Arlott

Fülszöveg

John Arlott's talents embraced poetry, journalism, broadcasting, wine and politics, but he will always be remembered for the genius he brought to his cricket commentaries; his rich Hampshire burr, imaginative turn of phrase and ability to bring to life the characters of the game made him a broadcasting legend. As a policeman in wartime Southampton, John Arlott exercised the instinctive powers of observation that fuelled so much of his writing. As a tyro poet, he was encouraged by John Betjeman; as a literary programmes producer at the BBC, he befriended Dylan Thomas and worked closely with E.M. Forster. His first cricket broadcast took place in 1946 ('You have a vulgar voice, but an interesting mind' was the assessment of his BBC boss), and it was not long before he became the commentator most highly esteemed by players and public alike. Before he died in 1991, Arlott gave Dávid Rayvern Allén his blessing: 'There is no one in the world I would sooner have write my biography than... Tovább

Fülszöveg

John Arlott's talents embraced poetry, journalism, broadcasting, wine and politics, but he will always be remembered for the genius he brought to his cricket commentaries; his rich Hampshire burr, imaginative turn of phrase and ability to bring to life the characters of the game made him a broadcasting legend. As a policeman in wartime Southampton, John Arlott exercised the instinctive powers of observation that fuelled so much of his writing. As a tyro poet, he was encouraged by John Betjeman; as a literary programmes producer at the BBC, he befriended Dylan Thomas and worked closely with E.M. Forster. His first cricket broadcast took place in 1946 ('You have a vulgar voice, but an interesting mind' was the assessment of his BBC boss), and it was not long before he became the commentator most highly esteemed by players and public alike. Before he died in 1991, Arlott gave Dávid Rayvern Allén his blessing: 'There is no one in the world I would sooner have write my biography than you.' With ready access to friends, family and former colleagues, and drawing on a friendship of over 20 years, the author describes the life of a very priváté man who, though well known to nearly everyone, was yet unknown to all but a few. Arlott's family life, personal enthusiasms, friendships, political beliefs and extempore skills as a cricket commentator ('he approaches the wicket like Groucho Marx chasing a pretty waitress'): all are part of this warm and affectionate biography of one of the greatest radio broadcasters, whose distinctive voice came to epitomise the very sound of an English summer. L20.00 net Vissza