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Sheffield Cricket Lovers Society

James Taylor, from the heart

Even as England completed their Test summer with a 4-1 victory over India, amid tributes and tears at The Oval for the departing Alastair Cook, worries about their top-order batting nagged away. Recent years have featured more walk-on parts than the average Marvel movie, players moving up and down the order in the manner of sailors climbing the rigging, and a solid line-up an increasingly distant memory.

One of the men who briefly occupied a berth in England's evanescent middle order - and hinted at long-term stability, too - is now among the sages who selected the Test squad for Sri Lanka, the first without Cook in more than a decade. It was in the strength-sapping heat of Colombo on England's tour four years ago that James Taylor finally came of age as an international cricketer, and by the following winter he was back in the Test side too. Then came the bewildering sadness of his retirement at age 26, following the discovery of a heart condition that nearly killed him.

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Alan Gardner, ESPN cricinfo

James Taylor's book is a ringing endorsement of his character that does little to shy away from his sudden and forced retirement...

The Cricketer, August 2018

***** James Taylor is such an inspirational and amazing chap

Wow - Cut Short is a fantastic read. His story will touch and inspire every reader!! Well done James - fantastic!!!

Amazon Review

****
What a challenge James has faced. I enjoyed reading this account of his struggles and his way of coming to terms with and overcoming some of his difficulties. Well done James!

Amazon Review

**** Genuine and moving.

This is a well-written book that tells the story of how an individual can bounce back from adversity, with the right sort of love and support from friends and family, a fate that sadly befell James Taylor, just when he was on the verge of establishing himself as an international England cricket player. James Taylor comes over as a decent sort, with his life being put into some perspective by his daily battle against the heart condition he suffers from. The chapters that deal with his diagnosis and his gradual coming to terms with a career ending bolt from the blue, are heart-rending and will certainly make the reader wince at the detail... this is a quality memoir that shows a genuine human being doing his best to literally cling onto life in an ever-changing world. Well done to you James and long may you last.

Amazon Review

Article: "James Taylor was a classy batsman against spin whose career was cruelly ended by a severe heart condition. He has just released his autobiography."

The Cricketer

Article: 'Moment a stellar career came to shuddering halt' words by Matt Davies as featured by

Nottingham Post, 14th June 2018

A remarkable story and deserves to be a resounding success.

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Andrew Roberts, 'Cricket Statistics'

Feature article: 'Toby Neal follows James Taylor's journey which took him from Shrewsbury to the England team and then a fight for life'

Shropshire Star, 16th June 2018

Click here to read author interview

The MALESTROM, 13th June 2018

A remarkable account of James' career, the manner in which it ended and the two very strange years since.

Evening Standard 1/6/18

* * * * * Great book!

Amazon review

* * * * * Amazing book!

Such an inspiring book, a really great read that I’d recommend to anyone.

Amazon review

* * * * * Excellent read, sports book of the year

Fantastic story of an inspirational guy - a must read for any cricket fan or anyone looking for a true tale of overcoming adversity and showing resilience when life is thrown off course.

Amazon review

* * * * * An inspiring story!

A fantastic book! A “must read” as it’s such an inspiring story! What a brilliant insight into James’ career and life behind the scenes. A true example of great resilience and determination. Well done James! When life gives you lemons....

Amazon review

* * * * *

I wouldn’t consider myself a cricket fan but I picked up this book because I had read about your [James Taylor] story in the news and was so amazed by your incredibly strong response to such a tough situation. What was meant to be a casual read for my commute to and from work turned into me finishing it over the weekend! A brilliantly written, inspirational and moving read for anyone who enjoys a good book. Thank you for sharing your journey and wish you all the best.

Amazon review

* * * * * Incredible read, a must have!

I’ve followed James’ story since I saw his test debut at Headingley back in 2012. It’s truly tragic that his career ended so suddenly and in such a horrific manner.

His book is one of the best sports memoirs I’ve read, incredibly honest and also highly moving at times. He gives an insight into the life of a professional cricketer and reveals the struggles he endured to make it to the top.

Then tragedy strikes and the chapters where he tells of the moments he thought he was dying, the agonising wait to find out what the problem with his heart was and how much it would affect his future are breathtaking. I couldn’t put the book down!

Combine this with his thoughts on the infamous Kevin Pietersen, the ‘win at all costs’ Australians and his general humour and this all makes for fascinating reading!

A really nice touch was asking his wife Jose to write a chapter telling his story from her perspective. This really brings his story home that he isn’t just an international sportsman, but just another guy with family, friends and all the worries that hopefully most of us will never face.

How he has moved on from all this is inspiring and this is a book not just for cricket fans, but anyone who enjoys a really strong biography.

Amazon review

* * * * * A must must read!

This is an absolute must read. Truly emotional story of one of life’s true fighters! A hero of many and inspirational to millions!

Amazon review

As featured in a Telegraph exclusive.

The Telegraph & The Telegraph on Sunday 19-20/5/18

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The Bookseller 9/3/18