Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game [Hardcover]

Pele (Author), Robert L. Fish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1977

This is a book about a man who excelled in a game of soccer. Pele is a athlete best know throughout the world. He is the only three-time world champion in soccer. "I dedicate this book to all the people who have made this great game the Beautiful Game." - Pele

Editorial Reviews

Review

This autobiography is an excellent, descriptive anology of a great athelete who exceeded far more than any other player in the history of game. The story is told through the eyes of the man behind the legend, in his own words. It is a motivational story for any player, any age, at any level in the game. Pele's encounters are an inspiration to anyone who reads this book. -- From the Publisher

About the Author

This book is an autobiography. Perhaps by learning of his life as he saw it himself,we can come to understand a bit more of the mystery of this extremely complex person...

Product Details

• Hardcover: 371 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (May 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385121857
• ISBN-13: 978-0385121859
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( P ) > Pele
  • #73 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Soccer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A phenomenal gift for soccer fans, players, and coaches, February 24, 2000

By 

Jean-Marc O'Connor (Marysville, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game (Hardcover)

I first read this book when it first came out in paperback, and read it perhaps five more times in the intervening twenty years. Without being filled with a lot of braggadocio or self-congratulations, and with hardly any mention of political/social agendas [like books by most sports heroes] the book tells the stories of Pele's on-the-field exploits while also explaining the events that shaped his life.

Although his personal convictions are clear from vignettes about times in his life when he found himself praying, mourning, or bemoaning poor sportsmanship and unfair treatment in general, Pele does not use his autobiography to grind any axes. The book includes an almost goal-by-goal analysis of his career, as well as a snapshot of some unique "records" [such as, just how infrequently he ever scored of a bicycle kick], and a better-than-photographic memory of some of the most famous highlights of his career [his description of the build-up to the famous World Cup goal scored by Carlos Santos -- a defender -- off his assist makes the actual video footage seem passe].

For years I have wished that I had a copy of this book to give to each of the MVP's on teams I have coached at the high school and college level, and to deserving volunteers in youth programs, and to favorite colleagues. If you're a fan of even middling interest in soccer, or know someone who is, you should buy this book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good book about The Greatest of The Beautiful Game, October 5, 2004

By 

goING_96815 (Notting Hill, London, UNITED KINGDOM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game (Hardcover)

I was too young to see Pele while he still was an active footballer, but growing up in a football loving home I've been fed with the legend of this fantastic athlete. My Dad always told me about the greatness of Pele, and I always felt that I lost our "arguments" about whether "my generations" superstar Maradona or "his generations" star Pele actually was the Greatest One.

I bought this book to find out more about the legendary Pele. Wow, wasn't this a great book? When understanding what impact this man had on the beautiful game it's easy to see how he can be recognized as the Greatest. He wasn't only an extremely talented athlete; he was also a man with a wonderful heart and who had his morals in order. I'm sure you find a picture of Pele in the dictionary if you look up the word "sportsmanship".

I think this well written book is a worthy tribute to this great athlete. It tells us the this to-good-to-be-true motivational story about a man with an extreme talent that goes all the way from poverty thru a triumphant career all the way to the top of the beautiful game...and he do so with style!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, January 2, 2003

By 

R. Kaka "tarzmanian" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pele, My Life and the Beautiful Game (Hardcover)

After reading some of the reviews posted online here, especially the ones that claimed the book had nothing in it about Pele's childhood and days before stardom, I bought this book. to my surprise this book starts with great detail from when Pele was born, it seems every single detail about his childhood, school, first club, everything is logged in. one may wonder whether a diary was kept, to give such accurate detail.
i am only 21 years old, but i get the feeling this will be one of the best books i will ever read.
The writting itself is fantastic, it is written in narrative form. (I, me, as though Pele is talking to us via the book) and i think thats what makes this book so good, reading what Pele has to say in his own words. I highly recomend this book it has Pele's history, everything, his humility, his love for the beautiful game.....just wonderful.