Why Are You So Fat?: The Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges

by TalkSPORT, Gershon Portnoi

When hefty Zimbabwean chicken farmer Eddo Brandes kept on playing and missing to an increasingly frustrated Glenn McGrath, the Australian had enough and decided a bit of verbals were called for.  Few games have such a rich history of trash�talkiing banter as cricket, with the Australians famed masters of the art. This collection, featuring contributions from talkSPORT's own Darren Gough and Ronnie Irani as well as many other cricket stars, brings together the best examples from around the world. To be effective, sometimes the banter can be funny, but sometimes contain an element of real menace.

Genres: Humor, Sports, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heard the author on the radio, the actual funny sledges were the ones he told on the show the rest are meh and his writing style is truly awful. And while it may have been a lot to ask for a book about cricket sledges to satisfy my feminist leanings he would have been better off leaving off the one paragraph he includes one sledging in women's cricket. He ends the section with "Women sledging? They'll give them the vote next..." 1) not funny and 2) I don't think he was 100% joking.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Why Are You So Fat?: The Book of Cricket's Best Ever Sledges" by TalkSPORT falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to appreciating its value as a cricket-related book.

On the positive side, the book delivers on its promise to compile some of the best sledges in cricket history. It's a light and entertaining read, offering amusing anecdotes and witty banter that cricket enthusiasts may find enjoyable. The inclusion of memorable and humorous moments from the sport adds a playful element to the book, making it a fun pick for fans looking to lighten the mood.

However, the book's appeal is somewhat limited. The content revolves solely around sledges, and while this can be entertaining in small doses, it may leave readers wanting more depth and substance. The humor, while occasionally clever, could be hit-or-miss for some readers, and the repetitive nature of sledges might wear thin after a while.

Moreover, the book lacks a cohesive narrative or additional context to provide a more holistic view of the players and the cricketing moments involved. For those seeking a more comprehensive exploration of cricket's rich history or deeper insights into the players, "Why Are You So Fat?" may not fully satisfy their expectations.

In conclusion, TalkSPORT's compilation of cricket sledges offers a lighthearted and amusing diversion for fans of the sport. However, its narrow focus and limited depth might leave some readers wanting more substance and a broader exploration of cricket's multifaceted world. It's a decent choice for those looking for a quick and entertaining read, but it may not fully capture the interest of those seeking a more comprehensive cricketing experience.

[Hoani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why did i decide to read
I decided to read this book because I thought it would be funny and I am really into cricket and this book is about cricket.

which category on the bingo board this completes?
this book completes the category :A book written by a male.

what did i like about this book and why?
I liked that it had a lot of cricketing history and some parts of it were funny. They also interviewed quite a few people about themselves and I thought this was interesting.

what didn't i like about this book?
I didn't like that some of the jokes were really bad and also I didn't enjoy there style of writing.


who would you recommend this book to and why?
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy and follow cricket because none of the jokes would make sense otherwise.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love your cricket & enjoy it's many levels of entertainment, this is a very funny book. Word to the wise though, do not do as I did & give it to your 13 year old as a Christmas present - F.....ather & C....hrismas as a language gets a lot of page time & now I find myself having to source a replacement gift that's far more age appropriate. I'm off to hide this at the back of the book shelf and......................wash my eye's out with soap!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fraser Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because, it has a great sense of humor and all the best sledges over the years from the great game of cricket. While this book is not directed at young children with some offensive language I would strongly recommended it, especially to those who have an interest in cricket.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the sledges are great (which is why this got 2 stars), though no doubt you can find them elsewhere. The writing was not so great.

[Mark Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book of interesting sledges used in the game. Some really good and cruel ones and then some not so good.