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A Beautiful Game: My love affair with cricket Hardcover – Import, 6 Oct. 2016

by Mark Nicholas (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 387 ratings
See all formats and editions
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WINNER OF THE CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE CROSS BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2017
WINNER OF THE MCC/CRICKET SOCIETY'S BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2017
Mark Nicholas, the face of Channel 5's Cricket on Five and anchor for Channel 9's Test commentary team in Australia, has a unique knowledge and perspective on the world of cricket.

As both a former player and now a professional observer and commentator on the game, he knows all the key figures of the sport and has witnessed first-hand some of cricket's greatest moments. His book is a personal account of the game as he's seen and experienced it across the globe.

From epic test matches and titans of the game like Lara, Warne and Tendulkar, to his own childhood love for the sport, Mark gives us his informed, personal and fascinating views on cricket - the world's other beautiful game.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    432 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Allen & Unwin
  4. Publication date
    6 Oct. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    15.3 x 3.2 x 23.4 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1760291986
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1760291983
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

Mark Nicholas...captures the magic of top-flight cricket in this likeable memoir. ― Sunday Telegraph

[H]ugely enjoyable... Nicholas has done a huge service to a game already in his debt. He helped to lift English cricket out of the sporting gloom of the late 1990s; and now he has chronicled his era as if he were one of us. For that, every cricket nut, English or otherwise, should be immensely grateful. ― Independent

Mark Nicholas has written a fascinating and engaging account of his life in cricket, firstly as a player and latterly as a commentator. This is an immensely readable but far from lightweight book, packed with anecdote, opinion and - a valuable gift - empathy... he is an elegant, enthusiastic observer of the game and this book, and indeed his life in cricket, deserves plaudits. ― ESPN Cricinfo

A typically entertaining collection of thoughts, opinions and memories from inside the soul of the game we love. -- Sir Ian Botham

Every chapter is interesting in its own way. I didn't always agree with him but that's not the point. The point is that I wanted to read on. -- Geoffrey Boycott

Mark Nicholas has been at the centre of the game as a player, writer, commentator and analyst for years. Very few have ever equalled his passion, perception, knowledge of the game and matchless ability to communicate it with wit, charm and flawless fluency. All these qualities and more have flowered in A Beautiful Game. -- Stephen Fry

A brilliant broadcaster with a wonderful knowledge of the game and, above all, an infectious passion for cricket. -- Shane Warne

The thing about Mark is his uniquely positive take on cricket. He conveys the message that the game may not be easy but it's sure worthwhile. His book is the same, a celebration. -- Alastair Cook

Mark Nicholas is a master with words, both written and spoken. His positivity is what separates him from others and it's what shines through in this book. -- Sunil Gavaskar

Vision, knowledge, enthusiasm: three of the attributes that give Mark authority and respect. This book reflects his passion for the game and his ability to tell the stories that make it so special. A great read. -- Michael Vaughan

Top class from first to last. -- Sir Michael Parkinson

Quite possibly the best cricket book you will ever read - a masterpiece. -- Mike Procter

Whether writing or commentating, Mark has always been able to take us inside the game. If I was buying one cricket book this year, it would A Beautiful Game -- Wasim Akram

this is indeed a beautiful book. It is the memoir of a complex and fascinating man much more interesting and nuanced than the sporting celebrity with whom most of us are familiar... a gifted writer who possesses not only an uncanny eye for the game but for humanity in general. ― The Australian

About the Author

Mark Nicholas captained Hampshire for the best part of twelve summers, passing 1000 runs in a season on ten occasions, making 36 first-class hundreds and leading the county to four titles. He also captained England A in nine unofficial Test matches. Mark went on to become a presenter and commentator with Sky TV, Channel 4 (whose coverage won three BAFTA awards) and now Channel 5. For sixteen years he was a sports feature writer with the London Daily Telegraph and had two spells in radio for talkSPORT. He has twice been named Sports Presenter of the Year by the Royal Television Society. Mark has worked on other television programs, including Survivor and Britain's Best Dish. For five months of the year he lives in Sydney and for the rest of the time in London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allen & Unwin; Main edition (6 Oct. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1760291986
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1760291983
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.3 x 3.2 x 23.4 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 387 ratings

About the author

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Mark Nicholas

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
387 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing style beautiful, heartfelt, and honest. They also describe the content as fascinating, detailed, and insightful. Readers also appreciate the warmth, humor, and love of the game.

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Writing styleContentHumorStories
21 customers mention ‘Writing style’21 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style beautiful, with scintillating tales. They also say the book is honest in its presentation of his own experiences. Readers also mention that the book has great empathy, honesty, passion, and warmth.

