C.L.R. James is the author of unquestionably the best book ever written about cricket: "Beyond a Boundary" - indeed, one of the finest books written about sport, period. In print ever since its publication in 1963, it has just been reissued again by Yellow Jersey. But James wrote about cricket all his life, though he only ever published one other book on the game, and this is it. Originally published by Allison and Busby, and out of print for the last ten years, it is now republished as part of Aurum's highest-quality cricket list, under a new title and with a striking cover tied in with the cover design of "Beyond a Boundary". "A Majestic Innings" collects together appreciations of great cricketers from Bradman to Botham, Dexter to David Gower, pieces on cricket controversies like the Bodyline series and the D'Oliviera affair, letters to friends like John Arlott and V.S. Naipaul, and above all writings on James's first love, West Indies cricket - on Gary Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Learie Constantine, and even the early promise of a young Guyanian called Clive Lloyd. Aurum's cricket list already published almost all the finest writers on the game: Derek Birley, Gideon Haigh, David Frith, David Rayvern Allen - and now it has added C.L.R. James.

C. L. R. James is the author of what is universally agreed to be the best book ever written on cricket, Beyond a Boundary. James wrote about cricket throughout his life, and all his best articles, letters and occasional pieces are collected here, in the only other book he published on the game that defined his life. A Majestic Innings brings together appreciations of great cricketers from Bradman to Dexter to David Gower, letters to friends including Colin Cowdrey, John Arlott and V. S Naipaul, as well as trenchant observations on cricketing controversies like the Bodyline series and the D’Oliviera affair. And above all, from a man for whom cricket was not just a game but, unequivocally, an art form, James writes brilliantly and passionately about West Indies cricket – defining the greatness of Gary Sobers, the magisterial leadership of Sir Frank Worrell, and recognising the immense talent of a young Guyanian called Clive Lloyd.

This book analyses cricket’s place in Anglophone Caribbean literature. It examines works by canonical authors – Brathwaite, Lamming, Lovelace, Naipaul, Phillips and Selvon – and by understudied writers – including Agard, Fergus, John, Keens-Douglas, Khan and Markham. It tackles short stories, novels, poetry, drama and film from the Caribbean and its diaspora. Its literary readings are couched in the history of Caribbean cricket and studies by Hilary Beckles and Gordon Rohlehr. C.L.R James’ foundational Beyond a Boundary provides its theoretical grounding. Literary depictions of iconic West Indies players – including Constantine, Headley, Worrell, Walcott, Sobers, Richards, and Lara – feature throughout. The discussion focuses on masculinity, heroism, father-son dynamics, physical performativity and aesthetic style. Attention is also paid to mother-daughter relations and female engagement with cricket, with examples from Anim-Addo, Breeze, Wynter and others. Cricket holds a prominent place in the history, culture, politics and popular imaginary of the Caribbean. This book demonstrates that it also holds a significant and complicated place in Anglophone Caribbean literature.

All the highlights of 150 editions of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

This summer's Ashes was another unforgettable instalment in the oldest and greatest rivalry in international sport. From the thrilling denouement at Trent Bridge, when Australia came within 19 runs of an incredible victory, to the stunning spell of hostile fast bowling from Stuart Broad in Durham and England's frantic run-chase in the gloom at the Oval in pursuit of an historic 4-0 series victory, the series was never less than engrossing. And - as always in an Ashes summer - there was as much intrigue off the field. David Warner made himself the English public's favourite pantomime villain by taking a swing at Joe Root before a ball was bowled, controversy raged over the standards of umpiring and the use of the Decision Review System while Darren Lehmann stoked the fires ahead of the return series Down Under with his infamous radio rant at Broad. The Daily and Sunday Telegraph's unbeatable team of cricket writers were present through the 2013 series to deliver the definitive account of events. Derek Pringle, Paul Hayward, Scyld Berry, Simon Hughes, Jim White, Steve James and Nick Hoult dissected events with forensic detail, and former captains Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott, together with Australian spinning legend Shane Warne, set the agenda with their hard-hitting columns. So, as you tick off the days to the first Test in Brisbane, relive the splendour of Ian Bell's three centuries, Ashton Agar's record-breaking debut, Root's stunning innings at Lord's and the spectacular bowling of Graeme Swann and James Anderson, as chronicled in the pages of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.

