was anecdotes from Atherton's personal life and how they affected his game on the field. However, a very well written book and an enjoyable read.
The mistake was reading this now, having read lots of Atherton's work in The Times. So having that as the benchmark, this one turned out to be a bad effort. I guess I'm being way too harsh !
Mar 29, 2008
John
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sporty-type-things
,
idontlikecricketohnoiluvit
You were boring as a batsman, boring as acaptain and now you can add authour to the list of boring.
Congratulations Athers - the only hat-trick you'll ever attain!
Congratulations Athers - the only hat-trick you'll ever attain!
one of the best sporting works that i have read!
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