Fred Trueman: The Authorised Biography by Chris Waters

Fred Trueman, Fiery Fred as he was known, was the self-proclaimed best fast bowler ever. He was my schoolboy cricketing hero and his achievements were legendary. He was an outspoken rebel who spent much of his career as a cricketer, when not fast bowling, falling out with authority, or claiming that, on account of his working class background, he was unjustly treated. Yet this book is not about cricket. It is rather about character – how the son of a miner, one of seven children from South Yorkshire, regarded even within the mining community with disdain, as the underclass, through a combination of talent and singlemindedness, got to the top of his profession, gained global fame and, somehow, remained a household name until his death in 2006. But the book is also the story of a very human being, who was a mass of contradictions, flaws, virtues, strengths and weaknesses which allow us to identify with him. It’s very funny too. Trueman could talk and joke for England as well as play cricket for them. If you are interested in sport or in people, you’ll enjoy this book.

This review is by Mr Gray, Principal at SMC.

A copy of this book is available in the SMC Library.