- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Willow; illustrated edition edition (4 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 000719806X
- ISBN-13: 978-0007198061
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 167,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘Once out of the game he had long seemed anxious to escape, Collymore became singularly placed to articulate some of the madness that attends it.’ Observer
Four Four Two
5* 'by turns explosive, poignant, profound and funny'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read the book initially with intrepidation. I was worried that this was the book to set the story straight - or rather for Stan Collymore to say "I am not to blame". However, what the book does tell the reader is that Stanley Collymore doesn't apportion blame on his well publised downfall from grace, but fairly and squarely he puts the onus on himself. The book is hard hitting as well as very honest. It covers the highs of his career at Southend United,Nottingham Forest & Liverpool with the lows at Aston Villa and Real Oviedo. It portrays the backstabbing in the game from his agent to his managers to racist players. It throws the light on the football managers who praised him and appreciated his unique skill but who couldn't handle him in Peter Taylor and John Gregory. It also give a direct and humbling account of how his love for Ulrika Jonnson was misplaced and how he manages to hurt those closest to him. It gives Stans personal insight into the Ulrika incident and you come away feeling Stan Collymore, though sinned was sinned against more. Its a cracking read and I finished it in three sessions. I have read a few football biographies and autobiographies over the past 12 months including ones on Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore, the difference between them is that this book doesn't try to put the author is a better light then he deserves. Well done Stanley Victor Collymore - I hope that you can lay your demons to rest.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not a football fan, I don't like autobiographies, and anything connected with 'celebrity' culture leaves me cold. Nonetheless, I'd read an interview with Stan Collymore in which he talked very openly about his struggle with clinical depression and the role that 'dogging' played in that. Contrary to the image constructed of him in the tabloids, he came across as someone with depth and intelligence, and the courage to articulate uncomfortable truths about himself. So when recently I wanted a change from my usual diet of textbooks and middlebrow fiction, I decided to buy the full story.
Every time I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. Stan expands on many of the stories that we think we know about because we happened to scan the tabloid headlines as we leave the newsagent's shop. It left me realising that my own critical distance and cynicism about the tabloids is not nearly enough.
He holds your interest. However disinterested you might be in the world of celebrity and football, the real story here is of a person who could be you or me struggling with crippling depression, made all the worse because those around him failed to believe or understand how someone with his money and success could be depressed. In fact, he would probably have got more support and understanding if he'd said he was gay - at least the tabloids have to be more careful about taunting people about that these days.
As an aside, one of the people who comes out of this story as an angel is Davina McCall. At many of Stan's lowest points, Davina is on the end of a phone with life-saving sanity and support, and is just another example of someone who deserves more dignity than the tabloids have given her. Ulrika Johnson, by contrast, comes across as someone who still needs to tackle her demons in the way that Stan & Davina have.
It's well-crafted as a page turner, but also leaves room for Stan's personality to come through. It's not about football, it's about the human condition, about frailty, and about moving on and finding new directions. I felt more human after reading it, and that's not a bad recommendation for a book.
Every time I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. Stan expands on many of the stories that we think we know about because we happened to scan the tabloid headlines as we leave the newsagent's shop. It left me realising that my own critical distance and cynicism about the tabloids is not nearly enough.
He holds your interest. However disinterested you might be in the world of celebrity and football, the real story here is of a person who could be you or me struggling with crippling depression, made all the worse because those around him failed to believe or understand how someone with his money and success could be depressed. In fact, he would probably have got more support and understanding if he'd said he was gay - at least the tabloids have to be more careful about taunting people about that these days.
As an aside, one of the people who comes out of this story as an angel is Davina McCall. At many of Stan's lowest points, Davina is on the end of a phone with life-saving sanity and support, and is just another example of someone who deserves more dignity than the tabloids have given her. Ulrika Johnson, by contrast, comes across as someone who still needs to tackle her demons in the way that Stan & Davina have.
It's well-crafted as a page turner, but also leaves room for Stan's personality to come through. It's not about football, it's about the human condition, about frailty, and about moving on and finding new directions. I felt more human after reading it, and that's not a bad recommendation for a book.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Got this book christmas day, had it done by boxing day. Best autobiography Ive read and Ive read tons. Makes you wonder why Michael Owen had released a book,what story has he got to tell?Ooo couple of goals here and there,anythin significant?Collymores story is very sad however very warming,on what was a fantastic footballer but was sadly worn out by personal problems.Also learn what a set of looneys,and how shocking the media behave in todays society.This story confirms Collymore is not a monster,disgrace of society - just an ill man who was superb at the sport loves, trying his best to recover. Read it,nuff said.Well in Stan the Man.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A MUST READ
This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, along with Geri Halliwell If Only, Paul Gascoigne Gazza and Daniella Westbrook The Other Side Of Nowhere. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. N. Malcolm
stan the man
i have read many books but this is by far the best i couldnt put it down and must have read it 20 times since. Read more
Published 7 months ago by skudlooking
Fantastic book and easy to read
I found this book amazing and fun to read. I always found Stan Collymore a strange caracter. But as a footballer he was fantastic and I think he would have bee one of the best in... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Guz
Forest git !
He played for Forest, I am a Derby fan. Give it a go i thought. Couldnt put the damn thing down. What a man, how did he make it to the other side of the tunnel? Read more
Published 12 months ago by mickramstag
Brutally honest biography
Not being a huge football fan, I was more interested to read about Stan's version of the events that took place in Paris with Ulrika Johnson and have to say that I was not... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mrs. Jennifer M. Jones
He has potential for something much better than this.
Stan Collymore has written a very readable book albeit riddled with foul language. Being a very smart fellow he has used it not only to tell us about his life in and around... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2008 by D. W. Miller
Honest, Serious & Funny
I was never much of a fan of Stan Collymore & I was in between books when I purchased this at an airport. I read this book in a week-end. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2008 by John McBride
Stan not the man
Stan is a arrogant man who thinks he can get away with beating women because he gets racist abuse shouted at him. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2007 by N. McConnell
A Different Book
I have read lots of footballers autobiographies, but this one is unique. The football story is told , but it is secondary to the personal anguish suffered by this man. Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2006 by Richard Preston
An Excellent Book!!!!
I first saw this book advertised on Amazon, when it first came out on hardback. Then I thought. Shall I buy It? I thought no but I did buy it and never looked back since. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2006 by D. J. Pithouse
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