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The extraordinary reaction to Richie Benaud’s death in April, 2015, was born of an international respect that is the preserve of a very select group of people. Even the millions who did not know him felt somehow that they did, such was his command of the television medium. He was the ultimate communicator. To those who did know him personally — as a sportsman, as a television commentator and more importantly as a man —Richie’s passing meant so much more.....................................
So begins the introduction to Ian Heads’s latest book project `Richie – The Man behind the Legend’ compiled and written in collaboration with an admired journalistic colleague ,the renowned Australian cricket writer, Norman Tasker. This book grew as a seamless spin–off from a tribute event held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Richie’s home golf club, The Australian, at Kensington in Sydney. The great cricketer/commentator had died five days before. That day at a gathering of family and friends, countless stories were shared – publicly and privately - beginning a process which would ultimately expand across the globe producing an extraordinarily rich harvest for what became the book - RICHIE-THE MAN BEHIND THE LEGEND. Together, the many scores of `tales of Richie’ volunteered illuminate the highways and byways of a unique life in sport, the media – and beyond. |
NORMAN TASKER first interviewed Richie in 1960, for the Sydney Daily Telegraph. In the years that followed, he covered cricket and rugby tours, was sports editor at the Sun and edited major sports magazines. He is the author of a number of bestselling books, including three titles with Alan McGilvray.
IAN HEADS has covered sport for more than half a century, for newspapers and magazines and as author of more than 40 books. In this time he has collaborated with many champions, including Mark Taylor, Arthur Beetson, Louise Sauvage, Herb Elliott and Jack Gibson
IAN HEADS has covered sport for more than half a century, for newspapers and magazines and as author of more than 40 books. In this time he has collaborated with many champions, including Mark Taylor, Arthur Beetson, Louise Sauvage, Herb Elliott and Jack Gibson
In inviting the contributions that filled the pages, the authors set out to encompass the full breadth of Richie’s life. Many of the stories are from cricketers who played with or against Richie through some famous encounters. Some are from people who knew him as a child, and grew up with him. There are those who worked with him, in press boxes and commentary boxes around the world. There are tales of summer days in the south of France, of the travails of maintaining his fabled Sunbeam Alpine motor car over half a century, and stories of innumerable acts of kindness and comedy. Through the scholarship of the book’s editor and publisher – cricket historian and author Geoff Armstrong – came wonderful photos to enhance the text, and countless long-forgotten facts, dusted off to add to the mix.
RICHIE – THE MAN BEHIND THE LEGEND – is a book that does justice to the modest, much loved figure who is at its heart – and to his inspiring and uplifting story of quiet achievement. |
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