C. L. R. James is the author of what is universally agreed to be the best book ever written on cricket, Beyond a Boundary. James wrote about cricket throughout his life, and all his best articles, letters and occasional pieces are collected here, in the only other book he published on the game that defined his life. A Majestic Innings brings together appreciations of great cricketers from Bradman to Dexter to David Gower, letters to friends including Colin Cowdrey, John Arlott and V. S Naipaul, as well as trenchant observations on cricketing controversies like the Bodyline series and the D’Oliviera affair. And above all, from a man for whom cricket was not just a game but, unequivocally, an art form, James writes brilliantly and passionately about West Indies cricket – defining the greatness of Gary Sobers, the magisterial leadership of Sir Frank Worrell, and recognising the immense talent of a young Guyanian called Clive Lloyd.

C. L. R. James is the author of what is universally agreed to be the best book ever written on cricket, Beyond a Boundary. James wrote about cricket throughout his life, and all his best articles, letters and occasional pieces are collected here, in the only other book he published on the game that defined his life. A Majestic Innings brings together appreciations of great cricketers from Bradman to Dexter to David Gower, letters to friends including Colin Cowdrey, John Arlott and V. S Naipaul, as well as trenchant observations on cricketing controversies like the Bodyline series and the D’Oliviera affair. And above all, from a man for whom cricket was not just a game but, unequivocally, an art form, James writes brilliantly and passionately about West Indies cricket – defining the greatness of Gary Sobers, the magisterial leadership of Sir Frank Worrell, and recognising the immense talent of a young Guyanian called Clive Lloyd.