Broken Dreams [Paperback]

Tom Bower (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2003

Greedy, vain and ambitious personalities dominate English football. From the author of devastating exposes of Mohamed Fayed, Richard Branson and, most recently, Geoffrey Robinson, BROKEN DREAMS is a superbly incisive account of how self-interested individuals, adopting questionable and predatory business methods, are exploiting the sport of football to earn billions of pounds and huge glory. Focusing on key figures including Terry Venables, Ken Bates, David Dein, Harry Redknapp, Rio Ferdinand and other famous agents, chairmen and managers, Tom Bower exposes the money, the politics, and the vicious battles behind the beautiful game. For the first time a non-sports writer reveals the vanity and greed which endanger the national sport.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Bower has a distinguished reputation as an investigative historian, award-winning television producer and journalist. His books on tycoons, on the Nazis and on British intelligence are groundbreaking bestsellers. He lives in London with his family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (October 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743440331
• ISBN-13: 978-0743440332
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,179,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart breacking, February 3, 2005

By 

Mr. Robert Carroll "leaveit" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broken Dreams (Hardcover)

Broken Dreams is the most appropriate title for this book. As somebody who loves the game, this is heartbreaking. Tom Bower details the corruption, greed and the distinct lack of interest by anybody to fix the problem in great detail without ever getting bogged down. It highlights that the corruption starts from the top with footballs governing body FIFA not willing to adhere to their own rules or in-force them with any conviction. England's governing body are also shamefully to blame something that has spiralled out of control. Bower highlights how agents wedge themselves into a deal that in essence does not require their "help". It is clear from the book that everybody, including the player, has more to gain my moving clubs. Bower exposes some top British managers and holds little back when dealing with footballs chairmen. If you like a corruption tale and something that will make you jaw drop then this is the book for you. You don't need to know anything about football, just a love of sport and heartache at seeing it ruined by greedy men who don't.