Beyond a Boundary

I read Beyond a Boundary for a class I am taking in Cultural Studies. I expected it to be really dull and boring as I am not into sport at all. But after reading it, it was really one of the most well-written and interesting books I've ever read. James' carefully crafted book relates his experience as a colonized subject of Britain in the West Indies and the way in which colonialism and British morals and values were spread in the colonies through cricket. Beautifully intertwined with James personal experiences growing up and attending British public school, the history of cricket and great cricketers is presented passionately by James, a true fan of the sport, and all written in beautiful prose. James also tells the narrative of his political life, writing about the importance of West Indian self-governance and how cricket mirrored the social politics of Trinidad at the time. There were many overlaying threads of narrative throughout the book which gave it textural depth and the honesty of James throughout lends weight to his words. Highly recommended

Beyond a Boundary reached number 3 in the UK Observer Sport Monthly's poll of the best fifty sports books of all time. It is burdened with enormous praise; amongst the quotes included on the cover are: `To say "the best cricket book ever written" is pifflingly inadequate praise' and `Great claims have been made for [Beyond a Boundary] since its first appearance in 1963: that it is the greatest sports book ever written; that it brings the outsider a privileged insight into West Indian culture; that it is a severe examination of the colonial condition. All are true.' The praise is justified. The only way that this is not the best cricket book ever written is if you do not consider it as a cricket book. It is beautifully crafted, transcending the genre: an engaging combination of cricket book, personal memoir and political and cultural commentary. There are other very good books about cricket but this is something more than that. It is a cricket book, a history book, a sociology book and more. CLR James is a fascinating man: widely travelled, spending long periods in England and the USA as well as Trinidad, an important writer and journalist, a politically active Marxist, instrumental in getting Frank Worrell appointed captain of the West Indies team. The book covers a wide range of subjects including his childhood in Trinidad; great cricketers he has known and watched; Caribbean politics amongst others. For cricket lovers one of the beautiful things about the book is that James loves cricket, he appreciates it as an art form. He possesses the clarity of thought and the prose to convey this love and appreciation to the reader. In places the book shows its age (it was written in 1963); it is very much of its time: a product of the anti-colonial struggle, and the emergence of West Indies cricket as a serious challenge to the domination of England and Australia. In some places events have overtaken some of his observations and some of the language jars. It is still a fantastic book - amazingly insightful and interesting. This is a book that no genuine cricket lover should be without.

James's "Beyond a Boundary" is one of the finest literary works of the twentieth century. It asks questions that go to the heart of the human condition: where do democratic ideas come from? How does one strive towards self-emancipation in a totalitarian world? What tools may dismantle colonialism and neo-colonialism? What is the relationship between art and everyday life? Oh, and there's the social and cultural analysis of cricket, and how this endeavor fits into the larger picture. "Beyond a Boundary" is often referred to as the founding text of postcolonialism. It is more, far more. A caveat is in order, however. One cannot rush through this book. Take time to digest the ideas. A background in the history of the West Indies is also helpful

James' excellent volume takes the reader on a wild ride through the history of cricket and, in particular its influence on West Indies social and political development. I say a wild ride since the reader is never sure where the book is headed as it weaves through autobiographical, biographical, historical, sociological, humanist and political arenas as it proceeds to its, finally, satisfying conclusion. James' thesis of cricket as a determining factor in the development of the West Indian psyche is interesting and well presented. As an overview of cricket's spot in the world's firmament, it takes a valuable place.

It doesn't matter what he writes about, this bloke has the goods. James was a real rennaisance man -- political, intellectual and physical. I've never read anyone who wrote about cricket with such depth and understanding. James makes the quantum leap from writing just about the game to writing about the different cultural forces in each country that shape the way the game is played. Want to know why such different, national brands of cricket are played in the Windies, England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, India or New Zealand? Then read this book. The chapter on W.G. Grace is a particular treat.