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David Beckham: My Side - The Autobiography |  | Author: David Beckham
Publisher: HarperCollinsWillow
Category: Book
List Price: £8.99
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Seller: daleside_books
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 13790
Media: Paperback
Edition: Enlarged edition
Pages: 544
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.5
ISBN: 0007157339
EAN: 9780007157334
ASIN: 0007157339
Publication Date: September 6, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Arguably the most recognised sportsman in the world, ever, David Beckham, at 28, has weathered several lifetimes' worth of speculation, rumours, adoration and insults--and now he claims to be setting the record straight. Beckham has been at the heart of some of the biggest stories in British football for a decade or more, and it's all here including: kung-fu Cantona; scoring from the halfway line; that Champions League Final; 1998 World Cup disgrace; 2002 World Cup glory; feuding with Fergie and the boot in the face; right through to entering the pantheon at Real Madrid in 2003. IMy Side/I fairly roars along from one headline-grabbing incident to another. Of course Beckham's passion for his game, and the challenges of preparation and performance, is the driving force behind the narrative, but we are rarely allowed to lose sight of the celebrity bubble in which ol' Golden Balls exists, as one half of Britain's other Royal family. At which point a souring note of reality must be introduced into this tell-it-like-it-was memoir. The problem is that we know Beckham so well. He is well established as a charming, courteous interviewee, for whom an inevitable and growing PR savvy has tightened his tongue, though not dimmed a natural warmth and enthusiasm, but he's equally well known to be, (how to put it?), not great with words. The bald fact is that, in public at least, Beckham has never uttered a single sentence half as vivid or coherent as those in IMy Side/I the voice with which we are all so familiar is entirely absent. Good thing too perhaps--400-odd pages full of "er" and "kinda like" would grate--but the polish that collaborator Tom Watts applies does lend this first-person narrative an air or unreality that some readers will find hard to disperse. That said, the result is a fluid, readable and hugely entertaining stroll through an extraordinary life, with a genuine sense of intimacy, a generous spread of colour photos, and some intelligent things to say about football and celebrity, despite the reservations about diluting the Beckham "essence". --IAlex Hankin/I
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
 Everything you'd expect from a good football autobiography, and more May 19, 2006
T. P. Ang (Singapore)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I seldom read sports biographies, but nonetheless found this book hard to put down once I started on it. Beckam provides a refreshingly honest and eye-opening account of life in the dressing room and beyond. The book takes the reader on a comprehensive narrative from his childhood years to his rise to international stardom that has few dull moments. Particularly commendable, in my opinion, is the book's effort to provide a fair assessment of all the major characters in Beckham's life, especially his manager and mentor for many years, Sir Alex Ferguson.
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br /Beckam's life beyond the football pitch also lends an extra dimension to his account that is usually absent in the traditional footballer's autobiography. His sometimes tragic, sometimes uplifting accounts of his convoluted relationship with the media, the wider British public and of course, his well-publicised courtship with Victoria are tremendously absorbing. In this sense, the book offers the reader much more than just a catalogue of golden goals and match performances.
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br /I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I believe it will captivate football fans and non-football fans alike. Highly recommended!
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Just as I expected - a nice, down-to-earth lad! September 5, 2006
Top Cat (Somewhere in England, apparently)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
After a number of reviews that seemed to stray from the path a little, I figured I'd give facts. The truth is, Beckham has written what is an excellent story of his. And it really is his life - not just his football career, and I think thats what makes the book so enjoyable. People see Beckham as a footballer, a style icon. But as he writes, he explains the highs and lows of his life, on AND off the pitch. From growing up playing Lego with his friends, to having a devoted father who kept his love of the game strong, Beckham has such an lovely writing style thats not only descriptive, but is easy to read.
br /Photographs accompany the book in about 5 different sections that match with the timescale which is a nice touch. My favourite section his story see's his first experiences with Victoria - how he first met her, how nervous he felt, and how they eventually hooked up. Its a pleasure to read as, young I am, I've learnt alot from such a down-to-earth and genuine person. People may slag him off, saying he's not the player he used to be, or that he's more concerned with his fame. Indeed - he puts his family before his career - as was a motive for leaving Manchester United. But deep down, this a story of someone who not only loves his football, but is a true family man who cares about the people around. Instead of a book crammed full of football results, his day-to-day lifestyle, which is far more satisfying than a heartless autobiography, is described in a nice writing style.
br /10/10 for such a nice read, and a lovely ending!
A very pleasant autobiography September 18, 2003
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Juicy, appealing, warm, honest and from the heart. A very enjoyable read. Obviously it's never going to be a Booker prize winner, but I think in todays hustle and bustle it's nice to read something that is both entertaining and manageable...the whole Beckhams phenonomenon is due because they are a form of escapism....this pic demonstrates this.pThe book is the #1 bestseller of the week (16 September), selling over 80,000 copies in 2 days.pEnjoy.
A great insight July 19, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed this book, I read every word until I got about halfway through and realised that his personal life was more interesting to me than reading about every goal in every football match, so then I just read those sections. I think it is very well written, and would recommend it to both sports fans and gossip-mag readers!
The Garry Bushell of Football March 29, 2008
Fred Bookie (Enfield)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the best biog I have read since Bushell Off The Box by Garry Johnson.
br /Becks and Bushell both have a lot in common - crewcuts, good looks and both are East End boys done good.
br /Garry Bushell discovered The Cockney Rejects and this book Beckham claims they are his favourite rock band.
br /Spooky or what?
br /Beckham has just won his 100th cap and I for one hopes he goes onto to many more.
br /He has tried modelling and now I hear he is going to try acting - he was according to this book encouraged by his Hollywood pal Tom Cruise. And rumour has it Becks has a small part in the Robbie Williams movie Till Death Us Do Part - the film version of the East End gangster novel by Garry Jackson.
br /A brilliant book that moved me and came close to taking over from The Story of Oi by Garry Johnson as my all-time favourite book.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
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