Through Fire is far more than just a book about cricket. It is the story of a man who just happened to play cricket at the highest level. At times brutally honest, this fascinating, introspective work provides a unique insight into the mind and heart of one of South Africa’s most interesting and charismatic national captains. There is the public persona . . . the tattooed, fashion-conscious, mentally tough, immensely popular and yet, at times, misunderstood Du Plessis. And then there is the authentic Faf. It took him years to connect with this side of himself but, when he did, it shaped his relationships with people and ultimately his captaincy of the Proteas. Du Plessis lays bare his growth from a youth with a questionable moral compass outside of cricket, to a leader known for his integrity, values, honesty and empathy for his teammates. He reflects on how influential leaders such as Gary Kirsten, Stephen Fleming, Doc Moosajee, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Owen Eastwood, Russell Domingo, Ottis Gibson and MS Dhoni helped mould him as a man who leads with grit, purpose and a love of people. He also explores the destructive relationships, offering his perspective, in devastating detail, on his final years of international cricket. Neither the changing room nor the boardroom is off limits in this no-holds-barred critique.
