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Gideon Haigh
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Stroke of Genius: Victor Trumper and the Shot that Changed Cricket Hardcover – 22 Sept. 2016

by Gideon Haigh (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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‘The year’s best cricket book’ Daily Telegraph
‘Well researched and engagingly written, this exemplary work reveals a hidden history…superbly told story’ Sunday Times
‘Easily the cricket book of the year, of the century…It extends the possibility of cricket-writing-as-literature’ Suresh Menon, The Hindu

It is arguably the most famous photograph in the history of cricket. In George Beldam's picture, Victor Trumper is caught in mid stroke, the personification of cricketing grace, skill and power, about to hit the ball long and hard. Yet this image, 'Jumping Out', is important not only because of who it depicts, but also what it illustrates about the changing nature of the game and how it has been seen. Now, in Gideon Haigh's brilliant new book, Stroke of Genius, we learn not only about the man in the picture but also the iconography of Trumper's powerful position in cricket's mythology. 

For many, Australian batsman Trumper was the greatest ever. Neville Cardus wrote: 'I have never yet met a cricketer who, having seen and played with Victor Trumper, did not describe him without doubt or hesitation as the most accomplished of all batsmen of his acquaintance.' Like Lionel Messi or Roger Federer today, he defied the obvious bounds of affiliation. Unlike the current generation of sporting stars, however, there were no memoirs or papers, very few interviews, no action footage - even his date of birth is a matter of debate and conjecture. What isn't in doubt, though, is the impact he had on the game and on his nation. 

Haigh reveals how Trumper, and 'Jumping Out', helped to change cricket from the Victorian era of static imagery to something much more dynamic, modern and compelling. As such, Trumper helped not only transform cricket but even the way his country viewed itself. 
     
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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster UK
  4. Publication date
    22 Sept. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    24.3 x 2.9 x 16.5 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1471146804
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1471146800
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

‘Australia’s finest writer on cricket now turns his masterly prose to another legendary cricketer…his quest is gripping’ -- Richard Morrison, The Times

‘Impeccably researched…the book is a triumph’ -- Benedict Gardner, All Out Cricket

‘This may be the book Haigh was destined to write. Rich and rewarding… this is the cricket book of the year’ -- Paul Edwards, Cricinfo

‘A study befitting the man Haigh describes as being the first Australian to be the best in the world at anything’ -- Russell Jackson, Guardian Australia

‘A cracking book...fabulous, thought-provoking’ -- Tanya Aldred, Cricketer

‘The year’s best cricket book’, Daily Telegraph Books of the Year

‘Well researched and engagingly written, this exemplary work reveals a hidden history…superbly told story’ , Sunday Times Sport Book of the Year.

‘Brings a virtuoso’s breadth of reference and perception to a famous photograph of cricketer Victor Trumper.’ -- Huw Richards, Guardian

‘One of his best yet…it is ultimately about iconography and idolatry’ -- Andy Bull, Observer

‘Easily the cricket book of the year, of the century…It extends the possibility of cricket-writing-as-literature. If you read only one book published this year, it will have to be this’ -- Suresh Menon, The Hindu

'In Stroke of Genius, Gideon Haigh has given Jumping Out and the men who created it the richly perceptive tribute they have always deserved' -- Mark Ray, The Age

'The true stroke of genius is Haigh’s, for he brings Trumper to life in a way that not even the adoring Neville Cardus was able to. In so doing, he has created a work of true genius. It transcends cricket. It is the best cricket book and also the best book by an Australian that I have read. Among his prolific output this surely ranks as his greatest work. If it had been his only work, it would have stamped him as a genius... This work stamps him as the best cricket writer ever.' -- Cate McGregor, The Australian

About the Author

Gideon Haigh has been writing about sport, business, both and neither, for more than 30 years. His previous biography, On Warne, won the MCC/Cricket Society and the British Sports Book Awards prizes as the cricket book of the year. He lives in Melbourne.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster UK (22 Sept. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1471146804
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1471146800
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 24.3 x 2.9 x 16.5 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 47 ratings

About the author

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Gideon Haigh

Gideon Haigh

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
47 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

JohnBishop55
5.0 out of 5 stars Style Wins
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 February 2021
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An intriguing account of the cricketer many regarded as the best batsman of all time. Though Bradman's run-gathering exceeded his, the style of Trumper and his liberating of cricket from grinding slogs, was lauded from his untimely death in 1915 onwards. A good read.
One person found this helpful
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H. L. MacQueen
5.0 out of 5 stars Image and insight
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2016
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This highly original book brilliantly combines cricket's internal and social history with analysis of the way in which it was imaged, both artistically and technically. In the effort to capture technique for instructional purposes, art and imagination were wonderfully combined. It remains a mystery how Trumper managed to capture the imagination of a generation; but Jumping Out will remain for ever an image of what cricket should be.
5 people found this helpful
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Mike Gibbard
3.0 out of 5 stars Cricket or Photography?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2018
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I was expecting a book about the history of cricket, but a lot of the book centred on photography. The cricket facts were fascinating but the photography didn't interest me very much. The book was exceptionally well researched though occasionally I got the feeling that information was put in just to fill up the pages.
One person found this helpful
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Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars The concept and execution of this book is brilliantly realised
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2018
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An outstanding feat of analysis and research .The Authors love of both his subject and the “The Golden Age of Cricket “ illuminates every page .The book is both entertaining and very poignant
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DRFangen
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2021
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Loved the book and its subject
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Suzie Wong
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Cricket Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2017
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Bought as a present but I know the recipient will love it. Great service and good pricing.
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Christine S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2017
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Very interesting read
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malcolm s
2.0 out of 5 stars Good author but not his best work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 April 2020
Gideon Haigh is one of the finest cricket authors around and I have read and enjoyed most of his books.But not this one .i found it very boring .it is a book not just about cricket but photography as well and the technical side was too detailed and left me with a so what ? feeling
Victor Trumper was clearly a brilliant cricketer and it is a sad tale in that he died far too young.he also appears as a private man and because both of that and the passage of time the author cannot paint a full enough portrait to satisfy me at least in comparison for instance with his more contemporary portrayal of Shane Warne
Not for me sorry but I still look forward to the author’s future work
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Top reviews from other countries

Craig Brouggy.
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding effort Gideon. You are such an interesting author to follow. What's next perchance?
Reviewed in the United States on 3 September 2018
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Gideon
If this is ever passed on to you, I must say that this is the most researched book that I have ever read on the subject of cricket. I congratulate you for a wonderfully worded book that as Shakespeare said (something like) 'that would ascend the heaven of invention. Sorry for the errors as I have not read that prologue for 50 odd years. Still you should get the point.
Craig Brouggy
Also a fan of Offsiders
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joe christopher
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on 23 August 2017
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great book, loved it
One person found this helpful
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