The most thrilling and controversial cricketer of his generation, Brian Lara is a hero to millions worldwide. This biography charts the influences that shaped Lara as a child batting prodigy, through to his astonishing and turbulent career and onto his post-cricket life as a businessman, benefactor and national icon.
In the 1990s Brian Lara established himself as the best batsman in the world, with a 375 against England, a 501 for Warwickshire and a 400 not out in Antigua among his world records. At 37, he is still the dominant force in the West Indies side going into 2007. This work presents an account of one of the true greats of world cricket.
A hilarious reeducation in mathematics-full of joy, jokes, and stick figures-that sheds light on the countless practical and wonderful ways that math structures and shapes our world. In Math With Bad Drawings, Ben Orlin reveals to us what math actually is; its myriad uses, its strange symbols, and the wild leaps of logic and faith that define the usually impenetrable work of the mathematician. Truth and knowledge come in multiple forms: colorful drawings, encouraging jokes, and the stories and insights of an empathetic teacher who believes that math should belong to everyone. Orlin shows us how to think like a mathematician by teaching us a brand-new game of tic-tac-toe, how to understand an economic crises by rolling a pair of dice, and the mathematical headache that ensues when attempting to build a spherical Death Star. Every discussion in the book is illustrated with Orlin's trademark "bad drawings," which convey his message and insights with perfect pitch and clarity. With 24 chapters covering topics from the electoral college to human genetics to the reasons not to trust statistics, Math with Bad Drawings is a life-changing book for the math-estranged and math-enamored alike.
In this allegorical excursion, William Walcott explores the intersections between United States politics and the game of cricket in a book reminiscent of C. L. R. James's classic Beyond a Boundary. In Close of Play, Walcott highlights the careers of former US president Barack Obama and the Trinidadian cricket and cultural phenom Brian Lara-one of the greatest batsmen of all time, who Obama once called "e;the Michael Jordan of cricket."e; Readers are invited to explore the parallel poetics of politics and sport through the life and words of these luminaries, both of whom promised to deliver far-reaching social change yet found themselves "e;on the back foot."e; In his analysis, Walcott delves into matters of Caribbean and American identity, political leadership, oratory, and the blending of cricket vocabulary into political commentary. He also challenges us to understand the sociological links between international sport, socio-economic inequality, and racial politics. This book is a fascinating journey into the world of global sociopolitical life and the curiosities of language embedded in cricket and political play, both of which constitute enormous sectors within a multibillion dollar "e;sticky wicket"e; of transnational capitalism.
Contrary to the age-old sporting truism, what happens on tour sometimes needs to be told. 'For as long as the game of cricket has been played internationally, there have been journos "on the tour" ... Life on the road is tough. But as you are about to experience, it's bloody entertaining as well.' Adam GilchristCricket writer Andrew Ramsey's job was to be on tour with the world's greatest cricket team over a decade when it had no peer. tHE WRONG LINE chronicles the privileges and pitfalls of a life spent trotting the globe, hanging out with sports stars, and being paid to watch cricket - an occupation regarded by countless cricket and travel fans alike as 'the world's best job', even when it renders you alone and in peril with only a three-thumbed taxi driver for support.Set within the players' dressing room and on the team bus; at the bar, the breakfast table, and even in a haunted medieval castle; in England, the West Indies and India, as well as Sharjah, Bangladesh, Kenya and Hong Kong - tHE WRONG LINE gives you a ringside seat at some of the most memorable cricket events, including the remarkable 1999 World Cup and Australia's chaotic 2005 Ashes campaign. A tour diary unlike any you have ever read, it delivers a rare insight into the off-field life, character and thoughts of some of the game's all-time greats, including Stephen Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara.'this is the cricket book of the summer. You won't find an account of the game its main players told in this way anywhere else. It's a refreshing change, and one well worth the read.' - LAUNCEStON EXAMINER
This book analyses cricket’s place in Anglophone Caribbean literature. It examines works by canonical authors – Brathwaite, Lamming, Lovelace, Naipaul, Phillips and Selvon – and by understudied writers – including Agard, Fergus, John, Keens-Douglas, Khan and Markham. It tackles short stories, novels, poetry, drama and film from the Caribbean and its diaspora. Its literary readings are couched in the history of Caribbean cricket and studies by Hilary Beckles and Gordon Rohlehr. C.L.R James’ foundational Beyond a Boundary provides its theoretical grounding. Literary depictions of iconic West Indies players – including Constantine, Headley, Worrell, Walcott, Sobers, Richards, and Lara – feature throughout. The discussion focuses on masculinity, heroism, father-son dynamics, physical performativity and aesthetic style. Attention is also paid to mother-daughter relations and female engagement with cricket, with examples from Anim-Addo, Breeze, Wynter and others. Cricket holds a prominent place in the history, culture, politics and popular imaginary of the Caribbean. This book demonstrates that it also holds a significant and complicated place in Anglophone Caribbean literature.
