A Clear Blue Sky: A remarkable memoir about family, loss and the will to overcome

Jonny leaves nothing out and lays it all on the table ... it is unbelievably sad in so many places ... the hardship after the event, the need to constantly prove yourself worthy of your Dad's legacy, the need for love and support which Jonny got in spades from his mum and sister and his lovely grandparents. It is brilliantly written and brings home to you how hard it really is to make it as a sporting superstar. And stay at the top of the game. It is a harrowing and heartbreaking book in many ways, but it is also funny in places and uplifting too in that makes you want to be a better human being - more aware and more caring and more careful about looking out for and looking after the people who have helped shape your life and make it better. His mum did a wonderful job in raising such a lovely lad with so little help after the desperate event and Jonny Bairstow is a credit to his sport, a credit to his Dad and a champion of all that is good, worthy and worthwhile in this so short life that we all get to lead. A marvellous read, from a truly marvellous individual. Well done, Jonny. I loved every page.

This is a simply outstanding book - in part Jonny's autobiography and in part a moving tribute to his dad, David. As noted by another reviewer, it stands head and shoulders above other cricket books and carries powerful messages about grief, love, determination and ambition. The portrait of his father's career is simply astounding given that Jonny was not born until after David's professional career had ended. I was at school with David Bairstow and grew up following Yorkshire cricket, with all its trials, tribulations and internal strife. Jonny captures David's place in the story of Yorkshire cricket absolutely perfectly - though he is, perhaps, insufficiently scathing about the 'men in suits' who unceremoniously kicked him out without appreciating that if ever there was a man who needed letting down gently, it was David Bairstow at the end of his Yorkshire career.

I suppose its inevitable that reading a life story you discover things you didn't know,after all that's the point really. The Johnny Barstow storey however is much more than that. Its a revealing insight to a background that you simply couldn't make up. Yes there are the cricket facts the memorable innings the unforgettable stumping the statistics that are the background of cricket. There is however another life story which in itself much more worthwhile. There is also the constant references made to Yorkshire. Its cricket its character its influence its people and places that also make this such a memorable book. But then I am a Yorkshire man also born and bred.

For me a wonderful read. Of course, I am biased, I belong to one of those generations of Yorkshiremen who knew, loved and idolised David Bairstow. What makes this young man different from other sons of famous fathers - Chris Broad, Richard Hutton, Sean Pollock or Dean Headley - was that he "chose" to follow precisely in his father's footsteps, taking not only the same role, but also for the same team, as his father (in Headley's case he even played for a different country!). It does not surprise me because Jonny is clearly a chip off the old block and even if he was a mere 8 years old when his father died he had clearly still managed to absorb so much of his father. Unusually for this type of book Jonny actually has a story to tell despite his young age. Some of it is about his upbringing in difficult circumstances, a lot of it is about the gigantic shadow cast by his late father but a significant part is about the love of his family, most notably his sister Becky and his mother Janet, a truly formidable woman whom I salute. I recall - and I suspect I was far from alone in this - my sense of pride when Jonny scored his maiden test century in South Africa and my immediate thought of "Bluey would have been so proud". Having read this book my reaction is pretty much the same, not for the sportsman and his achievements but for the intelligent, thoughtful young man Jonny Bairstow has clearly become. Bluey would have been proud, and Janet must be incredibly so too. Somehow or other Jonny Bairstow appears to not only have come to terms with always being Bluey's son but also to live comfortably with it

Easily one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Jonny Bairstow has had to deal with a great deal in his life and is frank, honest and open about it. It’s such a joy to see him doing well on the cricket field having read this, as he comes across as a great guy. It’s no surprise this book received the plaudits it did. Absolutely superb! Well done Jonny.

Occasionally I am really moved by a book. This is one of those occasions. I have always loved watching both Bairstows playing their beloved cricket. A picture of David leaping down stairs outside Bradford Grammar School, having finished a GCE exam at an early hour, before playing for Yorkshire, always springs to my mind. In recent years we have all thrilled at Jonny’s exploits, and recognise in both of them an intense respect for the game. This book encapsulates a desire to do well in all things, a wish to support all those they love, and a desire to please those who have made their journey possible. It is quite a remarkable book, a little self-indulgent at times, but eminently readable. Written in 2017, another five years has elapsed with some remarkable successes for Johnny. I hope to read the ensuing volume.

Fascinating stuff about his dad and very poignant but felt the other stuff in the book was a bit lacking in stories. Probably the book he should've written in 10 years time.

Good quality - arrived on time.

This book is a very good book, and very well written. It's quite curious as he's very much in the middle of his career when this novel was released. His story is a fascinating story of loss and struggle, but it seems as though he's taken it in his stride. Other England players have struggled with the constant weight of expectation, but Jonny has not lost himself in all the external noise. His career is very understated and his book is well organised, so I would recommend this read to any cricket fan.

When a Yorkshire cricket fan like me gets the chance to read a book about 2 of his favourite Yorkshire players, he jumps at it. Yet this story is about so much more than “just” cricket. After finishing reading it in one go, only one word comes to mind - respect!

Highly recommend.

After watching Jonny score a century, in this years Ashes 2021, in Australia, I wanted to know more about him. I am so pleased I read this book. He is a beautiful man, who talks so lovingly about his Mum and sister. I wish him well