When Nelson Mandela commenced his long walk to freedom, just over a decade ago, he wanted to know whether Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's only cricketing knight, was still alive. A few days ago 'The Don'celebrated his 92nd birthday (born 27/8/08)and despite finishing his Test cricket career in 1948 is still regarded as the greatest Australian. Bradman's name is synonymous with fair play, modesty and excellence. His Test average of 99.94 per innings is double that of most other top-line batsmen (Graeme Pollock of South Africa is second, with an average of 60.97, and I deem myself as very fortunate in seeing his best score of 274 at Durban in 1970). British Labour peer, Lord Charles Williams, has written a superb book which places Bradman's outstanding feats in the context of Australia growing-up in the world. As Williams notes,the heroes of most other nations are symbolised by the warlike spirit of nationalism. However, Australia has never had a civil war or national revolution, nor has it ever been at war with near- neighbours. Thus, for Australians sport has become an integral part of politics and Aussie sporting champions achieved a status several notches higher than elsewhere.Accordingly, Bradman's deeds against an English 'army' clad in white was not to be compared to Babe Ruth's baseball feats (and the pair did meet in 1932)but rather to George Washington's victories against the British redcoats!( yes, I am exaggerating and The Don would have cringed at such suggestions but it simply helps to explain why opinion polls of today invariably rate him as the greatest Australian-not just the best cricketer or sportsman).Williams taps into the Australia psyche brilliantly and records just how important Don Bradman was to a fledgling Depression-era nation at the end of the world. Bradman and champion racehorse Phar Lap gave Australians something to cheer about as both proved themselves against the great nations of the world ( Phar Lap won brilliantly at his only start in the USA before dying in his paddock). For anyone remotely interested in Australia or cricket this book is required reading. UPDATE (27/8/01) Sir Donald Bradman would have been 93 today-but unfortunately he died on 25 February 2001, an event that almost brought the nation to a standstill, causing much introspection about the man, his deeds, and his influence on the nation.

.When Nelson Mandela commenced his long walk to freedom, just over a decade ago,he wanted to know whether Sir Donald Bradman, Australia's only cricketing knight, was still alive.As I write this review "The Don" is only one day off his 92nd birthday(born 27/8/08). Any lover of cricket, the world over, knows the name of Bradman-his name is synonymous with fair play, modesty and excellence.His test batting average of 99.94 runs per average is almost double other quality test batsmen.(I consider myself fortunate in seeing the second best, South Africa's Graeme Pollock,average 60.97, make his best score of 274 in Durban in 1970). In fact Bradman only needed to make 4 runs in his last test innings to average a 100-instead he was out for 0-one of the few 'ducks'of his career. British Labour peer, Lord Charles Williams,has written a superb book which is as much about Australia as it is on our nation's greatest sportsman.Williams places Bradman's great feats in the context of Australia growing up in the world. As Williams notes, the heroes in almost every other country symbolised the spirit of warlike nationalism. However Australia has never had a civil war or revolution, nor been at war with her near-neighbours.For Australians sport became an integral part of politics and sporting champions achieved a status several ranks higher than elsewhere. Thus, Bradman's deeds against an English 'army'clad in white,were akin not to Babe Ruth's baseball feats (and the pair did meet) but rather, as significant as George Washington's victories against the British redcoats!! Even today, many years retired, Bradman is always rated as the greatest Australian in opinion polls ( not just the best sportsman).Williams taps the Australian psyche brilliantly, particularly the Depression era where a fledgling nation, at the end of the earth, needed heroes. The two 'stars' who provided the boost to national confidence in those dark days are still remembered as Australian icons-'Big Red' (the champion racehorse Phar Lap, who died in the USA after brilliantly winning at his only American start)and Don Bradman. For anyone remotely interested in Australia and cricket this is a must-read.

This text provides a quick, concise review of the pimary topics covered on emergency medicine exams. I found it to be a good way to prepare for inservice exams and the written boards.