W. G. Grace: A Life by Simon Rae lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.
Faber & Faber, 1998, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Illustrated endpapers and blanks; Statistical Survey by Bill Frindall;
From the cover: Grace burst onto the cricket scene in the 1860s with spectacular force, dominated the game until the end of the century, and influences it to this day. He was the worlds first sporting superstar, rivalled as a public figure only by Gladstone and Queen Victoria herself; his bearded image, brimming with portly self-confidence, is immediately recognisable. His staggering achievements as both batsman and bowler made him the greatest draw cricket had ever known. Though often depicted as an overgrown schoolboy, W. G. was extremely shrewd and ruthlessly exploited the power his immense popularity gave him. A notorious shamateur, he amassed great wealth through cricket, while remaining the standard-bearer for the Gentlemen against the Players for forty years.
Researched in archives from Grimsby (where Grace once scored 400) to Australia, Simon Raes new biography offers a radical analysis of Graces career, and reviews the more controversial aspects of his conduct, including verbal and physical altercations, both on and off the field, and his kidnapping of an Australian cricketer from Lords.
W. G. Grace: A Life provides more than a fresh look at the cricketer. It focuses on Graces formative family background; his intensely competitive relations with his two famous brothers, E. M. and Fred; his career as a doctor; and his ambitions and bereavements as a father. Drawing on little-known diaries and letters, and unique access to Graces own library, Simon Rae builds up a convincing psychological portrait of the man behind the most famous beard in English history.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Gently bruised at the spine ends and corners with commensurate wear to the dust wrapper. Text complete, clean and tight.
Green boards with Yellow titling to the Spine. [XX] 548 pages. Index. Bibliography. 9½” x 6¼”.
This book will be eventually reach my delightful website…(added to my Biography category.) but get 60% off buying from this very blog blog… Buy it now for just £2.60 + P&P! Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
BookLovers of Bath 