yeovilliteraryfestival

Sir Ian Botham - Seasons

Local legend, Ashes hero, cultural icon, adventurer and force of nature, Sir Ian Botham, is one of the defining figures of modern British sport. Ian grew up in Yeovil, he went to Milford Junior school and his performances on the sports field for Bucklers Mead School drew him to the attention of Somerset County Cricket Club in his early teenage years. Still only 13, Botham scored 80 on his debut for the Somerset Under 15s against their Wiltshire counterparts. He played in 172 First Class matches for Somerset, with a team including the combination of Ian, Viv Richards and Joel Garner becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Now, as he reaches the milestone of seventy, he looks back on an extraordinary life with characteristic honesty, humour and insight in Seasons, his most personal and revealing book to date. Taking stock once and for all, he revisits the triumphs and controversies that made headlines, the friendships that shaped him and the passions that continue to define him. He's a different man to the one who charged all over the world, taking everybody on.

Other things haven’t changed; cricket remains a constant thread throughout the book. Botham reflects candidly on the drama of Ashes battles, dressing-room camaraderie and the characters who influenced him, from teammates and opponents to the captains he followed and the teams he led. He offers fascinating perspectives on leadership and pressure, opening up about pain and glory, belief and doubt, fame and infamy. Yet Seasons is about far more than cricket. At its heart, it is a story about the things that endure. Family. Friendship. The countryside. Fishing rivers across the world. The joy of good food, good company and shared stories. The challenge of growing older while remaining fiercely independent and restless as ever.

Botham’s life has not been a quiet one and, through adventure and misadventure, he remains as forthright, honest and entertaining as ever. But now, as he considers his legacy, he is ready to reveal more of himself, more of who he is, than he ever has before.

This event will take place in Westlands Ballroom

Tickets: £25.00 (ticket includes a copy of the book)

This is a Yeovil Literary Festival Event.

A £1.50 ticket levy is included in all stated ticket prices.
All bookings are subject to a £2 transaction Fee.