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Bradman's War: How the 1948 Invincibles Turned the Cricket Pitch into a Battlefield First Edition
Author(s): Malcolm Knox (Author)
- Publisher: The Robson Press
- Publication Date: 2 July 2013
- Edition: First Edition
- Language: English
- Print length: 448 pages
- ISBN-10: 1849545715
- ISBN-13: 9781849545716
Book Description
Shortlisted for The Cricket Society and M.C.C. Book Of The Year Award 2014 When the Second World War ended, Don Bradman assembled a cricketing army. Hailed as one of the greatest cricket teams of all time, the 1948 Invincibles are the only Australians to complete an Ashes tour undefeated. Their crushing victories under Sir Donald Bradman’s captaincy created history, even if the Don himself, on his final tour, was left stranded for ever with a Test batting average of 99.94 after his duck in the fifth Test. Yet the mixed feelings about the manner in which these feats were achieved are often forgotten. In his fascinating account of the legendary tour, Malcolm Knox exposes the rift between those players with experience of the horrors of active duty, epitomised by the fiery but sporting RAAF pilot Keith Miller, and those without, such as the invalid Bradman. Knox reveals unease among the fans, commentators and players from both teams about Bradman’s resolute tactics, both on the field and in the pavilion. Bradman’s ruthlessness, even against war-ravaged veterans at the county clubs, dashed hopes that the legacy of Bodyline would finally be laid to rest and the postwar game resume in a more congenial spirit. While Bradman’s War celebrates the talents of the likes of Ray Lindwall, Sid Barnes, Lindsay Hassett, Bill Johnston, Arthur Morris and, of course, their incomparable captain, it also questions our appreciation of sporting entertainment when rivalries escalate and competition verges on hostility. If the spoils are to the victor, what is there for lovers of the game?
Editorial Reviews
Review
The last word on a seminal chapter in sporting history. –Inside Sport
Well worth a look. –The Times
[A] marvellous book on the momentous tour by Australian writer Malcolm Knox… Knox tells a fascinating story in exemplary fashion… The sport of cricket attract the best sports-writing, and Knox is worthy of a place in that elite group. –The Gazette
All brilliantly recollected by Malcolm Knox. –School Sport Magazine
All brilliantly recollected by Malcolm Knox. –School Sport Magazine
About the Author
Malcolm Knox is the former literary editor and award-winning cricket writer of the Sydney Morning Herald (where he broke the Norma Khouri story, for which he won one of his two Walkley Awards). His novels include Jamaica, The Life and the Ned Kelly Award-winning A Private Man, and his many non-fiction titles include The Greatest: The Players, The Moments, The Matches, 1993 2008 and The Captains: The Story Behind Australia s Second Most Important Job.
