Autobiography

Autobiography was first published in 1947 and was described by J. B. Priestley as 'one of the best pieces of writing that ever found a way to our Book Society. He is a writer who has learned how to write and the result is glorious.' Sir Neville Cardus is best remembered as a writer on both cricket and music and during his lifetime achieved an unparalleled reputation as one of England's greatest journalists on these two very different subjects. Born in Rusholme in Manchester Cardus carved out an international reputation for himself by his own ability, efforts and imagination and created, as his biographer Christopher Brookes put it, 'a beguiling personal legend in the course of a career which extended over fifty years.' 'This is a very, very good book. Cricket and music - how he makes both these worlds pulsate, life comic as well as life magnificent.' Robert Lynd 'A superb work by a master of English.' Wilfred Pickles

Sir Neville Cardus (1889-1975) was born in Manchester and became assistant cricket 'pro' at Shrewsbury School in his early twenties. He joined the Manchester Guardian in 1916 and his articles written under the name of 'Cricketer' made him famous throughout the country. He visited Australia in 1936-7 to report on England's cricket tour and wrote Australian Summer based on his experiences on the tour. At the outbreak of war he accepted an invitation to cover Sir Thomas Beecham's tour of Australia and moved to Australia in 1940, working first for Melbourne's The Herald and then for the Sydney Morning Herald. He returned to London in 1949 and rejoined the Manchester Guardian in 1951 as its music critic. In 1967 he was awarded a knighthood. Cardus published eleven books on cricket and nine on music during his lifetime.