Sir Vivian: The Definitive Autobiography

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Viv Richards, Bob Harris

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Pages: 416 (Mass Market Paperback)

ISBN: 0140290753

Pub: Penguin Books Ltd

Pub date: 2001-05-31

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 314240

Editorial Review:

In the latest edition of the cricketing bible Wisden, Sir Vivian Richards was voted one of the five greatest cricketers of the 20th century. In the words of no lesser judge than Ian Botham, "There has never been a better player". Whatever the nature of any specific accolade, there can be no doubt that during a test match career running between 1974 and 1991, Viv Richards proved himself one of the most accomplished, exciting and destructive batsmen that the world stage has ever seen. This autobiography, written with journalist Bob Harris, tells the story from Viv's point of view, and is pretty much what cricket fans would expect from the man who was no stranger to controversy on a number of occasions during his playing days. Richards' career in cricket is fully covered from its inception until his failure to secure appointment as coach of the West Indies side to tour England in 2000. Playing days in England for Somerset and Glamorgan are recalled, alongside many memorable matches for the West Indies, and opinions on opponents and team-mates from around the world. Viv's great mate Botham of course features heavily, the former looking back on the special relationship they clearly had both off an on the field, where they enjoyed many a good battle. And Richards, it seems, loves nothing more than a battle. This combative nature, along with fierce determination, allied to loyalty to friends and his beloved Antigua, and the Caribbean in general, shine through as the key themes in his success. Flavoured with a sense of humour, these characteristics ensure that Viv's story is as entertaining as the batting with which he thrilled crowds around the world. --Trevor Crowe

Reader Reviews:

Chopped up, lacking in detail (0/0 people found this helpful)

I was thinking that an autobiography on the life and times of Sir Viv Richards would be a fast paced affair detailing his triumphs as a test cricketer reliving all his great moments. However I was disapointed to find that the book did not even stick to a chronological order meaning that it became difficult to even assess the growing stature of the great mans career. Even at this the detail on the matches themselves are light in detail and I afraid to say very rarely took me to that place in his cricketing life. The book ends with a manifesto from Sir Viv on how he would change West Indies Cricket for the better. While it is clear that Viv is a very passionate and devoted person both to Cricket and his country, Antigua, I also got the sense that it was all slightly unnecessary. While an interesting read for anyone with a genuine love and interest in Cricket I would doubt it's appeal outside this bracket

An interesting autobiography by West-Indies legend (2/2 people found this helpful)

This autobiography by Viv Ricahrds is well narrated and colorfully insighted. He provides an excellent account of his cricketing career for the West-Indies and England county cricket. He has shown how very knowlegeable he is about the game, by raising a number key issues that affect modern cricket and is not afraid to be open-minded about his views.

The most interesting aspects of this book is his friendship with Ian Botham, controversial career in Somorset, his playing days in the great West-Indies squad in the 1980's and his retirement from first clas cricket. These aspects have been particular of interest to me as a reader. The only flaw of this book, is their were no chronological order of events.

Overall a pleasurable read autiobiography by a West-Indies legend and a great best seller.

Interesting for fans but somewhat anectodal. (1/1 people found this helpful)

As a Somerset fan, this was a book I had to read and at nearly 400 pages, you certainly get your money's worth.

Viv Richards, as readers will know, was quite simply the greatest batsman that ever lived. However, I don't think this book quite matches his achievements as a cricketer. I noticed it was co-written by Bob Harris, which in my experience, generally means you're in store for a series of tolerably written anecdotes, but not a sequential diary of events. Although that may be fine for some, I find the jumping around every five minutes a little confusing, but more importantly, you begin to lose that sense of anticipation that is so important when reading a book.

For example, early on, before he'd described how he'd broken into the Test Match arena, he'd describe events and players in a future Test Match to illustrate a particular point.

Viv doesn't hold back his thoughts in this book. If someone or something has annoyed him, he lets it out.

Anyway, if you're a fan of cricket, then you must also be a fan of the man himself, and this book paints an interesting picture of his life.

One little gripe I have about most sports autobiographies, and this book unfortunately is no exception, is that they rarely convey how magical it must feel to be playing for your country, or even your local county side. Maybe when you're the greatest player in the world, it isn't all that special, but all the same, I would have liked to have seen that described in this book.

That, however is a small gripe; the book is a good one, its certainly worth the money, and as he was one of my biggest childhood heros, gets 4 stars from me.

A good solid, if unspectacular read. Better than most (4/4 people found this helpful)

A good solid, if unspectacular read. Better than most biographies of its type.

Richards discusses his early life in the Carribean, then moves on to talk about his test match encounters - particularly with England & Australia.

Other subjects covered includes sledging, his public speaking tours with Ian Botham, his controversial departure from Somerset, his time with Glamorgan, the approaches made to him to tour south Africa in the early 80s and the somewhat acrimonious end to his test career (I had no idea he wanted to tour Australia in 92/93!).

The section which most interested me though was the section on the Packer years. I only wish it had been more indepth. As Richards himself admits the cricket played as part of the Packer years was some of the toughest cricket ever played and the sense of challenge that Richards felt comes across loud and strong in the book.

What disappointed me a little was the lack on insight into some of his greatest innings. At no point does he attempt to discuss why he felt his test form dropped off (relatively speaking !!) during the 80s and 90s. That being said he does select what he thought was his best test innings and his decision will surprise you.

He does briefly discuss the eye problems that plagued him during the middle of his career. The cure make interesting reading as does his very frank and honest views on soft/hard drugs.

A good statistical section ends off the book.

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