George Raikes Muscular Christianity

Born and raised in Norfolk and educated at Oxford, George Raikes (1873-1966) was an all-round sportsman, gaining four ‘blues’ for soccer and two for cricket in the 1890s as well as being effective on the golf course and the tennis court. As a goalkeeper his reviews were almost all ‘rave’ and it was no surprise when he earned four caps for England – what was a surprise was that he retired abruptly at the age of 23 to enter the Church. However, his religious duties did not entirely prevent him from playing cricket and he re-appeared for Norfolk in 1904, re-invented as an inspirational and astute skipper, leading Norfolk to two Minor Counties Championships in his four years as captain; and, intriguingly, as one of the first ‘modern’ leg spinners – developing and retaining control over a variety of deliveries that bamboozled Minor Counties batsmen across the country. This book aims to place Raikes’ sporting deeds in the context of the rise of professionalism in soccer, the inter-play between religion and sport at the end of the 19th century and the development of wrist spin. Alas, it does not claim to understand the theory behind his occasional use of the ‘slow beamer’ as a stock delivery...

"In His Image" by William Jennings Bryan is a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between science, religion, and morality. In this book, Bryan, a prominent politician and orator, argues for the compatibility of faith and reason, advocating for a worldview that acknowledges the existence of a divine creator and the importance of moral values derived from religious teachings. Drawing on his background in law and politics, Bryan presents a compelling case for the role of religion in shaping personal character and guiding societal progress. Through engaging prose and persuasive arguments, "In His Image" seeks to reconcile the advances of modern science with the enduring truths of religious faith, offering readers a thoughtful reflection on the nature of humanity and the universe.