Bradman: The Illustrated Biography by Michael Page (Hardcover, 1983)

Bradman: The Illustrated Biography by Michael Page (Paperback, 1983).

The English cricketer Arthur

Gillian once described

Sir Donald as

"one of the truest

gentlemen who ever wore

flannels" and I find it easy to

understand why. He is one of

those remarkable men whose

personalities seem to radiate

complete confidence, an almost

fierce honesty, and a warmth,

sympathy, and sensitivity which

evoke trust and confidence in

return. These qualities,

complemented as they are by

the charm and serenity of

Lady Bradman, make me deeply

grateful not only for Sir Donald's

assistance with this book but also

for the privilege of knowing

one of the great men of our time.

Miehael Page

The 'birthday biography' of Sir

Donald Bradman, based on his

lifetime collection of personal

material and on interviews with

the great batsman

On 27 August 1983 it became seventy-five years

since The Don' was born into a farming family

al Yeo Yeo, Now South Wales. This biography is

proudly presented as a commemorative tribute

to the world's most famous batsman.

The book was conceived when Sir Donald

consented to make his personal records.

including letters, documents, photographs and

scrapbooks dating back to his earliest days -

available to the publishers as the basis of a new

biography. He also granted interviews to the

author and checked the entire text of the book

Michael Page gives a fully- rounded portrait of

Sir Donald's life and career, from the days when

he was a youthful country cricketer, through the

years when he dominated the Test arena,

to his

achievements as the 'eldor statesman' of

Australian cricket. The selection of illustrations,

of which the majority have never been

published before, add a new dimension to the

Bradman story.

The narrative deals with the problems and

controversies of his life under the spotlight of

publicity, including the bodyline battles; with

his conquest of physical disabilities which

threatened to bring a premature end to his

cricket career; and with his successful efforts to

create business and family life separate from the

demands of cricket.

Essentially, this book shows how a great

sportsman may also be a great gentleman; an

inspiration to countless admirers and an

upholder of the traditional values of life and

sport.

The structure of the book, comprising many

separate articles apart from the principal text,

gives the reader an illuminating insight into

cricketing and social life during Sir Donald's

career, and shows the ways in which the public

and newspapers of the period regarded him.

This now biography is both a valuable

addition to cricketing history and the human

story of a great Australian legend.

Br112.2822.e