Bowled - 'Beyond A Boundary' rerelease sales produce low numbers
Published:Sunday | September 4, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
WEST INDIES cricket was in good shape when Trinidad and Tobago firebrand C.L.R James' epic book, Beyond A Boundary, was released in 1963. Pundits spoke with awe about batting stylist Frank Worrell and the pace of Wes Hall.
Those were the good old days.
James' masterpiece about cricket's impact on the Caribbean was rereleased in March by Ian Randle Publishers (IRP), who secured distribution rights from Britain's Random House. But IRP spokesperson, Christine Randle, told Arts and Education sales have been as slow as runs from the current crop of West Indian batsmen.
"The response has been lacklustre to date but we expect things to pick up because it's such an important book," Randle said.
IRP issued approximately 3,000 copies throughout the region. The 'new-look' Beyond A Boundary, includes a foreword by Sir Hilary Beckles, cricket historian and principal at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.
Beyond A Boundary was rereleased during a period of turbulence in the regional game. Several top West Indian players, including former captains Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, were embroiled in a bitter contract dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.
The West Indies, who have been in an extended slump in Tests, continued their indifferent form this summer in a home series against Pakistan and India. The two-Test series against the former ended 1-1 while India defeated the Windies 1-0 in three Tests.
It was a far different picture when James' book was released in Britain 48 years ago. The West Indies had become one of the top teams in the international game through legendary players like George Headley, Learie Constantine, Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott and Sonny Ramadhin.
Influence
Headley (Jamaican), Constantine (Trinidadian) and Worrell (Barbadian) were heroes at a time when the Caribbean was part of the British Empire. James skilfully showed their influence on the region's social and political culture in Beyond A Boundary, which was widely lauded by cricket writers and academics alike.
Trinidadian writer V.S. Naipaul described Beyond A Boundary as "one of the finest and most finished books to come out of the West Indies". It is regarded as, arguably, the greatest literary work by a West Indian.
One of the giants of 20th century Caribbean history, James was consumed by the British summer game. He played at the first-class level in Trinidad and covered the sport for The Guardian newspaper while living in Britain during the 1930s.
The West Indies were still top of the cricket heap when C.L.R. James died in London in May 1989 at age 88.