The Art of Captaincy [Paperback]

Mike Brearley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001

In cricket, the role of the captain has been consistently under-rated in recent years. In time where statistics are the fashion, the performance of batsmen and bowlers can readily be presented in terms of averages whereas the contribution of the captain is, by contrast, harder to assess. But in cricket more than any other sport the role of the leader is crucial. In this book, Mike Brearley considers the role of captain both on the cricket field, and more broadly, applying the principles of sport captaincy to more general leadership debates. One of the first sportsmen to make the link between success in sport and in other areas of our work and personal lives, Brearley has made a lasting contribution to the wider debate. Mike Brearley is considered one of England's finest captains ever, whose methods and approach still have resonance today. Nasser Hussein has a captaincy style both admired by and likened to Brearley.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike Brearley played for Middlesex County Cricket Club through three decades, playing in his first England Test match in 1976 and becoming captain from 1977 to 1980. He was recalled to the captaincy in 1981, leading England to their famous victory. He now works as a psychoanalyst and has given talks on leadership and motivation since retiring from cricket in 1982.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan; 2 edition (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752261843
• ISBN-13: 978-0752261843
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 6.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #873,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Other Team Sports > Cricket

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insight into cricket captaincy, November 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of Captaincy (Paperback)

I don't have much to compare against (as it is the only cricket-related book I've read), but it makes an excellent read. Most of Brearley's arguments are based on sound logic, and he relates some pretty interesting anecdotes to back it up. A lot of these are however from English county cricket, and many readers may not be able to relate to them. The book is still a very compelling read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who's involved in playing the game, or interested in reading about it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just captaincy, February 7, 2012

By 

John D. Muir "oldies and pies lover" (Oglesby, Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Captaincy (Paperback)

Although this book will be primarily of interest to cricketers, it's a mistake to regard it just as a cricket book. Brearley's profession enables him to write authoritatively on captaincy as one aspect of the broader skills of leadership and motivation. Anyone interested in management would find this book as helpful as any of the reference works available on the subject.

Brearley was one of the finest captains I have seen in over 50 years of watching cricket. Richie Benaud and Imran Khan, in different ways, were as successful in lifting their teams to great performances, but they were both great cricketers in their own right. Brearley was the weakest player in the side for most of his career as a test captain and the success of the team when he was leading it is testament to how important leadership is.

Thoroughly recommended. I wish he'd write an autobiography!

5.0 out of 5 stars Crciket's Mr Thinker, January 26, 2008

By 

Tony Hughes "stellarossa, From Fear to Flatte... (Cincinnati, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Captaincy (Paperback)

Even non-cricket fans would be advised to 'slog' through this tome. Brearley's book, written in the mid 1980's is as relevant today as it was back then. Sure the anecdotes stop in 1985 but they provide a fascinating look at what it was like to be a cricketer in the 1960's - 1980's: lemon squash and biscuits, nutjobs like Close, eccentrics like Dexter and Boycott.

Brearley gives you his step-by-step guide to being a captain and what pitfalls such a position brings up. Sam Mendes chips in with the introduction, having read this book when he was having difficulties with 'American Beauty'.