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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very frank, honest & refreshing, 25 Sep 2006
This review is from: Gerrard: My Autobiography (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 !!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
from a man united fan, 7 April 2008
i finished reading this book and was recommending it to anyone i knew that read books . i am a united fan anything good i have to say and write about liverpool football club would fit on the back of a stamp. i grew up from the mid 70s thru the 80s supporting man utd while my whole family cheered on the success of liverpool and delivered me with loads of stick so i cant stand the club. BUT i bought this book to read the life and times of one of the best central midfielders in the world. I admired steven gerrard as a great player and of his decision to stay at liverpool (at last someone who plays for the shirt, passion and pride for his team and not about the money/shops) steven gerrard now has my respect as a person as well as a professional footballer he dosent hold back in this book he says what he feels about players,press,refs and managers, He even gives some liverpool fc staff and players a not very good mention. this is a book that gives you the lot he even tells you his wages and the trouble he had to get them..... ........................................................................ STILL,I WISH HE HAD SIGNED FOR UNITED if you like football,liverpool,stevie g or just a good autobiography this is the book to buy............
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A footballing biography - and well told at that., 6 Oct 2007
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.
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