A.A. Thomson

A.A. Thomson (1894-1968) was a British sports writer and journalist best known for his cricket literature and commentary. His full name was Arthur Alexander Thomson, though he was widely known as "A.A." throughout his career. Thomson wrote extensively about cricket during the 1920s through 1960s, producing numerous books including "Cricket My Pleasure" (1953) and "Pavilioned in Splendour" (1956). His writing style combined detailed match analysis with personal observations and historical context, earning him recognition as one of cricket's most influential chroniclers. As cricket correspondent for The Sunday Times and a regular contributor to The Cricketer magazine, Thomson helped shape public understanding of the sport during a pivotal era. His work documented major changes in cricket during the mid-20th century while maintaining focus on the game's traditions and cultural significance. Beyond cricket, Thomson authored books on other sports and general topics, though these never achieved the same prominence as his cricket writings. His contributions to sports literature were recognized when he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1966.

Limited reviews exist online for A.A. Thomson's works, making it difficult to assess overall reader sentiment. His cricket books, including "Pavilioned in Splendour" and "Cricket My Pleasure," receive mentions in cricket history discussions but few detailed reader reviews. Readers noted Thomson's ability to capture cricket's culture and traditions through a mix of anecdotes and personal observations. Cricket enthusiasts appreciated his intimate knowledge of county cricket and Yorkshire teams from the 1920s-1950s. Some readers found his writing style dated and overly nostalgic for pre-war cricket. A few comments suggested his books can be difficult to follow for those unfamiliar with cricket's technical aspects. Most Thomson books lack sufficient ratings on Goodreads/Amazon for meaningful averages. "Cricket My Pleasure" has 3 ratings on Goodreads with a 4.0 average. "Pavilioned in Splendour" appears in cricket book collectors' discussions but has no online ratings. Note: Review data is very limited compared to other cricket authors of his era.

Cricket My Pleasure (1953) A personal memoir detailing Thomson's experiences with cricket, from his early days as a spectator to his career as a sports journalist.

Pavilioned in Splendour (1956) A collection of cricket essays and character studies focusing on notable players and matches from the 1950s.

Odd Men In (1958) A series of biographical sketches examining eccentric and unusual characters in cricket history.

When I Was a Child (1964) An autobiographical work describing Thomson's childhood in Lancashire during the early 20th century.

The Great Cricketer (1957) A biographical study of the Victorian-era cricketer W.G. Grace, examining his career and impact on the sport.

Coronation Commentary (1937) A detailed account of the 1937 coronation of King George VI, including observations of the ceremonies and public response.

A Mixed Bag (1948) A compilation of essays covering various topics from sports to literature and everyday observations.

A Long Time Ago (1966) Reminiscences of life in England during the early decades of the 20th century, focusing on social changes and customs.