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David Beckham
David Beckham is the world's most famous football icon. In May this year he brought down the curtain on a hugely successful playing career that spanned two decades, during which he proudly wore the shirts of Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and England. He captained his country on 58 occasions, winning 115 international caps in total, an English record for an outfield player. His colourful and stellar career has been characterised by the emotional highs of great goals and remarkable trophy successes around the world, as well as by more than the occasional moment of set-back, disappointment and despair, but through it all Beckham has emerged as a universally adored figure, both inside and outside the game. Here, intimately talking us through 150 of his favourite images which define his playing days, he invites us behind the scenes of an incredible 20-year footballing journey.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published December 4, 2013
11 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
David Beckham
31 books71 followersDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English professional footballer, who plays in midfield. He currently plays for and captains Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and is also a member of the England national team. He earned his 100th cap for England against France in March 2008.
He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid footballer. He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon. Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. He continued to make contributions for the England national team in 2007 competitions. Beckham captained Manchester United for the first time on October 21st 2000 in a Premiership match against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute for injured team captain Roy Keane. Beckham went on to score a free-kick in this match, which finished 3-0.
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons. While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches. In his final season, Real clinched the 2006-07 La Liga championship title (Beckham's only major trophy with the club) in the final game of the season on 17 June. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham's new contract with the Galaxy, effective 1 July 2007, gave him the highest salary of any MLS player in history. He debuted for the team on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea at the Home Depot Center, and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final. His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.
He has twice been runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year, and in 2004 was the world's highest-paid footballer. He was Google's most searched of all sports topics in both 2003 and 2004. Such global recognition has made him an elite advertising brand and a top fashion icon. Beckham was captain of England from 15 November 2000 to 2 July 2006. He made 58 appearances as captain, and ended his tenure in that role after the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. He continued to make contributions for the England national team in 2007 competitions. Beckham captained Manchester United for the first time on October 21st 2000 in a Premiership match against Leeds United, coming on as a substitute for injured team captain Roy Keane. Beckham went on to score a free-kick in this match, which finished 3-0.
Beckham's career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid in 2003, where he remained for four seasons. While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches. In his final season, Real clinched the 2006-07 La Liga championship title (Beckham's only major trophy with the club) in the final game of the season on 17 June. In January 2007, it was announced that Beckham would leave Real Madrid and sign a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Beckham's new contract with the Galaxy, effective 1 July 2007, gave him the highest salary of any MLS player in history. He debuted for the team on 21 July in a friendly versus Chelsea at the Home Depot Center, and on 15 August, he had his first start with the team, scoring his first goal in the 2007 SuperLiga semi-final. His first league start then came on 18 August in front of a record crowd at Giants Stadium.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 16, 2014
To be honest, the only reason i picked up this book was because the cover looked nice - it had a modern and stylish design. Started reading it, but couldnt get into it as its more of a celebration of his career than a bio. I didnt know much of him to begin with. I ended up just flicking through the book, looking at the pictures.....took 5 minutes. His kids are so cute!!!
Seems like an awesome guy though, a role model for many young fans out there.
Seems like an awesome guy though, a role model for many young fans out there.
October 20, 2015
In every footballer's carrier there must come a time to publish a picture-book, with different poses of celebration, hair styles, football shoes and modelling-photos.
...Oh, sorry, let me rewind
In every David Beckham's life there must come a time to publish a picture-book, with different poses of celebration, hair styles, football shoes and modelling-photos.
...Oh, sorry, let me rewind
In every David Beckham's life there must come a time to publish a picture-book, with different poses of celebration, hair styles, football shoes and modelling-photos.
November 18, 2013
A lot more pictures than words....
January 25, 2016
This is an autobiography done By David Beckham. It starts of from his younger years all the way up to retirement and his idea to make a football club in Miami. It goes through the settings of manchester while he played for Manchester United Madrid when he played In Real madrid, Milan while he played AC Milan, La while he played for the LA Galaxy and las t Is Paris when he played for PSG. The one part that stuck out to me was when he retired as he walked of the pitch he said how his carrear had flashed before his eyes the lows when he was sent of in a game England v Argentina and was a villain in England for a year a doll of him was hanged and then he won the hearts of fans back with a last minute goal against Greece to take England to the world cup. It is just a great inspiring book.
December 30, 2013
This primarily is a picture book. This isn't a huge read but for any David Beckham football fan this is a must. The picture's related to Beckham's playing career and deals with the photos through the 20 years of playing for a variety of clubs. There are a few pictures of family and other times but the majority are from great footballing moments. I am a huge Beckham fan and have followed his career through all the clubs he played for. I thoroughly enjoyed the antidotes that he shared with his readers and the photos of the footballing moments in his career. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
July 26, 2018
I’ve always admired David Beckham as a footballer and his later career ranging from modelling to being an ambassador for great sporting events. I’ve grown up watching Beckham so this seemed like a must for the collection.
That being said, this is just a picture book with only a handful of ‘essays’ incorporated in its pages.
