Bat, Ball and Field

Name: Bat, Ball and Field
Brand: Harper UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Jon Hotten
ISBN: 9780008328351

Author: Jon Hotten

Narrator: David Thorpe

Unabridged: 7 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: William Collins

Published: 07/07/2022

Categories: Nonfiction, Sports & Recreation, Cricket, Biography & Autobiography, Sports Biography, History, European History, Humor, Sports, Social Science, Popular Culture Studies

Synopsis

Bat, Ball and Field ‘Hotten is not just good, he is one of the best’ Chronicling the evolution of the sport since its earliest years, highlighting transcendent moments as well as tragedies, Jon Hotten lifts the seemingly impregnable veil from the Laws, batting strokes, types of bowling and the sometimes absurd names given to where fielders stand, allowing anyone a pathway into enjoying the sport, and an introductory immersion into its long history. This book is divided into the three parts that make up the fundamental elements of cricket: bat, ball and field. Their harmony produces cricket’s unique environment; their centuries’ long conflict provides its innovation, adaptability and vast psychological hinterland. These sections unite to map out in a completely original way the story of the sport that began as a country pursuit and is now followed by billions across the world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Martin on May 31, 2024

Enjoyable. Most I knew, a few bit I didn't.......more

Goodreads review by Tom on April 15, 2024

Essay compilation with a good thread. Author loves a footnote. Some gems of info and an obvious love of the game.......more

Goodreads review by Patrick on July 23, 2023

It's a bit of a mixed review for this book! The book provides a good insight into the history of cricket when it comes to Bat, Ball and Field as well as some insight and history of some of the key personnel of the game! It is written in an elogent way and really brings life to the game of Cricket and......more

Goodreads review by Peter on April 24, 2025

An enjoyable and well written book about cricket that nicely combines being a reference work with articles about key figures in the development of the men's game. The tone throughout is warm and clearly articulates the author's love of the game - I particularly enjoyed the pieces on Jeff Thomson bow......more

Goodreads review by Ricardo on January 28, 2024

Really well-written, probably great for a cricket fan, but I didn't understand 25% of it (since I don't know anything other than basic rules). Not very "intro to the sport" as it says on the back cover 🤷‍♂️......more

Quotes

‘Hotten holds court beautifully on all aspects of the game’ Praise for : ‘A meditation on the joys of summer’ Tom Holland , Book of the Year ‘Hotten is not just good, … He has the eye for a beautifully judged phrase’ ‘Hotten has emerged as a worthy addition to the lineage of writers who adhere to C L R James’s aphorism: “What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?”… This will be ’ ‘For those dreaming of summer, is ’ Hilary Mantel, , Book of the Year ‘Simultaneously … All cricketing life is here… Hotten’s writing is accessible and often moving’ ‘Memory and meditation twirled into a lovesong: ’ William Fiennes