Product Description

Brian Johnston, known as "Johnners" to millions of cricket fans around the world, was for nearly 50 years the voice of cricket on BBC Television and radio. When he died in 1994 at the age of 81, the Daily Telegraph described him as "the greatest natural broadcaster of them all". Following the success of his previous title "A Delicious Slice of Johnners", Barry Johnston has edited another anthology based on three of his father's most popular books, "Brian Johnston's Guide to Cricket", "Chatterboxes" and "It's Been a Piece of Cake". This volume offers a humorous and affectionate collection of anecdotes and reminiscences about Brian Johnston's fellow commentators, his selection of the six most exciting Test matches and his all time favourite cricketers, from Len Hutton and Denis Compton to Ian Botham.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #778704 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
Brian Johnston commentated on cricket on BBC television and radio from 1946 until his death in 1994 at the age of 81. He was loved immensely by viewers, listeners and cricketers themselves not only for the professionalism of his broadcasting but for an exuberant sense of the ridiculous which became legendary. Edited by his son Barry, this follows A Delicious Slice of Johnners as a second anthology of writings from Brian's own books. It comprises three sections, each sprinkled with jokes and puns in which Brian revelled: 'Chatterboxes' - his reflections on some of his fellow commentators; 'Guide to Cricket' - his reports of six favourite Test matches upon which he commentated (including the historical Headingley victory against Australia in 1981); and 'It's Been a Piece of Cake' - his observations on several contemporary cricketers. Brian was one of those rare, fortunate people who earned a living from doing something he loved, and his enthusiasm for cricket pervades his writing. His opinion that the sport has produced just three players worthy of the title 'colossus' - Dr W G Grace, Sir Donald Bradman, and Ian Botham - is debatable (what about Sir Garfield Sobers?), but his criticisms are balanced and fair, such as that of Sir Geoffrey Boycott for getting batsmen of his own side run out, and of Ian Botham for some of his off-the-field activities. This is a highly enjoyable book, but it would have been enhanced by illustrations, such as some photographs of Brian with various colleagues and cricketers around the world. (Kirkus UK)

From the Publisher
The follow-up to the bestselling A Delicious Slice of Johnners. Another first-rate anthology of Johnners' best writings. The Johnners fan club will lap it up.

About the Author
Brian Johnston was one of the best-loved figures on radio and television and will always be remembered as 'the voice of cricket'. He joined the Outside Broadcasts Department of the BBC in 1946 and was a cricket commentator for the next 48 years, most notably as a member of the Test Match Special team. He commentated on state occasions, royal weddings and events such as the Boat Race and he also presented 733 episodes of Down Your Way. He died in January 1994. Barry Johnston is Brian's eldest son. He has produced the award-winning audio cassettes An Evening with Johnners and Johnners at the Beeb, and has edited both Letters Home 1926-1945 and A Delicious Slice of Johnners.