Product Description

Freddie Trueman is one of the world's great sporting legends. The fastest bowler of his - and indeed subsequent - generations, Trueman is still today one of our best-loved cricketers. This riveting autobiography is his story, from his Yorkshire boyhood in the Depression to international cricketing glory. It's packed with gloriously funny and refreshingly blunt tales of the life of the junior professional in a 1950s English county cricket team, of lugging the entire team's kit from match to match when a journey across country could easily take a whole day, to Test glory in the 1960s both at home and abroad. It takes in the commentary box, Test Match Special, Johnners and Bloers and chocolate cake and, finally, Trueman's trenchant views on today's international cricket circus: throwing vs bowling, the media frenzy surrounding top sportsmen and women and the nature of modern cricket.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #444281 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

Derek Hodgson in The Independent
'Trueman's 2004 publication As It Was was probably the best of his autobiographical ventures.'

About the Author
Freddie Trueman, was born on 6 February 1931, at Scotch Springs in the village of Stainton, Yorkshire. As a teenager, he joined the Sheffield Cricket Club and quickly advanced to play for his county, making his Yorkshire debut at Cambridge University in May 1949 at the age of 18. He played his first game for England against India in 1952 and in his England career went on to take 307 Test wickets, scored nigh on 1,000 runs and held 64 catches. His career record of 2,304 first class wickets remains a record for a fast bowler. In addition to enjoying a phenomenally successful career as a player, he was a member of BBC radio's Test Match Special team from 1974 until 2000, and is renowned as one of the most humorous and brilliantly entertaining speakers on the after-dinner circuit. Freddie Trueman lives in the Yorkshire Dales and Spain with his wife Veronica.

Customer Reviews

The Best Fast Bowler 'As Ever Drew Breath !
Its surprised me to see that Fiery Fred has never written an auotbiography before now. After all , its getting on for four decades since the great man retired, which means that the number of potential readers who actually saw him play is dwindling. However, for those who only know him through his engaging and forthright comments on Radio 4's Test Match Special up to a few years ago, this is a timely reminder that Freddie Trueman was one of the finest, and most interesting cricketers England have ever produced.

Viewed as a 'professional Yorkshireman' , Fred makes it clear from the start that he has always been brought up to speak his mind plainly, and this is what you get in the book. Fred takes you through the whole of his life and career, and a very interesting story it is. Fred played with and against some of the finest cricketers which England, and the other test playing nations ev4er produced, and they all come to life in Fred's narrative, as it develops throughout the book.

You'll become aware , though that Fred is making a point abou tthe way that cricket was led and managed by county committees , and the MCC, and how the game, and his own career, were hampered by the preponderance of 'good chaps' from Oxford and Cambridge in the corridors of power. I'm sure he's right. Cricket reflected British society in the 40's, 50's and 60's.

Its a good read. You won't come away having had your ideas abou tthe great man changed - what you've always seen is what you'll get here. Good job too.

Superb Book
As a football fan recieving this i wasnt too sure about it.
However it was great to find out about the life fred trueman had and the difficulties he faced.
Would recommend it to anyone even those who dont particularly like cricket

As it was...Fred Trueman.
I possess the book but have not read it. It was great to hear Fred with his mixture of stories, reminiscences and opinions....brilliant.