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Blessed: The Autobiography
 
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Blessed: The Autobiography (Paperback)

by George Best (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Ebury Press; New edition edition (1 Aug 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0091884705
  • ISBN-13: 978-0091884703
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.6 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 60,272 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #89 in  Books > Biography > Sport > Football

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The question of how a man could have everything and be systematically destroyed by alcoholism is at the heart of George Best's unflinching autobiography Blessed. In 1990, Best--arguably the most extravagantly talented footballer the UK has ever produced; certainly domestic football's first and brightest superstar--irrevocably redefined himself in the public's mind as a bloated, foul-mouthed, pitiful drunk with that appearance on the prime-time TV chat show Wogan.

The pictures tell at least part of the story. The young Beatle-haired Best of the 1960s at Manchester United; the scrawny boy from Northern Ireland, breathtakingly audacious with the ball at his feet, dismantling Europe's finest defences. The ever-more chubby, bearded Best of the 1970s, after his shock "retirement" at 26, exercising his increasingly elusive talent with second-rate teams. The Best of today: mottled, grey, eyes now tinted with jaundice and seemingly sharing the general sense of surprise that he's still here at all.

Now Best is able to candidly reflect on the story of his rise and fall. He revels in the highs, which were spectacular: a brilliant career with Man Utd, including a European Cup medal; a media darling, with a Miss World or two on his arm. But he also calmly recounts the lows: a litany of professional and domestic woe, including that public humiliation on Wogan.

The worst thing was that I thought I'd got away with it, that though I might have been a bit tipsy, I had come across as reasonably coherent. But when I saw the recording the following day, it was obvious that I had been completely out of it ... it's awful to see yourself coming across as some mumbling drunk.

Now of course Best makes his living with after-dinner speaking and TV punditry, and--despite the co-author here--Blessed reveals an easy authority with words which turns a compelling testimony into a funny, moving and deeply personal story. This is extra-time for Best, an astonishing sporting talent that was snuffed out. If he survives, with the spirit that imbues this book intact, he may yet astonish us again. --Alex Hankin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
'Fascinating-honest to the point of self-laceration-Best will always remain a breath-taking example of supreme talent and courage', Independent .'Brilliantly raw', Sunday Times .'His autobiography tells everything...this is a powerful, unexpectedly moving story', The Mirror

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Blessed: The Autobiography
85% buy the item featured on this page:
Blessed: The Autobiography 3.7 out of 5 stars (11)
£5.99
Scoring at Half-Time
5% buy
Scoring at Half-Time 4.2 out of 5 stars (6)
£5.49
Managing My Life: The Autobiography
4% buy
Managing My Life: The Autobiography 4.2 out of 5 stars (25)
£6.99
George Best: A Celebration
3% buy
George Best: A Celebration 5.0 out of 5 stars (3)
£13.49

 

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.7 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and open account of George's life, 22 Sep 2001
By Peter G Warner (Surbiton, Surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
Very rarely do I find a book which I can't put down. From the opening chapter which begins by dealing with George's drinking problems I was hooked to it. Very witty; honest and poignant. George Best has always been one of my footballing heroes, this book just adds to that. Highly recommended.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A honest view about one of the greatest by himself., 30 Nov 2001
By A Customer
"How did one of the greatest footballers who graced the game, lose it all?". A question asked and answer by many people, but only one man can really answer that question. "Bestie" talks about how a shy young lad from Ireland, with a great talent for football, is more known for his off field activities. This book is not about George Best's football career, is it about the life of the man, and how he was ruled by the bottle. From his days kicking the ball in the back streets of Belfast, to the night of glory at Wembley in '68, thought to the prison cell and his fight for life, it is all here in an honest accent. It is a great read for all, a wonderful account about the drive of the man, but it was not a ball!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Time to Reflect, 17 Dec 2002
A thoroughly good read where George has left no stone unturned, he tackled each part of his life story with honesty, has admitted that he is an alcoholic and finally prepared himself for major surgery. I'm sure there are many other tales to tell and maybe when he is fit again we will get a second helping.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Of The Best
A brilliant book about the GREATEST FOOTBALLER OF ALL-TIME.
I grew up idolising Georgie and as a kid and schoolboy footballer I had two nicknames THE WHITE PELE and Cockney... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. G. Johnson

1.0 out of 5 stars Self-pitying twoddle
I thought I had a low opinion of George Best before reading this book. This self-pitying account of his life just backs up what I always thought. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2006 by L. C. Picker

4.0 out of 5 stars one of the greatest speaks
blessed is a raw and humourous look at the life of a man who lived his life on full throttle,and ended up dead before his time as a result and these are the words of one george... Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2006 by sean paul mccann

1.0 out of 5 stars He was not "Blessed" with literary talent.
I was bought this book as a gift. I found the language typical of a man who left school early to follow his sport, and one who had no care for anything but entertaining himself... Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2006 by James Harrison

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best
There are hardly any good books about football. Why else is 'Fever Pitch' still regarded as one of the best?! Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2004 by Christian Joericke

4.0 out of 5 stars The highs and lows of a genius is told in this book
This book was a great read and i found it hard to put down as i was interested what he got up to next. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2002 by stuartpot

1.0 out of 5 stars A poor ghost written book
Throughout this book one gets the idea of a man who still does not take responsibility for his actions. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2002 by imneary@aol.com

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute legend
George best is quite simply the best footballer ever to set foot on earth. Read about his battle against alcohol and how he tried to cope with all of the pressure on and off the... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2002 by dmorehead@hotmail.com

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