Playing It My Way: My Autobiography (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Obviously an icon of cricket, and it could be just as easily metaphor for India's growing confidence on the world stage. Supremely talented, and gave a picture of a flawed man who is surprisingly superstitious and fragile in confidence. Complained a lot about bad decisions (more so than any other cricket biography I have read). On the other side, one ended up with the impression he was extremely (and obsessively) hard working (talent only takes you so far). Is it possible to be that obsessive and talented in any field and not come across as a Prima Dona (at times)? Tendulkar's story, might be India's story of the 89-13. I am deeply disappointed with the book after its promising start. The book is just a statement of facts about Sachin's life, and gives no insight into the person, his thought process, his trials and tribulations. I must admit that I never went beyond Sachin's first term as captaincy since the book had by then been reduced to a set of match records. The book begins on a very strong note with the following quote from Sachin's father: "‘Son, life is like a book. It has numerous chapters. It also has many a lesson in it. It is made up of a wide variety of experiences and resembles a pendulum where success and failure, joy and sorrow are merely extremes of the central reality. The lessons to be learnt from success and failure are equally important. More often than not, failure and sorrow are bigger teachers than success and happiness. You are a cricketer and sportsman. You are fortunate to be representingyour country, and that is a great honour. But never forget that this too is just another chapter in the book. Typically, let’s say a person lives for seventy or eighty years or so. How many years will you play sport? Twenty years; if you are very good, maybe even twenty-five years. Even by that yardstick, you will live the majority of your years outside the sphere of professional sport. Thisclearly means that there is more to life than cricket. I am asking you, son, to keep a pleasant disposition and maintain a balanced nature. Do not allow success to breed arrogance in you. If you remain humble, people will give you love and respect even after you have finished with the game. As a parent, I would be happier hearing people say, “Sachin is a good human being” than “Sachin is a great cricketer” any day.’"Guess Sachin is not as gifted as his father with literary skills :)
What do You think about Playing It My Way: My Autobiography (2014)?
A simple book by a simple man. You will only like the book if you are a fan of Sachin.
—Sadeyegirl
It's a good book but I was hoping he would have said more about the match fixing.
—Abigail
it's not an autobiography but written commentary of Sachin's matches...
—tory
Disappointed. Pales in comparison to out of my comfort zone.
—keanai
