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Bestie : A Portrait of a Legend
George Best's years with Manchester United made him a footballing legend nothing can tarnish. Indifferent seasons with lesser clubs, publicly disastrous liaisons, and an ongoing battle with alcoholism did nothing to erase the memories of this charismatic man. This insightful biography tells the story of his troubled relationship with his family in Belfast, his near-adoption by Matt Busby, his tensions with Bobby Charlton, his wives and lovers, and the serious personal failures, both on and off the pitch that brought him notoriety. Affectionate and revealing, it is a sympathetic account of the life of a flawed genius, one who brought joy to football fans everywhere.
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2012
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About the author
Joe Lovejoy
6 booksJoe Lovejoy has been Football Correspondent of The Sunday Times since 1994. He was previously the chief football writer at the Independent and has worked for the Mail on Sunday
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 26, 2013
Yet another great book about the irish football genius and his battle with the bottle.....
August 28, 2012
In a mountain of football and other sporting biographies 'Bestie' must be wholly unique. At the same time, the man himself was a one off, the like of which was never seen before in English football and has not been equalled since. I know, I was there. Joe Lovejoy's authorized biog, published in 1998, is half football odyssey and half catalogue of alcoholic destruction.
As the room service attendant asked, with thousands of pound notes strewn across the bed and Miss World in a negligee, "tell me Mr Best, where did it all go wrong?" Assisting Mr Lovejoy answer the question are ex-United colleagues and fellow pro's, wives, girlfriends, business partners, press reporters and George's father Dickie Best who buried his wife Ann and George too, both victims of alcohol.
Some of the reportage suffers from replication of quotes, and this book ends seven years before his subject's death in 2005, but Lovejoy covers the ground where the seeds of destruction were planted.
As the room service attendant asked, with thousands of pound notes strewn across the bed and Miss World in a negligee, "tell me Mr Best, where did it all go wrong?" Assisting Mr Lovejoy answer the question are ex-United colleagues and fellow pro's, wives, girlfriends, business partners, press reporters and George's father Dickie Best who buried his wife Ann and George too, both victims of alcohol.
Some of the reportage suffers from replication of quotes, and this book ends seven years before his subject's death in 2005, but Lovejoy covers the ground where the seeds of destruction were planted.
March 25, 2019
Amazing and great read. Larger than life, the book does justice in being brutally honest about the lows and highs of a great footballer however a mere mortal. A lesson in life for all and thats George Always the best!
October 20, 2012
Legend.
"With his long, dark mop of hair, he is known in these parts as The Beatle. Now he was the Best of All, as he set a new, almost unexplored beat. Best seemed quite suddenly to be in love with the ball, and the whole side followed his lead. Before our astonished eyes came the disintegration of a great Benfica side.
"In the sixth minute Charlton was checked, Dunne curved a free-kick into the penalty area and Best, rising on spring heels, headed beautifully past everybody. After 12 minutes Charlton passed back to Gregg. The goalkeeper cleared straight down the middle of the field, Herd headed backwards and downwards and there was Best gliding like a dark ghost past three men to break clear and slide the ball home."
Geoffery Green, The Times, 9th March 1966 after Benfica 1 United 5
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fea...
"With his long, dark mop of hair, he is known in these parts as The Beatle. Now he was the Best of All, as he set a new, almost unexplored beat. Best seemed quite suddenly to be in love with the ball, and the whole side followed his lead. Before our astonished eyes came the disintegration of a great Benfica side.
"In the sixth minute Charlton was checked, Dunne curved a free-kick into the penalty area and Best, rising on spring heels, headed beautifully past everybody. After 12 minutes Charlton passed back to Gregg. The goalkeeper cleared straight down the middle of the field, Herd headed backwards and downwards and there was Best gliding like a dark ghost past three men to break clear and slide the ball home."
Geoffery Green, The Times, 9th March 1966 after Benfica 1 United 5
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fea...
November 29, 2022
This book has pacing issues. Some parts are fascinating and engaging, and some stretches are just mind-numbingly boring. Some parts are beyond repetitive, while some parts are not given sufficient attention (very little mention of his family, other than his parents).
It shouldn't be so hard to read 372 pages, but yes, it sometimes took me forever to get through 8 or 10 pages.
It shouldn't be so hard to read 372 pages, but yes, it sometimes took me forever to get through 8 or 10 pages.
January 21, 2015
It was an exciting book. I did not know much about george best until I read this book. It shows how talented he was. The book shows that even though he was a genius in football he was flawed. Alcohol, women and gambling were a destructive force in his life. I think chris might enjoy this book
September 7, 2014
The book was an easy read. It would have great had I not read Best's autobiography, hence felt things repetitive.
October 9, 2019
The book was an easy read. It would have great had I not read Best's autobiography, hence felt things repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews