Product Description

He may live in Madrid but he continues to make front-page headlines. This is David Beckham's own story of his career to date, for Manchester United, Real Madrid and England, and of his childhood, family and private life. Featuring David's first full account of a turbulent year in Spain, on and off the field, and England's fortunes in Euro 2004. This is Beckham's fascinating life story in his own words. His rise through the ranks at the biggest club side in the world. His complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson. The England story, from being vilified by the nation before returning as the prodigal son to eventually captaining his country. His acrimonious falling-out with his manager and departure from Old Trafford in June 2003. And starting a new chapter of his life on foreign soil in the glare of the world's press. Now from Beckham himself, we gain a vivid and eye-opening insight into the family man behind the famous footballer, the international model and fashion leader. He describes how he first met and then married ex-Spice girl Victoria Adams, and the upbringing of their two children Brooklyn and Romeo. How his family's every step is monitored by a posse of newshounds and paparazzi. Also, the influence of his parents, growing up as a shy youngster in the family home, and how their subsequent split affected him. Intimate and soul-searching, this is the real David Beckham like we have never seen before. NEW FOR THIS PAPERBACK EDITION: - Beckham's first season with Real Madrid from within the dressing room, with key stories on the likes of Figo, Roberto Carlos and Zidane. - His exclusive reaction to the sensational allegations about his private life; their effect on his relationship with Victoria and a reappraisal of their living arrangements. - England and Euro 2004: the players' threatened strike in support of Rio Ferdinand; Eriksson as England boss; and all the behind the scenes stories leading up to and including the Finals in Portugal. - One year down the line, does Beckham have any regrets about leaving Manchester United? And is there any truth in the rumours that he is unsettled in Madrid?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36455 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 544 pages

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. My Side 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 My Side 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". --Alex Hankin

Review
'The confrontations between Beckham and Ferguson have the acid marks of authenticity' Mail on Sunday 'Utterly fascinating' Heat magazine 'A sensational story' The Sun 'This book sings' Daily Telegraph 'Skilfully written' Evening Standard

About the Author
David Beckham was born in Leytonstone, East London in May 1975. At the age of 11 he came first in the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools competition ahead of 5,000 other boys. He signed for Manchester United in 1989 and made his debut three years later, aged 17. He has since gone on to play more than fifty times for England, including captaining his country in the World Cup and European Championship finals. He signed for Real Madrid in a much-publicised transfer in the summer of 2003. Tom Watt is an established author, sportswriter and broadcaster. He has written three books on football -- The End, A Passion for the Game and The Greatest Stage.

Customer Reviews

Everything you'd expect from a good football autobiography, and more
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.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I believe it will captivate football fans and non-football fans alike. Highly recommended!

Interesting
A very interesting book with some great memories from the beckham adventure which we've lived through really, there are some moments that we didn't know about from the last five years which is rather surprising considering he hasn't been out the papers since 1998.
The last 20 odd pages is all about his crumbling relationship with Manchester united boss sir Alex Ferguson, you feel how beckham is hurt and how he finds it hard to deal with the situation in hand. The boot incident is there in full and is rather surprising when you read it 'I went for the gaffer' beckham actually went for him and tells us how fergie treated him like dirt. You get the sense his winging because so many players keep stum but not becks he has come out and gave us the full story, which i think is good really and a pleasant suprise.

Just as I expected - a nice, down-to-earth lad!
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.
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.
10/10 for such a nice read, and a lovely ending!