Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11872 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-06
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Synopsis
Before his resignation in April 2007, Duncan Fletcher had been the most successful England cricket coach of the modern era. In the glorious summer of 2005 Fletcher's management and coaching skills reached their apogee, as England regained the Ashes from Australia for the first time since 1985. Widely acclaimed as the greatest Test series in the history of the game, this five-match contest thrilled the nation with its extraordinary swings of fortune. It was a personal triumph for Fletcher, and the high point of his tenure as England coach. One of the most experienced and senior figures in the game, Fletcher now looks back over his life and career as he ponders his next step. What was it that drove him from a sporty and competitive Rhodesian farming family to the heights of international cricket? What lessons has he drawn from his successful business career in forging a winning team? Full of telling insights and frank assessments of the players and administrators he has had the pleasure and pain of working alongside, Behind the Shades is the riveting and revelatory autobiography of the man who put the pride back into the England cricket team.

Customer Reviews

Lot of fuss over a dull and bitter book
I bought this expecting a lively and revealing read. Instead, it was a protracted exercise in settling old scores. Time and again Fletcher reports, 'and he said afterwards that he realised I had been right all along' or 'I was the best coach he'd ever had'.
For someone who has achieved so much it was embarrassing. All the revelations about Flintoff or Trescothick have been discussed by now so I don't see any reason to buy this.

Bitter and cynical
I have endless admiration for Duncan Fletcher and his fine achievements for England but this book is myopic, cynical, vengeful rubbish and it saddens me that someone can have such a gifted lifestyle and be intoxicated with the need to gripe about every critical thing anyone ever said about him.

The most honest cricket book around.
Duncan Fletcher was the man who put the verve back into the England cricket team. Reading his memoirs one is reminded what a dedicated, thorough and disciplined man he was. This book is a joy as it reminds the reader of the many series victories that Mr Fletcher and the boys won. Of course, the book has its serial villains; and the likes of Boycott, Botham and assorted press writers play very much a full role in his downfall. The winners, though, are many throughout; Hussain, Giles, Atherton, men of character and good charm. Fletcher is especially illuminating on the subject of batting 'deep' in the order; with his favourite Ashley Giles appearing with much deserved regularity. Ultimately, we are reminded that Fletcher gelled a team of individuals into a fighting force, a force that eventually won the Ashes. A team that lacked the 'superstars' of old and yet a team that won on its merits. Merits that included discipline and togetherness. This book should be required reading for any who seek to achieve sporting greatness, in whatever field they choose.