I guess you could argue it’s a tasteful collection of Beckham’s best poses but nothing more than this.
That being said, this is just a picture book with only a handful of ‘essays’ incorporated in its pages.
I guess you could argue it’s a tasteful collection of Beckham’s best poses but nothing more than this.
November 9, 2018
Beautiful photos, but that's not all.
I really enjoyed learning all about his long career in soccer and learned quite a bit about him. I respect him and the way he talked about his mistakes, feelings about them and the love for his teammates and career and family.
I thought I'd read it and give it away but am definitely keeping it now.
I really enjoyed learning all about his long career in soccer and learned quite a bit about him. I respect him and the way he talked about his mistakes, feelings about them and the love for his teammates and career and family.
I thought I'd read it and give it away but am definitely keeping it now.
October 11, 2023
This book is an autobiography written by David Beckham himself. This book contains his achievements throughout his career and also a lot of emotion.
In the early stages of his career, during the 1998 World Cup Round of 16, he received a red card for tripping Argentinian midfielder, Diego Simeone. He was devastated as he knew he shouldn't have been tricked by Simeone's provocation. On the field, he knew Simeone was overreacting but the tackle would get booked. David Beckham shared his feelings of regret as he walked through the tunnel at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The England team eventually lost 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 result after 120 minutes.
David Beckham also expressed the amount of hatred he received through the news and fans in England. He and his family received death threats and he recalled a person standing and staring at his house and he had to call the police to take care of the person. All sorts of harassment were sent his way. He even remembered his face being put on a dartboard in the National Newspaper.
The only support he received was when he returned to club football at Manchester United, as his teammates and manager, Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged him to keep pushing forward and leave the past behind. The next season in 1999, David Beckham won the treble with Manchester United, playing a key role in Right Central Midfield in Alex Ferguson's disciplined 4-4-2.
I admire his work ethic as he pushed through the tough times in his life, and kept practicing and improving his techniques. I also respect his attitude as he stays humble throughout his career, even when he succeeds. I idolize him and see him as one of the best midfielders of his time.
In the early stages of his career, during the 1998 World Cup Round of 16, he received a red card for tripping Argentinian midfielder, Diego Simeone. He was devastated as he knew he shouldn't have been tricked by Simeone's provocation. On the field, he knew Simeone was overreacting but the tackle would get booked. David Beckham shared his feelings of regret as he walked through the tunnel at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. The England team eventually lost 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 result after 120 minutes.
David Beckham also expressed the amount of hatred he received through the news and fans in England. He and his family received death threats and he recalled a person standing and staring at his house and he had to call the police to take care of the person. All sorts of harassment were sent his way. He even remembered his face being put on a dartboard in the National Newspaper.
The only support he received was when he returned to club football at Manchester United, as his teammates and manager, Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged him to keep pushing forward and leave the past behind. The next season in 1999, David Beckham won the treble with Manchester United, playing a key role in Right Central Midfield in Alex Ferguson's disciplined 4-4-2.
I admire his work ethic as he pushed through the tough times in his life, and kept practicing and improving his techniques. I also respect his attitude as he stays humble throughout his career, even when he succeeds. I idolize him and see him as one of the best midfielders of his time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2015
"David Beckham" by David Beckham is an A4-sized, hard-covered, glossy picture book with a few pages of David Beckham's written reflections in between. Across eight chapters (England part one, London, Manchester, England part two, Madrid, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris) Beckham "looks at some of the images from my career and talk about what I was feeling at the time."
Because this is not an autobiography, Beckham has done that already, it doesn't cover his whole life, e.g. the Alex Ferguson moment with the boot is not mentioned, but it does cover the major events of his career: the free-kick against Greece, the sending off versus Argentina, the treble season with United etc., and the pictures and words do cover his whole career, from boyhood teams to retirement at PSG. There are a few modelling pictures along the way too, for Beckham fans who enjoy that sort of thing.
Beckham also demonstrates his wry wit. On his sending off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup he writes "I texted Victoria and asked her if she had seen what had happened. She replied straight away to say that it didn't seem as if I had done much wrong. That was reassuring to hear, although, to be fair, she was not a football expert."
Through the rest of the book Beckham's love for his family comes through, as well as how important hard work was to getting him to where he got too, and how important it is to reach the heights in any profession.
Altogether then a lavishly illustrated mini-autobiography of a superstar footballer that will satisfy all Beckham fans.
Because this is not an autobiography, Beckham has done that already, it doesn't cover his whole life, e.g. the Alex Ferguson moment with the boot is not mentioned, but it does cover the major events of his career: the free-kick against Greece, the sending off versus Argentina, the treble season with United etc., and the pictures and words do cover his whole career, from boyhood teams to retirement at PSG. There are a few modelling pictures along the way too, for Beckham fans who enjoy that sort of thing.
Beckham also demonstrates his wry wit. On his sending off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup he writes "I texted Victoria and asked her if she had seen what had happened. She replied straight away to say that it didn't seem as if I had done much wrong. That was reassuring to hear, although, to be fair, she was not a football expert."
