2 comments about Scoring at Half-Time.

1. Captivating reading from cover to cover brought back memories of the golden age of football in the 60's and 70's. Great look at the life of one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Fantastic insights into Bestie's life and the life of a professional footballer of the times. Also sheds some interesting and entertaining tidbits on some of the other football stars of the day.



2. This book is not an autobiography but a great look back on the experiences of the late great George Best among others. It was a captivating hilarious read which makes me wish I could have seen him in one of his after hours shows. The book is a show in itself and shows a side of what football (Soccer in N. America) was and still should be really all about...the good times. Sadly George did this to excess and eventually paid the price but then what a life. The stories are not all about George Best but collections of various football lore. Well worth the purchase price.

1 comments about Sir Bobby Charlton: The Autobiography: My Manchester United Years.

1. for any football fan, but especially fans of the english game and united, this book is a must read. charlton is gripping in his prose, and the thoughtful, well-versed ambassador of united does not disappoint through the book.
   
   i bought it as a united fan wanting to know more about the clubs greatest ever player. i would reccomend it to anyone who wants to know about the life of a footballer in that time period.
   
   Gripping prose, an excellent story, and an easy flow make this an easy read. Buy the book. Read it. And then sit in anticipation of Charlton's next autobiography My England Years.
   
   I for one, can't wait.

2 comments about Wayne Rooney: My Story.

1. I sometimes wonder (and worry) about the amount of praise works like this often attract. Lame in effort and execution, dumb and tedious in its reality, it beggars the question why we're not, as a society, a lot more critical?
   Is it because, as I suspect, and the people who produce this trash know for sure, no-one gives a monkeys?
   This convivial lack of disapproval, twinned with general social lethargy ensures we get what we deserve, and therefore, what we expect/want, with no questions asked.
   Of course this stuff will keep right on coming until we can muster up some sort of resistance to it, and at the moment I would say that's highly unlikely.
   What we need is some quality control in our own lives, and the inclination to back it up.
   It would be a start if we could curb the exposure of some of the people who are supposed to be steering us clear of this stuff. Too busy `appearing' somewhere to be of any use at the business end, too involved to see the damage they're doing, and allowing to be done.
   But far more importantly, as a civilization we must vent every way we can, our abhorrence and intolerance for the debased, the tawdry and the creatively unclean. Sneer and scorn the lame ducks and the half-talents. Bring pressure to bear on those who exist only for profit, and actively encourage, for lucrative financial gain, the deliberate and VERY real `dumbing down' of pretty much anything and everything in our culture.
   This afflicts across the board; the arts, travel, food, particularly sport, where the opportunity to guide our young people by good example is criminally wasted.
   And at it's cold black heart, its nadir, is us as people, in the land of the dead, sucking it all in without retort, without obloquy, and worst of all, without conscience or shame. Arise; Sir Vermin.
   `Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile.' Future generations will need some explaining to.



2. I enjoyed this quick trip thru the life of a young soccer talent. Don't expect War and Peace and you won't moan about the plight of literature.

No comments about Cristiano Ronaldo: The True Story of the Greatest Footballer on Earth.

5 comments about Good Afternoon Gentlemen, The Name's Bill Gardner.

1. Having read several books on the topic of English football hooliganism, I had come across West Ham's Bill Gardner on a number of occasions. Finally, he is telling his full story, with the help of fellow ICF member Cass Pennant.
   
   Gardner's story is pretty simple and he doesn't dwell much on childhood, but spends most of the time getting right to the 'goods', as it is. He details a number of the encounters that he was involved in, but avoids the trap of bragging. He repeatedly mentions his honor, and from what you can gather reading the accounts, I think he really does act honorably.
   
   The book itself is a very quick read at only 240 pages or so, and with a moderate-sized print you can go through it in no time. Certainly worth a look if you've got any knowledge of the terrace wars of the 70's and 80's. Because for those that are, you have heard of Bill Gardner.



2. I use to think, a five star rating was meant for things like Macbeth, War and Peace, Madame Butterfly, Vincent Van Gogh paintings; but then, folks thought I might be judging some other things too harshly even if I gave it four versus five stars; but let there be no confusion here, this one deserves every single one.
   
   It'd still deserve it if they ripped out the chapter about his career as a bouncer, erm, doorman at Busby's; it's that good; still, with the caveat that this is sort of a book of the hoolifan genre; not so much one straightup on football.
   
   I will say one thing, if the bloke thought it was too short at it's 240 pages and large print, you've got to read Congratulations, You have just met the ICF penned by Cass Pennant that basically recounts various tales by the members of the ICF including Bill; I voraciously read that one, coming in at around 400 pages; so if you combine the two; man, you've got a six hundred page turner and I definitely think, they complement each other. At some point in time, perhaps I will try to read the book "Cass" by Pennant as well; sort of part of this series of books. This one on the other hand, I almost cherish the words by Billy Gardner; and read them with delight and respect, slowly and deliberate. There are now a number of books out there, but these two, I'd attest too, as being welldone.
   
