Turning Over the Pebbles: A Life in Cricket and in the Mind

Mike Brearley's mother predicted that he would become one of the most successful sportsmen of his generation by playing cricket for Cambridge, Middlesex, and then becoming one of England's finest captains. However, cricket was not just a physical activity for Brearley; it was also an intellectual game that offered the chance to bring closer together body and mind. He eschewed sporting commentary for a career as a psychoanalyst and wrote Turning Over the Pebbles, a memoir of the mind that reviews his life with its attendant emotions, tensions, and moves. The book seamlessly blends all aspects of Brearley's life into a single integrated narrative, with wide-ranging meditations on sport, philosophy, literature, religion, leadership, psychoanalysis, music, and more.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2024
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

If you continue to pursue your current path, you will dedicate your entire life to the pursuit of football and cricket. These were the exasperated words of Mike Brearley's mother, uttered as he traipsed mud into the family home after an extended day spent outdoors. Although they were not entirely accurate, they were a foreshadowing of his remarkable journey as a sportsman. Brearley would go on to achieve immense success by representing Cambridge, Middlesex, and later becoming one of England's finest captains in cricket. However, for Brearley, cricket was not merely a physical activity; it was also an intellectual pursuit that allowed him to bridge the gap between body and mind.

After his cricketing career came to an end, during which he took a hiatus as a philosophy lecturer, Brearley chose to embark on a new path as a psychoanalyst. In his book, Turning Over the Pebbles, he affectionately refers to it as a memoir of the mind. Through this introspective work, Brearley explores his life, encompassing its various emotions, tensions, and pivotal moments. It also serves as a platform for him to reflect upon and reassess his experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of things that were previously unclear to him.

According to Brearley, the act of captaining oneself, akin to captaining a team, necessitates a willingness to grant thoughts and feelings their rightful place. Deeply contemplative, erudite, and beautifully crafted, this book seamlessly integrates all facets of Brearley's life into a cohesive and compelling narrative. With broad-ranging meditations on sport, philosophy, literature, religion, leadership, psychoanalysis, music, and more, Brearley delves into his personal passions and openly examines the diverse shifts, conflicts, and triumphs of his extraordinary life and career, both on and off the field.

In conclusion, Mike Brearley's journey from a young boy who loved playing outdoors to becoming one of the most successful sportsmen of his generation is a testament to his unwavering dedication and intellectual curiosity. Through his book, Turning Over the Pebbles, he shares his insights, reflections, and personal experiences, offering a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the human mind and the transformative power of sport.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 127 x 197 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408715970