Arlott: The Authorised Biography
Allen, David Rayvern
£7.50
Arlott
The Authorised Biography
By David Rayvern Allen
Hardback with dust jacket. Published by Harper Collins, London, 1994 (3rd Printing). Approx size: 24cm H x 16cm W (9 ½” H x 6 ¼”W). xiii, 392pp. Illustrated – 54 b/w photographs; Appendices; Bibliography; Index. Black boards with gold titles to the spine. Condition: All pages present; No inscriptions; Clean, bright & tight; No tears. Dust jacket: Not price clipped; Minor rubbing; No tears. Overall condition for the book & jacket – Nr Fine. Does not appear to have been read.
“John Arlott’s talents embraced poetry, journalism, broadcasting, wine and politics, but he will always be remembered for the genius he brought to his cricket commentaries; his rich Hampshire burr, imaginative turn of phrase and ability to bring life to the characters of the game made him a broadcasting legend.
As a policeman in wartime Southampton, John Arlott exercised the instinctive powers of observation that fuelled so much of his writing. As a tyro poet, he was encouraged by John Betjeman; as a literary programmes producer at the BBC, he befriended Dylan Thomas and worked closely with E. M. Forster. His first cricket broadcast took place in 1946 (‘You have a vulgar voice, but an interesting mind’ was the assessment of his BBC boss), and it was not long before he became the commentator most highly esteemed by players and public alike.”
Overall condition for the book & jacket – Nr Fine. Does not appear to have been read.