The Ashes may be the longest and fiercest sporting soap opera the world has known. The anticipation is always intense, expectations are high and, for England fans, disappointment is almost inevitable, as we usually lose. But it's a drug we can never kick. How have we got into this state? Can we ever break free?

Marcus Berkmann knows he can't and has stopped even trying. ASHES TO ASHES is the first emotional history of the contest, shamelessly eschewing balance and objectivity to give the punter's view of every series since 1972. This new edition updates the tale to the victorious 2009 series, while remaining brutally realistic about our chances in 2010 and beyond . . .

* Marcus Berkmann's brilliant and hilarious account of the highs and lows (let's face it mainly lows) of watching Ashes cricket for 35 years

About the Author
Marcus Berkmann has spent more than thirty years sitting in front of various television screens swearing at incompetent England batsmen. In his leisure time he has written columns on sport for Punch, the Independent on Sunday and the Daily Express. He is a regular contributor to Private Eye and film critic of the Oldie, and writes book reviews for the Daily Mail. His books include Rain Men: The Madness of Cricket, Zimmer Men: The Trials and Tribulations of the Ageing Cricketer, Fatherhood: The Truth and A Matter of Facts: The Insider's Guide to Quizzing.

Reviews
** 'Very perceptive, and very funny * LITERARY REVIEW *
** 'The book oozes a laddish solidarity. . . Berkmann's wit lays bare the painful vicissitudes of hoping for English success * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
** 'Did Berkmann waste his time watching all those Ashes games? This lovely book is proof he did not * DAILY MAIL *
** 'By far the best gentle, bleakly comic take on the series * OBSERVER *



Book Information
ISBN 9780349122175
Author Marcus Berkmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Abacus
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 240g
Dimensions(mm) 134mm * 200mm * 24mm