John Arlott: A Memoir

To his millions of admirers John Arlott’s observant and humorous commentaries, gift for language and distinguished Hampshire voice embodied cricket and summer. From clerk in a mental hospital to a provincial policeman, who even read on traffic duty, his love of literature, extraordinary drive and early success as a poet opened new horizons in broadcasting. He was the best company you could want – an enthusiast, talker, listener, funny, lovable, shrewd and wise but was battered by a series of personal tragedies and crises: divorce, the deaths of his newly born daughter, eldest son and young and adored second wife. Those who knew him in his pomp remember an enormous personality but his life passed through highs and lows that few will have the fortune or misfortune to experience.

Timothy Arlott describes the dramatic events that shaped his father’s life and his reactions to them with affection and humour but also with critical honesty.