"Brilliant. A wonderful balance between describing his own experiences and comparing them with those of other famous people Mark encountered...." Read more

"...Nicholas writes well, is honest about all, especially himself, and this book is the ideal way for a cricket fan to get through at least some of the..." Read more

"...which takes you into the world of country cricket and is honest in its presentation of his own experiences in the game and also of his job as a..." Read more

"...He begins with a few chapters of good (and straight) autobiography. Then he seems to want to write a coaching manual...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Content’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, detailed, and scintillating. They say the author is honest about all, and presents with conviction. Readers also describe the book as funny, heartfelt, involved, and self-deprecating.

"...And is modest in explaining them.A quite remarkable story of what is, indeed, A Beautiful Game; and of a life in a sport he clearly loves..." Read more

"...Nicholas writes well, is honest about all, especially himself, and this book is the ideal way for a cricket fan to get through at least some of the..." Read more

"...about cricket as he commentates and presents, with eloquence, with conviction, with passion...." Read more

"...a knowledgeable, charismatic presenter with a relaxed style and supreme confidence...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Humor’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a fun read, with warmth and humor.

"...It’s a funny book that never quite seems to know what it’s doing...." Read more

"...enthusiasm for the game and has a lightness of touch and sense of humour that shine through...." Read more

"...Funny, heartfelt, involved, self deprecating, honest and insightful...." Read more

"...Told with warmth, humour and an obvious love of the game - thoroughly recommended." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Stories’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the stories in the book brilliant, emotional, and beautifully written. They also say Mark has a gift for story telling.

"...A wonderful story. Also, some really heartfelt and sad moments are well told. About Malcolm Marshall for example...." Read more

"Great insight, brilliant stories and emotional re Robin Smith." Read more

"Beautifully written book. Mark has a gift for story telling." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Peter Holding
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, cricket fan or not
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 October 2023
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Brilliant. A wonderful balance between describing his own experiences and comparing them with those of other famous people Mark encountered. Yes, there is name dropping, but how else to tell a fascinating story. The only “apology” for name dropping involves Jagger and Watts of The Rolling Stones. A wonderful story. Also, some really heartfelt and sad moments are well told. About Malcolm Marshall for example. A marvelous book, with great insight about the past, present and potential future of the various formats of cricket; some of which we are indeed now experiencing. Mark has also done great work with charities and giving people a chance in all walks of life too. And is modest in explaining them.

A quite remarkable story of what is, indeed, A Beautiful Game; and of a life in a sport he clearly loves. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it - whether you are a cricket fan or not.

I am an avid cricket fan, from Bournemouth (which used to be in Hampshire) so might be a tad biased towards Mark. But I follow all forms of cricket and I strongly recommend this book. Especially for the insights about how hard it is at that level; and the descriptions of the 2005 Ashes series - which remains one of my favourite You Tube cricket watches, complete with Mr. Nicholas presenting…!

Read this book!!

Peter
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C. J. T.
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and well-written insight.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2017
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As a Hampshire fan, the first half of this book is the most fascinating and detailed insight into the captaincy of my flannelled heroes during a successful one-day period. The art of captaincy and the handling of world-class players is thoughtful and insightful. There's an honesty here, too, which is often missing from memoirs; hence the references to 'we weren't good enough' regarding Championship title races and less adventurous leadership decisions. But you don't have to be a Hampshire fan to enjoy and be drawn into this record and analysis of cricket during what now seems a far-off period indeed.
There's a little too much sea, sun and shiraz in the second half, but the story of Kerry Packer's involvement is also well told.
Nicholas writes well, is honest about all, especially himself, and this book is the ideal way for a cricket fan to get through at least some of the winter blues. Especially if the Ashes series goes as badly as last time.
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OnTheShelf
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Cricket Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2017
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I really like Mark Nicholas as a broadcaster and now as a writer. I am ashamed to say that I did not realise that he was also a cricketer such is his professionalism as a commentator and presenter. He writes very well, articulating his prose clearly and the book is a page-turner if you're a true cricket fan. What bursts off many pages is Nicholas' sheer love of the game and he uses examples of his first playing with his dad as a small boy to illustrate his introduction to the game and then tells rather touching stories of him play acting the best bits of England tests from the 1970s in his garden. Nicholas and I are of a similar age and so I enjoyed his references to some of the great England test teams of our generation and he is equally complimentary about other countries' players, lavishing extensive praise on South African, West Indian and Australian players. A thoroughly enjoyable book which takes you into the world of country cricket and is honest in its presentation of his own experiences in the game and also of his job as a broadcaster.
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Tim
3.0 out of 5 stars An egg for all curates!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2020
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Unlike the fabled curate’s egg this book isn’t just good in parts... it’s just that the various parts seem to belong to a variety of different eggs!

