Being Gazza: My Journey to Hell and Back - Paul Gascoigne

Advantages: amazing insight into the dramatic highs and lows of Gazza's life
Disadvantages: none

...Paul Gascoigne has to be one of my favourite footballers ever so when I saw his autobiography in the library I had to get it! It is in the shops for £6.99 though. More affectionately known as "Gazza" he was one of the most talented players English football has ever seen yet he had his fair share of problems throughout his life as well. Reading the book was an amazing insight into his life, a life full of dramatic highs and lows and rarely a happy 'in-between.' In parts I was laughing out loud at some of his hilarious antics, always the clown of the football team, always up to something and always responsible for the latest practical joke! It must have cost him an absolute fortune to pay for everything he damaged because of his practical jokes! In parts it was so very sad that you wouldn't think you were reading about the same... Read review

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Advantages: Surpisingly well written, several revelations.
Disadvantages: A little sombre in places.

..."Gazza", also known as Paul Gascoigne legendary for his footballing ability or his poor life choices? Not being a fan of autobiographies as I generally find them either self-pitying or self-praising I was given a copy of "Gazza- My Story" to read by an avid Tottenham fan who insisted this one would be different. Never one to pass up a freebie I gladly accepted although I remained wary of the fact that this could well be another tale of misery, woe and bitterness. For such a prominent figure of adoration and ridicule through the 90's right up to the present day I came to this autobiography with little knowledge of Paul Gascoigne although my knowledge of his alter ego "Gazza" was greater. However, Outside the fact he is one if not the most gifted footballer of the 90's and a larger than life figure known as much for his pranks and off... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...“Once you’ve played in the same side as Gazza, you fall in love with him because of the sort of person and player he is” David Beckham. On the 27th of May 1967 at Pitt Street, Gateshead, a footballing legend was born. Paul John Gascoigne was a typical Geordie scamp, with scraped knees and minor trouble a way of life. Thankfully for him, the football scouts started to notice him while he was playing for Redheugh Boys` under fourteens team, a few unsuccessful trials followed with clubs like Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before Gascoigne signed for his home town club – Newcastle United – on his sixteenth birthday, 27th May 1983. What followed was a rollercoaster ride taking in some of the best football teams in the country, as well as spells in Italy and Scotland and fifty-seven International caps for England. Huge sums of money were... Read review

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