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I'm Not Really Here
 
 
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I'm Not Really Here [Kindle Edition]

Paul Lake (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
Print List Price: £8.99
Kindle Price: £6.17 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: £2.82 (31%)
* Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.

Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £6.17   -- --
Hardcover £9.59   -- --
Paperback £6.74   -- --
Audio Download, Unabridged £16.49 or Free with Audible.co.uk 30-day free trial

Product Description

Review

Best football autobiography ever? Unquestionably (Metro )

It's the best book I've read for a long time....Beautifully, powerfully written, it is particularly raw and unsparing... (Oliver Holt The Mirror )

...an astounding football autobiography. (The Guardian )

I'd be frightened to put a price on his head these days ... Paul was as good a young player as I've ever worked with. (Howard Kendall )

Without question, he is the best young player I have ever worked with (Mel Machin )

Book Description

A Sunday Times Bestseller. The extraordinary memoir of ex-Manchester City player Paul Lake.
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1484 KB
  • Print Length: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Cornerstone Digital (4 Aug 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005FRCE0C
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #30,614 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Paul Lake
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent journey into his life and the heartbreaking 'what-ifs' 1 Aug 2011
By Mr. W. A. Dawson
Format:Hardcover
Although Paul Lake's City career effectively ended at the age of 22, he is still revered as a City legend. Why?

Firstly, during his short career at City (truncated by a horrific knee inury) he had already proven to be a star. Captain at 21, often MOTM...he simply didn't do bad performances. He could play almost anywhere - and had all the attributes necessary to make it at the top level. England captain of the future? You can never say for sure, but the consensus was almost unanimous.
Secondly, he was a blue through and through - a fan wearing the shirt. You could see how much he wanted to play, and as fans we saw ourself in him.
Thirdly, he was something to cling onto when things started to turn sour in the early 90s. "It'll be ok when we get Lakey back", was something I heard often at Maine Road.

This book is a frank and thorough depiction of the nature of depression when something you love is taken from you. It's something most people can relate to, athlete or mere mortal. The fact that Lake is so up front about a subject that is still almost taboo can only be a good thing for mental health awareness too.
I really enjoyed the book: it was well written and produced both smiles and tears. It's a refreshing work, not the same old same old football biog.

Thanks for the memories Paul, and I wish you all the best for the future.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish all autobiographies were like this 12 Aug 2011
By Shempz
Format:Hardcover
I'm not a Man City fan, and can't profess to knowing a huge amout about Paul Lake, in spite of being a big football fan all my life. This book however, is possibly the best autobiography I've ever read. It traces Paul's life from childhood to the success of being made Man City captain and part of the England World Cup Squad in 1990 to the lows of severe depression following long term injury and many botched operations.

It'll make you laugh, and cry (or at least get a lump in your throat!) in equal measures, and every page you read will just make you want to get to the next even faster.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not really here 12 Aug 2011
By craig moran
Format:Hardcover
Growing up as a city fans from Denton, Paul lake was our inspiration and local hero. Everyone I knew was so upset when Lakey had to retire due to injury at such a young age. I was 16 then and now I am a thirty something and thought I would buy the book to see just what did happen to my hero.
What a read !!!! The first 2 chapters set the tone for an emotional read. It progresses to give you an true account of how badly certain people at the club treated their brightest star. The physical pain of an injury that was never going to get better due to being badly diagnoised by people a young Paul Lake trusted. The years of physical and emotional pain clearly come through the words on each page,but there are also some light hearted funny moments that make you laugh out loud. The Final chapter sees Paul "returning Home" back to City in his new role as club ambassador, Well done the club for not forgetting the best young homegrown footballer ever to play for City. Writing this book must of taken a lot of courage and soul searching but you get the sense that writing this book has probalbly helped Paul in his recovery. A must read for any football fan especially fans who like to read books written by players who are still in touch with reality. Well done Paul and Good Luck... (your still my hero :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars I'm not really here
I bumped into Paul Lake and Tony Book recently in Manchester it was a thrill to shake there hands and have a few words. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Stevef
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
Great story. Every up and coming footballer should read this. No matter which team you are supporting, this a must-read.
Published 1 month ago by Erlend Ellingsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great footballers autobiography
Compelling reading A real insight into a footballer's life before really big money came into the game. As the title infers Paul also covers life after football.
Published 1 month ago by Lord Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasic read
I'm not a Man City fan, but recall seeing Paul Lake playing and recall what an outstanding prospect he was. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MR J ETHERINGTON
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!!
This era was my introduction to Manchester City & it has been great reading the book & thinking back to when my love affair with this great club started. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mr c p kenny
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good!
A true and honest book. Paul covers everything from growing up in Denton to coping with his demons. As a local lad I can relate to many parts of this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jimbo
5.0 out of 5 stars book
a really good read, even for non-football lovers - an inspirational story and spoken with frankness and easy to read
Published 2 months ago by Myh
5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT
Im not the biggest reader but as a city fan this was a great read from start to finish
highly recommended
Published 2 months ago by GRAHAM ANDREW
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read
A truly inspiring, brilliant read. If you love sport or not this is a really inspiring and heart warming book, even more so if you have bad knees.
Published 2 months ago by Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars There's only one Lakie!!
Terrific story of one of Man City's and England's potentially top two players, the magnificent Colin Bell being the other. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David M Corrie
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