First published in 1983, Heroes and Contemporaries reveals a new aspect of David Gower's personality – that of an astute and intelligent observer of the game and of his fellow players.
In this book he has chosen a collection of the people in cricket he most admires and has written about them in conversational style, with immediacy and critical appreciation.
Gower's encounters with these people behind the scenes – some of the most important players of our time – give us insight into their characters, their strengths and weaknesses, an insight which we would not normally have just by observing them on the field or by reading newspaper reports. His views on the captaincies of Bob Willis, Mike Brearley and Ian Botham are especially revealing. There is also displayed in this book considerable understanding of the psychology of such contemporaries as Ian Botham and Geoff Boycott, and an important chapter is included on Ray Illingworth, Gower's staunchest champion and sternest critic.
Although Heroes and Contemporaries is basically about other people, it also tells us a great deal about David Gower himself.