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Harold Larwood

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Harold Larwood

By: Duncan Hamilton
Narrated by: Alex Jennings
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Summary

Harold Larwood is an England cricketing legend. During the MCC’s notorious 1932–3 Ashes tour of Australia, his ‘Bodyline’ bowling left Australia’s batsmen bruised and battered, halved the batting average of the great Don Bradman – and gave England a 4–1 series victory.

But the diplomatic row that followed brought Anglo-Australian relations to the brink of collapse. Larwood was used as a scapegoat by the MCC, which demanded he apologise for bowling Bodyline. Arguing that he had simply obeyed the instructions of his captain, Douglas Jardine, Larwood refused. He never played for England again.

The Bodyline saga has been told before, but Larwood’s story has not. Using materials provided by the fast bowler’s family, Duncan Hamilton has created an intimate and compelling portrait of Larwood’s life: from his mining village upbringing, through the trauma of 1932–3 and its bitter aftermath, to his emigration to Australia, where he and his family found happiness.

A moving recreation of the triumph, betrayal and redemption of a working-class hero, Harold Larwood will enthral not only cricket fans, but all those who relish biographical writing of the highest quality.

©2009 Quercus Publishing PLC (P)2010 Quercus Publishing PLC Cricket Sports Celebrity England
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Whilst it is a yesteryear story it is a fantastic story. Any cricket lover will enjoy the story. The narration was fantastic too.

One of the best

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A wonderful description of a remarkable life!
Duncan Hamilton captures the life of one of England’s greatest cricketers and worthy winner of Sports Book of the year.

Excellent

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A wonderful book that I've been quick to buy for any friend who loves cricket. The performance too is faultless and makes the characters (almost all long dead) leap to life.

Hamilton brings together a rich, emotive portrait of both a defining moment and the broader sweep of life. It is incredibly humane and moving.

An astonishingly brilliant book

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I listened to this book over the course of 2 night shift and was annoyed everytime someone spoke to me.
This is a 1st class book, well written, and well read.
The story of a quiet man who just wanted to enjoy playing cricket, if only life was that simple.
Both touching and amusing if you like cricket history you will love this book.

1st Class

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What made the experience of listening to Harold Larwood the most enjoyable?

Way above the average cricket book. A study in human nature and all that is good in a man.

What does Alex Jennings bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Alex is superb, his voices have just the right resonance and variety for this book

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Study in human nature

Heart touching story

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