Different from the usual cricketer memoirs in that Richard Key often gives centre stage to fellow cricketers. Plenty of tales are told, although nothing too revelatory as what goes on whilst on tour stays on tour!

Key is now in punditry and with his easy storytelling style you can see why he is popular.

One for cricket fans to add to their bookshelves.

Extremely interesting read, especially to any that follow cricket. Showed a whole new side to a player and person

My reviews are usually quite wordy but I don't think my usual reviewing style fits this genre of book. If you like cricket, sport in general, anecdotes and fun & frolics on and off the sports field then this is probably the book for you. Whether you know or even like the man himself, I do, this book is crammed full of well written, personally delivered, knowledgeable, stories about all sorts. Obviously we are mostly getting the PG version of some, but not all, but you can't blame a guy for holding some of the more delicious back for "after dinner speeches" and such. It's an eclectic mix of both tales and opinions and comes across as refreshingly frank. It's very readable so could be devoured in one go but, as with other books of this ilk, can also work well as a dipper to read between other books. Oh and it's not an autobiography by the way, just in case that's what you are looking for. It does however spell out his journey through cricket and the opinions and indeed friends he has made along the way.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

An enjoyable read for any cricket fan. Some parts are very funny and I'm pleased to read about someone that hates team building and enjoys a night out in Worcester as much as I do, although I don't attempt to play sport the next day!

Key is clearly a nice man and possibly a bit too nice as he likes everyone and there are no big reveals here. I did feel a lot of later chapters were focused on other cricketers rather than on him but interesting nonetheless.

This is a refreshing open and frank look at cricket whilst the author was playing for Kent and England and discusses himself and his closest friends in the game and the people who influenced him and even goes into his Sky sports career as well. the reason why its refreshing as its an alternative cricket book more cricket then the actual how I grew up etc. this book would appeal to the general cricket fan

Thank you to Rob Key, White Owl and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in return for an honest review.

A great read about the game of cricket that I think will appeal to all.

Informative, interesting, almost a fly on the wall read about life in the game. Great to get some snippets about life in the dressing room/on tour/snippets about players/reminders of some classic cricketing moments – Butcher’s 173 not out at Headingley, Steve Waugh and the red handkerchief, to more recent times (the World Cup victory last year) and life as a commentator.

Key’s perspective on the game, players, the science behind the game, just fascinating. I expected this book to be a warts and all expose on Rob Key and his cricketing achievements but instead it was a light hearted read that gave me a really interesting insight and perspective on the game.

I loved it! And I’m sad that I’ve finished it. I hope we get a Book 2!

Rob Key has produced a very entertaining and enjoyable memoir about his time playing, watching and commentating on cricket.

This isn’t the usual sports biography but more Key’s take on the sport based on his vast experience. There are also a number of very amusing tales using involving his mates Fred & Harmy.

Key is now an excellent pundit on Sky Sports and he brings his wit and insight to this book which is highly recommended

I am grateful to net galley.com and White Owl for a review copy of this book which has in no way influenced the review I gave it.

I loved Rob Key as a cricketer he was someone who I always felt was giving his best and was slightly harshly treated by the England selectors. I enjoy listening to Rob Key on commentary or analysis on Sky Sports always feeling that whatever he has to say is worth saying he isn't a man to waste words simply to say something.

The book itself is really a memoir of his time in cricket, I wouldn't classify it as an autobiography as such in that there is very little of his early life, very little about his home life or anything like that in it and why would there be? The book doesn't lose anything for that.

It starts off with Rob avoiding a pointless run set out by his coach, moves through Rob trying to avoid doing as many pointless things as possible all while trying to score runs for Kent and then for England and then back to Kent again.

The main strong points of the book are the warmth and wit, there were a few times when I genuinely burst out laughing at some of the things he, Flintoff and Harmison got up to on tour. Throughout the book there is a real warmth in relationship that Key speaks of between those three but also really between most of the people Key mentions in the book. There are some good insights as well into people that may be surprising, Murali as the worlds nicest man may not shock too many folk but Shane Warne as equally nice might. I enjoyed Key's perspective on pressure and suspect that whatever level of cricket folks play we can all fall into the trap of believing this is the most important thing in the world even if it is Laurelvale III v Carrickfergus IV.

For me personally the only thing that let the book down or could have been developed would have been some of the confrontations that happened. There are a smattering throughout the book and one of the things he highlights is that international cricket isn't as volatile as it is made out to be sometimes. For me everything felt just a little too rosy but perhaps that just reflects the man himself not bothering to get involved when all about him where losing their heads he managed to keep his.

A great read for any cricket fan, you wont be disappointed.

I have been impressed by Rob Key's contributions on Sky V's crocket coverage fro some time now. he's knowledgeable, well informed, listens well and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously.

His book reinforces this view as he has produced an excellent overview not just of his career but of life behind the scenes as both a cricketer and broadcaster.

After an unconvincing start with far too much information on alcoholic refuelling and team bonding excesses the book finally takes off and is perceptive and interesting on captaincy and how best to make your way as a young and aspiring cricketer.

I learned a lot about the dynamics of both leading and being a member of a team and enjoyed what I read very much indeed.

An excellent book indeed.