Czars of the East is my humble tribute to two of the greatest exponents of Indian cricket who hail from the Eastern zone of India. They are icons not just for the youth in this country; rather their popularity extends across various demographic segments simply because of the way they have approached the game, conducted themselves on the field and off it and have been exemplary in making all of us understand the true essence of leadership. They are none other than Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. What makes these two cricketers so special for millions across the globe is the way they have challenged conventions, norms and thoughts and have thus invented their own brand of cricket both as a player and as captain of the Indian cricket team, a responsibility that although make look glamorous to many superficially but is actually a nerve racking experience. This book has two major sections – the one dedicated to Sourav Ganguly and the other to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Each such section further discusses a biographical account of the two players under several heads like The Formative Years, Marriage and After, On Top of the Game, Brand Endorsements, Miscellaneously Yours, Statistically Yours followed by a Picture Gallery dedicated to each of these two czars of Indian cricket. I sincerely hope that this humble effort of mine will be thoroughly liked by myriad of ‘Dada’ and ‘MSD’ aficionados like me and they will find this book to be pleasantly different in its approach and contextual treatment.

This book encapsulates the experiences of a five year old boy from the time he was fortunate to have witnessed a village cricket game sometime in 1949 in a far off field in Berbice, British Guiana. It was a defining moment of his life as the love of the game took hold of him then and in his later adult life. The story is centered around his adulthood in attending the first ever Cricket World Cup Tournament, held in the Caribbean in 2007 which is attended by him and a number of his son’s friends. Being surrounded by cricket literally on a 24/7 basis for the week; childhood and young adult memories pertaining to the game are evoked and these he shares with his audience. He shares with us some of the “memorable” games in which he took part. He also shares his experiences of some of the cricket teams to have visited Guyana from the 1950s to the 1980s. He unabashedly lets his audience know that he considers the period of the 60s and 70s to be the eras with which he associated his fondest memories. The great West Indian players Rohan Kanhai and Gary Sobers are his heroes. He also describes for his audience the other great cricketers from England, Australia, India, and Pakistan whom he had been able to see perform at the famous Bourda cricket ground in Georgetown, Guyana. In the final chapters he assesses the state of the game of cricket in the world today and the changes which the game had to undergo in order to survive in the fast-paced modern world. He ends his story by recounting with some of his grandchildren recounting cricket games in St. Lucia so as to introduce them to this game on which he has been hooked! He recounts that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Interviews Redefined is practical advice and suggestions for the Civil Services aspirants facing the Personality Test. It is written in a lucid language without getting too much into a theoretical framework. There are innumerable examples all along the book which keep the reader engaged and also helps understand the nuances of the Civil Services Interviews. The synopsis of the actual interviews attended by 61 Civil Servants is the icing on the cake in this book. It is a useful compendium for those youngsters attending interviews for jobs in the banking sector, public sector undertakings, corporate sector and other private sectors.

The Times newspaper has been covering the Ashes since the great cricketing rivalry between England and Australia began. From the day — May 14, 1877 — that a report was published of a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that was later recognised as the first Test match, to its slick, modern-day coverage with a team of writers, stunning colour photographs and instant online analysis, the paper has been there every step of the way. This book showcases some of the best Ashes coverage from the pages of The Times over almost 140 years and includes many of the most memorable matches, moments and players. It includes the sensational Bodyline series in 1932-33 that nearly split the Empire and the epic drama of the unforgettable Tests of 2005 when England finally won back the Ashes to the acclaim of the whole nation. The ruthless record-breaking exploits of Don Bradman are featured along with many other great individual contributions, including Jim Laker’s 19 wickets at Old Trafford in 1956 and Ian Botham’s Australia’s staggering solo performances in 1981. There are chapters recalling memorable innings by the likes of Len Hutton, David Gower, Colin Cowdrey, Walter Hammond and Kevin Pietersen for England and from Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Stan McCabe, Allan Border and Charles Macartney for Australia. The great bowlers are covered in full, too, from Dennis Lillee and Shane Warne to Alec Bedser and James Anderson and many more besides. All these great cricketers were fortunate to have their Ashes exploits recorded by some of the most celebrated names in cricket writing, including Times cricket correspondents John Woodcock, Mike Atherton, Christopher Martin-Jenkins and Alan Lee plus a host of other distinguished journalists who have written about cricket for The Times. With a foreword by Mike Atherton, the former England captain who is now the award-winning Times cricket correspondent, The Times on the Ashes is a unique record of a remarkable and enduring sporting rivalry.

Always Believe is the gripping autobiography of Chelsea, Arsenal and France star Olivier Giroud. Join him on a remarkable journey, from playing for a small club in south-east France to achieving top-flight glory there and in England, before lifting the World Cup with the French national team. Giroud shot to prominence in 2011/12 as the top scorer in France's Ligue 1, netting 21 goals to help Montpellier to their first-ever top-flight title. After signing for Arsenal in 2012, he rewarded the Gunners with 73 goals in 180 games and helped them to three FA Cup wins. He is also the French national team's second-highest scorer. Now at Chelsea, Giroud is still hungry for success. But what about the sacrifices he's made along the way? The pressures of being under the spotlight and having to cope with a constant stream of criticism and questions around his selection for the national side? Usually a private person, Giroud holds nothing back as he shares all the highs and lows of a stellar career at the game's top level in this tell-all book.