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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
terrible editing,
By
This review is from: Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (Paperback)
Whomever edited this should be fired. It's a jumbled mess of anecdotes from the author's days as a reporter with the Nottingham Evening Post during the years Brian Clough was manager of Nottingham Forest. There is a lot of great stories and information in here about Cloughie but it's all over the place and there is no coherent whole to it.It's funny the author goes on about how Peter Taylor's biography used a pic of Clough prominently on its cover and this book, which is basically Duncan Hamilton stroking himself, has Clough on the cover and features even a tale of Hamilton enjoying tea and sandwiches with Clough. The funny thing is Clough in one classic confrontation strips a hide off Hamilton, as well he should as the guy cannot write at all. He offers no great insight into the genius that is Clough nor into how the great European Cup winning sides were built. The only thing this proves is Clough was spot on about English soccer journalists--they're full of something. Better books on Clough can be found elsewhere.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warm portrait of talented, tortured and eccentric soccer manager,
By
This review is from: Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (Hardcover)
Sports journalist Duncan Hamilton had the great fortune to start forging a close relationship with soccer manager Brian Clough in 1977, shortly after he took over a struggling Nottingham Forest side. Clough, by turns an overbearing, opinionated, insecure, bullying, outrageous, generous and immensely gifted motivator of players, had already led unfashionable Derby County side to the First Division championship before stumbling badly and derailing his career. Forest, then languishing in the Second Division, were the only team willing to take a chance. Clough, relying on players discarded by other teams and cheap bargains, led Forest to promotion and then won the First Division championship the next year. The team then won the European Cup (the continent's most important trophy, contested in those days by national champions only) two years in a row, which was completely unheard of, especially for a minor team. Hamilton describes Clough's character well and shows how he gradually got to know a very complex and eccentric man. Frustratingly, there isn't actually enough soccer in the book, which is more a psychological portrait than a detailed account of what the team did. Forest didn't have the financial clout to cope in the ever more mercenary world of English soccer and Clough couldn't repeat his successes. He split with his assistant at the club and started drinking more and more heavily, so the book becomes darker as the chapters progress. It's well worth reading, though.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"I've got you under my skin",
By Tom Plum "TC" (Roswell, NM United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 Years with Brian Clough (Paperback)
One could easily title this saying this is a highly acclaimed award winning sports book of the year on the legendary manager Brian Clough but that is to state the obvious.
My review title comes from indeed, the fact that Brian Clough was a big Frank Sinatra fan and others of that genre and song lyrics are quoted from time to time and while at the same time, BC like Bill Shankly came up with some highly remembered quotations in their own right. I had to read the likewise, popular novel and now, movie too, The Damned Utd but not before this one, but after reading 'The Damned United', I got out "Provided you don't kiss me" and decided to read it a second time because yes, the subject matter "got under my skin" here, in fact, if desired, one could make quite a study of the man and read other books as well. I was not sure if the Brian Clough figure portrayed in the 'Damned Utd.' meshed with the Clough presented in the "provided you don't kiss me" book which is all from first-hand experience. The author of this book, Duncan Hamilton who spent 18 years with managing legend Brian Clough said he did not recognize the Clough in 'The Damned Utd.' but that Clough may have undergone a big change by the time he got to Nottingham (in leaving Leeds, Clough received very generous severence payments making him financially independent along with the wealth of experience managing Derby, Leeds for 44 days, Hartlepool and Brighton). Okay, good to know I have retained some reading comprehension. This book is not so much a straight-forward biography of Brian Clough's life but rather vignettes of his life. I was even able to categorize the 11 chapters by the subject matter. Chapter 1: Introduction of main two characters of the book, journalist Duncan Hamilton and Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough. It is up to the reader, but I read it as very much a friendship vs. a professional relationship. Chapter 2: Introduction of Clough's left-hand man, perhaps better put, "Co-Manager" in actuality if not in title: Peter Taylor- former teammate/goalkeeper of Clough as well, he was a bit like a fatherly figure to him when Clough played soccer professionally. In all likelihood, Clough would not have been as successful without Taylor and possibly vice-versa. Clough and Taylor were a team though Clough received most of the publicity. Chapter 3: Falling out with Taylor. Chapter 4: Peter Shilton, reknown all-time great goalkeeper along with various stories of other players at Nottingham Forest. Chapter 5: European Play of Clough's teams, Derby and Nottingham Forest, the latter winning back-to-back European Championships (Now Champions League). Clough did so much with Derby and Nottingham Forest, yet, they are both teams from smaller cities, 'small teams' versus the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or even Newcastle let alone the likes of the 'Galacticos' of Real Madrid and other big European teams. The great Ajax, Johann Cruyff and total football triumphed during one of the years Derby ventured into the European competition, but thank goodness. Clough seemed to hold a grudge that year that one of the other teams was up to bribing referees and the like. Football/Soccer at times leaves something to be desired with those that bend the rules. Clough is to be highly admired if for nothing else, for his principled stands for sportsmanship and fair play, no hotdogging with goal celebrations or gamesmanship. Chapter 6: When Clough interviewed and sought the job of manager for the National (3 Lions) England soccer team in the 1970s. I think he could have done a good job. I also think, again, Mr. Taylor would be needed too. Clough stirred up too many waves to get the job and the directors who would have hired him are probably what we would call "stuffed suits" and so Brian was not hired. Chapter 7: psychological, personal management style of Clough. Chapter 8: A Sinatra song quote is title of the chapter, "There may be trouble ahead", dealing with a downturn in Nottingham Forest's fortunes in the league as well as financial trials the Club endured. Really, he was a big Sinatra fan. Chapter 9: Years of alcohol abuse start to take tow on Brian Clough. Chapter 10: Retirement as manager of Forest. Chapter 11: Post-management relationship/"friendship" with author Duncan Hamilton. Epilogue There are also some excellent additions to this book, the "p.s." features including an interview of Hamilton comparing his book to the Damned United, a timeline on Brian Clough, his record as player and coach and more. This is a book about Clough, the real Clough. So often, Clough is remembered in some ways about his life, boiling it down to his famous quotes, "I wouldn't say I was the best manager, but I was in the top one" or Clough is remembered for his cantankerous personality or his green rugby shirt.
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