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Managing My Life: My Autobiography: The Autobiography
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Amazon.co.uk Review
When considering the public face of Sir Alex Ferguson--the unsmiling, world-beating football manager who has taken just about all the honours the British game has to offer--it is difficult to imagine that he grew up as the son of a ship builder on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow. Yet Ferguson's story is much the same as many others who have made it to the top in the sport: a boy with talent who rose above the expectations of his working-class background to become a household name throughout the world.
Such is the power of football; but more relevantly, such is the power of raw talent, pure determination and a bit of good luck. In Managing My Life Ferguson tells the story of just how he developed from a football-mad youngster to the first British manager to win the FA Cup, the Premiership and the European Cup in one season; but whereas others with a similar experience romanticise their tough upbringing and eulogise it from the comfortable position success affords them, with Ferguson there is the feeling that the tough, uncompromising way he runs his team is a direct product of values instilled in childhood that he still holds close.
I grew up accepting that shipbuilding was part of the fabric of my existence. In a community that relies heavily on a single industry, there is an intensity of shared experience that draws people together and tends to make them appreciate the need to support one another. It has been said that the values great managers like Jock Stein, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley brought to their jobs in football were rooted in their mining background. I have no doubt it is true and I am sure, too, that any success I have had in handling men, and especially in creating a culture of loyalty and commitment in teams I have managed, owes much to my upbringing among the workingmen of Clydesdale.
Opening the book with a word on his recent Treble success (after all, who could be expected to wait until the end of this extraordinary story for all the gory details?), Ferguson soon reveals the big secret of his success--family support. The constants throughout his life have been close friend and family relationships and an absolute passion for winning, and both are constantly recurring themes throughout the book. Candid, thoughtful and passionate, this is certainly a story no Ferguson lover can miss. But, more importantly, it is one those who hate him should be made to read--if you thought the dour face and frequent complaints to the referee were his whole character, you are sorely mistaken; they are symptoms of his never-ending quest for perfection.--Lucie NaylorThis text refers to the hardcover edition of this title.
Review
'The best football autobiography I have ever read' (The Sunday Times )
'The richest and most enthralling story in post-war British sport' (Independent )
'Danielle Steele meets Geoffrey Archer, with a Booker Prize quality injected by Hugh McIlvanney' (Independent on Sunday )
'A treat' (Sunday Express )
'Ferguson emerges from this account as a genuine national hero, one of the great Scots of the 20th century' (Mail on Sunday )
'Provocative, stimulating, emotional and honest' (The Herald )
'The richest and most enthralling story in post-war British sport' (Independent )
'Danielle Steele meets Geoffrey Archer, with a Booker Prize quality injected by Hugh McIlvanney' (Independent on Sunday )
'A treat' (Sunday Express )
'Ferguson emerges from this account as a genuine national hero, one of the great Scots of the 20th century' (Mail on Sunday )
'Provocative, stimulating, emotional and honest' (The Herald )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a Leeds United season ticket holder - so why did I pick up a book from the manager of our rivals? - Maybe I am a little macarbe but mainly I do enjoy football literature.
As a partisan fan I can't help thinking that Mr Ferguson is abit of a moaner and really sections of this book back-up that myth -- he never really does give Leeds the credit of winning the title but that Man U lost it and injuries and the Sun (yes the yellow ball in the sky) has alot to answer for!!
But to be perfectly honest this is a compelling read tracing the mans life and the first 250 pages deal with his formative years and his career in Scotland. I agree that he is forthright but the questions the previous reviewer mentioned are never explored.
A worthwhile piece of football literature for ALL football fans if they can stomach it. Well worth it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
Great book spoiled by a glaring spelling or grammatical mistake every couple of pages. The scores in the first couple of chapters are unreadable and many names are inexplicably hyphenated. Beck-ham? Red-knap?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a Liverpool fan, I was still intrigued to understand the man mainly responsible for Liverpool's demise in English football. There were some excellent insights to his ideas of football and players. Amazing, how there were players he wanted that even Man United could not afford. But he never did explain if he knew that Graeme Souness was being lined up to replace him. Also, his excuses for leaving Alan Hansen out of the '86 World Cup were unsatisfactory. While he commands my greatest respect, having read this book, I am unconvinced he does not know what it takes to win at the international level. That Scotland team was the best they ever had and he failed to inspire them. Also, he never talks much about his training regime. I would like a chapter dedicated to tactics and training. That would be more fascinating then knowing about some woman in England that writes to him each week. I await the next book on team play by Ferguson, and his explanation for pairing Cole with Yorke and if Cantona could be credited with Beckham's technical brilliance.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Become Alex Ferguson
This is a book that once you start reading - you can not put down, It covers all aspects of his life from Growing up all the way to the European Championship of 1999,
you do... Read more
you do... Read more
Published 11 months ago by lmp
Brilliant Manager, Brilliant Book
Even allowing for the bias that I'm a United fan, this is a truly incredible book. Tough, uncompromising and, to be fair, almost brutally honest in parts, this book is never less... Read more
Published 12 months ago by CorkRebel67
Great Book About a Great Manager
Despite not being an avid supporter of Manchester United I have always been very keen to have an insight into the life and times of club's greatest ever manager. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2007 by Jay
Read Between The Lines
There is a genre of British autobiographies you could call "man from tough working class background makes good". Read more
Published on 20 May 2003
What Makes Him Tick
A lot of people myself included do not know of Alex Fergusons early beginnings. It was interesting to read how he started at the bottom and worked his way up through sheer grit,... Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2002 by Mrs K Jarvis
Comprehensive , triumphant autobiography
This book is not exactly a "page turner" , but it is well worth reading. Sir Alex Ferguson emerges from it not only as a phenomenally successful football manager , but as a... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2002 by L. Davidson
Questions unanswered
Previous reviewers have praised Ferguson's forthrightness, and yet I can't help but feel he has left one or two unanswered questions. Read more
Published on 27 July 2001 by davidnesbit@hotmail.com
From a 12yr. old reviewer: Loved the book and the pictures!
In the book, there are sentences like this: "a minute later, one sub supplied the cross for the equaliser...". These are exciting bits to read. Read more
Published on 12 July 2001
Best Football Book I ever read
This book is amazing because it goes right from when he was 7 years old and up to present. A must buy for all United and Football lovers.
Published on 12 April 2001 by jbroadway@btinternet.com
Incredible insight to the life of an incredible man.
This book reveals sides to the Manchester United manager that are never apparent whilst he is in the public eye. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2000
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