Customer Reviews

Blessed: The Autobiography

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was never a huge fan of Bestie-his behavior always seemed immature and impulsive. This book has changed my mind. The author fully acknowledges his shortcomings, and the insight into the extent of his battle with alcohol truly reveals someone battling a monster rather than just acting foolishly. The book is a great read and I would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in Best and British football.

I have mixed feelings about the book, knowing that Best died in 2005. In my case I was looking more for tales and stories of his football life, which I guess was too short at least when he took it seriously, locker room anecdotes and pre and post game analysis. Although Best acknowledges his misconducts, I alwasy got the impression that he never TRULY took responsibility. Examples abound. It seems that he always blames everybody else, the media and the "disease" for what happened but again, I never sensed reading the book that he truly acknowledged his actions. Maybe it is my ignorance of alcoholism and that I do not have an addictive personality, but he had MANY chances to re-start his pro-career when he was still young and he always chose not too do it "because he would never be as good as before.." but he did not even try. Sad story. Watching his moves on you tube you can be sure he was a very talented player, I cannot say that at the level of a Pele or Maradona, but definitively a contender for a Top 50 player of all times in my list. RIP George Best.

Soccer genius and riveting story, honest story about how alcohol can consume and destroy a life. In his eyes maybe not destroyed but certainly cut short.

Very interesting especially for someone that wasn't familiar with football in the 60's and 70's. Mr. Best seemed like a larger than life character and it of course makes for a great read both the good and the bad.

George Best's auotbiography reads like any other footballer's biography for about the first third of the book. It's only after that it starts to get insightful and the reader begins to get an idea of the extent of what alcoholism can do to a person.

George's life is a series of highs; winning the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968 and being considered one of the best footballers in the world, and lows; planning his suicide. It's a sad story in many ways.

Much of the time George is his own worst enemy, but he doesn't shy away from admitting as much. There are some revelations new to me: Like when Ron Atkinson asked George to return to Manchester United in the 80's - thanks goodness that didn't happen, an image of boyhood hero would've been shattered.

Although you're not left with the feeling that George is cured from alcoholism by any means, and may go off the rails at any time, you're at least given the comfort that he's happier living back close to his roots.

More than just another footballer talking football.