Turn, Turn, Turn ... Please

"Turn, Turn, Turn... Please!" by Kerry O'Keeffe is a collection of anecdotes, observations, and reflections that blend cricket, life experiences, and personal musings. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Cricket and Sports: The book extensively covers O'Keeffe's experiences in cricket, including his commentary work and participation in various cricket events.
2. Personal Reflections: It includes personal anecdotes and reflections on life, often with a light-hearted spin.
3. Diverse Interests: The book touches on various subjects beyond cricket, such as horse racing and aviation, showcasing O'Keeffe's diverse interests and experiences.
4. Humor and Storytelling: The book is known for its entertaining and often humorous storytelling style, which has built a cult following for O'Keeffe’s commentary on ABC radio.

Plot Summary

The book is a collection of short pieces that describe various events throughout O'Keeffe's life. It includes:

• Cricket Tours: O'Keeffe recounts his experiences leading a tour party to the West Indies for the World Cup.
• Team Profiles: He provides brief profiles of lesser-known team-mates from the 1970s, such as Rick McCosker.
• Family ‘Test’ Matches: The book features a recounting of family ‘Test’ matches played in the garage, adding a personal and family-oriented dimension to the narrative.
• Betting System: O'Keeffe describes his carefully devised betting system and its outcomes at racetracks in places like Darwin, showcasing his adventurous spirit.

Critical Reception

1. Disjointed but Entertaining: The book is described as far more disjointed than O'Keeffe’s previous effort, but it remains entertaining due to its amusing stories and light-hearted spin[4].
2. Cult Following: O'Keeffe has built a cult following for his commentary on ABC radio, and this book is seen as very similar to an O'Keeffe session in the commentary box[4].
3. Mixed Reviews: While some reviewers appreciate the book’s entertaining nature, others might find it disjointed and lacking in cohesion. However, the overall tone is positive, with many praising its humor and engaging storytelling[2][4].

Publication Details

• Publication Date: The book was published in 2007[4].
• Pages: It contains 263 pages[4].
• ISBN: The ISBN for the book is 9780733322228[3].

Overall, "Turn, Turn, Turn... Please!" by Kerry O'Keeffe is a delightful and entertaining read that combines cricket, personal reflections, and diverse interests with a light-hearted spin. While it may be disjointed, its engaging storytelling and humor have made it a beloved book among cricket enthusiasts and fans of O'Keeffe’s commentary style.