Robert Brooke (2) (1940–)

Robert Brooke has a longstanding reputation in the cricket literature world as an authority on English cricket history, and has written for "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack", amongst other cricket publications, so I was looking forward to reading his biogaphy of the almost forgotten Warwickshire cricketer John Edward Shilton.

Brooke is, at times an idiosyncratic writer, and has firm views on many issues, and can wander from the narrative at times, such as when he makes a reference to a chap named "Kokey", then has a note below stating "The last reference (to "Kokey") has no place in a book on J.E. Shilton; there is no evidence he ever met "Kokey"" before a hundred word mini-biography on "Kokey", who appears to be a distant relative of the author. The mini-biography ends with "Free cod-liver oil, municipal housing and comprehensives have ensured the death of real characters." Who knew free cod-liver oil could cause such damage?

In all, Brooke gives us an entertaining look at the life and career of Shilton, including his sad end. The book was published in a limited edition in 1984 so will be difficult to hunt down 30 or so years later but if you happen to come across a copy of "John Edward Shilton's Book" for a few dollars, it will be worth the purchase.… (meer)