Sometimes I get a bit worried about how much real estate cricket takes up in my head. At those times, I have often been reassured by the knowledge that the Trinidadian Marxist and historian C. L. R. James was afflicted with the same condition and still managed an intellectual career.

Having actually read the book now, it's clear that there were some kind of spatial contortions going on in James' head that gave him about a hundred times the mental real estate that I'm working with. The man appears to have thought more about cricket than I've thought about everything combined in my entire life. And it's been productive thinking!

We're always hearing that what you see out in the middle is a microcosm of the world, but I've never seen anyone spell this out in such fine detail as James. The book isn't a gimmick where he's challenged himself to draw links between the struggle for West Indian independence, English schoolboy sports etiquette, and the narcissism of small differences. The links essentially draw themselves when you lay out the history in the right way.

My ultimate takeaway from reading this is that it is immensely valuable to be constantly questioning how things are and why things are, and that this process should not be restricted to its traditional targets, but applied to basically everything. ( )

If you want to read a great book about something you aren't interested in (in this case, if you're like me, cricket) you could do a lot worse than this book. Colonialism, racism, sport as art, and sports unheralded place in the changes in 19th century English society are among the topics addressed in this engaging, erudite book.

A good read. ( )

Really enjoying this but my cricket knowledge is non-existent so going to pursue that and then return to this excellent book. ( )

I was concerned that this book had been oversold by its many admirers, but it is truly excellent. It is neither a mere autobiography nor a history of cricket in the West Indies, though both subjects are discussed at length. Side topics include art criticism, classical civilization and Victorian education. I found most of these digressions fascinating, but if you prefer a straightforward cricket narrative, this book may not be for you. James generally states his arguments in a literate and engaging manner, though his point is sometimes obscured by the meandering course he pursues. The final chapters suffer from their focus on topical issues in 1960s Caribbean cricket that are less clear to modern readers, but in general this is a timeless work that deserves every plaudit. ( )

Such a good book. Can see why it is such a revered book. A series of essays and reminiscences more than a biography. Want to read more about the story of West Indies cricket. Definitely one to read (and savour) again.. ( )