Drawing on an extensive range of contemporary sources, this book provides an account of the controversial, outspoken and highly successful aristocrat, Lord Hawke. During a long and colourful career, Hawke captained Cambridge University, Yorkshire (despite being born in Lincolnshire) and England - his record for his country being unequalled. Coldham aims to dispel the mistaken belief - perhaps arising from Hawke's exclamation, Pray God, no professional shall ever captain England! - that Hawke had no time for the professional cricketer. The author sets out to reveal the true character behind Hawke's awesome persona and shows him as a man who put cricket (and especially Yorkshire) first.