Gerrard - Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool ... more
FC, but as a key member of the England team. Here, for the first time, he tells the story of his lifelong obsession with football, in an honest and revealing book ...
A review by Rog13 on Gerrard: My Autobiography - Steven Gerrard April 14th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Degree of Information
Very high
How easy was it to read / get information from
Easy
How interesting was the book?
Captivating
How useful was it?
Very useful
Would you read it again?
Yes
Value for money
Excellent
Advantages:
Great Player, Great Book
Disadvantages:
Not Enough Pages
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I liked this book, I really liked it, but then again I'm a big fan of Liverpool and a very big fan of Steven Gerrard - although most people who pick up an autobiography usually have some interest in the person on the cover. That aside this was still a very good book. It was in depth, interesting and above all honest, I think.
When I pick up an autobiography I like to know a bit about the person in question's background, but I don't want to have to sift through 100 pages of family history and be unnecessarily introduced to mum,dad, brothers, sisters etc……. This book, quite literally, starts at the beginning, and at first I got a little annoyed about hearing how little Steven would run around the streets of Liverpool playing football, then about family, then school - but as the book progressed everything seemed to have a purpose and I was glad I stuck with it.
The Gerrard family realised they had something special in the way of a talented footballer for a son at a very early age, and there was nothing else the current Liverpool captain wanted to do but play football. His career, however, was almost finished before it started when schoolboy Steven accidentally kicked the prong of a garden fork, which embedded itself in his toe - fortunately for the world of football he recovered. With the support of his dad Steven, thankfully, was guided swiftly into the arms of Liverpool FC.
Without giving too much away about the book Steven Gerard signed for Liverpool after having trials with various other clubs, including Man Utd, and was a professional with the club as of 1997. The book tells of his struggles as a youngster after being rejected by the England youth set up, and coaches he would never see eye to eye with. But not one to be beaten down by rejection he battled his way into Liverpool's first team, where over the years he has made himself a permanent fixture. In the end it was England that came chasing Gerrard. Gerrard reveals the dressing banter he experienced after breaking into the side with likes of Robbie Fowler and David James, and continually reminds us how much he was living the dream of playing for the club he loves.
There is a lot to tell about Gerrard's career. The highs include his debut senior goal against Sheff Wed in 1999, when Liverpool won 4-1 (I was actually there for that), representing his country, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and the unforgettable Champions League victory against AC Milan in Istanbul two years ago. There was also the joy of signing a contract worth in the region of £80,000 a week. Off the field he also tells of his own family life and joy of becoming a father. The book also describes the lows of his constant battle against injuries, failures with England and pressure of staying out of the public eye. Some people would be surprised to know the Liverpool captain still struggles with home sickness when away from his family for more than a couple of days, but I will leave that matter there.
For me personally the most interesting pages of the book centred around the will he/won't he saga when Gerrard was on the brink of walking out of the club and signing for Chelsea. Nightmare. I never realised how much the player was suffering under the pressure of the media, both clubs and fans as the drama unfolded, and how close he came to cracking up. Many people raised an eyebrow when Gerrard emerged form the whole affair pledging his future and undying love for Liverpool, I too felt a little too much effort was being made in the book to describe his love for the club - but the one undeniable fact is he is still there. I was also interested to learn more about Benitez and his rather unusual approach to man management, but again I don't want to give too much away.
Overall I would say this book is a MUST for all Liverpool and Steven Gerrard fans, and would still be a good read whatever club you support if indeed you do at all. Gerrard's life story is an interesting one, and the book has done well to keep a balance in term of content concerning all aspects of his life story. It not only describes Gerrard's life, but provides an interesting insight into the life of a modern day professional footballer.
I picked this book up for about £10 from Asda, but that was last year and I'm sure cheaper copies are now readily available from all good book shops.