   Nevertheless, I am sure, as the years have gone by, some things have become embellished and of course, the Hammers are naturally going to be the good guys; but it still passes the litmus test at that.
   
   There is a lot here, some stuff so funny, I'd be a spoiler to repeat it, you have to get it. Actually, I think, one incident can be named, typical of the humour found here; Gardner is in the USA for a coaches/soccer seminar. Gardner and some friends are up, New York state way, driving a car, shortly after 9/11 but don't have ID and the cops, hands near their pistols, pull them over looking for it, nothing; 'cept Bill pulls his arm out and "Bill" is tattooed on him! That's there ID and the police let them go about their ways.
   
   Some of it is sad and some violent, but we do get a birdseye view of Bill being put on trial for hooligan sorts of accusations.
   
   It's a good read, Bill claims he is not so much ICF (InterCity Firm of West Ham United Football Club); but his own man.
   
   There may be some war stories here, but I look at the guy, I'd want him on my side and would like to think of myself as no coward; but I don't think, I could ever steam into the guy. He says he's not a hoollgan, but merely a fan, a West Ham fan.
   
   A widely available book in the USA is by Bill Buford called Among the thugs; another thing about this one, if you have read that one, then you need to read this one. The Thug book is not honourable or passionate and probably a bit short on some factual areas as well. Bill hits the nail on the head, that he doesn't care much for whom that Buford book is about, the Red Army of Manchester United; not that there is anything wrong with the team, but they've got a lot of fans, based largely on their success, not real grassroot supporting types like West Ham. The stories about the ICF are not even similar in the slightest to those in that other book. One needs to get a balanced view of the whole situation.
   
   Honour aside, I can't go along with bonking your wrist with a hammer to get time off from work, to go see West Ham play overseas; but these are, remind you, hard core fanatics.
   
   Hooliganism has been described as being a high from violence, but with Bill, I think his opiate is West Ham, the Irons themselves.
   
   If the book lacks anything, maybe we could have found out a bit more about Bill's playing days, okay, it wasn't in the topflight; but 5, five broken legs certainly makes one curious as to how all that played out, hence, Bill wouldn't run from a fight, because he literally couldn't. It seems there are some photos included also that are not entirely explained in the text.
   
   You might not become a West Ham fan after reading this, but I guarantee you, you'll watch how with some interest on how they perform in their games.
   
   And he seems to be a successful coach of youth soccer; now an instruction book on that, I think, would be a good read.



3. The book is a GREAT read.
   I have many WHU friends - some of whom are top flight.
   Gardner's writting is very self-effacing.
   He brings to life the banter. Banter that can only be heard down Millwall or West Ham and maybe the Orient. A unique humour. Scousers and Mancs don't have it. The north London clubs don't possess it. The west London clubs wouldn't understand it.
   There's a sibling rivalry between WHU and MFC, whether you're from Bethnal Green or Bermondsey - maybe it's a docks thing? Hard times are always coupled with humour.
   Football violence of the late 60s. 70s and 80s can never be replicated, because of how stadiums are built now and security and the onus of bad behavier being ultimately with the club.
   This is a social history book. A good book.



4. Bill Gardner was a top member of the ICF, the firm that supported (supports) West Ham United in London's East End. What that means is, he kicked butt in the many battles between firms that were huge in the 60s, 70's, and 80s. These are not minor fisticuffs, people. These are full-on wars between hundreds of experienced fighting men. He made a name for himself as a fearless leader. His telling of those battles comes across as honest and, believe it or not, humble. He doesn't want to talk himself up, he isn't looking to crown himself the baddest of the "hooligan" element. (And Gardner didn't go around trashing chippys or doing random hooligan vandalism, he was looking for the lads of the opposing firms, just for the record.) He just remembers the crazy years on the terraces and on the streets after matches, where it all kicks off and it could be a serious, dangerous battle to get back to your tube station. He gives a straight forward and entertaining tale about many, many classic battles between Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, and of course Millwall, amongst many others,
   
   Gardner is famous for not using weapons (unlike the Everton mob, for example), just his fists and cojones, and his presence was enough to put opponent firms on the retreat. His story telling is great, and there is even a great section on when he worked the door at some gnarly clubs that saw equally fierce action. The book is great and comes from a man who never was looking for the limelight, just a winning West Ham football game and a good steaming in afterwards!



5. A little disappointed. Gardner spent more time trying to disprove that he was a thug than providing the reader with real action. He was a true Hammer fan and I would love to share a pint with Bill and get the real story.

1 comments about Giggs: The Autobiography.

1. Gigg's biography is very readable. It's written in a conversational style, almost like you're having a beer with the guy and he's telling you his story. He's candid and good-natured and comes across as a humble, likable person. It will undoubtedly become a classic as he will eventually surpass Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record for Man Utd later this season.
   
   Every dedicated Man Utd fan would appreciate this book.

3 comments about A Season on the Brink: A Portrait of RAFA Benitez's Liverpool.

1. This book gives a great inside into the workings of the "New Liverpool".
   It starts with the ending of Houllier's reign at the club and the "luring" of Rafa.
   It builds up through the season and gives an inside veiw of how things began to gell. Ending up at the final game, the champions League Final.
   Being a Liverpool fan all my life, it is just another great Read.



2. Frank overview of Rafa's vision for LFC. Had me captured from Christmas right through to January 6th when I finally finished it. Engrossing read.



3. A great book on football. I'm a recent Liverpool supporter having transitioned from American sports. The book is a great account of Rafa's first season. My respect for Benitez grew immensely after reading the book. I thought NFL coaches were the hardest working sports managers. This book with its behind the scenes look has proven me wrong. Benitez works just as hard if not harder than his American counterparts. The write-up of the Champions League final is fantastic. It made me wish I was supporting LFC then and at the game.
   Once again, its a great book on football even if you're not a Liverpool FC supporter.

1 comments about Kick the Balls: An Offensive Suburban Odyssey.

1. I wrote a review for this book on June 28 and now it's gone. In fact, there were a few reviews up here. Well, thanks to Google cache here's what I said:
   
   When I was a kid in the 1970s, they said in the future soccer would become massively popular in America and we would all use the metric system. Didn't happen. The metric system is pretty much only used to refer to illicit drugs, but almost every American kid in the suburbs plays in a soccer league at least once.
   
   Alan Black's "Kick The Balls" is about his adventures coaching a kids' soccer league, yes. But it is much more. It's about Alan trying to assimilate into the American suburbs. And this is the super funny stuff. No one is safe from Black's barbs: TV preachers, kids, Dockers pants, parents, multiculturalism, the cult of the suburban lawn. Oh and it's not just a snarky hit piece on the easy target of suburban life, Black reserves his sharpest wit to mock himself: a cynical, uncomfortable, Scottish transplant to California. Recommended to anyone in need of a hearty jaundiced laugh at the world and themselves. Extra bonus funny (and insightful) if you are in the position of trying to cope with maintaining your identity and making new friends in a suburban, middle class, vanilla wasteland (i.e., if you're like this reviewer).

5 comments about Mia Hamm: On the Field with... (Matt Christopher Sports Biographies).

1. This book is by far the best i've ever read. It has great pictures and has lots of info on Mia. I think she is the best player i've ever seen. So this book was very interesting. If you love to play soccer, and enjoy watching and learning about Mia , this is THE perfect book! Once you start reading it, you won't stop reading until you've finished! SO GET OUT THERE,GET OFF YOUR BUTT, AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER, AND READ!



2. On teh field with Mia Hamm by Matt Christopher was a very goodbook. I didn't have a very good idea who Mia Hamm really was though.The only thing I know is a professional soccer player. I aw the book and it looked pretty interesting. I'm about a quarter of the way through the book and I'm liking it so far. Usually I don't read books , let alone a whole book.



3. I would recommend this book not only to people who love soccer, but to everyone who enjoys a true story about a great athlete and role model. The story of Mia Hamm is basically about how she was introduced to soccer and how she follows her dream to be the best women's soccer player in the world.



4. Very good review of a current sports star. Easy for my 7 year old daughter to understand and keep her interested.



5. Mia Hamm
   
   Mia Hamm was a talented soccer player. As a toddler she lived in Italy, that is how she discovered her love of soccer. Her dad was a marine and so she moved around frequently. During High School she decided to focus on soccer, and so all through High School and college she played on her schools' teams. Mia graduated college in 1994 and married her college boyfriend, Christian Corey. After that, Mia and her team went to Sweden to defend their world cup title. IN 1998, she was named America's best female athlete.
   
   My book, On the Field With Mia Hamm, gave me lots of information about Mia. The cover page is green with a colored picture of her running down the field with the ball. This book is organized into chapters and that made it a lot easier to sort the information about Mia. In the middle of the book are nine colored pictures of Mia and her teammates. In would have made the book easier if there were more pictures, though. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves soccer!
   
   
   

5 comments about Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life.

1. Personally, I found this really boring. I'm not really sure what I just read. I was kind of hoping that there'd be some personal insight because Mia Hamm is a facsinating person. When I finished I really wasn't inspired, or informed, or anything. I was just bored. There are better books out there, this one isn't really worth your time.



2. super.
   
   1. chapters on her ideas is just extremely inspiring
   2. soccer tips are great.



3. i love women's soccer and mia hamm takes the cake. this book makes you feel like you're part of the game. the narrative is good and mia has put some personal and important photos in the book that you'll cherish as well.
   
   for the soccer lover, run out and get it immediately!



4. This book is great for anyone who likes soccer and Mia Hamm. It has training tips, drills, and it tells a lot about Mia Hamm. I can't put the book down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. "Go for the Goal" is about Mia Hamm, one of the best soccer players in the world and about her struggles, difficulties, and accomplishments in her life. She helped lead the women's world cup team to a victory in 1999. She has faith that every one that dreams about being a soccer star, go for it! This is one of my favorate books not only because I play soccer competitively but because she has showed me some techniques and strategies she used to be an amazing soccer player. This book is interesting and factual about Mia life and could help change your idea about soccer.