- Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: Scribner; New edition edition (4 Nov 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1903650542
- ISBN-13: 978-1903650547
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11.2 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 300,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Full Time: the Secret Life of Tony Cascarino is the most praised football autobiography in a very long time. Reviewers' jaws dropped at "the searing honesty ... and the breathless style" (The Saturday Times); The Observer Sport Monthly gasped "It's Angela's Ashes with half-time oranges ... a footballer's autobiography like no other. The most astonishing sports book of the year." "Autobiography" of course means ghost-written: though told in the first person it was put together by award-winning Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, whose Rough Ride won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 1990. Making the book compulsively readable Kimmage structured it brilliantly, guarding the series of secrets that Cascarino reveals so that the reader is tantalised by cryptic glimpses then made to wait until each revelation in turn is suddenly unveiled. What are these secrets? Suffice to say that some are personal, some professional, some minor and quirky, one major enough to generate heated debate in the press. At times the book reads like the confession of a man who's lived with too much guilt for too long.
Throughout, the book maintains a very high standard. It veers towards the blandness for which footballers' autobiographies are famous only when the author is discussing his friends, to whom he is commendably loyal. As for his managers, there are several memorable portraits. In the case of Jack Charlton it's open hero-worship, even when he felt hard done by. Relations with Glenn Hoddle were a very different story. "He was probably the unfunniest man I have ever known. He was also completely besotted with himself ... When you stepped offside with Glenn, there was nothing to do but accept your fate and hope that you returned in the next life as talented and as perfect as him."
The Guardian said, "Compared with the standard-issue footballer's autobiography, this is Tolstoy." Perhaps not quite, but it's brilliant storytelling, and gives a shockingly honest portrait of one footballer and his world. --David Pickering --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
A sports autobiography like no other - in his bestselling confessional memoir Tony Cascarino speaks frankly about his mental and physical scars from family trauma, sexual indiscretions, crippling losses of confidence and football injuries.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an Englishman living in France who has followed Tony Cascarino's career during his time here, even interviewing him once, I know first hand of the esteem the clubs and their supporters hold him in. Even during my short interview with him, his honesty and openess was very apparent, and as such, his book did not come as a surprise to me. What is more surprising is his openess about his 'private' life.
Footballers have previously told the 'truth' behind the glamour (see 'Left foot forward' by Garry Nelson), but this is possibly the first book by a footballer who looks out beyond the game. Football is really secondary in this book, and whole chunks of his career are dismissed in a few sentences. This book really would make a wonderful film.
Good luck Tony in whatever you are doing now, and come back to France soon!
Footballers have previously told the 'truth' behind the glamour (see 'Left foot forward' by Garry Nelson), but this is possibly the first book by a footballer who looks out beyond the game. Football is really secondary in this book, and whole chunks of his career are dismissed in a few sentences. This book really would make a wonderful film.
Good luck Tony in whatever you are doing now, and come back to France soon!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first remember Tony Cascarino as goalscoring hero for surprise package Millwall in the 1988-89 footballing season. Forming a lethal partnership with Teddy Sheringham, myself and other schoolboys could only wonder at the life and times to be had as each saturday these players would get to live out the dream in the footballing arena.
Full time however offers a unique and fascinating insight into the less glamorous flip side to being a professional footballer.
The average run of the mill football book is painted with the usual hyperbole of the love for the game and exileration of pulling on your boots each afternoon.
Cascarino's canvas is more severe. what happens when your body can't take it anymore? what happens when all the abuse, the bad press and the pressure of being a million pound player convinces you you just aren't good enough? what happens when, like anyone else each morning, sometimes you just can't be bothered?
Since the dawn of the million pound footballer, there are many out there who won't remember Tony Cascarino, but it doesn't matter. There is enough here that convinces me this is an essential read for anyone who fears the future.
Full time however offers a unique and fascinating insight into the less glamorous flip side to being a professional footballer.
The average run of the mill football book is painted with the usual hyperbole of the love for the game and exileration of pulling on your boots each afternoon.
Cascarino's canvas is more severe. what happens when your body can't take it anymore? what happens when all the abuse, the bad press and the pressure of being a million pound player convinces you you just aren't good enough? what happens when, like anyone else each morning, sometimes you just can't be bothered?
Since the dawn of the million pound footballer, there are many out there who won't remember Tony Cascarino, but it doesn't matter. There is enough here that convinces me this is an essential read for anyone who fears the future.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoy reading sporting biographies and in a way I regret buying this book. This is because Full Time is simply the best I have ever read and nothing else is likely to come close.
Of course, I don't regret buying this book at all! It fantastic, brilliant, inspired. So different to any sporting bio I've ever read, and I've read quite a few. His relationship with his father explains many things (I know - I had a similar one).
Do yourself a favour, but this book because you will not regret it for one moment. Honest!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Happy Memories from the "Ice-cream Man"
A really enjoyable read. Tony has had a remarkable and interesting life. Definetely one of life's characters. Am glad to see all has worked out well for Tony.
Published 3 months ago by Kieron Maguire
Superb Read
Absolutely riveting reading and a real contrast to the ghost-written pap that other footballers have churned out in recent years.
Published 7 months ago by Sleepless
So well written
If you know Tony Cascarino.. you will not see his image in this book. The author Paul Kimmage has made this the best, most well written football autobiography. Read more
Published 15 months ago by LOB
more than the usual football biography
I actually bought this book because it was the book of the month on the mumsnet book club. I am a woman who likes football but have always felt in the minority so I was so shocked... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Copycreate
Honest and colourful account
Tony Cascarino had an unusual football career; after early successes at Gillingham and Millwall, he under-achieved following big-money moves to Aston Villa, Celtic and Chelsea,... Read more
Published 23 months ago by M. V. Clarke
Sublime........
This book is just wonderful! A friend gave it to me when visiting me in hospital and I looked at it skeptically thinking how could anyone write a good book on Tony Cascarino. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by David Madden
Full Time Pseudo-Review
Well, I've heard Tony Cascarino a few times as a football pundit, and have enjoyed what he had to say. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by L. Scott
Simply the best football autobiography I've ever read.
Forget the otherwise excellent Autobiographies from Stuart Pearce, Paul McGrath, Tony Adams and the mediocre offerings from the likes of Giggs and Beckham, THIS is the one Football... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Saul Richman
Best Sports Autobiography
This is with out doubt my favourite sports autobiography. I have read quite a few and this comes out tops. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by Dennis King
I would never read a standard football autobiography...
I have fond memories of Tony Cascarino from the days when I wasn't utterly depressed to be an Ireland suporter, but even when I was 12 years old during the 1990 World Cup I knew he... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by Mr. Phil Clandillon
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