An authoritative, quirky trivia book divided into themed chapters. Whitaker's Little Book of Knowledge contains thousands of general knowledge gems: from everything you learned at school to fascinating lists of contemporary 'top-tens', mini-biographies of famous artists and writers, plus condensed guides to films and works of art and literature. In addition, there is a light-hearted journey down memory lane featuring humorous entries on forgotten treasures from different decades and a stand-alone sport chapter with guides to both well-known and obscure sports, key rules, a glossary of terms and short biographies of the world's greatest sporting heroes. Facts are both newly researched and drawn from the rich treasure-trove of the Whitaker's Almanack archive, which dates back to 1868. Whitaker's Little Book of Knowledge is a truly unique ready-reference containing fascinating facts for every trivia buff while providing a unique insight into the world from the 19th century through to the present day.
Few sporting records capture the imagination quite like that of the highest individual score in Test cricket. It is the blue riband record of batting achievement, the ultimate statement of stamina and skill. From Charles Bannerman, who scored 165 for Australia against England in the inaugural Test match in 1877, to Brian Lara, who made 400 not out for West Indies against England in 2004, the record has changed hands ten times. Chris Waters' The Men Who Raised the Bar charts the growth of the record through nearly one hundred and fifty years of Test cricket. It is a journey that takes in a legendary line of famous names including Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Leonard Hutton, Sir Garfield Sobers and Walter Hammond, along with less heralded players whose stories are brought back into the light. Drawing on the reflections of the record-holders, Waters profiles the men who raised the bar and their historic performances.
Get ready to take a thrilling journey through the lives of some of the most fascinating people in the world! "Famous People Around The World" is an engrossing read that provides an in-depth look at the lives of various famous personalities, from artists and scientists to musicians and politicians. This book covers all aspects of these people's lives, starting from their early years, upbringing, education, and pivotal experiences that shaped their lives. It explores their fascinating careers, achievements, turning points, and contributions to their respective fields. But that's not all - this book delves deeper into the personal lives of these famous individuals, including their relationships, marriages, hobbies, interests, and even any scandals or controversies they may have been involved in. Moreover, this book also examines the legacies of these influential figures and how they have impacted their industry or society as a whole. You will be amazed at the lasting contributions that these people have made and the ways they are remembered even to this day. As you read through the pages, you will discover the unique qualities and quirks that make these people stand out. You will learn about their personalities, sense of humor, and interesting habits or rituals. But that's not all! The book also includes a few exciting stories about these famous personalities that you probably have never heard before. And to test your knowledge, we have included 10 True or False questions at the end of each chapter that will keep you engaged and curious until the very end. So, whether you are a history buff or just looking for an engaging and educational read, "Famous People Around The World" is the perfect book for you. Get your copy now and embark on a journey through the fascinating lives of some of the most influential people in history!