Through the rest of the book Beckham's love for his family comes through, as well as how important hard work was to getting him to where he got too, and how important it is to reach the heights in any profession.
Altogether then a lavishly illustrated mini-autobiography of a superstar footballer that will satisfy all Beckham fans.
July 10, 2016
Хөлбөмбөгчидийн намтар түүхийг олж унших дуртайг хэлхүү, Давид Бекхамийн үнэнч шүтэн бишрэгчээс нь аялалдаа үргэлж авж явдаг тамирчных нь өөрийн гарын үсэг бүхий энэ номыг нь зээлж унших боломж олдлоо.
Номны хувьд уншихад хялбар, жижиг түүхүүдийг багтаасан нь нэг суултаар уншиж дуусгахад тохиромжтой санагдав.
Талбайн гадна болоод дотор олны хүндэтгэлийг хүлээсэн тамирчны хорин жилийн карьертаа гаргасан амжилт, тэр бүхний ардах хөгжилтөй заримдаа өрөвдмөөр түүхүүд. Хүсэн мөрөөдөж байсан багтаа дуудагдах, 16 жилийн дараагаар тэр бүхнээ орхих ямар байдгийг туулж өнгрүүлсэн хүний хувьд гайхалтай дүрсэлжээ.
Номны хувьд уншихад хялбар, жижиг түүхүүдийг багтаасан нь нэг суултаар уншиж дуусгахад тохиромжтой санагдав.
Талбайн гадна болоод дотор олны хүндэтгэлийг хүлээсэн тамирчны хорин жилийн карьертаа гаргасан амжилт, тэр бүхний ардах хөгжилтөй заримдаа өрөвдмөөр түүхүүд. Хүсэн мөрөөдөж байсан багтаа дуудагдах, 16 жилийн дараагаар тэр бүхнээ орхих ямар байдгийг туулж өнгрүүлсэн хүний хувьд гайхалтай дүрсэлжээ.
September 2, 2015
Lekko , łatwo i przyjemnie o jednym z moich idoli z dzieciństwa i czasów młodości. Przede wszystkim jednak za krótko. Tak naprawdę znajduje się tu tylko kilka, faktów, przemyśleń i sporo zdjęć. Niewiem co było powodem powstania tej książki, ale mam odczucie jak gdyby powstała ona przy okazji. Fajnie się ją czyta jako przerywnik, ale rozbudziła tylko moją ciekawość i muszę poszukać obszerniejszej pozycji na temat Davida Beckhama.
June 22, 2018
I love anything to do with Beckham. Seriously. In high school everyone called me Mrs. Beckham, but that is besides the point.
This “book” (its more of a coffee table book) was really good. I learned a lot about Beckham’s life and the pictures were captivating. From stories about his time at Manchester, to his time in LA, I couldn’t put it down.
This is definitely a book for any Beckham lover.
This “book” (its more of a coffee table book) was really good. I learned a lot about Beckham’s life and the pictures were captivating. From stories about his time at Manchester, to his time in LA, I couldn’t put it down.
This is definitely a book for any Beckham lover.
June 5, 2014
An interesting read for anyone, I have practically no interest in football but his career and success intrigues me and I throughly enjoyed reading about the key moments in his career.
Most of the book is filled with pictures of moments that have shaped his career. But what text there is, is in depth enough for it not to feel like it is lacking anything.
Most of the book is filled with pictures of moments that have shaped his career. But what text there is, is in depth enough for it not to feel like it is lacking anything.
September 16, 2015
It's essentially a photo book with essays, chronicling David Beckham's word-famous football career. In other words, it's like a greatest hits album. I have to say that it's inspirational, full of quotable sayings from David. It's definitely a must for fans, and a worthy bookshelf collection, if you're into books about a hot guy talking about his life in sports and life in general.
October 31, 2013
Finished it in my lunch break. Pages of pictures do not make a good read. Shallow in the extreme.
December 15, 2020
If you're after a highly detailed autobiography this isn't for you. But if you have followed his career and read his 'my side' autobiography then I'm sure you will love this.
April 8, 2014
I loved this book A LOT. I have followed Becks since United through his ups and downs cheering him on. Never hurt when he joined my beloved LA Galaxy and took them to victory 2 years in a row.
March 28, 2014
a brilliant celebration of an amazing footballer.
June 10, 2014
Looks like a quick cash-in on Becks' retirement. Cheap ugly printing and production, naff design choices and minimal input from Becks himself. BSBA losing finalist.
June 23, 2014
few big events on his career and lots of pics (the mostly b&w games) suprisingly lovely, couple more dates would not hurt though.
October 25, 2014
Most I knew and had seen before, but there are a few gems that made it worth ordering from the UK.
Read
January 3, 2015meh
December 24, 2019
David Beckham is my football hero he really is
October 31, 2015
Just a book full of pretty pictures. Seems like a vanity project, honestly.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews