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Book Corner

Book Corner – With a Humorous Twist!

For this month’s book corner, we add a bit of real-life sharp-eyed wit. This pho-
to was taken by Krimpie Coetzee’s son. Krimpie’s son was wandering about the
shopping mall, waiting for his car service to be completed. He spotted the books
advertised in one of the shops.

A quick translation – the top book - 8 Ways to Love Your Wife… in its correct
(superior) position – below … 8 Ways to Love Your Husband.

Yes, yes… I get it – the authors obviously had a very hard time writing the one that
must be read by men – I mean, men must be very shallow… so it took a whole lot
of effort to find a whole eight ways for us dimwits to love our ladies. On the other
hand, it must have been very easy to find eight ways for wives to love their men…
or what?

Nothing strange there… until you have another look at the price disparity between
the two books – we men are actually a cheap lot to love. Just by the way – if you
do the simple maths – the equation gives the following answer – it must have been
2.583707865168539 times more difficult to complete the book that men must read!

Dankie Krimpie – jou bydra word wardeer!

Windmills, Dykes & Wides some of the matches, in particular the World CupT20 qualifiers
in Belfast. I read with amusement the reference to Jeroen Smits
being ‘loud’: I distinctly remember the umpire at one of the
Windmills, Dykes & Wides is a ‘team sheet’ of tales about matches in Belfast intervening and telling him to tone it down!
cricket. In 11 chapters, current and former Dutch internationals The book contains some interesting insights into the way the
reminisce about tournaments, certain matches and the whole game is played: allowing Gibraltar to score a few to ensure there
atmosphere around the team, preparations and cricket culture was a target to chase, and considering whether to lose the Final
in the last 55 years. in Belfast to ensure a fixture against England... Well-written and
entertaining!
The 11 chapters are results of interviews with one or more play-
ers, conducted by 2 cricket enthusiasts and writers/ journalists History is written by the victors, but in the case of Windmills,
in their day jobs. They are well captured, full of humour, and Dykes and Wides, it also to its credit records the losses, and
they show how players remember their first outings in the ‘big glorious failures. Authors Krijn Vrolijk and Jacob-Jan Esmeijer
leagues’ of cricket, the Champions Trophy, staying in the same went behind the scorecards, and got the real story of 11 famous
hotel as all the big stars of the era, observing players hitting the matches spanning a period of 55 years. The passion of not only
gym and doing aqua gym sessions while they were ‘slumming’ the authors but also of those they interviewed shine throughout,
it on sunbeds or playing keepie-uppies in the swimming pool. It and this is a warts and all book, with shortcomings highlighted
also describes how the Dutch captain remembers getting award- as well as cricketing brilliance. The book is a must-read for any
ed second place in a T20 Qualification Tournament, where, in cricket fan. Especially those who champion the cause of Asso-
fact, he was almost hoping to lose the final to Ireland if it had ciate cricket. Who doesn’t
been played, because 2nd place would mean facing England love it when David takes on
in the opening match of the World Championship at Lord’s Goliath, and wins? There is
Cricket Ground. And it shows how the Dutch cricket setup has a nice flow to the book with
grown from a group of players who’d have a single session a the authors light-hearted
week before a big match – if you weren’t told to bat or bowl by style making it an enjoyable
the captain, you were only there to watch and do some catching journey through the highs
practice – and turn up an hour before the event, to a semi-pro- and lows of the national
fessional setup with a number of contracted players and ‘proper’ team. Definitely recom-
backroom staff. mended!

A few reactions so far: The book can be ordered
through info@windmills-
It’s a must-have. Belly laughs throughout the whole book. Great dykes-and-wides.nl ; price
memories! is EUR 24.99 or GBP 24.99
incl. P&P
I read it with great enjoyment, not least because I remember

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