It’s a funny book that never quite seems to know what it’s doing. In the middle of a chapter on fast bowling we’re (again) discussing batting; a eulogy on spin bowling segues into one on wicket keeping. There’s method in both digressions, of course. But Nicholas seems to set out to do one thing before getting bored with it and starting something else. He begins with a few chapters of good (and straight) autobiography. Then he seems to want to write a coaching manual. Then It becomes a book about the greats he’s known, in each of the games divisions.

Having said that, it’s never not entertaining and manages to somehow hold the disparate threads together rather in the manner of one of Mark’s pieces to camera during a TV broadcast. And, as with his telly persona, what comes over consistently is his enthusiasm for a game he clearly loves. And that’s good enough in all parts.
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Johnnybluetime
4.0 out of 5 stars Oh my Hornby and my Barlow long ago!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2017
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Mostly a good read with a fair bit about Hampshire CC in their glory days of Richards (Barry), Greenidge, Roberts and, later on, Marshall and the Smith brothers with some surprisingly revealing stories about some of them - I had no idea Robin Smith had experienced so many problems in his life after cricket. However, it does get a bit bogged down when he writes about his triumphs and travails in the media, most of which didn't interest me that much, although some did.

I did find myself disagreeing with him about the direction cricket has taken - in my view Central Contracts for international players and the sheer preponderance of international games, many of which are as pointless as the dead rubbers he criticises in the old county game, have largely ruined the county game in England and are quietly killing the sport. The problem is that so much international cricket has meant that most top players barely play for their counties anymore, so whereas I saw pretty much all of the top players of the 70's and 80's playing county matches in Hampshire's small but perfectly formed ground at Dean Park in Bournemouth, now a Hampshire supporter has to make the tortuous journey to the Rose Bowl to watch two teams of average players that are performing so far in the distance that everyone spends their time watching the big screen. I'm glad the players are paid more, but I agree with Nicholas that by selling the game to pay per view broadcasters the administrators have reduced the audience for the game to the committed fans only.
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Top reviews from other countries

Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on 27 December 2017
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To read this book by Mark Nicholas, expect to be carried away into the spiritual world of cricket. It brings a clarity and insight into the life of professional cricketers and the medium that covers their exploits.
For those of us who, as youngsters, dreamt of playing cricket for a living but we're halted by life's realities or lack of talent, Mark Nicholas satisfies a yearning no matter how old you are.
His writing is as enjoyable and on point as his commentary.
A great book on cricket and life.
Graham Canning
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Sebastian
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful look back.
Reviewed in Germany on 30 August 2018
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I thought the whole book would be as interesting as his commentary. He hasn’t forgotten the lives that help him reach heights. It lags at some points. However, once you finish it you would yearn for more. I rate it 5.
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Siddhesh Gadkar
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Sports book ever
Reviewed in India on 26 November 2017
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Simply put Mark Nicholas loves Cricket.
And each and every page of this book proves that.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on fast bowling, not to say that the rest chapters weren’t amazing.
I felt as if I was there on the ground and living through every moment of it.
Its great to know more about Richie Benaud, Martin Crowe, Malcolm Marshall, Kerry Packer and many more legends.
Mark Nicholas is a great man and has a heart of Gold of which he has kept majority for Cricket.
This book is a must read for every Cricket lover.
2 people found this helpful
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David P. Zweck
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all lovers of the Beautiful Game.
Reviewed in Australia on 2 January 2017
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When Mark Nicholson brilliantly filled Richie Benaud's very large shoes as a TV presenter, very few of us die hard cricket lovers new very little about him. This book remedies that situation in a fascinating and superbly written way. Full of insights of the beautiful game it is an absolute page turner and must read for all cricket fans. I mean who of us new that this urbane, articulate Pom once played cricket in country New South Wales. I didn't, but I know now. Well done Mark, your writing is every bit as good as your TV presenting. Long may you be the star of Channel 9,
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Green Grass
4.0 out of 5 stars You will fall in love with his love story.
Reviewed in India on 4 June 2020
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Mark Nicholas writes as beautifully as he commentates. The language is lucid and the story flows well.

Most importantly you get the deeper and novel insights into the great game of cricket. That's the biggest takeaway from the book.

Very entertaining read.
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