On Form: The Times Book of the Year

Review Fascinating -- Ivo Tennant ― The Cricketer Engaging -- Martin Chilton ― Daily Telegraph Endlessly curious and unapologetically intellectual ― The Times Accessible -- William Joll ― The Oldie Fascinating ― Choice Interesting ― New Statesman This is a book that offers insight not just into cricket, but into every walk of life; not just into the state of being on form itself, but into everything that surrounds it; and not just into the reader, but into the author himself ― All Out Cricket Epic journey of a book -- Dominic Lawson ― Sunday Times Product Description THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR DAILY TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017 What is being on form? How does it relate to feeling 'in the zone'? Are these states in the lap of the gods, a matter of which side of the bed we got out of that morning? Or is there anything we can do to make their arrival more likely? In this fascinating book, former England cricket captain and psychoanalyst Mike Brearley draws on his own experiences, both on and off the field, and examines many of the elements of being in and out of form across a number of different disciplines - not only in cricket and psychoanalysis but also in finance, music, philosophy, medicine, teaching, tree surgery and drama. Perceptive and engaging, On Form is an exploration of the benefits and risks of being on form and can help us all reflect on the range of conditions that block or liberate us. Book Description From English first-class cricketer turned psychoanalyst Mike Brearley, comes a thought-provoking look at being 'on form'. This book will help people in all walks of life reflect on the kinds of conditions that can obstruct or free us. About the Author Mike Brearley OBE was educated at Cambridge, where he read classics and moral sciences, and captained the university. He played for Middlesex County Cricket Club intermittently from 1961 to 1983, captaining the side from 1971 to 1982. He first played for England in 1976 and captained the side from 1977 to 1980, winning seventeen test matches and losing only four. He was recalled to the captaincy in 1981 for the Ashes home series, leading England to one of their most famous victories. Since retiring from cricket in 1982, he trained and continues to work as a psychoanalyst, and is a lecturer on leadership and motivation. He is the author of the bestselling The Art of Captaincy, and has written on cricket and the psychology of sport for the Observer and most recently The Times. He lives in London.