The author had always intended to write a biography on Colin Blythe his heroic cricketing ancestor, who played for Kent and England then died in the First War, but could not have imagined the controversy that would later surround this.
An earlier biography appeared in 2005 but focussed on Blythe's alleged birth in a slum and his reputed epilepsy for effect, defining him by these criteria, instead of highlighting his monumental sporting achievements. This situation was made worse when John Major published "More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years" in 2008 which reproduced the assertion that he was born in a slum and had epilepsy straight from the other book (with little else). The Real Colin Blythe appeared the next year with the express aim of disputing such misapprenhensions through the use of the cricketer's own files, whilst putting his career back at the centre. The book was then reviewed and the Cricket Society Journal stated that such 'flaws' created a stereotype and a misleading impression, Kent on Sunday newspaper added that Descendant does best to do Blythe justice, whilst Line & Length in the Times stated this is an interesting book with several fascinating vignettes. However the authorities were far less generous and a review by Kent C.C.C. picked at every detail, being unable to accepts the findings of a mere supporter, while the club refused to print a "letter to the editor" in reply to this - since it might challenge their views. John Major likewise said he would only change anything in his book if the error were "proven" and it was good to come from humble origins. Yet the evidence clearly showed that Blythe's family were R.N. gunners, Royal Academy artists and City silk merchants, whereas there was only mention of a nervous dispositon in the records - but not of epilepsy. Despite the evidence in The Real Colin Blythe a misconceived view of Blythe's career remained, due to these other publications and views that were far from humble, whilst the former tried to correct this matter through a detailed analysis of his antecedents and career, a comprehensive record of his bowling figures, and many new pictures. The book was a stock item at the main wholesalers, selling quite well. It is now reproduced in E-book format so that a wider audience of cricketing oficionados, sports supporters and those with an interest in the First War can decide about the controversy for themselves (but with all of the facts)!
The author has also written The Wizards of Wight and The Four Idols of Destiny and non-fiction: The Founders of Soccer, Arthur Pember's Great Adventures and London Churches & Olde Celebritites two volumes (sold at Foyles, Waterstones, F.A. and St. Paul's).
Colin Blythe was born at Deptford in 1879, but took the cricketing world by storm. As a slow left hand bowler for Kent, his analysis was over 100 wickets per season and four county championships. He went on the first offical tours to Australia and South Africa in the 1900s, whilst of his many great achievements 17 for 48 has stood pre-eminent for over a century. Warner, captain of the M.C.C., stated, "No finer bowler of his kind has ever appeared." New sources reveal a talent, still unsurpassed and a colossus of cricket during that era. (Back Cover).
**** NOTE **** At the end of the book there are over 80 photographs (and maps) many of them "never before seen" pictures from his own private scrapbook, especially ones covering the first tours to Australia and South Africa in the early 1900s and studies of his bowling style and practice sessions. There are also 58 explanatory footnotes regarding famous people and places from that time, which although familiar then are not particularly well known today.
An earlier biography appeared in 2005 but focussed on Blythe's alleged birth in a slum and his reputed epilepsy for effect, defining him by these criteria, instead of highlighting his monumental sporting achievements. This situation was made worse when John Major published "More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years" in 2008 which reproduced the assertion that he was born in a slum and had epilepsy straight from the other book (with little else). The Real Colin Blythe appeared the next year with the express aim of disputing such misapprenhensions through the use of the cricketer's own files, whilst putting his career back at the centre. The book was then reviewed and the Cricket Society Journal stated that such 'flaws' created a stereotype and a misleading impression, Kent on Sunday newspaper added that Descendant does best to do Blythe justice, whilst Line & Length in the Times stated this is an interesting book with several fascinating vignettes. However the authorities were far less generous and a review by Kent C.C.C. picked at every detail, being unable to accepts the findings of a mere supporter, while the club refused to print a "letter to the editor" in reply to this - since it might challenge their views. John Major likewise said he would only change anything in his book if the error were "proven" and it was good to come from humble origins. Yet the evidence clearly showed that Blythe's family were R.N. gunners, Royal Academy artists and City silk merchants, whereas there was only mention of a nervous dispositon in the records - but not of epilepsy. Despite the evidence in The Real Colin Blythe a misconceived view of Blythe's career remained, due to these other publications and views that were far from humble, whilst the former tried to correct this matter through a detailed analysis of his antecedents and career, a comprehensive record of his bowling figures, and many new pictures. The book was a stock item at the main wholesalers, selling quite well. It is now reproduced in E-book format so that a wider audience of cricketing oficionados, sports supporters and those with an interest in the First War can decide about the controversy for themselves (but with all of the facts)!
The author has also written The Wizards of Wight and The Four Idols of Destiny and non-fiction: The Founders of Soccer, Arthur Pember's Great Adventures and London Churches & Olde Celebritites two volumes (sold at Foyles, Waterstones, F.A. and St. Paul's).
Colin Blythe was born at Deptford in 1879, but took the cricketing world by storm. As a slow left hand bowler for Kent, his analysis was over 100 wickets per season and four county championships. He went on the first offical tours to Australia and South Africa in the 1900s, whilst of his many great achievements 17 for 48 has stood pre-eminent for over a century. Warner, captain of the M.C.C., stated, "No finer bowler of his kind has ever appeared." New sources reveal a talent, still unsurpassed and a colossus of cricket during that era. (Back Cover).
**** NOTE **** At the end of the book there are over 80 photographs (and maps) many of them "never before seen" pictures from his own private scrapbook, especially ones covering the first tours to Australia and South Africa in the early 1900s and studies of his bowling style and practice sessions. There are also 58 explanatory footnotes regarding famous people and places from that time, which although familiar then are not particularly well known today.
