C. L. R. James - Writings On Cricket

Writings On Cricket

C. L. R. James is widely known as a writer on cricket, especially for his autobiographical 1963 book, Beyond a Boundary, which he himself described as "neither cricket reminiscences nor autobiography". It is considered the seminal work on the game, and is often named as the best single book on cricket (or even the best book on any sport) ever written. A conference to mark the 50th anniversary of its first publication has been announced for 10-11 May 2013.

The book's key question, frequently quoted by modern journalists and essayists, is inspired by Rudyard Kipling and asks in its Preface: "What do they know of cricket who only cricket know?" Acknowledging that "To answer involves ideas as well as facts", James uses this challenge as the basis for describing cricket in an historical and social context, the strong influence cricket had on his life, and how it meshed with his role in politics and his understanding of issues of class and race. The literary quality of the writing attracts cricketers of all political views.

While editor of The Nation, he led the successful campaign in 1960 to have Frank Worrell appointed the first black captain of the West Indies cricket team. James believed that the relationship between players and the public was a prominent reason behind the West Indies' achieving so much with so little.