- Hardcover: 448 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press (2 Sep 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 059305475X
- ISBN-13: 978-0593054758
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.2 x 4.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 96,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
The autobiography of a footballing hero.
Product Description
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team. Here, for the first time, he tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football, in an honest and revealing book which captures the extraordinary camaraderie, the soul-destroying tensions and the high-octane thrills of the modern game as never before. Born in the Liverpool suburb of Huyton in 1980, Steven first joined Liverpool as a YTS trainee and played his first game for the first team aged just 18. His career has gone from strength to strength ever since and he is now the team’s captain and its lynchpin. Liverpool's incredible comeback in the Champions’ League final in Istanbul in May 2005, recovering from a 3-goal deficit against AC Milan to win on penalties, is testament to the amazing power Gerrard has over his team. His presence on the pitch is a force to be reckoned with and places him amongst the very first rank of players in the world. A relatively private figure, Steven has rarely spoken out in public. Now, his legions of fans will be allowed an intimate glimpse of what makes their hero tick. He speaks for the first time about the torturous will-he-won't-he Chelsea rumours and his undying passion for Liverpool. We experience first-hand the highs of winning in Istanbul and elsewhere, as well as the occasional lows of being parted from his much-loved family and friends. And of course, the book contains a full blow-by-blow account of England's world cup campaign in Germany 2006. Steven Gerrard’s book is the definitive football autobiography. Like its subject, it’s honest, passionate and exhilarating. If Steven Gerrard isn’t your hero yet, by the time you’ve read this he will be…
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'd been eager to read Stevie G's story for some time so when this book was finally released I nipped out and got it and couldn't put it down. Compared to other autobiographies from footballers of recent times it's far more revealing & honest and that's what makes it such a good read.
Gerrard really doesn't hold back on his opinions, whether it be a player or manager who'd upset him or people in the England Youth Set-up. Whilst this is mainly a good thing it's also one of the few things that slightly lets him down as you soon learn that if you've ever come across him & doubted him in any shape or form then there's a good chance he'll think badly of you. At times this smacks of arrogance but at least it reveals Gerrard's true personality unlike many other books whereby the writer just aims to paint themsleves as perfect citizens.
The only other negative with the book is that the amount of very strong language used throughout will prevent thousands of his younger fans from reading about their idol. It's actually part of what makes the book so refreshing as you can imagine him saying every single line of the book as opposed to being assisted by a journalist but at times it does get quite colouful - be warned !!!
Any Liverpool fan should definitely pick this up as his account of the events of the Champions League success & FA Cup victory over West Ham are simply brilliant to read. Also nice to know that even modern-day footballers sneak the odd beer or two into their diets !!!
Gerrard really doesn't hold back on his opinions, whether it be a player or manager who'd upset him or people in the England Youth Set-up. Whilst this is mainly a good thing it's also one of the few things that slightly lets him down as you soon learn that if you've ever come across him & doubted him in any shape or form then there's a good chance he'll think badly of you. At times this smacks of arrogance but at least it reveals Gerrard's true personality unlike many other books whereby the writer just aims to paint themsleves as perfect citizens.
The only other negative with the book is that the amount of very strong language used throughout will prevent thousands of his younger fans from reading about their idol. It's actually part of what makes the book so refreshing as you can imagine him saying every single line of the book as opposed to being assisted by a journalist but at times it does get quite colouful - be warned !!!
Any Liverpool fan should definitely pick this up as his account of the events of the Champions League success & FA Cup victory over West Ham are simply brilliant to read. Also nice to know that even modern-day footballers sneak the odd beer or two into their diets !!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Apart from considering Steven Gerrard to be a formidable footballer I have often wondered whether he is the aloof star the media would have us believe.
Of course I also wanted to know what it was like living the moments I had celebrated as a fan - especially as an England fan.
First things first. This is not truly an 'autobiography'. This book is unequivocally and only the footballing life of Steven Gerrard. If you are wanting to know anything about Gerrard's life outside of football then you are not going to find that detail here. His wife gets about three pages in over 400.
What we do have is a story of a passion for football, Liverpool and England. And that starts with a unique approach to the childhood portion which so often bogs down these books. There is no emphasis on the poor roots, or how hard life was. We start with a nod to the tragedies of Liverpool's past and how that motivates Gerrard the man. We then skip onto life as a child from a child's perspective. The telling of this portion is almost innocent and really sets you up for the frank and honest discourse that follows of his adult life.
And that is the quality of this book. It doesn't seem that Gerrard is particularly emotional, at least from the text of this book, but he is phenomenally driven. Through the whole story it is his focus on football and the desire to succeed that fills the pages. It is his honest recounting of this that really does keep us wanting more.
PROS: Quite beguiling for its honesty; including his childhood years alongside and in the shadow of his friend Michael Owen; his wide eyed emergence into the professional footballing ranks, and his conversational appraisals of many great footballers - you understand why the great are the great. The detail on his FA Cup goal against West Ham is priceless. He comes across as being wonderfully naïve at times, especially during his contracts talks with Liverpool.
