DAVID SHEPPARD: Batting For The Poor PB

From his time as Captain of England's cricket team to his pioneering work as Bishop of Liverpool, David Sheppard led a remarkable life. Now his story is told in full for the first time in this fascinating and insightful biography.

Batting for the Poor draws on the papers left by Sheppard in the Liverpool Central Library as well as other archival material and more than 150 interviews conducted by Andrew Bradstock, all brought together to create a picture of a diligent and passionate man who helped break down divisions and turn Liverpool's fortunes around.

Batting for the Poor is a vivid, entertaining biography that will be enjoyed by cricket fans, those interested in twentieth century history or the history of Liverpool and those interested in man that inspired so many as the Bishop of Liverpool. You will discover the story of an exceptional leader, and learn about the history of some of the divisions and struggles in the second half of the twentieth century that still impact society and culture in England today.

Biography
Andrew Bradstock was born in Croydon, south London, and educated at the Universities of Bristol, Kent and Otago (NZ).

His writings explore how Christian faith has inspired political and social engagement, both historically and today. So his research has taken him back to the Reformation in Europe in the 16th century, the English civil war in the 17th century, the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua in the 1980s, and led him to explore contemporary church responses in the UK to issues such as poverty, peace-making and climate change.

His authorized biography of the former Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, David (Lord) Sheppard (1929-2005), was published by SPCK in 2019 under the title Batting for the Poor. Sheppard achieved fame as a Test cricketer in the 1950s and 1960s, and later for his 20-year partnership with the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Derek Worlock, his opposite number in Liverpool. Sheppard and Worlock are remembered as passionate advocates for their adopted city, and for their tireless efforts to reconcile its estranged communities and attract investment and jobs.

Andrew has held a number of academic and other appointments, including inaugural Howard Paterson Professor of Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago, where he established and directed New Zealand’s first Centre for Theology and Public Issues. He has also co-directed the Centre for Faith and Society at the Von Hügel Institute, Cambridge, and been Secretary for Church and Society with the United Reformed Church.

In 2013 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Association (FRHistS). He is an emeritus professor of the University of Winchester.

Product details
Publisher : SPCK Publishing (18 Mar. 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 384 pages