Good autobiographies?

**superfrank** · 05/10/2006, 7:19 PM

Originally Posted by Docboy

Yep,really enjoyable read by a very knowledgeable journalist.

I think some of the stories he comes up with are just classic. Especially the one where Del Piero was being interviewed and had to give 2 answers or Paolo Montero on trial.

It really is one of the best books I've read in a long time.

**superfrank** · 05/10/2006, 7:21 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

There's another book that was brought out around the same time "Calcio" can't remember the author at the mo but if your into Italian football it's probably a lot more in-depth than Agnews book (I've read Calcio, only flicked through Forza Italia)

I saw the Calcio book. I was torn between it and Paddy Agnew's when I was in the bookshop. I only had enough for one and Forza Italia was cheaper but I will buy Calcio when I get more money. Looks fairly interesting.

**BohsPartisan** · 05/10/2006, 9:16 PM

By John Foot. Best footall book I've ever read.

**pineapple stu** · 05/10/2006, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by Nempton

If you want to read a brilliant sports biography then Tim Park's 'A Season with Verona' is a title I would highly recommend.

Great book, but don't see how it's a biography...

I picked it up in the general sports section of some bookshop, which sounds about right.

Is That It? was an entertaining read, although I don't usually care for biographies. Dunno if it's in print any more, but I found it downstairs in Chapters, if anyone wants to try and find it. Probably on amazon too.

**Nempton** · 05/10/2006, 10:20 PM

Great book, but don't see how it's a biography

The book can be classified as such just as you can class it as travel writing. The book is not just an account of Tim Parks personal thoughts and experiences but also focuses on Verona over the season which if you want could also puts it as a sports history. To sum up the broad nature of the book allows me to apply the term 'biography' to it. But I'm glad you agree its a good book, not enough people have read it in my opinion.

**cheifo** · 05/10/2006, 10:29 PM

I got George Hook's "time added on" for free so read it and it was a good read

**macdermesser** · 06/10/2006, 9:51 AM

"Hand of God" Jimmy Burns

**The Stars** · 06/10/2006, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by viking

KING JOHN a book about john charles the welsh international who played for juventus, he never got cautioned or sent off in his career.

LEGEND of a man.They reckon if he played in the World Cup (forget which year,the year the lost to Brazil) Wales might have won it.

**The Stars** · 06/10/2006, 6:15 PM

Originally Posted by viking

1958, sweden. he was kicked to bits in the match against hungray. brazil won 1-0 in q/final. could have made the semis. the new welsh shirt is the same style as that years.

sorry,that what it was...

**lim abroad** · 06/10/2006, 10:18 PM

just after buying "a season with verona" on amazon based on the recommendations here,have to say i'm looking forward to reading it

**Lim till i die** · 09/10/2006, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

By John Foot. Best footall book I've ever read.

Thats the guy

I take it like myself after reading it you've developed a soft spot for Livorno

Cristiano Lucarelli is a legend

**Lim till i die** · 09/10/2006, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by lim abroad

just after buying "a season with verona" on amazon based on the recommendations here,have to say i'm looking forward to reading it

Well worth it, covers far more than just football, plus I guarentee you you'll have it read within two days.

**Tenderloins** · 09/10/2006, 12:36 PM

Got 'Back From the Brink' Paul McGraths autobiography at the weekend. Very sad story.
Opens with him descibing the victory over the Italians in the World Cup in 94, how he felt
invincible on the pitch, knew every ball coming in would be headed away by him, knew he'd
clear every ball, block every shot. That night the team celev=brated that night he sat content in the team bus by himself.
He then goes on to describe himself in a cell in the police station, his belt and shoelaces being
removed for his own safety. His betrayal of those around him because of his problems with drink.
He describes the end of his career, addicted to tranquilers as well as drink, recounting how when getting a lift to training he'd ask
the younger players driving him, to stop so he could get a few cans before training....
His childhood, going from being given up by his Mother to Foster care, then going into institutions from 5 to 16.
Finding that he had a sister, that his Mother kept.......
Its a brutally honest book, whilst not exactly entertaining, very hard to put down.

**skimcgee** · 10/10/2006, 12:52 PM

Giving a Little Back by Barney Curley is an excellent read for any Horse Racing/Gambling fans...........

**stann** · 11/10/2006, 1:06 PM

Nothing much to add to the reviews of the soccer bios, except to say that Full Time is the best I've read and Only One Red Army the best Irish one.

On a whole different tack, though, my favourite autobiog is still probably Bring On The Empty Horses, David Niven's second one that deals mostly with his time in Hollywood (The first, The Moon's A Balloon, is only alright, more about his life outside films though). Lots of very funny tales, especially the one that relates to the title. 'You think I know f*ck nothing! But I tell you, I know f*ck all!!!'