CONS: I wasn't looking for detail outside of football, there is little. This may put others off. Gerrard seems able to rally teams from the clutches of defeat but you have little understanding of the 'how' come the end. His recounting of the key games does not include the emotions that drove him just of the technical detail and key moments.
SUMMARY: A different take on the sports biography and unlike many others there is a genuine and engrossing story to be told. It is well worth taking the time to read this.
Of course I also wanted to know what it was like living the moments I had celebrated as a fan - especially as an England fan.
First things first. This is not truly an 'autobiography'. This book is unequivocally and only the footballing life of Steven Gerrard. If you are wanting to know anything about Gerrard's life outside of football then you are not going to find that detail here. His wife gets about three pages in over 400.
What we do have is a story of a passion for football, Liverpool and England. And that starts with a unique approach to the childhood portion which so often bogs down these books. There is no emphasis on the poor roots, or how hard life was. We start with a nod to the tragedies of Liverpool's past and how that motivates Gerrard the man. We then skip onto life as a child from a child's perspective. The telling of this portion is almost innocent and really sets you up for the frank and honest discourse that follows of his adult life.
And that is the quality of this book. It doesn't seem that Gerrard is particularly emotional, at least from the text of this book, but he is phenomenally driven. Through the whole story it is his focus on football and the desire to succeed that fills the pages. It is his honest recounting of this that really does keep us wanting more.
PROS: Quite beguiling for its honesty; including his childhood years alongside and in the shadow of his friend Michael Owen; his wide eyed emergence into the professional footballing ranks, and his conversational appraisals of many great footballers - you understand why the great are the great. The detail on his FA Cup goal against West Ham is priceless. He comes across as being wonderfully naïve at times, especially during his contracts talks with Liverpool.
CONS: I wasn't looking for detail outside of football, there is little. This may put others off. Gerrard seems able to rally teams from the clutches of defeat but you have little understanding of the 'how' come the end. His recounting of the key games does not include the emotions that drove him just of the technical detail and key moments.
SUMMARY: A different take on the sports biography and unlike many others there is a genuine and engrossing story to be told. It is well worth taking the time to read this.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
steven gerrard is the liverpool captain,a lynchpin in the team that is better than all teams,he can even be called a liverpool legend at 26 years of age and this is his stort in his words and he holds back no punches,honesty is king here and he lays it all on the line and in return has written the greatest football autobiography of them all i believe and i have read most of them,maybe i am biased but i think not.
Stevie g as he is known spills his guts on the near move to chelsea which is harrowing,the champions league story which is some read,spine tingling greatness,his love for houllier,the split of hius parents and his passion for liverpool,his language is foul at times but these are his words and that has to be applauded,nothing is held back.
its an easy read and whether you bleed liverpool or not this is a book that needs your attention,i didnt care much for the talk of playing for england but this is the whole story so i took it all in,and so should you.
Stevie g as he is known spills his guts on the near move to chelsea which is harrowing,the champions league story which is some read,spine tingling greatness,his love for houllier,the split of hius parents and his passion for liverpool,his language is foul at times but these are his words and that has to be applauded,nothing is held back.
its an easy read and whether you bleed liverpool or not this is a book that needs your attention,i didnt care much for the talk of playing for england but this is the whole story so i took it all in,and so should you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good book
Good book. Be aware this book has a lot of swearing in it. Worth a read. 9 out of 10. Service was good aswell.
Published 5 months ago by Lovely
Utter crap!
Do NOT waste your money on this crap!! An overrated footballer and a lousy writer! One of the worst autobiographies ever written!
Published 5 months ago by Jesper Ralbjerg
disgusting!
I received this book after reading this description as condition "very good", now i buy a lot of 2nd hand books from charity shops etc but have never seen a book in a condition... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Gillian
Must have for any Liverpool fan.
Great insight and honest look into Steven Gerrard's uprising! Interesting stories about when hes growing up and how he nearly ended his career when he was young.
Published 7 months ago by M.Thomas
Gerrards Autobiography..
This book arrived in very good condition, well-packaged and not long after I purchased it.
The book was bought as a gift, which I believe has been well - received and... Read more
The book was bought as a gift, which I believe has been well - received and... Read more
Published 12 months ago by lenika
great reading
My 8 year old bought that one and Torres autobiography and he loves them both.
Published 19 months ago by Sardou
Biographical Brilliance
"I was delighted to see that someone else shares my opinion on this masterpiece by Steven Gerrard and Henry Winter, I have been a follower of Manchester United and England since... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by Mr. D. J. Bennett
great xmas present!
I bought this book for my 16 year old son for xmas. As a avid football fan and player he loved this autobiography of Gerrard. Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Yvonne-michelle K. Howland
boy done good
this is a true insight of life as a professional footballer written in a can;t put it down way. the language in the book is a bit strong especially if younger stevie g fans get... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2009 by C. N. Windsor
one of the best
this is a brilliant book better then carra's. could'nt put it down, well worth a read
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by gary hodgson
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