Advantages: Please read the review Disadvantages: Must read the review
Believe me it is difficult, very very difficult. A thinker as he is on the field and his book proves that he is more than that- a thinker and a philosopher too. Other wise how can one explain the passion, the honesty, his beliefs, his philosophy of life as footballer of the highest class and a true family man, who has not put either his profession above his family and visa versa. How many celebrities, forget about football celebrities, has been able ... ...these two so admirably simply because being a celebrity, a private figure he never forgot HE IS FIRST A HUMAN BEING and then anything else. No wonder human values never over-rode his fathom less talent as a footballer.
But I must first thank, probably Gerrard need not, the nurses, the doctors, the support stuff and the tremendous advancement of science and technology more so of medical science. Why? Do you think I would have been writing this review ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: learn about his life, his passion for Liverpool, its a good read Disadvantages: none
I love football and my favourite team in the world is the mighty Liverpool Football Club. The passion of their fans that is visible at every match when they chant you'll never walk alone as well as the songs they mad up about all the players and Rafael Benitez. And one such player whose name is chanted is Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard.
Why did I buy the book?
I was in a bookshop in Dublin, just browsing at all the new releases they had on offer. ... ...decided to buy it as he is one of my favourite players and I wanted to see from his perspective what life growing up in Liverpool is like, what Liverpool Football Club means to him and also what does it mean to have the Kop end of Anfield chanting his name.
What did I learn from the book?
I learned alot about the infliuential and versatile captain of Liverpool. Family is very important to him. From the book you can tell that he is utterly devoted ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Very interesting. Disadvantages: Nothing
Why did I buy this book?
I guess like most people you see an autobiography of a famous person you like and you have to have it. I have also been a fan of Liverpool football team and as you will probably guess Steven Gerrard is my favourite footballer!
I This books starts from the beginning of his childhood from when Steven would run around the streets of his hometown which is Liverpool playing football. The book then goes on to tell you about his ... ...had a special son who was very talented when it came to football. Since Steven was little all he ever wanted to do was play football. In the book it tells you how he's dreams of becoming a footballer nearly came to an end when he accidentally kicked the prong of a garden for which embedded itself in his toe. Luckily he recovered and with the support of his dad also named Steven he was guided into the Liverpool FC team.
Steven Gerrard was a professional ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Very well written, detailed, gripping, provides a unique insight into many areas of football Disadvantages: None
When you pick up an autobiography, chances are you're going to be at least a bit interested in the person on the cover. So, it will be primarily football fans who read Gerrard's book; certainly, as a lifelong Liverpool fan, I was extremely interested in what the hero of many had to say. I was blown away by the quality of this gripping book, which kept me glued from start to finish. It is interesting, honest, and provides an insight into one of the ... ...the actual content, but there is never a dull moment. There is a wealth of content of Steven's childhood, always the most interesting part of an autobiography, which reveals the inspirations and deep relationship with football that he forged from birth. Particuarly for Liverpool fans, the book provides a wonderful insight into the workings of the club. Other readers will also be interested in the goings on of the Premier League, and the wonderfully ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Just a brilliant read. You will fly through it!!! Disadvantages: None at all.
This is without doubt, the best autobiography I have ever read. I am 28 and have supported Liverpool since 1986.
I have read quite a few Liverpool autobiographies in the last year or so and this is without doubt the best one. Ones I have read, which include:
- Peter Beardsley
- Robbie Fowler
- John Barnes
- Jan Molby
- Alan Hansen
- Kenny Dalglish
- Gerrard Houllier
In my experience, when the above talk about growing up, it can be slightly ... ...100% sure what it is that is so great about this book, something just grips you and you cannot wait to pick up the book again.
This book is honest, funny and interesting, giving insight into the Houllier era, Rafa, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, it has everything.
Stevie also talks frankly about the World Cup preparations, both 2002 and 2006, the treble winning team, etc.
A great indication of his honesty is his comments on Salif Diao, ...
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17.05.2007
(18.05.2007)
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