Glorious: My Football World in Pictures

by Paul Gascoigne

The illustrated autobiography that celebrates the career of one of England's—and soccer's—all-time greats Told in Gazza's own unique voice and fully illustrated with hundreds of photos from the moments that he feels defined his career, this tribute offers an unrivaled insight into the mind of this greatest of footballers. Even people who don't know football know who "Gazza" is. The man born as Paul John Gascoigne to a working-class family in England has found headlines on the front pages almost as often as the back pages throughout his life, thanks in great part to his more than colorful lifestyle. But it is for his time as a footballer of the very highest order that Gazza's name will forever live in sporting history. During a career that spanned more than 10 different clubs, among them Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, and Rangers, and which included countless unforgettable England performances, Gazza established himself as one of the sport's all-time greats: a master of skill, flair, and invention like none that his country had produced before nor perhaps ever will again.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2011

About the author

Paul John Gascoigne

nicknamed Gazza, is a former England international footballer.

Playing as a midfielder, he began his professional career with local club Newcastle United in 1985. Three years later he was sold on to Tottenham Hotspur for a £2 million fee. He won the FA Cup with Spurs in 1991, before he was sold to Italian club Lazio for £5.5 million the following year. In July 1995, he was transferred to Rangers for £4.3 million, and helped the club to two league titles and two trophies. He returned to England in a £3.4 million move to Middlesbrough in March 1998. He made his debut in the Premier League in the 1998–99 season, having already featured in the 1998 Football League Cup Final. He switched to Everton in July 2000, and later had spells with Burnley, Gansu Tianma (China), and Boston United.

Though well known throughout Europe for his club career, his football career is particularly remembered for his 57 England caps. He also won 13 caps for the England under-21s and four caps for the England B team. He was part of the England squad that reached fourth place in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and was famously reduced to tears after receiving a yellow card in the semi-final with West Germany, which meant he would be suspended for the final itself had England won the game. He also helped the team to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1996, and again embedded himself in the national consciousness with a spectacular goal against Scotland that was coupled with a memorable goal celebration.

After retiring from professional football, his life became dominated by his mental and emotional problems, particularly his alcoholism. His problems have received regular coverage in the British press, especially during his various run-ins with the law in 2008-2010. He has attempted to live without alcohol on numerous occasions, though numerous rehabilitation programmes have provided only temporary relief. His problems ended his coaching career, and he has not worked since being fired as the manager of Kettering Town in 2005.

Reviews

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Gascoignen "Glorious: My World, Football and Me" (Simon & Schuster, 2011) on nopealukuinen, tyylikkäin valokuvin varustettu elämäkerta, jossa jalkapallokenttien väriläiskä kertoo elämästään pelikentällä ja hieman sen ulkopuolellakin.

Yksityiselämäänsä alkoholistiksi tunnustautuva Gazza ei kuitenkaan kovin paljon avaa, vaan keskittyy ensisijaisesti jalkapallo-uraansa muun muassa Tottenhamissa, Glasgow Rangersissa, Laziossa ja tietenkin myös Englannin maajoukkueessa.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Gazza book was honest and interesting. It talks you through his career in his friendly and care free attitude. There are many pictures in this book meaning it's nicer to read in some ways. I found this book very funny at times too.