Don Bradman on cricket, investment, politics, the media, family and friends . . .
Through the window of never before seen letters, Christine Wallace reveals the private Don Bradman - troubled father, loyal friend and outspoken critic.
'The Private Don' is the anatomy of a friendship between two quite remarkable men - Sir Donald Bradman, perhaps the greatest cricketer the world has known, and his close friend of twenty-five years standing, Rohan Rivett, the charismatic editor of Murdoch's The News in Adelaide. This friendship was a confidential haven for Bradman whose fame in cricketing nations was pervasive and the demands of celebrity onerous and exhausting.
Each man treasured the privacy of the friendship. Neither wanted more than each man freely gave: mutual support on personal matters, feisty exchanges on cricket, the media and world affairs, closely argued opinion on investments and, always, anticipation of their rare and revelled-in meetings over bottles of red with their wives. Cricket is the cord that ties the friendship together. Rivett is the opinionated angel who goes where others more circumspect - or on less intimate terms with The Don - would fear to tread on cricket matters.
Don Bradman was an administrator and selector when our modern media-driven form of the game was emerging. Cricket should be bright, entertaining, and, while played fairly and to a high standard of personal behaviour, it should be played to win. 'For the good of the game' was the standard by which he judged things. The jury is still out as to whether our game is living true to the standard set by its greatest proponent.
